Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by joseph boring on March 27, 2011 at 2:27pm

Dear Robert: I thinks you underestimate the power of religion to bring about the end of civilization as we know it. With the end of the cold war the possibility of mass destruction on this planet is most likely to be caused because of religious conflict and the desire of one or more of the fanatics in each party starting something that escalates out of control. It has been proven over and over again that there is a surplus of volunteers willing to go to nirvana to accomplish this given weapons of mass destruction. From everything I read and study we have a limited window of opportunity to turn the ship around. Do you really think slow reasoned gentlemanly debate will work?

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Permalink Reply by Heather Spoonheim on March 27, 2011 at 2:44pm

Dear Joseph:  I think that you underestimate how much more quickly the power of religion could bring about the end of atheist organizations than the end of the world.  It is immensely unlikely that the neo-cons involved the pact with fundamentalists for their votes actually share a fundamentalist world view.  If holding up my hand when poled for belief in a 6000 year old planet would get me elected, you better believe that I would do it.  To suggest that indicates sincere belief is akin to having faith in the honesty of politicians.

 

Appealing on behalf of the imminent destruction of the world is not a tactic I would expect from an Atheist.  I cannot see how you reasonably compare the threat of suicide bombers to that of world leaders who would as eagerly initiate global nuclear destruction.  This sort of argument really just boils down to an emotional appeal.

 

If you think that holding your head up and conducting yourself with dignity will have no effect on those who oppress us, then I might suggest you at least look into the story of a little brown man named Ghandi.  I can fully respect that you might desire another approach, but I would prefer not to get dragged into any sort of conflict.

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Permalink Reply by joseph boring on March 27, 2011 at 3:22pm

How will anyone bring about the end of an atheist organization anymore than convert everyone to Catholism. People such as Sam Harris agree that the scenerio I suggest is more likely to be started in the middle east and the desire to retaliate. Countries such as Pakistan, Iran, and Isreal with proven nuclear and or intent are more likely to be the catalyst. Even if someone shuts down an atheist organization does that stop you from being an atheist, but if they blow you to smithereens, that does.

Permalink Reply by Heather Spoonheim on March 27, 2011 at 3:33pm

Ending the potency of an organization can be done by convincing a judge that the organization's media campaign constitutes hate speech.  Such a blow would actually impede my ability to vocalize my own beliefs, even though I try to do so in a metered tone.  If you want to address the risk of theocratic autonomy in the middle east with confrontational slogans, then I suggest you set your billboards up there and see how much of a calming effect they have.

Permalink Reply by Rodrica Davis on March 26, 2011 at 6:20pm

I watched PZ Myers on an interview with DJ Groethe on the Point of Inquiry podcasts speaking of this very issue. While many are so convinced that their tactic isn't working, PZ and Richard Dawkins both can attest to those that they have helped to many to deconvert. I will reiterate, that we do not need to exclude any voices out there promoting reason. We can use the both the Chris Mooneys and the PZ Myers.

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Permalink Reply by joseph boring on March 27, 2011 at 4:36pm

George Carlin was and is a genius. Ridicule is an art form

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Permalink Reply by Tammy on March 25, 2011 at 12:39pm

I believe they are merely facts to Atheists but I can see how a Theist would take that as more of an insulting attack than an inspiring point.

 

I am sure if I thought of this or if I read it someplace but I like the line, "We either evolve outside of myth or we die". I dunno then maybe you can add Think Atheist after it. Hehe, I am bad at sayings almost as bad as I am at with remembering names. It's terrible.

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Permalink Reply by Dallas the Phallus on March 25, 2011 at 12:48pm

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Permalink Reply by Joe Lofty on March 25, 2011 at 1:18pm

Perfect ad idea, here.

All religious icons wearing labcoats and doing science. Underneath or at the bottom of the picture, use the phrase "How do you think they did it?" And then give a web adress or something.

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Permalink Reply by Iain on March 25, 2011 at 1:50pm

I think this is the original article you refer to (wouldn't mind seeing your blog btw) -

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/brendanoneill2/100081248/who-want...

He is moaning about the British Humanist Association's census-related campaign, and from what I can tell, the BHA are very self-conciously moderate. I doubt he is aware/cares what goes on over the pond.

He's a contrarian for the sake of attention. See him spectacularly missing the point once again here -

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/brendanoneill2/100080792/this-mop...

You might not be aware of Prof. Brian Cox, but basically he is possessed by the ghost of Carl Sagan, brimming with enthusiasm, and makes the point of mentioning how incredible and significant we are about every, um...ten minutes?

 

I'd like to add something to the main argument just so i'm not also spectacularly missing the point, but i'm quite conflicted on this issue of 'how hard to push'.  However, I think i'm leaning more towards "no matter how difficult it might be for theists, just be factual/honest".

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Permalink Reply by Morgan Matthew on March 25, 2011 at 2:39pm

What do you guys think of these quick mock ups?

 

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Permalink Reply by Ryan E. Hoffman on March 25, 2011 at 2:41pm

love it!

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