5 reasons atheism is irrational

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Theophilus
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Re: 5 reasons atheism is irrational

Post by Theophilus » Fri Mar 12, 2010 7:59 am

Xamonas Chegwé wrote:
irreligionist wrote:I think that the next time distillers tries to enlighten us, everyone should just fill the thread with huge boobs! No comments. No arguments. No debunking. Just bloody enormous boobs. :hehe:
What a great display of rational thought that would be. I think it would confirm my view that there are essentially two types of atheist: one type that is primarily motivated by seeing how far rational and scientific thought can go by itself, and another that simply wish to reject the moral framework found in religion because they don't like it. That, I think was what Dawkins didn't understand about his following - he thought it was primarily the former when actually it contained many people in the latter group who were primarily motivated by kicking against religion. The irony is that in many ways I, as a theist (and as a scientist), am probably closer to the way Dawkins thinks than some, or possibly many, of his own followers.
Last edited by Theophilus on Fri Mar 12, 2010 8:02 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: 5 reasons atheism is irrational

Post by FBM » Fri Mar 12, 2010 8:01 am

Theophilus wrote:
Xamonas Chegwé wrote:
irreligionist wrote:I think that the next time distillers tries to enlighten us, everyone should just fill the thread with huge boobs! No comments. No arguments. No debunking. Just bloody enormous boobs. :hehe:
What a great display of rational thought that would be. I think it would confirm my view that there are essentially two types of atheist: one type that is primarily motivated by seeing how far rational and scientific thought can go by itself, and another that simply wish to reject the moral framework found in religion because they don't like it.
I do both. Thank you for bringing it up. :cheers:
"A philosopher is a blind man in a dark room looking for a black cat that isn't there. A theologian is the man who finds it." ~ H. L. Mencken

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Re: 5 reasons atheism is irrational

Post by Theophilus » Fri Mar 12, 2010 8:04 am

FBM wrote:
Theophilus wrote:
Xamonas Chegwé wrote:
irreligionist wrote:I think that the next time distillers tries to enlighten us, everyone should just fill the thread with huge boobs! No comments. No arguments. No debunking. Just bloody enormous boobs. :hehe:
What a great display of rational thought that would be. I think it would confirm my view that there are essentially two types of atheist: one type that is primarily motivated by seeing how far rational and scientific thought can go by itself, and another that simply wish to reject the moral framework found in religion because they don't like it.
I do both. Thank you for bringing it up. :cheers:
Hi FBM

Do you reject beliefs because you don't like them?

You can probably see where I'm going with this :biggrin:
"To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible" St. Thomas Aquinas

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Re: 5 reasons atheism is irrational

Post by Thinking Aloud » Fri Mar 12, 2010 8:23 am

Theophilus wrote:
Xamonas Chegwé wrote:
irreligionist wrote:I think that the next time distillers tries to enlighten us, everyone should just fill the thread with huge boobs! No comments. No arguments. No debunking. Just bloody enormous boobs. :hehe:
What a great display of rational thought that would be. I think it would confirm my view that there are essentially two types of atheist: one type that is primarily motivated by seeing how far rational and scientific thought can go by itself, and another that simply wish to reject the moral framework found in religion because they don't like it.
That's a bit like saying there are people who sit in lecture theatres and people who sit in pubs, and that they can't possibly be the same individuals.

Don't forget that Rationalia is mostly full of people who just want to have a great time online. There are other places where we can be deadly serious about the debate on religion if we wish (and in actual fact, anyone engaging in a proper discussion on the subject here will usually find they are most welcome to do so, and receive civil responses) - but Rationalia is not a beacon in the night for the gathering of atheist forces or anything like that. Many of us came here in the first place because it was free from the inane ramblings of the type at the start of this thread. Don't be surprised if, when they turn up here, they get laughed away for the most part.

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Re: 5 reasons atheism is irrational

Post by FBM » Fri Mar 12, 2010 8:25 am

Theophilus wrote:Hi FBM

Do you reject beliefs because you don't like them?

You can probably see where I'm going with this :biggrin:
Hi!

