When atheists go too far

steddyeddy · 10-06-2011 5:21pm #1

http://politico.ie/social-issues/science-tech/7573-richard-dawkins-interview-world-atheist-convention

Dawkins said he doesnt mind ridiculing other people's beleifs. Im an agnostic but I really dont see the point in constantly maintianing that anyone witha different view of the world to mine is stupid or wrong. Am I missing out on something here If history has taught us anything is intolerance of other people's beliefs has caused a huge amount of suffering in the past.

Sanjuro · 10-06-2011 5:22pm

Despite agreeing with pretty much the majority of what Dawkins has to say, I do see him as an atheist troll. He's no better than any fundamentalist. But he's a fundamentalist without a god.

Chuck Stone · 10-06-2011 5:23pm

Fair play to him.

ChunkyLover_53 · 10-06-2011 5:24pm

If he carries on preaching like that he'll be crucified by the Romans

Elliemental · 10-06-2011 5:24pm

I think Dawkins is simply repaying the fundamentalists in like kind. For years, Atheists have had to put and shut up, now he's providing a longed for voice for a rapidly growing section of society. I applaud him for it.

iamstop · 10-06-2011 5:25pm

I have no problem ridiculing idiots who's beliefs cause harm or hurt to others or hinder progression.

Turtwig · 10-06-2011 5:25pm

Is it wrong to mock people's favourite political party or politician, or football club?

Dawkins isn't saying religious people are stupid or wrong, he's arguing their ideas/beliefs are wrong or stupid. That's quite a difference.

smokedeels · 10-06-2011 5:25pm

yeah... but.... there's still no God, so....

Dravokivich · 10-06-2011 5:25pm

steddyeddy wrote: »

http://politico.ie/social-issues/science-tech/7573-richard-dawkins-interview-world-atheist-convention

Dawkins said he doesnt mind ridiculing other people's beleifs. Im an agnostic but I really dont see the point in constantly maintianing that anyone witha different view of the world to mine is stupid or wrong. Am I missing out on something here If history has taught us anything is intolerance of other people's beliefs has caused a huge amount of suffering in the past.

That may be true, but that doesn't stop some people from being agressive about thier beliefs (regardless of what it is they believe).

steddyeddy · 10-06-2011 5:26pm

Chuck Stone wrote: »

Fair play to him.

He once suggested a name for atheists should be "bright people" as opposed to not bright people. He seems to have a major problem. Not only that he attacks one religion more than another which shows bias towards the church of england.

Forest Master · 10-06-2011 5:27pm

steddyeddy wrote: »

http://politico.ie/social-issues/science-tech/7573-richard-dawkins-interview-world-atheist-convention

Dawkins said he doesnt mind ridiculing other people's beleifs. Im an agnostic but I really dont see the point in constantly maintianing that anyone witha different view of the world to mine is stupid or wrong. Am I missing out on something here If history has taught us anything is intolerance of other people's beliefs has caused a huge amount of suffering in the past.

There's a difference between ridiculing and being intolerant. I ridicule religious people because I think they're gullible - but I'm not intolerant of them. You're exaggerating for effect.

fedor.2. · 10-06-2011 5:27pm

He'll be sorry when he's in hell

Logical Fallacy · 10-06-2011 5:27pm

I don't mind ridiculing old **** who have embraced controversy to sell a few more copies of his latest book.

steddyeddy · 10-06-2011 5:27pm

Dravokivich wrote: »

That may be true, but that doesn't stop some people from being agressive about thier beliefs (regardless of what it is they believe).

But does that make it right that dawkins does it?

Saila · 10-06-2011 5:28pm

isnt it kind of Ironic rediculing all beliefs yet loads of people 'believe' him

:pac:

Logical Fallacy · 10-06-2011 5:28pm

iamstop wrote: »

I have no problem ridiculing idiots who's beliefs cause harm or hurt to others or hinder progression.

Beliefs can't cause harm, only actions.

steddyeddy · 10-06-2011 5:28pm

Malty_T wrote: »

Is it wrong to mock people's favourite political party or politician, or football club?

Dawkins isn't saying religious people are stupid or wrong, he's arguing their ideas/beliefs are wrong or stupid. That's quite a difference.

Actually he suggested a new name for atheists be "bright people". He actually does say their wrong and implies their stupid thats my problem with him.

