Comment by Kris Feenstra on May 20, 2011 at 3:18pm

I disagree with a lot of what she says, but I don't think she's dumb; just caught up in some wishful thinking and one-sided perspective.  

 

I can't tell if her 'you atheists' is categorical, and if so, if she's being literal or if there's a tone of 'a taste of your own medicine'.  Regardless, I think it's a poor stance to take.  Many atheists are quiet and reserved in their atheism, and do not prejudicially disparage theists.  Her comments contribute to a long-standing theme in America of disparaging atheists.  If she's trying to stop the cycle of intolerance, her statements here work against that goal.  

 

She treats theistic antagony towards atheism as an exception ("fanatics"), but atheistic antagony towards theists is the rule ("you atheists").  I think this is an unsympathetic appraisal of the situation.  The belligerents in this battle aren't arguing from equal footing, and yes, standards and expectations for each party have to be somewhat adjusted to reflect this.

Comment by Barber on May 20, 2011 at 3:22pm

Dumb people aren't hot. She just roped up a few blissfully ignorant thoughts and tried to present it as legitimate. Thinking is fun, when it makes sense and doesn't strain a person out (which is generally very hard for dumb people, esp. in her case).

Comment by Robert Karp on May 20, 2011 at 4:36pm

Puh-lease lady, do not lump us "atheists" in with the religious. We're not claiming to be smarter or know anything more than anyone else. Get a grip. Have a drink and relax.

Comment by Jacob LeMaster on May 20, 2011 at 6:47pm

All I gotta say is friggen Hippies..

Comment by Kris Feenstra on May 20, 2011 at 7:31pm

To be fair, she's not actually calling Stephen Hawking an idiot.

Comment by oneinfinity on May 20, 2011 at 7:48pm

The whole world would be a much better place if people stopped using the excuse that they are "entitled to their opinion" and instead spent some time asking themselves why they have that opinion in the 1st place, and whether there is a sound basis for having that opinion. All opinions are not equal.

Comment by Matt on May 20, 2011 at 7:49pm

Kris, that is the title of the video on YouTube. I didn't make that up

Comment by Eoganacht on May 20, 2011 at 9:21pm

I agree with her assessment of the fundies (being batshit crazy) but not with her 'spirital-element' of humans (an assessment for which she presents no evidence). Plus Hawking is cool.

Comment by J.C. Agosto on May 20, 2011 at 9:30pm

Sure, we certainly don't know what happens after we die. But we are certain that there's not ONE religion that makes any sense whatsoever.  

Besides, we have to discuss the never ending debate about the "burden of proof".  Who claims the existence of something is the one that has to prove it, not the other way around, is simple logic.  I can debate the exact same argument about any other deity proposed by humanity, cryptid, conspiracy theory, and all kinds of crazy stuff.

 

What's funny though is that she said that she is surprised of Hawking's opinion because he is a renowned physicist, and that the doctors expected him to die a long time ago, even saying "so we can rest assure that he's put a lot of intelligent thought into this".  Well, duh!

Comment by Kris Feenstra on May 20, 2011 at 9:40pm

@ Matt, I was referring to Jenn's comment.

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