Atheists challenge the religious right

Christian Science Monitor ^ | 4 January 2007 | Jane Lampman

[oprahstheantichrist]

OTOH, see #58.

[Torie]

The desire of some to stamp out the preference of some (most actually) to indulge in metaphysical leaps of faith, as analogous to some form of risky sexual behavior leading to AIDS, seems almost obsessional. These folks have issues, and need to chill out, big time.

[Torie]

Frankly, atheists writing about religion are tiresome.

Color me tiresome. Religion interests me. It is part of the human condition, and of its essence, and suffuses the history of the species. How could one NOT be fascinated? I write about what interests me. And so it goes.

[oprahstheantichrist]

"The kindest thing you can do for an atheist is to pray for him. The fact that it causes them to foam at the mouth is a nice side benefit..."

Oh, that's brilliant, and that'd actually make a great bumper sticker. May I "steal" that?

[wgflyer]

In my humble opinion, atheists who spend their spare time (or full time) mocking or seeking to disempower Christians or Jews in America neither understand their heritage nor appreciate the Judeo-Christian ethic that built this country and made it strong. In fact, they are, or join, liberals in methodically picking apart this nation. As an atheist, I have no problem with the concept of God given rights. I understand what this means, whether or not I believe in God. Without the moral structure of the western religions that built this country we sink visibly into decline. This aggressive atheism is nothing more than dogmatic liberalism.

[Torie]

Ever know one older than sixty?

Ya, my Dad, who was an atheist until the day of his final exit at age 84. He did however resist the idea of death (I think there was some fear there), and tolerated my mother subjecting him to some kook therapies. I finally stepped in and stopped it. Dad had a disease that was a death sentence. Over generalizing is a curse.

[secretagent]

But then I coined my own term for myself, a "near atheist," so a case can certainly be made that I am part of the problem!

I came up with "ecumenical atheist" for myself.

[indcons]

Did you folks see this thread? Thought you might be interested.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

"Being non-religious certainly doesn't disqualify him from doing so."

Exactly - for example, the tone-deaf music instructor... oh well - never mind....

Bad example. The tone-deaf music instructor can't comprehend music. Non-religious people can comprehend religion perfectly.

[Torie]

When folks offer to pray for me, or say they are, I am deeply touched. What a generous thing for them to do! No foaming at the mouth here! Just gratitude at their generousity. I think we have another rather obfuscating generalization offered up. I suspect a majority of atheists have the same reaction I do, if the prayer or offer of prayer is offered in the right spirit. If it is a prayer for the atheist to find religion (and in particular some brand of it) so as to avoid eternal damnation, before it is too late, that is viewed by myself as less selfless as it were, and more of the self of the prayer giver.

[Torie]

Non-religious people can comprehend religion perfectly.

I can't really comprehend the concept of leap of faith in its totality, because I have never personally experienced it. So I don't claim to comprehend "religion" perfectly. In fact, I claim to comprehend very few things perfectly. Perfection itself as a concept has metaphysical overtones.

[metmom]

In bestselling books, on websites, and with a national lobbying effort, atheists and other nontheists are challenging the growing religious influence in government and public life.

On the contrary, the religious influence in public life is on the decline already. These guys are treating it as if it had never happened and we're witnessing a new phenomena. Not true. Religion has historically played a role in the government and public life; they should read the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, and Bill of Rights. And they should look into the readings of the founding fathers. If a group of religious people these days made the claim that God intended them to colonize and populate unsettled territory; they'd about be laughed off the planet. Everyone would consider them nutjobs and try to have them locked up, yet the founding fathers did that very thing.

[Wormwood]

I came up with "ecumenical atheist" for myself.

I like.

Myself, I have adopted Einstein's description as "a deeply religious non-believer".

[azhenfud]

"Non-religious people can comprehend religion perfectly."

I differ in opinion.

[little jeremiah]

Thanks, indcons! I just pinged it out a short while ago. In fact, I think I'll copy something I just freepmailed to someone a few minutes ago:

Atheism is an underrated evil. Private atheists only harm themselves (and anyone else around them they may influence) but professed atheists who are out to change the world are extremely dangerous.

A-theists - they are opposed to the supremacy of God. Why? Envy - they want His position of Lordship. Pure and simple.

Atheism hardens peoples' hearts and they live in a lonely, dark, meaningless world. They have to invent meaning for themselves, and it has to have no light of transcendence. Sigh. I feel very sorry for them; at the time of death they are going to have nothing but terror and bitter regret.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

I can't really comprehend the concept of leap of faith in its totality, because I have never personally experienced it.

It seems to me that this is somewhat rare - most children experience faith in many different things, including God. This might be lost as an adult, but the experience is still there to be drawn on.

Perfection itself as a concept has metaphysical overtones.

Well, perhaps I should say "comprehend it as well or as perfectly as religious people".

[Torie]

Atheism hardens peoples' hearts and they live in a lonely, dark, meaningless world.

You write about that which you do not know. We have yet another unhelpful generalization. My atheist Dad was a very generous man, who lived a very meaningful life, with its share of personal tragedies, that he dealt with courage and wisdom, as my mother observed at his funeral, and was admired by almost all who dealt with him. He had a gift.

[Torie]

I guess I am missing a gene or something. Best.

[Lower55]

Atheist = Egotist
Period.

[amchugh]

According to Wikipedia atheists are a subset of Nontheists which also include Buddhists, etc...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nontheist