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Christianity Today, February, 2007 |

The New Intolerance

Fear mongering among elite atheists is not a pretty sight.

A Christianity Today editorial | posted 1/25/2007 08:32AM

Atheism is in trouble. You can tell because its most eloquent spokesmen are receiving icily critical reviews in the very mainstream press that Christians often dismiss for liberal bias.

Take, for example, ...

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Tanner

Posted: February 07, 2007 8:05 PM


You nailed it! I'm going to do my report with this article.

Martha

Posted: February 04, 2007 7:01 AM


I believe there is a God. I believe he lives among us by Holy Spirit. I study Bible Prophecy: I see the endtimes coming thru Daniel's prophetic teaching of future events. These future events are now surfacing with a New World Government within the European Union. Revelation 13 and 14 reveals this world government. I also believe that the United States is the Modern Day Babylon.

Jim	Posted: February 03, 2007 6:45 PM

I agree with Mike Adams. No one is more intolerant that a religious fundamentalist - see Fred Phelps for a perfect example. Atheists have been vilified, even burned at the stake, just for having a different opinion. Being an Atheist is an immediate disqualifying factor for someone who wants to run for public office according to a recent survey of voters. Who is the victim of persecution here? Christians, who apparently are in charge of America right now and are running our country into a ditch no matter how you look at it, or Atheists who can't even publicly admit their beliefs without receiving a huge gasp of astonishment and deluge of Christian propaganda, printed and electronic, so they can be convinced to repent and save their souls? I am glad to have my views expressed by someone as articulate and well-spoken as Dr. Dawkins. He knows BS when he hears it and doesn't let it pass without a reply. If you can't take the heat etc.

Snowbunny

Posted: February 03, 2007 3:23 PM

As an atheist, I am not anti-religion. I am concerned however by fundamentalist religions push to make this country a theocracy. It concerns me because christians(as can be seen on these comments) think that atheists are evil, worship satan and are out to get them. This is not true, atheists simply lack a God belief. Many atheists were christians in the past, even zealous, even ministers, even bible studiers. Their fall from faith was difficult for them, but it is where they ended up after much prayer, bible study and thought. Calling us evil only makes us feel that you do not care, and that you are judging us when you know nothing about why we are atheists. I have told very few people of my deconversion, which happened over a period of many years, because whenever I have the first question or comment I get is something about worshipping Satan. I do not believe in Satan any more than I believe in God, but that is the accusation. I am out of characters to write, please be tolerant.

Anonymous

Posted: February 02, 2007 12:00 AM


Well done!

Aaron Kinney

Posted: February 01, 2007 6:44 PM

Atheism is actually winning. Were there two atheist books simultanously on numerous top-ten lists 20, even 10 years ago? Methinks no. The US Census only started tracking atheism as a percentage of the population since 1990. Between the 1990 and 2000 Census, that percentage doubled. Is that a sign of atheism losing? How many atheist book reviews appeared in the Times or other mainstream newspapers 20, even 10 years ago? As many as have in the past year? Methinks no. Numerous Christian Churches in America are either filing for bankruptcy or closing their doors or merging with other churchs, because they either can't find enough churchgoers, or they have too many lawsuits against them. Now how many atheist organizations filed for bankruptcy due to loss of clientele or an assault of lawsuits in the past few years? Lets not forget both Ted Haggard and Christopher Beard of New Life Church and their admissions of gay sex and meth use. How many atheist leaders did that lately?

lisa	Posted: February 01, 2007 3:26 PM


Christians are not hated for being loving, kind people. You know how I know that Christianity isn't true? Because every friend that I've had, upon finding out that I'm not religious, chooses to no longer talk to me. They know that what they believe is false and I'm simply too much of a threat to their belief system. I do not advertise my disbelief, but I will not lie about it either.

Wayne

Posted: February 01, 2007 11:31 AM


very true although Athiesm still has a foothold in many parts of our society we need to confront it with grace.

