I don't necessarily disagree with what you have written, and it is certainly related to my question, but I think your rephrased version has digressed from the exact one I posed with particular attention given to New Atheism.
Using your example, have pro-active New Atheists played a significant role in the gay marriage debate so far? I'd argue that a far more substantial amount of support for gay marriage has come from the general public who do not actively criticize religion. Indeed, whilst I have no evidence to back this up, I'd suggest that a very significant proportion of those Christians surveyed that do not necessarily believe in a God, support gay marriage.
In short, the public seems more than capable of standing up for these principles by themselves without the need to criticize, aggravate and ridicule.
Using your example, have pro-active New Atheists played a significant role in the gay marriage debate so far? I'd argue that a far more substantial amount of support for gay marriage has come from the general public who do not actively criticize religion. Indeed, whilst I have no evidence to back this up, I'd suggest that a very significant proportion of those Christians surveyed that do not necessarily believe in a God, support gay marriage.
In short, the public seems more than capable of standing up for these principles by themselves without the need to criticize, aggravate and ridicule.
