Strongest condemnation.

So apparently an atheist shot three young Muslims in America.

I'm lost for words.

This blog doesn't usually deal with religion beyond my own belief.

I've no doubt that the accused, mainly because he is innocent until proven guilty, is an atheist.

He just missed that atheism is not about violence, not even in mirror of religious fundamentalism. Atheism is the use of reason and knowledge to better ourselves, in the face of myth and legend.

I'm horrified. He's set back any progress made by atheists to be seen as equals and as members of society.

Atheism should be the voice of reason. It should point to reality and explain why myths, both religious and otherwise, are flawed. Why a global flood is not supported by the fossil record, why the universe is not geocentric and why the stars are not hung on a cloak thrown over the earth at night. Atheism should promote the advancement of humanity, by driving secular law and equality, and by pushing technology growth (until AI becomes self aware and wipes us out).

Atheism should also be about protecting others right to freedom of speech and religion. Everyone has the right to practice any religion as long as it does not affect anyone else. You can worship whomsoever you wish in any reasonable manner, and you should be protected and allowed to do it without hassle.

Freedom of speech is a core pillar of western society. It let's us say whatever we like and be protected. This idea has been tested recently with the Paris attacks and the Pope's comments following those attacks. Murder and terrorism is not freedom of speech, ever. Limiting freedom of speech because it hurts someone's precious religious beliefs is also rubbish. We all have the right to believe whatever we want, and have the pleasure of being mocked for it. Tell me you're going to burn a Richard Dawkins book and watch me find you matches.

To quote Christopher Hichtens, that that can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.

Some people I've seen commenting on this are asking why this is not being labeled as a terrorist attack rather than a lone nut as it would be with a Muslim attack. It's a lone nut, just like every Muslim "terror" attack. Anyone who feels murder is a decent response is mentally unstable, the word nut is a byword for crazy.

I know good religious followers and bad ones. I know good atheists, and bad atheists. Humanity is flawed, and it is our humanity that unites us.

Murder is never right, or just or good. RIP to the victims.