DOUG writes:
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has solicited atheists to comment on a blog thread called: Atheists: Most dangerous fundamentalists?
Please comment and help dispel bigotry and hatred against atheists.
Go here.
Are Atheists Fundamentalists?
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RobertMadewell
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Forgive me for being ignorant, but to be a "fundamentalist" don't you have to believe in the inerrancy of a book of some sorts? Christian fundamentalists believe that the bible is inerrant. Islamic fundamentalists believe that the Koran is inerrant. So what book do fundamental atheists believe is inerrant? I always thought that was what fundamentalism meant. Did the meaning of the word change somehow?
Forgive me for being ignorant, but to be a "fundamentalist" don't you have to believe in the inerrancy of a book of some sorts? Christian fundamentalists believe that the bible is inerrant. Islamic fundamentalists believe that the Koran is inerrant. So what book do fundamental atheists believe is inerrant? I always thought that was what fundamentalism meant. Did the meaning of the word change somehow?
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Dardedar
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DAR
Yes it has. From dictionary.com:
***
fun·da·men·tal·ism
–noun
1. (sometimes initial capital letter) a movement in American Protestantism that arose in the early part of the 20th century in reaction to modernism and that stresses the infallibility of the Bible not only in matters of faith and morals but also as a literal historical record, holding as essential to Christian faith belief in such doctrines as the creation of the world, the virgin birth, physical resurrection, atonement by the sacrificial death of Christ, and the Second Coming.
2. the beliefs held by those in this movement.
3. strict adherence to any set of basic ideas or principles: the fundamentalism of the extreme conservatives.
***
So while it started out with definition #1, it is often used more broadly today to speak of some who has "strict adherence" (i.e. is dogmatic) about a certain set of beliefs.
So I think a person could be a fundamentalist (dogmatic, not open to opposing beliefs, intolerant etc.) with regard to a lot of beliefs, including atheism. And I don't think that (dogmatism) is a good thing.
D.
Yes it has. From dictionary.com:
***
fun·da·men·tal·ism
–noun
1. (sometimes initial capital letter) a movement in American Protestantism that arose in the early part of the 20th century in reaction to modernism and that stresses the infallibility of the Bible not only in matters of faith and morals but also as a literal historical record, holding as essential to Christian faith belief in such doctrines as the creation of the world, the virgin birth, physical resurrection, atonement by the sacrificial death of Christ, and the Second Coming.
2. the beliefs held by those in this movement.
3. strict adherence to any set of basic ideas or principles: the fundamentalism of the extreme conservatives.
***
So while it started out with definition #1, it is often used more broadly today to speak of some who has "strict adherence" (i.e. is dogmatic) about a certain set of beliefs.
So I think a person could be a fundamentalist (dogmatic, not open to opposing beliefs, intolerant etc.) with regard to a lot of beliefs, including atheism. And I don't think that (dogmatism) is a good thing.
D.