Mclean's - Do atheists care less?

[kermitology]

Originally Posted by DionPlett

I find that clip there with Hitchens vague and weak, not very convincing. I could easily debate him on everything he just said there. Apparently he's a smart guy but his level of understanding on this issue seems to be lacking to say the least.

Is there something about atheists and being English/British, just seems like a lot of those fellas around. I was a fan of Pat Condell there for a while but after a while he just seemed bitter and negative to me.

And Bill Maher, my goodness, is there a more smug man in the whole world than him?

Hitchens' arrogance can really be his downfall. He's utterly brilliant, but he knows it too and that carries over in his debates. If someone is near his level then he can get caught on his heels.

Don't for a moment think that you could debate the guy. He'd rip you to shreds in a heartbeat.

[Thor]

Hitchens is a brilliant debater, and if you come to him with points against what he said in that clip he'd easily go deeper.

Anyhow, this is probably more the guy who does the best at being likable when it comes to these debates.

Misconceptions of Atheism


Science can answer moral questions

[DionPlett]

[QUOTE=
Don't for a moment think that you could debate the guy. He'd rip you to shreds in a heartbeat.[/QUOTE]

I agree and didn't really mean that I actually would want to debate him. In my own mind and based on what I know and believe I was able to answer or counter to everything he said there. That's all I meant to say there.

Like what someone else mentioned in here previously, "Why do atheists really care if you're even a real atheist"? It seems like a lot of effort to be putting into something especially when you get into writing books about it.

You could even say that just like the atheist calls the religous or bible believing person delusional, they're the same way except it's 180 the other way.

[Thor]

Originally Posted by DionPlett

Like what someone else mentioned in here previously, "Why do atheists really care if you're even a real atheist"? It seems like a lot of effort to be putting into something especially when you get into writing books about it.

Not sure what you mean by the quote, but as for the effort and writing of books; why is that seemingly a lot of effort. People write books about all kinds of topics, why is it odd to see the books written about belief and the non belief.

You could even say that just like the atheist calls the religious or bible believing person delusional, they're the same way except it's 180 the other way.

I think most Atheists wouldn't call people delusional, thats a strong word, misguided or ill informed, might be terms you'd hear most. Anyhow its just wording but how would you equate an atheist to being like the religious?

Because I don't believe in bridge trolls, am I the same as those who do believe in them? I don't see your logic here.

Unless of course you mean in passion of their discussion on the issue, then yes, obviously thats true in most cases on both sides.

[Phaneuf3]

Originally Posted by Thor

Because I don't believe in bridge trolls, am I the same as those who do believe in them? I don't see your logic here.

But do you believe in forum trolls?

[T@T]

Is it trolling by posting these?

[Ford Prefect]

Originally Posted by Thor

... Anyhow its just wording but how would you equate an atheist to being like the religious?

There is one thing I find with a lot of atheists ... they are pretty much as evangelical about defending their POV as believers are. That certainly doesn't make them religious, but they seem almost religious in their zeal to promote non-belief.

Personally, I'm an agnostic evangelical hedonist. Which means I don't really care. If it feels good and doesn't hurt anyone or anything, go for it. That's my motto.

[photon]

Originally Posted by Ford Prefect

There is one thing I find with a lot of atheists ... they are pretty much as evangelical about defending their POV as believers are. That certainly doesn't make them religious, but they seem almost religious in their zeal to promote non-belief.

How can one be evangelical about defending what one thinks? Defending by definition means someone else is the one that is doing the accusing.

Defending is different than promoting.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by DionPlett

And Bill Maher, my goodness, is there a more smug man in the whole world than him?

The Pope.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by DionPlett

And Bill Maher, my goodness, is there a more smug man in the whole world than him?

I like him, he smacks religious nutcases up side their faces and they keep coming back for more. great show!

[Ford Prefect]

Originally Posted by photon

How can one be evangelical about defending what one thinks? Defending by definition means someone else is the one that is doing the accusing.

Defending is different than promoting.

You're right. I should have used promoting in both instances. People can be evangelical about promoting something, but not defending. Please forgive my sloppiness.