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troutman · 03-23-2008, 10:00 AM

Can you count the fallacies in this Herald editorial today?

New breed of atheist treads too much on glib ground
Mark Milke, Calgary Herald

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/...a-3c0807434599

I'll start:

1) Lenin, Stalin, Hitler, Mao, Ho Chi Minh, and Pol Pot -- atheists all -- went on ideological killing sprees which made the religious wars of the distant past look like an afternoon tea party tete-a-tete between bluebloods.

This tired argument has been destroyed so many times, I am surprised people continue to make it. These killing sprees had nothing to do with atheism. Hitler was a Christian. I agree with the writer that religion is not the cause of all human conflict.

2) Atheistic morality and values talk was twaddle, and that the foundation of ethical systems was ultimately irrational inspiration, not reason. That reality puts atheists who desire the ethics of religion -- treat others charitably, don't steal, cheat or murder -- but who dislike admitting God might be even a possibility, in a pretty pickle.

Nonsense. Morality has its roots in the natural world, not religion.

03-23-2008, 10:00 AM	#181
troutman Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Crowsnest Pass Exp:	Can you count the fallacies in this Herald editorial today? New breed of atheist treads too much on glib ground Mark Milke, Calgary Herald http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/...a-3c0807434599 I'll start: 1) Lenin, Stalin, Hitler, Mao, Ho Chi Minh, and Pol Pot -- atheists all -- went on ideological killing sprees which made the religious wars of the distant past look like an afternoon tea party tete-a-tete between bluebloods. This tired argument has been destroyed so many times, I am surprised people continue to make it. These killing sprees had nothing to do with atheism. Hitler was a Christian. I agree with the writer that religion is not the cause of all human conflict. 2) Atheistic morality and values talk was twaddle, and that the foundation of ethical systems was ultimately irrational inspiration, not reason. That reality puts atheists who desire the ethics of religion -- treat others charitably, don't steal, cheat or murder -- but who dislike admitting God might be even a possibility, in a pretty pickle. Nonsense. Morality has its roots in the natural world, not religion. Last edited by troutman; 03-23-2008 at 10:05 AM.