Can you have strong atheism/secularism without racism?

[MutieTom]

Famous atheists like Dawkins and Hitchens (RIP) are often being accused of being racist and intolerant.  I know Hitchens was a lot more political and angry than the philosophical Dawkins, but even Dawkins used metaphors like "the Burka of ignorance" in his book.
I have seen violent debates on whether IE Judaism is a race or a religion, but I think religions are connected with ethnic groups and obviously critisism of religion is used by racists.    There is a gay rights protester in the UK who claimed that at a march against a far right party he was told (by white people) not to show his gay rights placard as it was creating insensitive division against ethnic minorites.   No idea how true the story but thats what he said.  I guess what I wonder is can you have strong secularism without creating division and offense against minorities.  Obviously in theory you should but it seems the media and book companies prefer the offensive speakers as more entertaining?

I guess what I really wonder is, is it essentially offensive/patronising to be a western liberal who is against religion and considers it a good work to persuade all people to give up religion, voting for parties that marginalize religion.  When members of religions are often scapegoated at the moment.

[Adam]

Of course you can be a strong atheist/secularist without being racist

Religion =/= Ethnicity

Just because most muslims are asian, for example, does not mean muslim/asian are interchangeable

Neither Dawkins now Hitchens is/was racist

[P7PSP]

I am not liberal at all and I am atheist. I am not familiar with Dawkins but Hitchens sure as hell was not racist. You appear to jump to unwarranted conclusions pretty easily Tom. As in aspies not really being on the spectrum if they like poetry and now this loaded happpy horse shit question.  for being a dumbfuck.

[Adam]

"the Burka of ignorance"

btw, a lot of white women (who are muslims) wear a burqa

and there are even more non-white women who DON'T wear a burqa

[BruceCM]

Citing examples won't prove the point raised. Of course it's possible to be an Atheist/ secularist, etc, & not be racist. Using a metaphor like the example isn't obviously racist, to me, at least, either.

[skyblue1]

mighty strange question OP...you must be a deep thinker

[P7PSP]

Citing examples won't prove the point raised. Of course it's possible to be an Atheist/ secularist, etc, & not be racist. Using a metaphor like the example isn't obviously racist, to me, at least, either.

I disagree. Citing examples could make the point that a strong correlation exists if he used accurate examples. What he did though was point out that Dawkins and Hitchens have been accused of racism, which hardly makes a case for either being racist. Than he added an unsubstantiated anecdote - again hardly evidence to support his assertion.

[BruceCM]

You'd also need a lot more examples, there's a lot of Atheists!

[P7PSP]

  2 atheists out of millions are less than a drop in the bucket.

[skyblue1]

Atheism has become a religion,

Being part of a religion isnt a good thing

does not looking at the gods as deities ( but yet believing in the existence of those beings)  make one an atheist.

[P7PSP]

Atheism has become a religion,

Being part of a religion isnt a good thing

does not looking at the gods as deities ( but yet believing in the existence of those beings)  make one an atheist.

I can agree with some atheism having certain aspects in common with religion, particularly with respect to evangelical atheists. Even though I can not conclusively prove that God(s)* don't exist I don't consider it reasonable for me to pretend that he/she/it might exist given the dearth of supporting evidence for existence.

*Likewise I do not give serious credence to the possible existence of winged horses, elves, flying spaghetti monsters or chupacabras.

[BruceCM]

The idea is that an Atheist believes there is no God, the same way a Christian believes in Jesus as the Son of God, etc. As far as I'm concerned, if somebody wants to believe in the flying spaghetti monster, they're welcome to do so. Obviously, if they wish to convince me, they need some evidence &/ or reason that I can agree with, first.

[skyblue1]

of course the question was rhetorical

[BruceCM]

Intended to start a discussion, though!

[skyblue1]

Intended to start a discussion, though!

Only if someone of like mind wished to discuss theory

Its called trolling

Some replys you keep, some you throw back

Some  days you catch nothing

It happens

The day(s) not over