How would you define an atheist? There appears to be two types of atheism; passive and aggressive. The first would seem to say that it does not believe in a supreme being but accepts that others do. Does not usually bring up the above fact unless attacked for being an atheist.An aggressive atheist on the other hand could be defined as one who attacks other religions and is often intolerant to the follower of other religions. Often brings up the insensitive fact that faith is the "complete acceptance of a God without proof," somewhat equatable to ignorance which, among other things, is the "complete acceptance of an idea without proof."
But I've noticed in recent years that there appears to be a growth of what I would call aggressive passivity that seems to becoming more vocal. It almost has a become a secular religion evangelically attempting to say I'll let you believe in your God, but don't infect my space with your religiosity.
It would appear anything that smacks of an evangelical approach is seen by an atheist as a firm attack upon their space. Consequently, religion and particularly Christianity is under pressure to stay within a the closet marked "private".
Over the next few posts I want to explore what this means for the mission of the church.
1 comment:
Interesting post Paul.
I have certainly known some aggressive atheists who are as if not more dogmatic than fundamentalists of various faiths including Christianity.
On the other hand i have known some who ask the sort of questions I wish people in the church would be asking and addressing. Perhaps these people would be better described as agnostic although I am not always sure.
Certainly there is an increasing of pressure to exile Christianity to the margins but maybe that is where we are ay our most faithful.
I know there is a lack of coherence in these thoughts but preparing for holiday addles my brain somewhat.
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