Sam M.

Posted: February 01, 2007 7:27 AM

While secular papers may seem to disapprove of Harris and Dawkins attacks against Christianity (lets stick to our faith), it is clear that Christians seem to lack the spiritual and intellectual rigour and knowledge to defend their faith. Science, and in particular evolution, Big Bang theory, and continuous discoveries and explanation of natural phenomena as random and purposeless events --- are a direct challenge to God as creator and author of the universe, Christ as incarnate God come to save the world, and a world that will end in reconciliation of Creator & creation. We urgently need a 21st century apologetics culture, able to coherently defend God the creator, Christ the incarnation & risen Saviour, the work of the Holy Spirit among believers, and the ultimate fate of world. The atheists are using their first class minds and science to attack faith, are Christians using their first class minds and knowledge of God to defend their faith? I don't think so.

Karl Franklin

Posted: January 31, 2007 12:06 PM

I studied at two major secular universities (Cornell U. in the USA and Australian National University) and I did not come across any professors who were overtly anti-religious. They seemed to respect other cultures. My own organization (SIL International) works with minority languages around the world and we teach our members to respect the cultures and beliefs of such groups. At the same time, we believe that every individual should have an opportunity to believe in God, even atheists. If they choose to reject God, that is their right, just as it is the right of any individual to believe in God. Science does not preclude a belief in God. The faults of individuals or groups does not nullify the core beliefs of Christianity any more than immoral scientists cancel out the discoveries of science.

Neila Petrick

Posted: January 31, 2007 10:18 AM


Religion is not the cause of terrorism, but is often used as the excuse for terrorism, wrongly of course. The violent will always find an excuse for their evil.

Allie

Posted: January 31, 2007 8:03 AM


I appreciated this, big time. I've wondered about why atheists have been so vehement, but after reading that, my wonder has been turned to a sad sense of compassion. What could possibly have made them so vindictive, and how can we as Christians lovingly reach out to them? That's the more important question, I think. Politics and terrorism are really side issues.

Jack	Posted: January 30, 2007 8:25 PM

I am Christian but I also have the propensity to allow other people to think what they wish to. It is how we will grow individually and as a global people. I have no fear that others will think differently. Just as many other religions lead to the same God , just via a slightly different path. Why would I discriminate against them? I also have no fear of science and theories of evolution. It is mankind's attempt to describe the world around us so that we can understand it and I think so that we can not only know what is best to do but also the reasons why. It is part of the learning process to question. Atheists likely have their fears as well, the most prominent among these being the extermination of entire peoples from the face of the earth in the name of religion because they are savages or because they think differently. See early North American history. What is there to fear? Let us learn and with learning understand. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

Tom Price

Posted: January 30, 2007 6:02 PM


Quite a provocative piece, but you need to check the facts out properly on Flew. He isn't as far as I can make out - a theist, but a kind of deist. Also, you need to reflect more deeply on why Dawkins book is so popular. It isn't because atheism is dying a death. It's because agnostic, secularism is eating it so fast it can't describe what is happening to itself.

Robert Eugene DiPaolo

Posted: January 30, 2007 10:27 AM

The author misses the point and arrives at the wrong conclusion. If he'd read Dawkins’s book, he’d realize Dawkins’s intolerance is a response to the intolerance of religious people, evangelicals included. True, Dawkins didn’t do his home work regarding proofs for God’s existence or the reliability of NT texts and assumes the mechanism of natural selection in his argument from improbability. But when it comes to documenting religious intolerance, including that of evangelicals, he is on the mark. The author’s concluding paragraph is absurd. Evangelicals are known not for their love, but for their meanness, negativity and display of arrogance, and intolerance. This commentary is an example of the very thing about which the author cautions, an overreaction. If Dawkins knows he is losing the battle, he shows no sign of it. Its fair to say he seems to think atheism is on the rise, poised to achieve the adherence he believes it deserves. CT can and ought to do much better than this.

