I haven’t written in my blog for a little while now, as I haven’t been very well and life has generally been quite hectic on top of that.  However I do subscribe to news alerts on Google which have the word atheist and humanist.

The reason I do this is so that I can keep tabs on what the media was saying about humanists and atheists, for example if Richard Dawkins says something profound which the media picks up on.  The only thing that was profound as the amount of pro-Christian articles which simply went on an atheist/humanist bashing rampage.

For example, one article tried to claim that atheists don’t give to charity, a fact I strongly dispute because not only do I regularly give to charity, but I have been swimming for charity, running for charity, and sponsored friends and relatives for charity.  I even stood in the pouring rain cheering on a friend running for he Alzheimer’s society having sponsored her.  It is not my policy to give to religious charities, because I don’t trust them not to discriminate, however I have given a significant sum to charities I choose to support, such as cancer research.

I’ll admit that I have written articles against religious involvement in public life, and even about my philosophical differences with religion.  However I don’t generally hit out at religious individuals with negative personal comments.  The atheist authors like Hitchens, Dawkins and Grayling come in for intense bashing by the American media in particular.  I myself have suffered insults and condemnation from several people who claim they are Christian.

It is so disappointing that the media can’t find anything to do but attack humanists, and there seem to be no shortage of religious representatives who want to be interviewed.  There are a few good journalists out there who report objectively, and I have no problem with being challenged on ethical or philosophical issues at all.  In fact I love debating this sort of thing, especially as I’m generally more well versed in religious scriptures that many so called religious people.

However where do we draw the line between honest debate and hate mongering?  I don’t object to their right to say what they like in a free society, however it comes down to what is polite and civil.  You can call yourself religious, but it is you actions and behaviour on which people will judge you.