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…

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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.

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.

So there was some interesting conversation going on with my post on religion and the “A” in my sidebar. Basically one user’s comments brought up the question, at least for me, if indoctrination is necessary for any organization to survive, specifically religious organizations.

Religion that is imposed upon another, is not going to be true Faith.

While I agree with that statement, it made me think, “Can religion survive without indoctrination of others?”

I think indoctrination at any level, or for any system or organization is wrong. I would never grow a child up to believe in something. That just wrong for the development of a child. The learning process should never be hindered.

At the same time, can any organization survive without attempts to recruit? Is indoctrination a necessary evil? What do you think?

So the other day I read a post by Paul at Cafe Philos about “Standing up for Nontheists. It’s a very good post and is thought provoking, as all of Paul’s posts usually are.

For years, my deepest, most fervent and heart felt opinion on the ontological existence of deity has been a passionate conviction that the question of whether or not god exists is boring.

This is probably one of the few areas where Paul and I differ. But my interest in the issue comes more from my own stupidity on religion than from anything else. I wasted my younger years not learning all the interesting concepts out there in the world. Which leads to my interest in just about everything nowadays.

The main point made in Paul’s post is his frustration of seeing how atheist are treated in this country. And it can be very frustrating at times for an Atheist. Take the simple definition of the word atheism. It means lack of belief, specifically any religious belief. So Atheists are being mistreated, and in some cases abused, because of their lack of a belief. If that last sentence sounds odd to you, welcome to the world of an atheist.

What is the reason for the bigotry and mis-treatment of atheists over their lack of beliefs? Please tell me it’s not from some misguided thought about how a lack of a belief in any religion predisposes someone to more violence or criminal activity. Hopefully it’s not that myth about divorce rates. Does it have something to do with our lack of beliefs threatening your beliefs?

Whatever the reason, take any question from above and even if the answer is yes, bigotry and mistreatment to any human being is uncalled for. Part of living in a civilized society is treating others fairly, justly, and not discriminating. As well as giving someone the civil rights they deserve so long as they do not remove or encroach on the rights from someone else.

So, as Paul did with his blog, I will be adding the “Scarlet A” to my blog. Not because I necessarily care about the movement of outspoken atheists and not because I am the sort of person to sum up my feelings and thoughts with a bumper sticker slogan. But because I am tired of being treated differently for my beliefs and I want others to know why.

I add the “A” to my blog because what Nicole (see video below) went through is bullshit and undeserved. No belief should exclude someone from treating others fairly and humanely.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H48tFhpwD74[/youtube]

Reader Ted introduced me to Randy Newman and I really enjoy what I’ve heard so far. Not only are the lyrics insightful, witty, and well thought, but the music is well produced. The piano, and sometimes instrumentals, behind the lyrics are themselves enough to listen to without any lyrics.

Somebody else apparently likes Randy too as the video below was created a fan using the song “God’s Song”. enjoy!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TFNPgzoIg0[/youtube]

Below the fold are the lyrics…

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