If it is true now, it will only be more the case in the future that people of religious faith are going to have to find ways to speak kindly and intelligently, indeed faithfully, with people of non-religious faiths. They are already our children and grandchildren, and they will be an important voice in the future. I'm not speaking here about the militant, fundamentalist so called "new atheists," who are as objectionable as religious fundamentalists—indeed, in a weird way
are religious fundamentalists. There are many, many others who do not practice religion who are who are willing to "live and let live" and even see the value of religious faith, just as many, many Christians see the value in the non-theistic religious faith of Buddhists. It is time that we begin to think about how we relate and dialogue with folks of non-religious faiths, individuals who share many of our values and are committed to living a moral life that often includes a desire to serve others.
To this end, I would call readers' attention to a posting by Chris Stedman, Assistant Humanist Chaplain, at Harvard University, entitled, "
In Wake of Newtown Shooting, Why Blame Atheists?" Stedman objects to the right-wing Christian literalists and fundamentalists who blame "godless atheism" for the Newtown tragedy and calls for a deeper understanding between people of differing faiths, religious and non-religious.
