Webs’ Random Ideas

This discussion pertains to this Op-Ed in the LA Times: “Atheists: No God, no reason, just whining. Superstar atheists are motivated by anger — and boohoo victimhood.” By Charlotte Allen

Before I start the deconstruction I would first like to speak about this Op-Ed and maybe atheism in general. First off the tone of the article is such that readers start with a premise that atheist are pretty big assholes and like to complain about their situation. Which could be true, I can’t really argue that premise as there likely exists atheists that act as such. But in general I wouldn’t chalk up most of the statements atheists make as “whining” but rather speaking out. I think there exists a clear distinction between the two.

Secondly, I am not necessarily complaining about Charlotte’s tone. I can’t really do that as that would be hypocritical of me. How could I support atheists such as PZ Myers and Richard Dawkins with their strong tones and denounce Charlotte’s? But I think if you are going to use such strong tones and words than your arguments should stay focused on the issues rather than personal attacks. Something that Charlotte’s piece falls short of in my opinion.

Lastly, the atheists Charlotte’s thesis focuses on are the ones that are very outspoken and very critical of religion. Which is fine, but she doesn’t mention this as an assumption starting out. But rather professes that all atheist are lumped into this group together. I’m not trying to be the “semantics police” here, but I feel that doing such is duplicitous.

If Charlotte really wants to know an atheist, all she needs to do is have a conversation with one… besides the online websites where discourse can be rather ostentatious.

On to the review and highlighted sections are of my doing…

[UPDATE]: Just missed PZ Myers’ reply in the LA Times…

(more…)

Check it out…

Hilarious find from SEB…

A couple videos from the Daily Show. I recommend taking a few minutes to watch and think about this topic. I think these questions are important because it’s never made sense to me that religion gets a free pass of all the ideas we have in the marketplace. Found via Les…

A few weeks ago I was listening to a NPR report on Camp Inquiry. I found it extremely interesting; the idea of a camp to support those that wish to question ideas in society including religion.  Our society doesn’t afford too many opportunities to discuss religion these days it seems, so it’s nice to give children the opportunity to do so.

I highly recommend listening to the article… The one thing that disturbed me about it was when a father and his wife were interviewed. The woman is Catholic I think (maybe Christian) and the man is an atheist. He states something to the effect, “I don’t care if she raises him in church. Once he reads Dawkins’ book I win!” He says so rather enthusiastically. This is what troubled me.

This seems to me to be a pretty terrible thing and certainly not healthy for the child at all.  I have no problems with children being taught about atheism and religion (I think it would be best to wait for the child to start asking questions though rather than force it on them). Is it really necessary to make it into a pissing competition?

These actions just ruin chances for communication. It adds fuel to anti-atheist sentiments. I would rather see people discuss issues of religion using their ears more than their mouths. It’s not easy by any means and I struggle with it as much as anyone else. As humans, at times, we seem compelled to make our ideas known to others and at the expense sometimes of open dialogue.

With my new job I’ve been forced to learn to listen to others and speak less, since my views on a wide range of topics would not be quickly accepted (not to mention politics and religion should be kept out of the workplace). It’s not an easy thing to do, but I am enjoying it more as I am learning a great deal about the insights of those that think differently than me.

For years my good friend <a href=”http://www.decrepitoldfool.com”>DOF</a> told me about the importance of this and I agreed with him. I just never really had the opportunity to practice it. I guess this partly explains why I think it’s a good idea to have friends of differing opions than yourself.

Found via PZ.

Digital Cuttlefish has some great words to add to a post by Jessica Hagy.

Pretty funny comedy clip…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70IAwHTzrHI[/youtube]

Found via Les.

If you want a great read on an experience with a Christian Right Mega-Church, go check out Matt Taibbi’s Rolling Stone article…

No clippings or anything, sorry. But none is needed for this article. It is witty, funny, and stimulating at the same time and just so well written. Go check it out!

Found from Les.

Did anyone else notice how the word “god” is now bleeped from being used in the sense of “god damn” on television? Is this the FCC? I sure hope not.

This was too good to pass up:

(ring, ring) “Hello?”

“Uh, hi Honey, it’s me.”

“Oh hi Sweetheart. What’s up?”

“Well, I just wanted to check to be sure, uh, are we okay with each other?”

“What are you talking about?”

“I mean in our marriage. Is our marriage okay?”

“Of course it is. What’s going on?”

“Well I just heard that the California Supreme Court ruled that no one can be discriminated against in their right to marry whomever they love, and that includes same-sex couples.”

“Wow! That’s great. What’s that have to do with our marriage?”

“Well, some people are saying that this is going to destroy marriage, and because our marriage is so important to me I just wanted to be sure it hasn’t been destroyed.”

Go read the rest at Friendly Atheist…