The atheist thread

[Arrian]

Tolkien didn't like his good friend's great work? Really?

edit: ah, yes, his dislike of intentional allegory... ok, I guess... and he thought it was too much of a mish-mash (which seems odd to me).

-Arrian

[Kontiki]

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 ?

I'm a little reluctant to jump into this debate, but I'm just curious what you mean by "believe in" when it comes to these concepts. Do you mean the concepts are internally consistent? That they exist in real life? That there's some inherent value in them?

[Elok]

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

Uh, Kuci's one of my favorite polytubbies, for starters, and Spiff's generally just spiffy. I've already said (in this thread, I think) that I'm fond of Voltaire, though he was technically a deist. Deists in general I don't mind, in fact. Or agnostics. Or atheists who don't rant about stupid ****e like it's proof. Of course I dislike people who rabidly attack my beliefs like that. Who's Richard Dawkins's favorite creationist?

Come to think of it, my brother's an atheist, and I don't hate him. I only just remembered it because he's the sort of atheist who gets loaded with his friends on Xmas eve while the rest of us are off at services, and generally keeps his mouth shut about our crazy beliefs. I rarely even think of his opinion on these matters at all (nor does he, to my knowledge). Dave Barry's an atheist, and I like him. There are probably plenty of other atheists I get along with, and I just don't know it because they don't rant and rave about it.

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?

Those were the only examples I could recall. Which is why, as I already said, it was too much of a blanket statement.

[Fake Boris]

Originally posted by Kontiki


I'm a little reluctant to jump into this debate, but I'm just curious what you mean by "believe in" when it comes to these concepts. Do you mean the concepts are internally consistent? That they exist in real life? That there's some inherent value in them?

I am too - busy for exam period.

[Kuciwalker]

Uh, Kuci's one of my favorite polytubbies, for starters

I'm both a smug git and a petty-minded ignoramus. Bad example.

[molly bloom]

Originally posted by Elok


Molly, I'm too lazy

Yup. Not too lazy to take my name in vain though... and put words into my mouth.

The Exarch Of All The Atheists hereby excommunicates and anathematizes you, base and foul heresiarch, despoiler of logic and worshipper of American Idols.

the first-ever occupant of my ignore list.

What unalloyed honour. I feel so special. I shall celebrate in song:

I'm in with the in crowd;
I go where the in crowd goes.
I'm in with the in crowd;
And I know what the in crowd knows.

Thanks, Dobie.

I'm rather fond of old "Jack."

Bully for you, chili for me...

generally keeps his mouth shut about our crazy beliefs

If only you'd return the favour with regards atheists and atheism in general... or perhaps you think it's better to give your

rant about stupid ****e like it's proof.

instead of receiving one.

There are probably plenty of other atheists I get along with, and I just don't know it because they don't rant and rave about it.

I don't 'rant and rave' about atheism.

I've met and heard many believers who do rant, though, and the charismatic and ecstatic ones certainly seem to rave...

[MJW]

Most useless thread ever.

[Zevico]

Most useless thread ever.

Let he who is without sin throw the first stone.

[Elok]

Do shut up, Molly. I'm not interested in reviving the pointless theism-atheism debate, I'm just saying BR was a self-satisfied douche (it spiralled from there). And I certainly don't want to continue that silly feud we had. Drop it already.

[MJW]

Originally posted by Zevico

Let he who is without sin throw the first stone.

I'm not casting a stone.