Religion

Pope George Ringo II

(1,896 posts)

17. In all candor, this is why some of us don't view religion as harmless.

Mon Jan 14, 2019, 04:42 PM

Jan 2019

It's a big part of why I'd be quite content to see it utterly eradicated.

If that vice could be eliminated--and I'm not sure it would still be religion as we know it at that point--I'd view religion significantly more favorably.

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Michael Shermer, Scientific American, Sept. 1, 2007: Rational Atheism [View all] highplainsdem Jan 2019 OP

There are some particularly--and intentionally--ill-informed people who won't see the point of #1 Pope George Ringo II Jan 2019 #1

Perhaps you missed this one? guillaumeb Jan 2019 #23

Do you think Shermer is an acceptable atheist? trotsky Jan 2019 #2

Sigh. I've made it clear I have nothing against atheism and atheists. I thought posting an example highplainsdem Jan 2019 #3

No. You've *said* you have nothing against atheism. Act_of_Reparation Jan 2019 #5

Confirming a pattern that I noted months ago. guillaumeb Jan 2019 #22

Congratulations. Act_of_Reparation Jan 2019 #55

Gotta go with the others on this one. Pope George Ringo II Jan 2019 #6

Ad hominem is one way to demonstrate superiority? guillaumeb Jan 2019 #24

Oh I understand that. trotsky Jan 2019 #7

Just what we need. A good lecturin' from a date rapist. Act_of_Reparation Jan 2019 #4

Bingo! Guess nobody noticed that part of his C. V. MineralMan Jan 2019 #46

It could be much worse. Mariana Jan 2019 #54

I don't actually remember that person. MineralMan Jan 2019 #61

#5 violetpastille Jan 2019 #8

Repeats the strawman that starts with atheists really giving a shit what someone believes Major Nikon Jan 2019 #11

Yes, that's why we're so irrational and totally the same as religious fundies. trotsky Jan 2019 #14

Atheists do care, they give it a lot of thought violetpastille Jan 2019 #18

I haven't met a single one that does Major Nikon Jan 2019 #21

By "care" do we mean "want to change" what someone believes? violetpastille Jan 2019 #30

By "believes" I mean religious belief Major Nikon Jan 2019 #36

I got that violetpastille Jan 2019 #38

Dawkins writes books that promote atheism and against religion marylandblue Jan 2019 #31

He has been quite clear on his motivation Major Nikon Jan 2019 #32

A distinction without a difference. marylandblue Jan 2019 #33

You haven't changed my belief Major Nikon Jan 2019 #35

It's not about your personal belief on every possible issue. marylandblue Jan 2019 #39

Analogy Major Nikon Jan 2019 #40

Dawkins really doesn't seem to be doing that marylandblue Jan 2019 #41

Changing their mind doesn't mean you have to change their belief Major Nikon Jan 2019 #42

I don't think there is difference between changing minds and changing beliefs marylandblue Jan 2019 #43

Or maybe the interest is exactly the same Major Nikon Jan 2019 #44

Sure, but somehow you think a religionist will "decide" that evolution is compatible with religion marylandblue Jan 2019 #48

Many do exactly that Major Nikon Jan 2019 #51

But I think we can agree there is a difference between making a persuasive argument... Act_of_Reparation Jan 2019 #56

Yes. marylandblue Jan 2019 #57

I tend to see it this way, if I'm honest. Pope George Ringo II Jan 2019 #34

A shit ton of liberals and progressives write books that promote liberalism. trotsky Jan 2019 #62

Yes that's my point, although some people object to the word "proselytize" marylandblue Jan 2019 #64

It frustrates me greatly that somehow voicing negative opinions about religion... trotsky Jan 2019 #66

