Is American Atheism Evolving Towards A Cult?

[Robert_S]

Aren't all forms of human civilization and grouping just variants of tribalism?

[Atheist-Lite]

Aren't all forms of human civilization and grouping just variants of tribalism?

Perhaps, however I think the clear-thinking and universalist ways of thinking most mindful atheists adopt preclude the strong tribalism which would inspire atheism in the wider society. Especially in the US where there is a strong theocratic angle and clear social disadvantages about a strident take on atheism. Consider how so many 'libertarian atheists' have turned on Sam Harris for voicing a strong line? It is almost as if there is internalised self-punishment regime so that everyone keeps their heads down. This neurotic fear of 'being the only sheep in a pack of wolves' must make a breeding ground for cult like aspects? including the formation of eilites - the four horsemen come to mind albeit there will be others.

[Seth]

Religion IS tribalism.

No, tribalism is tribalism. Religion is something else.

How convenient. And wrong.

Religion IS tribalism in its worst incarnation and is thereby destructive and harmful to the comity of all of humanity.

History demonstrates the fallacy of this claim I'm afraid.

How so? When religion was not a motive for war, or a marker for enemy tribes, it was a tool of conquest itself.

Religion, political philosophy, avarice and greed, megalomania, racism, ethnic hatred, tit-for-tat, competition for resources, competition for females, all are motives for war and none is any better or worse than the next. Humans have NEVER lived in peace and harmony, and never will. Evolution guarantees it.

[Svartalf]

oh, so it's not THE ONLY manifestation of tribalism? gotcha

[amused]

So-called libertarians are frequently duplicitous frauds.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

So-called libertarians are frequently duplicitous frauds.

I tend to think that of anybody with an ardent political agenda.

[Svartalf]

Hey, I do have an agenda, and I am neither a fraud nor duplicitous, my agenda being enlightened class self interest.

[amused]

So-called libertarians are frequently duplicitous frauds.

I tend to think that of anybody with an ardent political agenda.

Really?

For example, Daily Kos has an ardent political agenda, but I would never consider them to be duplicitous. They are crystal clear about their agenda.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Hey, I do have an agenda, and I am neither a fraud nor duplicitous, my agenda being enlightened class self interest.

Iz you ardent?

[Svartalf]

No. If I were, I'd go into politics or the media for wealth and power.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

No. If I were, I'd go into politics or the media for wealth and power.

Then you don't match the criteria. And I'll let you live.

[Svartalf]

and iz YOU ardent? I have a jerrycan of gasoline and some matches to help you be so if you wantz.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

and iz YOU ardent? I have a jerrycan of gasoline and some matches to help you be so if you wantz.

I have a ton and a half of fertilizer and and 200 gals of diesel fuel. You hang on to your 19 liters of benzene.

[JimC]

So-called libertarians are frequently duplicitous frauds.

I tend to think that of anybody with an ardent political agenda.

Really?

For example, Daily Kos has an ardent political agenda, but I would never consider them to be duplicitous. They are crystal clear about their agenda.

The context of an ardent political agenda is not being crystal clear ( although that may be the case), but being so overwhelmingly committed to a politcal viewpoint that rationality is low on the priority list...

Emotional committment to a "cause" brings its own blindness...

[Ronja]

The copyright related posts were split into their own thread, here http://rationalia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=30576