Science, Religion and the New Atheism

August 12, 11:23 AMPortland Humanist ExaminerMicha J. Stone

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Popular science writers and advocates Chris Mooney and Sheril Kirshenbaum have renewed their request for those described as "New Atheists" to play nice. In a recent article Mooney and Kirshenbaum ask the question: Must science declare a holy war on religion? Mooney and Kirshenbaum want to avoid the holy war, not because the New Atheists are wrong, but because the New Atheists are bad for the business of science.

Mooney and Kirshenbaum have been spear heading a campaign of accommodation when it comes to the battle between science and religion. Indeed, a thesis they defend is that religion and science are compatible. Mooney and Kirshenbaum attack the New Atheists because they fear that outspoken, strident atheists offend too many people, making unnecessary and unproductive waves for science.

Mooney and Kirshenbaum are advocates for scientific literacy. Their advocacy has led them to the conclusion that vocal, strident atheism is detrimental to scientific literacy. Their belief is that the New Atheism will cause the religious community to harden their resolve against science, finding science to be a threat to their religious beliefs.

New Atheists have no such concern. Their only concern is with the truth. Having been marginalized and demonized from time immemorial, atheists are speaking out and demanding to be heard. New Atheists have no desire to appease or accommodate the religious. Their only desire is to expose the fallacies and deceit upon which religion is based.

Hence the problem is one of competing motivations. Mooney, Kirshenbaum, and their camp are motivated by a pragmatic argument about the best way to increase scientific literacy and all that comes with it, including greater funding opportunities. New Atheists are motivated only by the power of their convictions.

As a New Atheist, it is somewhat insulting to be told to "play nice" with the religious community, a community that has done anything but play nice with atheists and free thinkers. Atheists should not be silenced, nor should they be asked to be silent. Somethings are more important than the popular acceptance and understanding of science. Some things are more important than the funding of scientific research. Somethings are more important than the feelings of the superstitious. The truth is one such thing.

Science and religion are not compatible. There is no room for superstition and magical thinking in science. There is no honor in preserving the delusions of the fool.