The ATHEISM Thread

[19bernardo87]

Some of them ARE prank calls, but most of them are not. I think the problem is that theists don't have any way to logically support their position, so of course they all come across as dumb. Many of them are very dumb already, though. And some of them have never even heard of "atheism" until they stumbled on the show on their TV. Lots of calls start with "So you don't believe in nothin'?"

The show's often a source of disappointment, too. A heard a call yesterday where the caller claimed to have "evidence for Creation." Sweet! I wonder what he's got! But then he spent the whole call trying to poke holes in evolution (and doing a bad job of it), which, even if evolution is totally wrong, doesn't provide any evidence FOR Creation at all.

Here's one of my favorite apologetics I heard on the show (I'm paraphrasing): If evolution is true, our senses are imperfect and prone to error, so they are not reliable. The evidence for evolution, thus, can't be trusted because of our unreliable senses. But if the Bible is true, our senses were created by God and are, thus, perfect and completely reliable. Thus, the Bible!

Interestingly I also listened to a show yesterday that was recorded right after the 2006 midterm elections. They were discussing a speech about secularism and religion in politics by some guy named Obama (am I spelling that right?). They liked some of what he said, but disliked other stuff he said. The secret Muslim conspiracies were around even back then -- a couple callers called in thinking he was a Muslim.

I'm almost tempted to just listen Matt debating rather than him on the show. The problem is that I usually can't stomach those debates either...

[Ben]

Why would you be an American if you don't agree with everything America does? Unless you mean Smith or Marc (I'm not sure who you're talking about) hates EVERYTHING about the Catholic Church. I didn't see that said, but could've missed it.

What parts are you assuming Smith threw out by the way?

I think your analogy doesn't work. The only thing that's required to call yourself an American is to be an American citizen. The label doesn't require or imply that you approve of everything the country/government does. This is especially true in America, which has a system designed to change based on popular opinions or whims. There's a system in place to even change our constitution.

Smith, I believe, likes a lot of the Catholic church's tenets, but not all of them. I don't know exactly what he rejects, but I assume, say, the ban on condom use is one of them since he doesn't have a million children running around in shorts and trenchcoats.

I could be wrong, but I thought one of the core beliefs of Catholicism is that the Pope is your leader and what he says is coming directly from God and he's infallible, etc. But if you call yourself a Catholic and you reject this, are you really a Catholic? I'd think you'd need a new label for yourself.

Just like someone who calls themself a Marvel Zombie, but no longer likes most of what Marvel produces should stop calling themself a Marvel Zombie.

And sure, language is alive and word meanings can change. Over time, I'm sure a label like Catholic can come to mean something different. But I'm talking about words as they're known now.

[HOOKS]

I think the only thing more frustrating than hearing some calls on The Atheist Experience is reading YouTube comments.

"Atheists are just evil people who are controlled by Satan...that shows you Satan's power...he can completely control someone's life and mind and emotions and at the same time he can make them think that he doesnt exist....theres no way anyone can come even close to beating Satan on their own...they need to seek God and submit to him. I hope atheists will repent so they dont end up in hell being punished for their sins...God will save you if you trust him."

[Hate_Prime]

If people came from monkeys, how come we don't see gorillas birthing baby humans now?

Therefore Adam and Eve happenned.

Check and mate, darwinists.

[Slewo.O]

Not if you possess the Atheist Medallion forged by Professor Stephen Hawking inside a black hole. It protects you from all demonic influence, and makes about as much sense as that post you quoted Hooks.

[Urgur the Gurgur]

If people came from monkeys, how come we don't see gorillas birthing baby humans now?

Therefore Adam and Eve happenned.

Check and mate, darwinists.

One of my favorites is "It took tens of thousands of years for monkeys to evolve into humans. Oh wait! Monkeys don't live tens of thousands of years!"

[Patton]

I think your analogy doesn't work. The only thing that's required to call yourself an American is to be an American citizen. The label doesn't require or imply that you approve of everything the country/government does. This is especially true in America, which has a system designed to change based on popular opinions or whims. There's a system in place to even change our constitution.

Smith, I believe, likes a lot of the Catholic church's tenets, but not all of them. I don't know exactly what he rejects, but I assume, say, the ban on condom use is one of them since he doesn't have a million children running around in shorts and trenchcoats.

I could be wrong, but I thought one of the core beliefs of Catholicism is that the Pope is your leader and what he says is coming directly from God and he's infallible, etc. But if you call yourself a Catholic and you reject this, are you really a Catholic? I'd think you'd need a new label for yourself.

Just like someone who calls themself a Marvel Zombie, but no longer likes most of what Marvel produces should stop calling themself a Marvel Zombie.

And sure, language is alive and word meanings can change. Over time, I'm sure a label like Catholic can come to mean something different. But I'm talking about words as they're known now.

I can see your point, but I still think the analogy works. I do think willingly living here heavily implies some level of agreement. And there's much to be said about affecting change rather than taking your ball and going home. Religions, like all organizations (and species!), evolve. But it doesn't happen because of mass exodus. It happens because enough people want to change it. Pentacostals were once against pants and make-up (among many other ridiculous things) , but have changed that stance. Lutherans have accepted that homosexuality is not a choice. These are improvements no matter how small in some cases.

[Ben]

I can see your point, but I still think the analogy works. I do think willingly living here heavily implies some level of agreement. And there's much to be said about affecting change rather than taking your ball and going home. Religions, like all organizations (and species!), evolve. But it doesn't happen because of mass exodus. It happens because enough people want to change it. Pentacostals were once against pants and make-up (among many other ridiculous things) , but have changed that stance. Lutherans have accepted that homosexuality is not a choice. These are improvements no matter how small in some cases.

But in those examples, even they adopt (slightly different) names. It's not the "Lutheran Church," it's something like the "Evangelical Lutheran Church in America." I'm just suggesting that if their beliefs differ SO MUCH from the early church, come up with a whole new name for yourselves. Or expect to continue to be lumped in with the real wackos.

I was suggesting other stuff, too, but that was one of my points.

Like would it make sense for some new group of former white supremacists to start a new, non-racist, community service organization and call it the KKK?

[BURKE]

Are any of you guys going to the Reason Rally in DC. next month? I am taking the whole family out to it because Tim Minchin will be performing. It will also be amazing to see that many Atheists in one place.

[Ben]

Purity Bear is back!