So, why is atheism such a flame magnet anyway (in genaral)?

There are lots of things where similar logic could be applied, but doesn't. Why is religion so different?

Most likely answer: Because religious affiliation (or even lack thereof) can serve as a proxy for tribe/family-group/allies. Humans evolved in an environment where arguing - loudly declaring your affiliation and coming up with reasons to give members of your group more power/status/resources within the tribe - was a matter of great importance. I think that 'getting offended' is a proxy for 'you are challenging the status/worth of me; I need to react negatively to you, and reduce your status/worth so mine is not reduced'.

I'd also say, that similar to other hot-button debates, the anger is "baked" into the debate in and of itself, and good luck at separating it out. I'm not sure it's a proxy battle per se, generally I feel that proxy battles happen at a "higher" level, where this is happening at a much lower level. But in a way, yes, it is.

This is a battle about science education, global warming, women's rights, homosexuality, etc. etc. etc. all baked into one explosive cookie. Could it be separated out? Yeah sure. But I don't think that there's any interest in it. In my opinion, it would take a wide swath of religious leaders of all faiths to come out and make a concerted statement/effort to roll back religion from being something public to being something private, to actually codify the idea of the double-think in our collective consciousness, where religion is over THERE and something completely separate from how we act and communicate with other people. But I don't expect that to happen, for a wide variety of reasons, some good and some not so good.

edited 25th Apr '11 3:56:09 PM by Karmakin

Short version:

Probably because religion is one of the most important things in people's lives.

That enough?

Edited by CharlesPhipps on Feb 23rd 2020 at 11:36:59 AM