Four days ago, I highlighted those on Free Thought Blogs who were for, against or so far unspoken on Atheism+ (“Free Thought Bloggers: where they stand on Atheism+“).

Since then, at least two more Free Thought Bloggers have chimed in. One, AronRa does not feel the need to adopt the label personally but said that Atheism+ was

a branch of atheists specifically committed to the issues social justice … It’s like a new civil rights movement, but one completely stripped of religion.

And again I ask: how is that in any way different than secular humanism, which includes atheism along with notions of human dignity, civil rights and equality?

In any case, another blogger, Maryam Namazie, was formerly silent on the “movement.” She said she was “unequivocally” in support of Atheism+:

I personally don’t see it as a backlash against New Atheism or divisive in any way. In my opinion it is first and foremost a recognition of the fact that for many atheists – like myself – our atheism is intrinsically linked to issues of social justice.

The very vocal opposition to this very good idea is merely a confirmation of its importance, and when the dust settles, I do strongly believe that atheism and the various social justice movements will be the stronger for it.

“Atheism is intrinsically linked to issues of social justice?” How could that be? While I don’t agree, I understand if someone wants to say they are linking nonbelief with social justice as a matter of policy, but intrinsically? How could the disbelief in a god be intrinsically linked to anything other than the disbelief in god?