No, actually, at the time I stopped believing in gods and such, I was a fan. I was in training to become an Episcopal priest. I stopped believing them because I figured out that they didn't make sense, yet were widely believed despite that. Then I started disliking them. To be specific, I dislike those that are based on superstitious/religious/fabricated rationales. Ones that actually make sense (based on rational thinking) are cool with me, even when they overlap the others. At the heart of it all, I just don't like superstitious/religious thinking any more nor their products. I hope that clarifies things a bit.
"A philosopher is a blind man in a dark room looking for a black cat that isn't there. A theologian is the man who finds it." ~ H. L. Mencken

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Re: 5 reasons atheism is irrational

Post by Theophilus » Fri Mar 12, 2010 9:51 am

Thanks for the clarification FBM. I think we would both agree that truth is not about what we do or don't like. We can say we don't like something; but that is a very different statement from saying something is not true. In atheism (as with religion) I think that sometimes "I don't like it" and "I don't think it is true" get a little muddled.
"To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible" St. Thomas Aquinas

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Re: 5 reasons atheism is irrational

Post by Xeno » Fri Mar 12, 2010 10:22 am

Theophilus wrote:
Xamonas Chegwé wrote:I think that the next time distillers tries to enlighten us, everyone should just fill the thread with huge boobs! No comments. No arguments. No debunking. Just bloody enormous boobs. :hehe:
What a great display of rational thought that would be. I think it would confirm my view that there are essentially two types of atheist: one type that is primarily motivated by seeing how far rational and scientific thought can go by itself, and another that simply wish to reject the moral framework found in religion because they don't like it.
Where are you going with this? The original point was to satirise a poster who had nothing sensible to say. Personally I find tits palpably real, to coin a phrase. We appreciate deeply the gravity of your response but are you sure it was entirely relevant?

If we were to assume it was relevant, should we then take it to make sense, or merely to construct a couple of straw men to make up a false dichotomy?

I reject theism for reasons I have explained elsewhere. I find it absurd and worthy of satire. Given the nature of christian moral belief, tits do it nicely. If you have something better to offer than did thedistillers, I will respond on its merits.
That, I think was what Dawkins didn't understand about his following - he thought it was primarily the former when actually it contained many people in the latter group who were primarily motivated by kicking against religion. The irony is that in many ways I, as a theist (and as a scientist), am probably closer to the way Dawkins thinks than some, or possibly many, of his own followers.
So, in your view Dr Dr Dr Dr Dr Dr Dr Dr Dr Dr Dr Dr Dr Dawkins agrees with your simplistic dichotomy, does he? You have a reference for that?
Friar Barnadine: Thou has committed--
Barabas: Fornication! But what was in another country; and besides, the wench is dead.
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Re: 5 reasons atheism is irrational

Post by JimC » Fri Mar 12, 2010 10:33 am

Theophilus wrote:
Xamonas Chegwé wrote:
irreligionist wrote:I think that the next time distillers tries to enlighten us, everyone should just fill the thread with huge boobs! No comments. No arguments. No debunking. Just bloody enormous boobs. :hehe:
What a great display of rational thought that would be. I think it would confirm my view that there are essentially two types of atheist: one type that is primarily motivated by seeing how far rational and scientific thought can go by itself, and another that simply wish to reject the moral framework found in religion because they don't like it. That, I think was what Dawkins didn't understand about his following - he thought it was primarily the former when actually it contained many people in the latter group who were primarily motivated by kicking against religion. The irony is that in many ways I, as a theist (and as a scientist), am probably closer to the way Dawkins thinks than some, or possibly many, of his own followers.
You must remember you have come to a site full of people who are amiable in many ways, and enjoy rational discourse from time to time (eg. the religious scientists thread), but are also rather feral, anarchistic, sardonic, bloody minded and sensual.

That is Ratz.

That is what we are.

Our reaction to the moralistic, absurd and deluded drivel from thedistillers is actually quite restrained; not baying for blood or condemning him to an eternity of flames, but ridicule and ribald, earthy laughter.

