The petering out of "new atheism" or how Dawkins is so yesterday

BedellBrave said:
I don't. I even consider a few as friends - particularly a couple of the guys on here.
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Exactly and Dalyn being one of my favorites here is one. I do not see him forcing his way of thinking down our throat. I do not force my thinking down your throat, I will give my opinion and that is it.
 
BedellBrave said:
Anyone actually interested in engaging in a discussion of the article?
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They have no interest. They want you to submit to their way of thinking and that his how sheep operates or better yet Church of Scientology methods of brainwashing.
 
KeithLockhart said:
I've considered going into atheism, because I do not like dictatorships, and any religion that says you have to submit to a specific person or you will not be rewarded is a dictatorship. When good things happen, everyone thanks god, when bad stuff happens nobody says anything or "this is god's path for me". When my aunt was laying in bed dying of cancer and could no longer speak, and my mom was on phone crying for 3 hours, should I thank god for giving all that pain to my mom and her sister? Not to mention they're devout catholics, so the fact they'd have to experience so much torment because of "god's will" is a sick joke. If he really was all-knowing, controlling, and held all the cards, then he plays some sick tricks. People starving everywhere around the world becuse they were born in s---holes and poverty. Yet we thank god because we were "blessed" to be born in America and enjoy the rewards of living here.

What a sick joke!
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How exactly does one go into atheism? Is there some fee you have to pay or something? What's wrong with being agnostic these days and just admitting that you don't know? It's like we passed over agnosticism and went directly into a faith for non believers. Are the meetings held in some hip downtown metrosexual coffee shop?
 
Bedel this is the gist of it:

"What, if anything, do these newer atheists have to say? In previous generations, the atheist was keen to insist that non-believers can be just as moral as believers. These days, this is more or less taken for granted. What distinguishes the newer atheist is his admission that non-believers can be just as immoral as believers. Rejecting religion is no sure path to virtue; it is more likely to lead to complacent self-regard, or ideological arrogance."

Speaking of Dalyn, about 7 years ago we had a terrible fight and it was because of this bold line here. He said I had a pompous attitude about how Atheists were all bad but he was right that Atheists can be a righteous as Christians but the only distinction is they don't believe in God and it is not God's will. I fought him and lost because both believers and non believers can be good and now they come to accept they can be bad as well. Dalyn said this a long time ago that they are no different than Christians in any scope of life and I was too pig headed to see the truth at that time.

Because of that mutual respect we are friends today because he told me to open my eyes and accept all flaws in everyone and who am I to judge them? Sorry that there are people on this board who do not have his candid ability to accept who you as you are. I accept people here, their flaws in thinking and all, but they won't accept me and that is fine by me.
 
AerchAngel said:
That is why I did the reverse, some atheists fear that God is real and they will spend eternity in Hell because they never believe.
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I find it hard to believe that an atheist would fear Hell, Hades, or any form of afterlife designed for eternal damnation. In the mind of an atheist, Hell is a fairy tale. It would be the same thing as fearing the boogey man.

Those who fear it are at best agnostics.
 
BedellBrave said:
Anyone actually interested in engaging in a discussion of the article?
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I have no clue if it's true what the author is saying about their truly being a shift toward a less arrogant and more understanding version of atheism. But if he's right then it's a positive step for the atheism religion and bad news for theism folks. A more accessible and kindler gentler version of atheism could attract new members, people who are turned off by what at times feels like a majority of assholes who lead the atheist point of view.
 
Gary82 said:
I find it hard to believe that an atheist would fear Hell, Hades, or any form of afterlife designed for eternal damnation. In the mind of an atheist, Hell is a fairy tale. It would be the same thing as fearing the boogey man.

Those who fear it are at best agnostics.
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Not saying you would, but some could fear that God could be real and they made it their life's journey to ignore Him. I only have one fear in life, one and has nothing to do with religion, so that question is moot for me. You can believe what you want how you want, just don't push that BS on any side my way.

Bedell, the article is good, but the comments are better. There are some bitter people on both sides of the aisles, some good stuff there.
 
AerchAngel said:
You all like to label and force people to your way of thinking, I would not do such a thing
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Says the poster making gross, blanket generalizations about one "side" ...