I hear you, it's a hazard of being in the minority marylandblue Jan 2019 #70

From the article: guillaumeb Jan 2019 #25

Thanks for the non-sequitur Major Nikon Jan 2019 #27

Thank YOU for illustrating how humans behave as humans. guillaumeb Jan 2019 #28

You keep repeating that as if there was the least bit of sense behind it Major Nikon Jan 2019 #29

As long as we agree what "threaten(s) science and freedom." trotsky Jan 2019 #12

I agree. violetpastille Jan 2019 #16

"As long as religion does not threaten science and freedom..." Pope George Ringo II Jan 2019 #13

I agree violetpastille Jan 2019 #15

In all candor, this is why some of us don't view religion as harmless. Pope George Ringo II Jan 2019 #17

Of course it's not harmless violetpastille Jan 2019 #19

There are positives associated with religion. There really are. Pope George Ringo II Jan 2019 #20

"Atheists cannot simply define themselves by what they do not believe" Major Nikon Jan 2019 #9

That one really does give me a fit of the giggles. Pope George Ringo II Jan 2019 #10

Amazing example of becoming what one claims to hate? guillaumeb Jan 2019 #26

Why do you hate atheists? Major Nikon Jan 2019 #37

Another poster asked me the same ridiculous question a year or 2 ago. guillaumeb Jan 2019 #47

I don't believe it Major Nikon Jan 2019 #50

You have "revealed" only your opinion of me. guillaumeb Jan 2019 #69

Actually it's a fact that I don't believe you Major Nikon Jan 2019 #71

But you are responding to the other posters in the same exact way. guillaumeb Jan 2019 #72

I didn't say that about any other poster Major Nikon Jan 2019 #73

Yes, the "evidence" claim. guillaumeb Jan 2019 #74

It's familiar because that's exactly your game Major Nikon Jan 2019 #75

You do sound as if you are convinced. guillaumeb Jan 2019 #76

More evidence of diversion Major Nikon Jan 2019 #77

Do you mean your avoidance of the question? guillaumeb Jan 2019 #78

I feel no obligation to answer irrelevant questions Major Nikon Jan 2019 #79

The words "irrelevant" and "uncomfortable" are not synonymous. guillaumeb Jan 2019 #80

You seem to be uncomfortable discussing the topic Major Nikon Jan 2019 #82

One of us is. guillaumeb Jan 2019 #83

More diversion Major Nikon Jan 2019 #84

Amazingly enough, I waas thinking the same thing. eom guillaumeb Jan 2019 #85

Funny you should say that Major Nikon Jan 2019 #86

That type of leading question is on a level with the ever popular.. guillaumeb Jan 2019 #87

Since when has that ever mattered to you? Major Nikon Jan 2019 #88

The choir is a metaphor, guillaumeb Jan 2019 #89

Yeah, the one you use to dehumanize those you assign to it Major Nikon Jan 2019 #90

Your "explanation" of my goal is noted. guillaumeb Jan 2019 #91

As is yours Major Nikon Jan 2019 #92

So my behavior preceded my posting here? guillaumeb Jan 2019 #93

No Major Nikon Jan 2019 #94

Dude doesn't represent me. MineralMan Jan 2019 #45

That's a deal-breaker for a guy who didn't need any deal breakers. Pope George Ringo II Jan 2019 #49

There are a few "professional" atheists around. MineralMan Jan 2019 #59

Dawkins doesn't speak for me either Major Nikon Jan 2019 #52

Anyone who pretends to be a spokesperson for atheism is a fraud. MineralMan Jan 2019 #58

Well, I've heard atheists themselves refer to a movement marylandblue Jan 2019 #81

It's a symptom of religious privilege. Act_of_Reparation Jan 2019 #60

I am so sick and tired of the term "atheist" trixie2 Jan 2019 #53

In that, you are like most non-believers. MineralMan Jan 2019 #63

Language is a system for labeling things marylandblue Jan 2019 #65

I would hope we moved past labels trixie2 Jan 2019 #67

So don't use the word atheist. Mariana Jan 2019 #68