Blame it on the Atheists

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/05/2837546.htm?section=justin

Here’s a story out of Australia essentially blaming today’s conflicts squarely on atheists.

“Monash University Professor Gary Bouma says people without a specific faith are fuelling sectarian conflict and cause division in society.
"Conflict comes up when groups vilify, deny the right to build the mosques," he told the Studies of Religion in Focus conference in Sydney today.
"Or when the 'nones' - those who are anti-theist - [say] 'You're stupid', that religious voices should be driven out of the public policy area, that religion shouldn't be in schools, etc.
"That is conflict, and that is highly divisive in this society."

Now I won’t argue that there aren’t atheists out there who can make divisive comments, myself included but, to suggest that those without faith are the only ones responsible for causing sectarian conflict completely misses the mark. I for one would be fine with the construction of a mosque, a church, or any other place of religious worship, as long as it is not funded by the government. I wouldn’t deny the right to build a place of worship. Bouma is expecting atheists and other non-believers to remain silent when those on the religious side of the debate speak out. It’s the classic, “atheists should keep their opinions to themselves argument.” When you break it down this is just another rant by a religious figure.