Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Ravear · 01-08-2006, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by singletrack1

I understand quite well but there are still fundamental secularists. Some call them militants but they are fundamentalists as well and Dawkins would easily be considered one.

Relativism is an excuse for not wanting to evaluate the evidence. Believe me it's quite possible to be wrong. When someone points out your faith-based mental masturbation for what it is, labeling him a "militant" (whatever that means in this context) and hiding your head in the sand doesn't change anything.

Clete · 01-08-2006, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by singletrack1

I understand quite well but there are still fundamental secularists. Some call them militants but they are fundamentalists as well and Dawkins would easily be considered one.

I agree with you singletrack1. I think Dawkins is a very intelligent guy who makes some good points, but he's so inflexible and antagonistic that he's actually doing more harm than good. Like the old saying goes, "You catch a lot more flies with honey".

glooper23 · 01-08-2006, 02:28 PM

In my opinion, the root of all evil is fear.

capsaicin67 · 01-08-2006, 02:39 PM

Well, talking about superstition is important. But you do have to probably offer people something to replace that, for the rabble to be able to tolerate their jonesing for hope and community. And atheism has not done that well yet.

Ravear · 01-08-2006, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capsaicin67

Well, talking about superstition is important. But you do have to probably offer people something to replace that, for the rabble to be able to tolerate their jonesing for hope and community. And atheism has not done that well yet.

And why should it? Why it's it so important to coddle someone who can't accept the truth?

capsaicin67 · 01-08-2006, 03:49 PM

Quote:

And why should it? Why it's it so important to coddle someone who can't accept the truth?

Oh, it doesn't have to. Just saying---there is a fine line between coddling and offering sustenance. And saying that there are going to be inherent limitations on acceptance of atheism so long as that is the case. That's all. A lot of people want community, and supports, and values guidance, networking and mate finding and casseroles...and always will. And religions are clubs that offer shortcuts to those.

sharon45 · 01-08-2006, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by singletrack1

What Mr. Dawkins seems to forget is that, regardless if God is a fictional character or not, it is people who are causing, and have caused, pain, suffering, and death upon other people. No God required and for many of the perpetrators God was not a motivating factor.

What you keep forgetting is a god idea is the very reason behind most of that destruction.

Quote:

Originally Posted by singletrack1

Have Christians killed other Christians because of very slight differences of beliefs? Yes, and the 30 years war would have told you that without the brilliance of Richard Dawkins. Have Muslims killed Christians, Hindus killed Muslims, and random people killed random people in the name of some higher truth or power: yes.

Yes, revealing god and religion once again.

Quote:

Originally Posted by singletrack1

Does demonizing belief in a higher power, force, entity, or purpose behind the universe do *anything* to further world peace?

Yes, but it should have been delt with thousands of years before now.

sharon45 · 01-08-2006, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by singletrack1

Maybe Dawkins should realize that it is fundamentalism, in ALL its forms, that are the threats of the future and possibly the root of all evils.

Where do you think fundamentalism came from?

Quote:

Originally Posted by singletrack1

Instead of complaining about what has caused deaths in the present and the past, maybe preparing for the future is a better option

That is the whole idea you seem to miss.

MilitantModerate · 01-08-2006, 04:42 PM

It will probably be out on MVGroup or UKNova quite soon after airing.

sharon45 · 01-08-2006, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clete

I think Dawkins is a very intelligent guy who makes some good points, but he's so inflexible and antagonistic that he's actually doing more harm than good. Like the old saying goes, "You catch a lot more flies with honey".

You eliminate the chance of any flies by properly disposing of all wastes.

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01-08-2006, 02:28 PM	#13
glooper23 Regular Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 219	In my opinion, the root of all evil is fear.

01-08-2006, 02:39 PM	#14
capsaicin67 Contributor Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gold coast plain, sea, scrubland, mountain range. Posts: 20,955	Well, talking about superstition is important. But you do have to probably offer people something to replace that, for the rabble to be able to tolerate their jonesing for hope and community. And atheism has not done that well yet.

01-08-2006, 04:42 PM	#19
MilitantModerate Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Edmonton, AB Posts: 603	It will probably be out on MVGroup or UKNova quite soon after airing.

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