Atheist Terrorism: Western Media’s Silence and Double Standards

❖ The Incident​

An atheist terrorist, Craig Stephen Hicks, brutally shot and killed three innocent Muslims in the United States. Western media, surprisingly, remained largely silent and hesitant to label the attack as “terrorism.” However, regardless of media narratives, public sentiment recognized the act for what it was: terrorism — and since the perpetrator was a liberal/atheist, it should rightly be termed “liberal/atheist terrorism.”

❖ Do Atheists Need a “Holy Book” to Justify Terrorism?​

Atheists often claim that they have no scripture that justifies violence. But this argument is simplistic and misleading. Terrorism does not require a holy book for justification. The two most destructive wars of the 20th century — World War I and World War II — were waged by nations whose actions were not grounded in any religious scripture, but often fueled by ideologies of power, nationalism, or racism.

❖ Secular Extremism and Intellectual Justifications​

Modern atheist extremists often derive their justification for violence not from scriptures, but from scientific or ideological doctrines.
Books like The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins, and the writings of other aggressive secular thinkers, often form the intellectual backdrop for this extremism. It is plausible that Craig Stephen Hicks was influenced by such ideas, which reflect a militant disdain for religion.

❖ Western Thinkers Recognize Militant Atheism​

This is not merely a speculative claim. Numerous Western scholars have acknowledged the violent potential within militant atheism.
In her book The Case for God, Karen Armstrong observes:

"Dawkins represents a specific reductionist tendency which is remarkably similar to that of religious extremists. Both regard each other as embodiments of evil. These opposing intellectual trends, through unnecessary simplifications and sweeping generalizations, establish rigid conclusions — ultimately manifesting the worst in one another."

She further critiques the likes of Christopher Hitchens and Ibn Warraq, highlighting their stance that even a tolerant and respectful view of religion is condemnable, because any form of religion supposedly justifies religious extremism.

❖ The Rise of Militant Atheism​

It is these militant atheist scholars who have transformed atheism into an ideological alternative to traditional religion in many Western societies. From the Charlie Hebdo incident to the Chapel Hill shooting, one finds repeated examples of violence against Muslims — including the vandalism of mosques, destruction of Muslim graves, and assault on Muslim women’s hijabs — all under the banner of secular or atheistic liberalism.

❖ Blurred Lines Between Extremists​

Today, the line between atheist terrorists from developed nations and religiously motivated terrorists from conservative societies is increasingly blurred. Both justify violence — the former through scientific reductionism and anti-religious ideology, and the latter through misinterpretation of sacred texts. Yet media narratives selectively highlight only one.

❖ Conclusion​

Terrorism is not exclusive to any religion or lack thereof. Ideological extremism — whether religious or secular — can lead to bloodshed. What is truly dangerous is the hypocrisy and selective morality with which such acts are reported, rationalized, or dismissed in the public domain.