Quickie on Atheism

I love Andrew Sullivan's blog. It offers excellent analysis containing many sides of the news; what separates it from other blog is the conversations he mediates with the readers.

One topic of great discussion is divinity: Sullivan himself is a Catholic (an exemplary one, I would say, of the compassion and humility the faith claims to provide) and he frequently discusses religion and the many conversations around it.

He recently posted a letter from an atheist reader that echoes how I feel about (what is being branded as) the New Atheists: yes they are loud, and their tone does little to persuade believers in an honest debate.

But their contributions to the atheist community isn't persuasion of believers, it's more a declaration of the right to exist, and a place in the discussion. Like the earliest gay pride parades, they are there to say "We're here, our lack of belief is legitimate, and we won't be bullied out. We won't settle for less respect. Get used to us."

It was their voices, their arguments, and their courage that allowed me to come out to the world as an atheist.

An excellent, excellent debate between Andrew Sullivan and Sam Harris, a prolific atheist, is over at Belief Net.