Is there a new face of atheism? [View all]

[rug]

The Irish Times - Friday, October 26, 2012

JOE HUMPHREYS

The winds of change are blowing through the world of atheism, as it seeks a softening of its ‘Dawkinsian’ attitude to religion and a more inclusive approach

ATHEISTS ARE on the march. Census results published last week showed there was a four-fold increase in the number of people who said they had no religion, or were either atheist or agnostic, between 1991 and 2011, with 277,237 people falling into this category last year. The figures, however, only tell part of the story.

Ireland is seeing the emergence of a newer kind of atheist, who is anxious to dispel the myth that they are all one-dimensional, rabidly anti-religious Dawkinsians.

The winds of change could be seen at last weekend’s AGM of Atheist Ireland, where delegates agreed a new focus on promoting “an ethical society”, engaging in charity work and social justice campaigns, and even collaborating with religious groups on issues of common concern.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/features/2012/1026/1224325730359.html

http://www.atheist.ie/2012/10/working-for-an-ethical-secular-society-atheist-irelands-plans-for-next-year-from-our-agm-yesterday/