There is a concerted effort on the part of Christian or other religious people to demonize atheists. (Duh!) Articles like the puerile one above reinforce that behavior.

I don't know any atheist that would desecrate a Mosque or call Islamic people "towel heads" but I certainly know a lot of Christians who would do just that. I try not to know them but
they keep turning up much to my disgust. Atheists such as Dawkins et. al. don't go around burning bibles or korans. They investigate and listen to people who spout their religion and wear it on their sleeves.

Islamophobia is another buzz word used like "terrorist" or "socialist" or "liberal" to demean those who disagree with a certain point of view.

Whatever you think "militant atheism" is, Jack, the three men who have been criticized are not totally in agreement with each other but they defend the right for each other's views to be heard. You may not like those views but to dismiss them as "jerks" only brings back the old adage, when you point a finger at someone else, three fingers point back at you.