Firebrand Atheism

David Silverman

David Silverman identified as a firebrand atheist and defines firebrand atheism as vocally "attacking" humans' "silly" religious beliefs without attacking the individuals themselves.^[1]

Firebrand atheism is essentially another term for New Atheism. In recent years public interest in firebrand atheism has waned and it is essentially dead (see: Decline of militant atheism in the West).

After being hired as the Executive Director of Atheist Alliance International, David Silverman proclaimed, "The world lacks and needs an international Firebrand Atheist organization... The newly revamped Atheist Alliance International will take on that role with pride and gusto. It’s time to save the world from religion.”^[2]

In December 2019, the atheist blogger David G. McAfee reported that David Silverman has been suspended by AAI pending an investigation into an alleged inappropriate touching incident.^[3] See: Atheist Alliance International's hiring of David Silverman

David Silverman resigned his position as Executive Director of Atheist Alliance International in December of 2019.^[4][5][6]

In an article article entitled On the Importance of Firebrand Atheism the atheist Adam Lee argues against firebrand atheism and he defined firebrand atheism thusly: "...unapologetically arguing that religion is false and harmful, including elements of polemic and ridicule, even if it causes some believers to take offense."^[7]

David Silverman, former atheist activist[edit]

See also: David Silverman's loss of public influence

As can be seen above, in January of 2020, David Silverman, the ex-president of the American Atheists organization, declares he is a former atheist activist via his Twitter account.

See also[edit]

• Militant atheism
• Atheism and mockery

Notes[edit]