The atheist thread

[Arrian]

Sigh.

-Arrian

[Sandman]

Originally posted by Elok
Sandman: I'm not sure how that answers my objections; C.S. Lewis was an atheist for many years, but that didn't make him any less of a Christian, nor does it stop most atheists from detesting him (I know Molly does).

Your objections didn't make much sense to begin with. How much patience would you have with someone who started reading one little thing written by Aquinas or whoever but tossed it away in disgust, declaring them close-minded and utopian?

And 'most atheists detest CS Lewis' is .

[Arrian]

Who the heck detests CS Lewis?

Heck, Tolkein, the guy who converted Lewis, is my favorite author.

-Arrian

[Elok]

Originally posted by Sandman
Your objections didn't make much sense to begin with. How much patience would you have with someone who started reading one little thing written by Aquinas or whoever but tossed it away in disgust, declaring them close-minded and utopian?

With respect to the subject of that particular work, it makes sense. I didn't say BR was close-minded about everything, just that he was terribly self-satisfied when it comes to religion--based on his most prominent work on the subject. He was better than Dawkins, at least, not that that's saying much.

And 'most atheists detest CS Lewis' is .

Yeah, that was too much of a blanket statement. It's only my experience that most atheists I encounter dislike the man; the one or two times I brought him up on 'poly, people blew him off, and Molly just laughed at him contemptuously. And every review I've read of his work by atheists/skeptics/"free thinkers" (I hate that passively-condescending label, but that's another story) called it insidious, toxic, etc. Then again, it's not like I went out of my way to find such reviews, and I can only remember two examples offhand:

1. Phillip Pullman's whiny essay on how Narnia is terribly misogynist, racist, un-PC and other things he read into it after sniffing glue, and
2. A review of the LW&W movie entitled "Narnia represents everything that is worst about religion." I think it was in the Guardian, and my favorite part of it was where the reviewer started dragging in the guilt trips she used to get from Catholic nuns growing up.

I certainly won't regret being wrong in this respect, if I am.

[molly bloom]

Originally posted by Elok

nor does it stop most atheists from detesting him (I know Molly does).

I had no idea you were a long distance telepath.

Please don't put words or phrases into my mouth- I'm quite capable of speaking and writing for myself.

[molly bloom]

Originally posted by Elok


... and Molly just laughed at him contemptuously.

Imagine my surprise on discovering I'm

most atheists

or perhaps the unofficial exarch, pope or convenor of Atheists International.

Again, quote me directly but don't paraphrase me inaccurately.

[Fake Boris]

Jesus Mollick, open your eyes - do you know that many people who believe neither in free will, liberalism, moral retributivism, or democracy ?

[Cort Haus]

OB, do you want have another go at finishing that sentence?

[Cort Haus]

It's true. Molly is His Rabbinical Holiness the Grand Mufti of Atheism.

[Fake Boris]

Originally posted by Cort Haus
OB, do you want have another go at finishing that sentence?

Just tell me if I made a mistake.

[Cort Haus]

Originally posted by Oncle Boris
Jesus Mollick, open your eyes - do you know that many people who believe neither in free will, liberalism, moral retributivism, or democracy ?

Did you mean

"do you know that many people believe neither in free will, liberalism, moral retributivism, or democracy"

or

"do you know that there are many people who believe neither in free will, liberalism, moral retributivism, or democracy"

(these two are the same)

or

"do you know that many people who believe neither in free will, liberalism, moral retributivism, or democracy all worship the giant flying spaghetti monster" for example. The point being that there could be another clause at the end.

[Arrian]

Originally posted by Cort Haus
It's true. Molly is His Rabbinical Holiness the Grand Mufti of Atheism.

No! I denounce him!

I am the Great Denier, High Priest of Atheism! Kneel before Grog!

-Arrian

[Elok]

CH, I don't see the problem. In "do you know that many atheists who X", "that" doesn't signify "who," but "so." The sentence is complete.

Molly, I'm too lazy to dig up the post where you mocked C.S. Lewis. It was a couple of years ago, shortly before you became the first-ever occupant of my ignore list. I only remember it because, as my avatar indicates, I'm rather fond of old "Jack."

[Cort Haus]

Elok - ok, I see which meaning of "that" you have in mind there.

From there, I still don't see understand his point - which is the same one he was making near the start of the thread, as if democracy & free will were metaphysical concepts. Or so it seemed.

[Sandman]

Originally posted by Elok
With respect to the subject of that particular work, it makes sense. I didn't say BR was close-minded about everything, just that he was terribly self-satisfied when it comes to religion--based on his most prominent work on the subject. He was better than Dawkins, at least, not that that's saying much.

There aren't many non-believers who you like, are there? They're either smug gits or petty-minded ignorami.

Yeah, that was too much of a blanket statement. It's only my experience that most atheists I encounter dislike the man; the one or two times I brought him up on 'poly, people blew him off, and Molly just laughed at him contemptuously. And every review I've read of his work by atheists/skeptics/"free thinkers" (I hate that passively-condescending label, but that's another story) called it insidious, toxic, etc. Then again, it's not like I went out of my way to find such reviews, and I can only remember two examples offhand:

1. Phillip Pullman's whiny essay on how Narnia is terribly misogynist, racist, un-PC and other things he read into it after sniffing glue, and
2. A review of the LW&W movie entitled "Narnia represents everything that is worst about religion." I think it was in the Guardian, and my favorite part of it was where the reviewer started dragging in the guilt trips she used to get from Catholic nuns growing up.

I certainly won't regret being wrong in this respect, if I am.

Right. Two somewhat prominent people, plus Molly. There are probably plenty of Christians who dislike Narnia as well (Tolkien was one), does that mean anything?