Comment by Cat on July 21, 2009 at 5:46am

I have always respected Jimmy Carter. It is good that he is rejecting the Southern Baptists... what I hope he realizes some day is that his morality stems from his beautiful mind and not any faith at all!

Comment by Reggie on July 21, 2009 at 6:36am

I'll only post the first paragraph here because we need to support this type of honest writing, if only statistically.

Thanks for the explanation. I get peeved when people use TA to bait me off site with teasers.

@Neal - this is true and a kinder, gentler religion is an atheist nightmare, in my opinion. Well, that and a banana.

@Cat - that is well put!

Comment by Gaytor on July 21, 2009 at 9:31am

Don't we benefit socially and politically from a kinder gentler attitude from religious people? Is the expectation that they go from being a Phelps to atheist? It seems to me that Carter's path would be the more progressive and conventional route towards breaking the chains of religion.

Comment by Reggie on July 21, 2009 at 9:59am

We do benefit socially and politically. I don't argue that. But I guess it depends on what goals one has in mind. Do we want the world to be delusion free or merely holding on to less dangerous delusions? I don't expect the Fred Phelps of the world to become rational citizens anytime soon (or ever), but what these cranks do is make the moderate religious person reconsider their religions and it puts an ugly face on religion for the undecided folk.

I won't say one way is right or wrong, but I don't think a kinder and gentler religion is a good thing. What I would like to see is people accepting reality. Call me a dreamer, I guess. :)

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