key scholar for militant atheism = Richard Dawkins
The GodDelusion
premise of militant atheism:
religion isn't just old-fashioned, it is completely irrational + even dangerous
Bishop John Robinson: conventional traditional image of God has to go; it doesn't meet the religious needs of the modern day
militant atheists see religion as something to fight against
this is in contrast to atheists in general, who simply do not believe in God
militant atheists blame religion for wars, inhumane treatment of people + for 'dumbing down' human thought
they see the involvement of religious groups in education + health care as forms of propaganda or brainwashing + claim that raising children in a religion is a form of child abuse
Dawkins' argument in The God Delusion:
the God hypothesis (belief in a supernatural being, miracles, life after death, etc.) is irrational + contrary to good science
religion is primitive, harmful + has spread like a virus
religion encourages discrimination + is a major cause of conflict
teaching children religion (at home, church or school) is a form of mental abuse that threatens their development
