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- What Are Atheists So Upset About?
What Are Atheists So Upset About?
I’m often asked by my smart friends:
The answer is simple: religion’s business is to get into my business. When someone deeply believes that non-believers are offending god himself, it’s quite natural to try and change their behavior–often by any means necessary. This isn’t just extremism, it’s belief brought to its natural conclusion without the brakes of reason applied. And we, in this society, are unfortunately low on brake pads.
Remember, only a very small portion of the Hitler’s followers actually killed anyone. Supporting harmful belief systems enables the extremists within the group to take action, and without that silent, passive backing the extremist minority would crumble under public scrutiny.
So while I only actively condemn extremists, I am forced to acknowledge that the immunity from logical analysis of belief that protects moderate believers also protects, in the exact same way, those with extremist views. Quite simply, it is moderate religion that enables extremist religion.
Here are a few videos to provide additional stimulation on the matter: