The aims of new atheism?

What are your goals as far as atheism is concerned?

Eventually, I want not to have to talk about atheism and religion anymore. I don’t care about people having a religion (I care in that I think that religion breeds hatred and violence). I wish they were a lot more rational about the world, and cared more about empirical evidence than they do. I wish that they saw gods as I see them — the same way I see the Easter bunny or Santa Claus — as silly, useless and illusory. I wish that they could experience the wonder of the unknown, of discovery, rather than being shackled by myths that explain everything, but in such a delusional way. I wish they could be comforted by people, not fables. I wish they were not so afraid of death, and more respectful of life.

I want them to not care that I don’t believe in their god(s) — to not be offended by my presence in this world, by my absolute affront to their faith by simply existing in a state of non-belief. I want to have people walk by me wearing an atheist t-shirt and not make a stupid remark (kind of like you don’t see me making a stupid remark about a Christian t-shirt). I want to not be excluded/rejected/criticized/ostracized for my “lack of faith.”

I want them to stop preying on the depressed, the hopeless, the lonely, the alcoholic, and the hungy. I mean, sometimes, they are well-intentioned, but the help they give comes with a heavy price. Going to an AA meeting requires obeisance to god, as well as praying. Getting food at a religious soup kitchen requires prayer and sermons. All they’re proving is that people will do anything to eat.

I want them to give credit where credit is due. When a child is rescued, or someone survives, (or when a team wins) they credit a miracle — God’s intercession — rather than human effort, compassion, and strength. When someone pulls themselves up, it’s because they did it — they found the strength inside themselves, and maybe there’s a community, friends, and family supporting them. But they didn’t accomplish anything because Jesus helped them. If you did something important for yourself, it was you that did it. You should give yourself some credit.