Atheists turning to cult behaviour?

[Mister Agenda]

Alex, many religions are fairly tribalistic or deeply patriarchal to say the least. They humiliate and bully anyone different. I feel my comparison to organized religion is a fair one.

For now, I too feel speaking up is all I can do. I hope that has a slight impact.

Misdiagnosing the ailment can make treatment difficult. Tribalism and religion aren't necessarily connected and are sometimes at odds. It depends on the tribe and the religion. I think you'd have a different experience with a tribe of Jains or Quakers. It's the tribalism that tends to co-opt religion, and certain religions that attract converts with a tribal mindset, not relgions that walk into a region that's open and democratic and modern and somehow turn them into nationalistic fundamentalists.

A recent study found that 15% of atheists are anti-theistic, but interviews with Dawkins and Harris and online comments would lead you to think the percentage is much higher, wouldn't it?

The real trend is that atheists in America are becoming more open and honest about their atheism, and that kind of change is always led by the best at getting attention, and they tend to be the loud and angry one. As the trend continues, more and more regualr folks start speaking up too, and the perceived face of the demographic changes even though there's little actual change in the opinions of most of the people who make it up.