Also: for the record, I can't recall a single poster advocating that religious organizations should be forced into marrying homosexuals. Certainly, at least, I haven't, which undercuts your repeated use of "you all".
 
BedellBrave said:
Anyone actually interested in engaging in a discussion of the article?
Click to expand...

I have no clue if it's true what the author is saying about there truly being a shift toward a less arrogant and more understanding version of atheism. But if he's right then it's a positive step for the atheism religion and bad news for theism folks. A more accessible and kindler gentler version of atheism could attract new members, people who are turned off by what at times feels like a majority of assholes who lead the atheist point of view.
 
AerchAngel said:
Not saying you would, but some could fear that God could be real and they made it their life's journey to ignore Him.
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I would equate that fear to a Christian fearing that maybe the Muslims were right, or the Jews, or Hindus, or Buddah, or Ancient Greek mytholgy, L Ron Hubbard.
 
AerchAngel said:
That is why I did the reverse, some atheists fear that God is real and they will spend eternity in Hell because they never believe.
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If they do, they aren't really atheists. Not a moment of my day is wasted worrying about hell.

And this new atheist thing is just something the media put out there and some people tried to make money off it, and a few others started talking about it because they thought it made them hipsters. The only thing new is that people started listening after 9/11. This isn't about Christianity or Islam or any other religion (on its own). It is about religion. Period.
 
weso1 said:
I have no clue if it's true what the author is saying about their truly being a shift toward a less arrogant and more understanding version of atheism. But if he's right then it's a positive step for the atheism religion and bad news for theism folks. A more accessible and kindler gentler version of atheism could attract new members, people who are turned off by what at times feels like a majority of assholes who lead the atheist point of view.
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The problem with atheism is the same problem with religion. Certainty. That can at times breed arrogance. If atheists are turning more understanding and accepting, then their numbers will shoot up. My generation is already turned off to the church.
 
weso1 said:
But if he's right then it's a positive step for the atheism religion and bad news for theism folks.
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Dalyn is a prime example. He is not arrogant, he's willing to listen and even engaged in talk. He has his faults and would admit it, which other Atheists I deal with didn't/don't. Dalyn would say you were wrong but will not poke his finger in your chest and tell you that you are wrong but would rationalize it, a lot of them would rather stick a knife in your chest and watch you bleed to death.

The religious nuts would brow beat you. Since I am not a religious nut nor I would brow beat you, even Bedell wouldn't do that and he is of clergy. The Muslims is another can of worms, they would probably kill an atheist where they stand and that would be the end of it, if they even utter there were no allah, they would be riddled with bullets. Christians for the most part would say okay and get into a good argument about it.
 
Dalyn said:
If they do, they aren't really atheists. Not a moment of my day is wasted worrying about hell.

And this new atheist thing is just something the media put out there and some people tried to make money off it, and a few others started talking about it because they thought it made them hipsters. The only thing new is that people started listening after 9/11. This isn't about Christianity or Islam or any other religion (on its own). It is about religion. Period.
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I think you took it out of context, I am saying if they were wrong (not saying either way), by bible description this is a possibility, something about if you don't know me, I don't know you and where you will end up.

I can't see a Christian fearing an atheist because if he did he is no Christian to be honest, because he has betrayed his belief.
 
Mod, please forgive me for I hath sinned. I am sorry for my accidental double post whilest trying to edit it.
 
AerchAngel said:
Dalyn is a prime example. He is not arrogant, he's willing to listen and even engaged in talk. He has his faults and would admit it, which other Atheists I deal with didn't/don't. Dalyn would say you were wrong but will not poke his finger in your chest and tell you that you are wrong but would rationalize it, a lot of them would rather stick a knife in your chest and watch you bleed to death.

The religious nuts would brow beat you. Since I am not a religious nut nor I would brow beat you, even Bedell wouldn't do that and he is of clergy. The Muslims is another can of worms, they would probably kill an atheist where they stand and that would be the end of it, if they even utter there were no allah, they would be riddled with bullets. Christians for the most part would say okay and get into a good argument about it.
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Moving out of the south helped my approach. I was a lot more defensive AND offensive a decade ago when I had to deal with this **** in my daily life. I am a lot less emotional about it, which always helps in regards to reason and debate. Sometimes I feel like I've lost passion--tired of it all--and I consider that a flaw.
 
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