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Patrick Bateman
Joined: 21 Apr 2009
Location: Lost in Translation
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 Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 12:33 am Post subject: Re: Dawkins is wrong about believers |
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| Big_Bird wrote: |
Interesting. Fine. That's a very good reason for anything at all. That is a good reason to read books on atheism. That is, if there are not a million other things in the world that interest you more. But I do not see why anyone has a duty to read books on atheism. I don't think understanding all the arguments for atheism are a prerequisite for atheism either. |
Yes, without going into too much detail, I do find such things interesting. I like reading, studying, and thinking about the moment a person reaches their limits. The true sense of the word 'wonder.' And no, a person doesn't have a duty to read books on atheism. My point was merely suggesting a person could do that to avoid falling into the dogmatism you mentioned in the OP. I think too often, a person can, though not necessarily will, fall into a fundamentalist/dogmatic state when they stop challenging and analyzing their positions.
| Big_Bird wrote: |
I don't feel a need to confront a religious world, but that's probably because I'm from the UK which is a much more secular society than the US (yes I know I know Henny Penny*, the Muslim hordes are upon us). Generally I live in harmony with it.
As for confronting religious people, either they're beyond help and completely nutty about their religion trying to push it down everyone's throat - in which case I just avoid/ignore them - or much more usually their religious beliefs do not perturb me in anyway. In fact often their faith really compliments them. I have good solid intelligent friends who are theists. Sometimes I envy them their faith. It must be much easier to deal with the terrible distress of losing a loved one, for example. Or at least I imagine so. |
Yes, there is little doubt that the US is still a religious society. Who knows, and it'd be interesting to know, how many of the 'atheist fundementalists' are from the US. It'd make sense given the fact that they have more to be agitated about than their UK counterparts.
Your comment about being envious is interesting. I've often wondered what it is like to confront such things with a belief in a God. I imagine there are pro's and con's on the matter.
| Big_Bird wrote: |
It matters because countries have very different religious climates. For example, in the US, it seems nigh impossible for an Atheist to be elected as a President. In Britain, I don't think many would give a hoot.
Yes, but that's not even within living memory. For a few generations now atheism and agnosticism and a fair sprinkle of piss-weak I-never-go-to-church-or-nuthin-but-I-think-there-could-be-something-out-there theism have been quite the norm. At least in the UK.
Perhaps once upon a time, it might have been a major consideration. But in the latter part of the twentieth century, I don't believe it's been an issue. Mind you, we kicked out our fundamentalists centuries ago and sent them off to the colonies. |
But, regardless of country, atheism is new to popular thought. It's the moment in the latter half of the 20th century where people stopped having to pussyfoot (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/pussyfoot just incase anyone thinks it's a swear) around being an atheist and just acknowledge it. What impact it would have on their writing, I don't know, but it's something to at least consider.
It would be interesting to see what would happen if an open atheist ran for public office in the US. I am a bit skeptical about Obama's religion.
The historian in me cannot personally accept considering the latter half of the 20th century the proverbial 'ancient history.' Remember, such drastic change to collective psyche can be slow, and sometimes painful.
But, all in all, it doesn't really seem like we disagree on all that much. |
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