realitybites
making lemonade
Sex, Death, and the Meaning of Life: Episode 2 from the Oct 22, 2012 broadcast...
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This thread isn't even about Atheism anymore. It's about "The New Atheism" and it's greyhaired pin-ups. They have made their views clear largely in connection with political issues so it's batshit crazy to say "no politics." You applauded a post about TSA pat-downs. Why do you feel THAT belongs in this thread? A nod to the Noam might be the thought if you dislike terrorists, quit creating them.
To through my hat into the contentious ring, I do see what CG is trying to say. I'll reserve my opinion for my evaluation alone at this point, but I don't begrudge someone else sharing their own.
“I do not fear death. I had been dead for billions and billions of years before I was born, and had not suffered the slightest inconvenience from it.” - T-Wain
Right, I more or less understand what you are saying, however not all of those who view the term New Atheism pejoratively are opponents of atheism. I have great admiration for Hitchens and respect for Dawkins, not only for their contribution to vocalizing atheist ideals, but in their respective fields. Both have reinvigorated secularist thought and both serve as a suitable introduction to atheism. But there is more to atheistic thought than the Fab Four Horsemen. Rigorous critique of religion especially of the monotheistic persuasion has predated Hitchens, Dawkins, Dennett and Harris. Nietzsche went so far as to say 'god is dead' something radical, shocking and perhaps dangerous for its time. By the turn of the 20th century, American writers like H.L. Mencken inspired a movement toward atheism. So, public acceptance of atheism should not be relegated to the early 2000s.
I disagree that the climate is more hospitable toward atheists. The stigma is still firmly attached toward atheists as being immoral, abrasive, and recently intolerant toward anyone else with different beliefs from them. The Fab Four, didn't make the prospects any better with their vociferous attack on religion, and the fan club surrounding them makes atheism seem more like a clique than just a simple absence of belief. I see the grave need for intellectual spearheads who will jettison the mores that promote religion as a necessary precursor to a 'moral' life. Its just that the attempts seem to be stymied by the fact that most of society is scientifically illiterate and so are the new atheists. Its redundant to declare the nonexistence of a negative, and noted astrophysicist Carl Sagan himself didn't identify as atheist, because you simply cannot know if such a thing (God) exists. A position based on pure scientific inquiry would be one of agnosticism. While that position may seem dormant, it is the most scientifically honest one. This is just my opinion at the moment-- it is in now way indicative of what I believe entirely.
Right, I more or less understand what you are saying, however not all of those who view the term New Atheism pejoratively are opponents of atheism. I have great admiration for Hitchens and respect for Dawkins, not only for their contribution to vocalizing atheist ideals, but in their respective fields. Both have reinvigorated secularist thought and both serve as a suitable introduction to atheism. But there is more to atheistic thought than the Fab Four Horsemen. Rigorous critique of religion especially of the monotheistic persuasion has predated Hitchens, Dawkins, Dennett and Harris. Nietzsche went so far as to say 'god is dead' something radical, shocking and perhaps dangerous for its time. By the turn of the 20th century, American writers like H.L. Mencken inspired a movement toward atheism. So, public acceptance of atheism should not be relegated to the early 2000s.
I disagree that the climate is more hospitable toward atheists. The stigma is still firmly attached toward atheists as being immoral, abrasive, and recently intolerant toward anyone else with different beliefs from them. The Fab Four, didn't make the prospects any better with their vociferous attack on religion, and the fan club surrounding them makes atheism seem more like a clique than just a simple absence of belief. I see the grave need for intellectual spearheads who will jettison the mores that promote religion as a necessary precursor to a 'moral' life. Its just that the attempts seem to be stymied by the fact that most of society is scientifically illiterate and so are the new atheists. Its redundant to declare the nonexistence of a negative, and noted astrophysicist Carl Sagan himself didn't identify as atheist, because you simply cannot know if such a thing (God) exists. A position based on pure scientific inquiry would be one of agnosticism. While that position may seem dormant, it is the most scientifically honest one. This is just my opinion at the moment-- it is in now way indicative of what I believe entirely.
When normal typeface just doesn't cut it, go for the BOLD. Everyone is sure to stop what they are are doing and pay attention to your views!
Oh behave!
Dude you know that shit is RIDICULOUS. Now come on. But yeah, alright, I'll behave.
Ya it was hard on the eyes. I had to take three Tylenol after reading it. Headache.Am I coming in clear?
Can I tell you a little secret? I was a bit worried to open this thread and see your response. My heart skipped a beat as I scrolled down. But, to my pleasant surprise, you posted a nice, humorous response. Whew.
Like I told you the last time I posted in this thread; debating this subject gets me very irate and it blurs my ability to separate the argument from the person I'm arguing with, which in your case would be unfortunate since I like you.
I also don't care enough whether there is a God or not, nor do I see that it makes enough of a difference in day to day life, so it is hard for me to spend much time discussing it.
But yeah, someone types a mini-article about atheism on a Morrissey forum and puts it all in bold...yeah, I can't resist that one. Sorry.
Oh I know. And we came to an understanding about that.
OK. Which is worse, bold or colored font?