So, when I meet somebody who claims to be religious, my first impulse is, “I don’t believe you.” I don’t believe you until you tell me, do you really believe, for example, if they say they are Catholic, “Do you really believe that when a priest blesses a wafter, it turns into the body of Christ? Are you seriously telling me you believe that?!” Are you seriously saying that wine turns into blood? Mock them. Ridicule them. In public. Don’t fall for the convention that we’re all too polite to talk about religion. Religion is not off the table. Religion is not off limits. Religion makes specific claims about the universe that need to be challenged and, if necessary, need to be ridiculed with contempt.

I have a funny feeling that even if only a small number of atheists (5% or so) initially adopt that approach, the tide will soon turn..... more atheists will join in..... then, journalists and other opinion-makers will be ashamed to be on the ridiculous side and there will be a snowball effect.......

Richard's ideas always seem outrageous when he first expresses them... just recall his 2002 TED speech!