Chuck Stone · 10-06-2011 5:30pm

steddyeddy wrote: »

He once suggested a name for atheists should be "bright people" as opposed to not bright people. He seems to have a major problem. Not only that he attacks one religion more than another which shows bias towards the church of england.

Well seeing as immeasurably evil acts have been carried out in the name of religion then I think the man has a point.

Religion will allow normally moral people do dispicable things.

Elliemental · 10-06-2011 5:30pm

Logical Fallacy wrote: »

Beliefs can't cause harm, only actions.

But those actions are inextricably linked to the beliefs.

KnifeWRENCH · 10-06-2011 5:31pm

I despise militant atheism. I'm an apatheist myself but I don't need to ridicule Christians or Muslims to make myself feel better. I might think it's ridiculous in my mind but I won't force that view on people.

I don't think Dawkins is too bad, actually; he's certainly arrogant but he's tolerable. "I don't call people idiots but I do think people's views are idiotic" - that's a fair enough viewpoint to hold. Now I wouldn't go out of my way to spread that message like he does but I definitely agree with his point about indoctrinating children.

So Dawkins is ok in my book. Christopher Hitchens, on the other hand, is an insufferable asshole and represents, much moreso than Dawkins, what is wrong with militant atheism.

pragmatic1 · 10-06-2011 5:31pm

steddyeddy wrote: »

http://politico.ie/social-issues/science-tech/7573-richard-dawkins-interview-world-atheist-convention

Dawkins said he doesnt mind ridiculing other people's beleifs. Im an agnostic but I really dont see the point in constantly maintianing that anyone witha different view of the world to mine is stupid or wrong. Am I missing out on something here If history has taught us anything is intolerance of other people's beliefs has caused a huge amount of suffering in the past.

When peoples beliefs have a negative impact on the world, I think its very important to challenge them.

minidazzler · 10-06-2011 5:31pm

I'd agree on alot of his points, I am absolutely disgusted that people in this country still subscribe to catholic doctrine, I am simply not friends with people who preach it, and I never would be. I feel the similar for most religions, but I have no tolerance for catholicism from the pope right down to the pensioner giving her euro a week to one of the most evil organisations in history.

mikemac · 10-06-2011 5:31pm

He will have plenty of time to reflect on this when he suffers in hell

sensibleken · 10-06-2011 5:33pm

Religion is comedy gold. who wouldnt mock it. If people say rediclous things theyre going to be ridiculed.

Turtwig · 10-06-2011 5:33pm

steddyeddy wrote: »

Actually he suggested a new name for atheists be "bright people". He actually does say their wrong and implies their stupid thats my problem with him.

Idiotic name of the "The Brights" aside. He says no such thing. The implication that they're stupid is purely one that you are making of your own. Look at how much respect he shows for this Catholic Priest.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=po0ZMfkSNxc

Even Kevin Myers disagrees with you, lol.

iamstop · 10-06-2011 5:34pm

Logical Fallacy wrote: »

Beliefs can't cause harm, only actions.

Ugh, semantics. It's the beliefs that lead to the actions, or inactions that cause harm. Jehovah's not allowing life saving transplants, catholics following the church and not using contraception resulting in unwanted births and diseases etc

Forest Master · 10-06-2011 5:34pm

Saila wrote: »

isnt it kind of Ironic rediculing all beliefs yet loads of people 'believe' him

:pac:

That makes no sense.

amacachi · 10-06-2011 5:34pm

KnifeWRENCH wrote: »

I despise militant atheism. I'm an apatheist myself but I don't need to ridicule Christians or Muslims to make myself feel better. I might think it's ridiculous in my mind but I won't force that view on people.

Are militant atheists the ones who scream Allah Ackbar when they blow themselves up or the ones who blow up abortion clinics? A completely BS term invented by people like you so you can feel better than at least one group of people.

dvpower · 10-06-2011 5:37pm

Not another atheist bashing thread...

FTGFOP · 10-06-2011 5:37pm

I knew of him only as a science writer until Creationism started to be taken seriously in the US. I see his current role as an inevitable response to the rise of Creationism.

steddyeddy · 10-06-2011 5:39pm

I agree if a religion does or says something which will cause harm it absolutely needs to be tackled but my problem would be criticising people who do no harm to me, others or themselves through their beleifs I have no desire to crticise how they live their lives.

When atheists go too far

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