Paracletus

http://www.abc.net.au/religion/artic...28/3202269.htm

worth a read really.

But being an atheist means nothing more than not being a theist. But I suppose it has moved from merely being a philosophical stance to a motivated and aggressive group. Personally, I identify mostly with being an anti-theist.

Paracletus

Let science prevail, this is untested territory. I think you guys are onto something.

OleJanx

I would much rather have Alpha Male lions about the place than Taliban, butfeeding Taliban members to Alpha Male lions would be even better...

norsk

I suppose there has always been two definitions of atheism;

1 - not part of any religion (people of this definition don't usually make a big deal out of being unbelievers other than laughing at those who think that going to church every Sunday or praying five times a day is going to help them get into 'heaven')

2 - total denial that there could possibly be a greater being of any description (and these people are usually actively involved in trying to convince others they are right). i guess the new atheists fall into this group...

Applying the logic of what religion is means that the second group are actually a religion...Weird..

Paracletus

Yes, I think the new atheists are essentially just a very militant form of atheism particularly prevalent in America. It does make sense..a cruise down the new jersey turnpike is enough to get your blood boiling.

Kix

They're americans, have no idea about the real world and should all be shot.

(Not just the atheists, pretty much all septics).

Beaverstate

So America is backwards because of religious beliefs, and militant because of the non believers? A few dozen of us belong somewhere in the middle.

Paracletus

Do you have trouble reading? My assumption, as wild as it might appear, merely suggests that the rise of militant atheists is perhaps a product of a rather militant religious groups. My comment on the new jersey turnpike is but one example of the hideous billboards plastered across the country advocating all sorts of redemptions and religions as well as the denial of all said religions. They occasionally appear in london as well much to my disgust...atheist billboards that is. Does that help clear things up or do I need to spell it out again?

http://adultthought.ucsd.edu/culture...n_taliban.html

Beaverstate

My apologies, I lumped you in with the all Americans are religious nuts crowd. A position you did not take.

Paracletus

Victimisation, an ugly trait in people I find.

britexpat76

Maybe it has something to do with permanently having the shits? A clean flow must be better than a sludgy bitumen poop or a big solid meaty eye waterer??

scrubbedexpat141

Quality post that was, saw it on a few people's facebook feeds after.

I don't see anything wrong with militant atheism. At least it provides a debate.

norsk

Other than the examples of terrorism I agree with you that they probably are harmless fools (like other religious folk tend to be).

There are some funny stories as well though. The American Atheists (I think) sued NYC as there is a massive steel cross in the Ground Zero Memorial. Part of their case was that they claimed this had led to numerous suicides and spontaneous vomiting in the vicinity of the memorial...WTF?

scrubbedexpat141

I'm talking more about the non-nutcase Richard Dawkins types. The people that debate and argue against religion without acting like complete knobheads day in day out.

Bahtatboy

Embellished.