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Notes: 25 / 8 months ago
Four ways 9/11 changed America’s attitude toward religion
Criticism of all religion, not just fanatical cults, was no longer taboo after 9/11, says Daniel Dennett, a philosophy professor with Tufts University in Massachusetts.
“Atheist-bashing is now, like gay-bashing, no longer an activity that can be indulged in with impunity by politicians or commentators,” Dennett says.
Atheists were driven to become more vocal because of the 9/11 attacks and America’s reaction, says David Silverman, president of American Atheists. He says many atheists were disgusted when President George W. Bush and leaders in the religious right reacted to the attack by invoking “God is on our side” rhetoric while launching a “war on terror.”
They adopted one form of religious extremism while condemning another, he says.
“It really showed atheists why religion should not be in power. Religion is dangerous, even our own religion,” Silverman says.
Atheists are still the most disparaged group in America, but there’s less stigma attached to being one, he says.
“The more noise that we make, the easier it us to accept us,” Silverman says. “Most people know atheists now. They knew them before, but didn’t know they were atheists.”
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