Question about the banning of a term used to degrade atheists

[EvolveOrConvolve]

Often, the term "fundamentalist atheist" or "fundie atheist" is used as a pejorative against atheists. The underlying premise of the term is flawed because there isn't some central canon to which atheists adhere in a fundamentalist fashion. The term doesn't make sense, but is used often as a slur to atheists. As an atheist, it's demeaning to me, and it never leads to constructive dialogue.

While not having the same societal taboos, the term "fundamentalist atheist" is used to slander and demean much like the words n*gger or f*ggot. It's highly offensive to those of us who pride ourselves on living lives opposite to that espoused by true religious fundamentalists. By using the term, religious folks on DU are lumping atheists in with some of the worst of the right wing.

Is there a way to codify the banning of this phrase and other similar slurs? I can continue to alert on the posts, but a formalized policy regarding the use of the phrase might be helpful in guiding the moderation crew, especially those unfamiliar with the rough and tumble landscape of the R&T forum.

[Skinner]

1. My advice is to alert on it when you see it.

It might be removed as namecalling. But I'm not certain. FWIW, I don't think that phrase is intended to refer to all atheists. Like the phrases "fundamentalist Christian" or "fundamentalist Muslim", it is intended to refer to only a particular sub-set of the larger group -- those who are particularly dogmatic and intolerant of others.

Now, obviously there is some question whether one can be a "fundamentalist" when one is not a believer. But having said that, I think it's apparent that dogmatism and intolerance are qualities which are not limited to believers.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

2. I certainly appreciate your response

But it's logically impossible to become "fundamentalist" in regards to atheism. There just isn't anything to be "fundamentalist" about because there is no central canon, no doctrine, no scripture, etc that all atheists follow. The only use of the term is as a pejorative, since it can't logically be applied to any atheist. The same applies to the word "dogmatism" since there isn't anything about atheism to be dogmatic about.

(Intolerance is another story - I believe that atheists can be intolerant and if are acting that way should be reminded of it.)

If you choose not to make it a banned pejorative, so be it. But just remember that it's highly offensive to many of us.

[Skinner]

3. I'm not going to get dragged into a debate over whether some Atheists can be dogmatic.

People are welcome to review the evidence and come to their own conclusions.

As for whether the phrase "fundamentalist atheist" should be banned from DU, my advice is still the same: Alert on it when you see it. It might be removed as namecalling.