(July 2, 2009 at 5:23 am)Arcanus Wrote: It would seem that "militant" conveys the impression of being closed-minded—no matter what one is militant about. It is of course debatable whether or not that is what militancy means; nevertheless, that is the impression it gives. To be militant about a view is to hold that view come what may. And some people (like my dad, who is a militant atheist) certainly intend this meaning.
I don't think it's inherent in the definition of the word "militant" that a person will "hold that view come what may". "Militant" just means "to aggressively and actively support a cause", and I think it's possible to aggressively and actively support a cause without being bigoted about it. It's certainly possible, even necessary sometimes, for a person to be militant and to listen to opposing views, even to the point of changing their minds. Unionism is a good example. My dad was a militant unionist when I was a kid, but in negotiations it was necessary for him to listen to management and alter his demands accordingly.
"Books don't offer real escape but they can stop a mind scratching itself raw" - David Mitchell