'Tis our way...
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Re: 5 reasons atheism is irrational

Post by Theophilus » Fri Mar 12, 2010 10:41 am

Xeno wrote:So, in your view Dr Dr Dr Dr Dr Dr Dr Dr Dr Dr Dr Dr Dr Dawkins agrees with your simplistic dichotomy, does he? You have a reference for that?
I think that would be re-opening the veritable can of worms that was the Dawkins.net forum closure.

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"To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible" St. Thomas Aquinas

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Re: 5 reasons atheism is irrational

Post by Theophilus » Fri Mar 12, 2010 10:47 am

JimC wrote:'Tis our way...
Yes, I know. And on the one hand I can sympathise when faced with people who won't engage properly. But on the other hand I don't think pornography, even in mild forms, adds to the credibility of the atheist cause (at least to the humanist side of that cause, though sadly that seems to be a minority part of atheism these days). Rather, in my opinion, it reinforces a stereotype of atheist being male and a little socially immature.
"To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible" St. Thomas Aquinas

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Re: 5 reasons atheism is irrational

Post by Clinton Huxley » Fri Mar 12, 2010 10:53 am

Theophilus wrote:
JimC wrote:'Tis our way...
Yes, I know. And on the one hand I can sympathise when faced with people who won't engage properly. But on the other hand I don't think pornography, even in mild forms, adds to the credibility of the atheist cause (at least to the humanist side of that cause, though sadly that seems to be a minority part of atheism these days). Rather, in my opinion, it reinforces a stereotype of atheist being male and a little socially immature.
What's that saying? Errr.....Judge not lest ye be judged, or something.......

So here we have "people who won't engage properly" - I guess you define what is "proper"?

"Pornography does not add to the credibility of the atheist cause"? There's a cause? I never signed up for that. Beside, given the credibility of the other side and their mystical hoo-haa, I don't think we are in any trouble on that score.

I think you may have accidentially brought a knife to a custard pie fight, old bean.
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Re: 5 reasons atheism is irrational

Post by JimC » Fri Mar 12, 2010 10:54 am

Theophilus wrote:
JimC wrote:'Tis our way...
Yes, I know. And on the one hand I can sympathise when faced with people who won't engage properly. But on the other hand I don't think pornography, even in mild forms, adds to the credibility of the atheist cause (at least to the humanist side of that cause, though sadly that seems to be a minority part of atheism these days). Rather, in my opinion, it reinforces a stereotype of atheist being male and a little socially immature.
You have probably missed my point. This is not a site whose main purpose is to advance the cause of atheism - there are many worthy sites who attempt that, and jolly good luck to them...

This is a site for atheists (and some amiable theist friends... ;) ) to socialise, have fun, and also have some serious conversations to engage what remaining brain cells we retain after our licentious, crazed lifestyle...
Nurse, where the fuck's my cardigan?
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Re: 5 reasons atheism is irrational

Post by Theophilus » Fri Mar 12, 2010 10:55 am

JimC wrote:You have probably missed my point. This is not a site whose main purpose is to advance the cause of atheism - there are many worthy sites who attempt that, and jolly good luck to them...
Ah, thanks. Yes, I probably have misunderstood the purpose of this site.
"To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible" St. Thomas Aquinas

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Re: 5 reasons atheism is irrational

Post by mark1961 » Fri Mar 12, 2010 1:30 pm

Theophilus wrote:
JimC wrote:'Tis our way...
Yes, I know. And on the one hand I can sympathise when faced with people who won't engage properly. But on the other hand I don't think pornography, even in mild forms, adds to the credibility of the atheist cause (at least to the humanist side of that cause, though sadly that seems to be a minority part of atheism these days). Rather, in my opinion, it reinforces a stereotype of atheist being male and a little socially immature.
Who are you to say we're being immature?

Or indeed pictures of the proverbial consenting adults are in and of themselves intrinsically wrong.

Anyway here's a picture of a nice pair of boobies just for you:
Trigger Warning!!!1! :
Image

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Re: 5 reasons atheism is irrational

Post by Faithfree » Fri Mar 12, 2010 1:36 pm

mark1961 wrote: Anyway here's a picture of a nice pair of boobies just for you:
Trigger Warning!!!1! :
Image
It must be real cold there, some of their extremities are turning blue. :hehe:
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