Jennifer S

Posted: January 29, 2007 4:57 PM

Christian churches send out hundmissionaries around the world to convert people to their particular branch of religion. They pour millions of dollars into missions, they send Bibles to countries like China, they start clubs in public schools to convert the student body, and they wear their faith on their clothing and cars to let everyone know where they stand on Jesus. Christians have fits when they cannot pray before football games, they teach in their churches that atheism is not only wrong but inherently evil and atheists are related to the devil, but when a couple of atheists like Dawkins and Harris write a couple of books that point out the whole god thing is probably wrong THAT'S aggressive? Puh-leeze.

RICH CRATER

Posted: January 28, 2007 10:57 AM


SO WHAT'S NEW JESUS THEY HATE ME THEY WILL HATE YOU

Warren Stark

Posted: January 28, 2007 3:48 AM

One of the biggest problems in combatting the arguments of atheists is their (misguided) reliance on logic in their total denial of the possibility of eternity. In their eyes we are deluded for having any faith at all. This makes us dangerous to their cause as many people make their initial decision for Christ based on emotion and only develop a relationship with Him over time. This is why public prayer is so radically opposed. Their aim is simply to make it harder for the lost to be led to the Lord without actively seeking him out. If only these atheists realized that they are merely pawns in a much larger battle.

Chook

Posted: January 28, 2007 1:10 AM


Why is this not attributed

David Grant

Posted: January 27, 2007 9:59 PM


Why doesn't somebody with CT write an article showing all the good that Christians have done in the world in terms of Education, Hospitals, and help for the Needy, i.e. Salvation Army, World Vision, etc and then try to find something socially beneficial that the atheists have contributedl! DG

Andrea

Posted: January 27, 2007 5:17 PM

This article was okay, but the comments were more revealing. Christianity is always in trouble - it is supposed to be. If Jesus Christ was an offense 2000 years ago, so we should be too. But notice Christ always walked away from people and let them follow Him, He did not shove His message down their throats. Although they probably took it that way. Christianity has done more to civilize the world than all of man's teaching or programs. The catch is you must look deeply to see that it is Him. For those who say God does not reveal Himself I challenge you to go to God and ask Him to reveal Himself to you. He who formed the world is able to make even you see what cannot be seen and know Him personally. God Bless - He only wants the best for you and the Iraqi's, Iranians, atheists, Muslims etc. REMEMBER -- He only wants the BEST for them too.

Wayne

Posted: January 27, 2007 3:10 PM

On the surface this review seems quite accurate. From the point of view of mainstream Christianity it reflects the world as it is unfolding. What it fails to mention is the resugence of a highly conservative and aggresive political fundamentalism which is attacking the underpinnings of democratic society with great vigour. Yes the tide is turning but it should come as no surprise that Conservative Christians have wiped away mcuh of the good will that existed in the non believing community.

Jerry

Posted: January 26, 2007 8:54 PM


Evangelicals live and let live more than Muslims and other religious groups. Standing up for our beliefs doesn't mean we're tearing down others. We don't want theocracy, just fair play.

Matt	Posted: January 26, 2007 7:00 PM

QUOTE: I would like the author to substantiate his assertion that atheists "dominate elite institutions." Tom, apparently you've never been to a public College campus. Having been forced to take my Master's in PolSci at Cal State University, Fulleton, I can assure you that liberal minds dominate our educational institutions (Just look at the liberal issues Teacher's Unions support that have no effect on teaching jobs). The only professors I had that were not Pelosi-style Democrats, were part-time faculty (and no one on staff would have been ashamed to say there was a - in their mind - good reason for it).

Tom Rugh

Posted: January 26, 2007 12:55 PM


I would like the author to substantiate his assertion that atheists "dominate elite institutions." Please name the atheists and the "elite institutions" so referenced. That sounds like the kind of polemical and exaggerated statement that he criticizes Dawkins for making.

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