Atheists Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens and Sam Harris face Islamophobia backlash

[Starboard Tack]

17. I agree that they didn't give all atheists a bad name.

But they certainly don't represent all atheists. Most of us are quite content living alongside people of faith, provided they don't try to impose their beliefs on us. There are extremists on both sides, but they are not representative of the majority of those who share their beliefs.
These same intolerant extremists are the "smearers", whether they are atheists like Harris, Pat Robertson, or the Taliban. Nobody has the right to judge another based solely on religious belief, or lack thereof.
It's good that there is a diversity of opinion. Religion and it's place in society is a complex issue. Atheism is no different. Those who think they have the answers to the meaning of life are conceited fools.
I guess I fall into the category of "old atheist". I look at the opulence of the Vatican and it makes me want to puke, but I feel no hostility toward those parishioners who subscribe to Roman Catholicism. I may feel anger toward the institution that systematically exploits it's flock, but I feel only compassion for the members of the flock.