Take a look at the 10 November New Scientist. It has a balanced article of about the "New Atheism" which concerns a conference in La Jolla. Some experts who spoke: Edward Slingerland, David Sloan Wilson, Stuart Kauffman. Very interesting stuff! Love the wilderness there. Great video! Thanks!
Good video. You're right, those current top Atheist authors are merely echoing what Atheists and Atheist groups have been saying for the last hundred or so years. I think that means that they owe the Atheist community a lot. Financial help for Atheist groups would be nice. Big paid advertising for Atheism would too.
Demonic possession , Of all the video cases Ive seen that haven't been "dramatized and embellished" by actors and Hollywood special effects,All it really amounts to people pulling tantrums going into convulsions making grunt sounds.
I agree that skepticism is vital and to me it is skepticism that underlies every atheist out there. It was skepticism about religion and their books and beliefs. It is skepticism that leads me to the conviction that Big Foot, Loch Ness Monster, Leprechauns, and others do not exist just as much as the bearded lightning tosser in the clouds.
History is filled with people too timid to speak truth in the face of consensus and authority. The world needs more people like you. Keep fighting the good fight.
I'm truly sorry for the grief that your beliefs have caused you. It's maddening to think of the mindset of those who would disown a family member for not sharing in their primitive wish-fantasy. It's heartening to see people like you who have the courage to be open about their atheism and to discuss the issue in a level-headed and respectful way.
Thanks for sharing your perspective. Despite the indignities and discrimination that atheists endure on a regular basis, I think it is important to recognize that we do have considerably more freedom than at other times and places when it was quite literally "convert or die". Absent of that kind of torturous persecution, I believe it is vital that free thinking people be open in expressing their dissent from the "faithful" majority (coming out of the closet as you put it.)
Thank you very much, I really appreciate the compliments. I do not use cue cards or a prepared speech. I simply pick a topic and talk about it... in one take. I strive to be articulate and not stammer and use "like," "you know," and have a five minute speech filled with two minutes of "ums" and "ers." LOL
You're right, others have coined that, perhaps even more the media than others, but I have heard atheists use it. It reminds me of when Disintegration by The Cure came out in 1989 and it hit mainstream radio. Trendies would say, "Have you heard that new band, The Cure?" I would cringe and remind them that The Cure have been around since 1978.
One point: The study cited, which determined that atheists are the least acceptible minority, was done at the University of Minnesota, not Michigan. I realize that to an Alabamian Michigan and Minnesota may seem indistinguishible (I am a Michigander), but we are quite different, and it's a matter of pride (eh).
I think it's interesting that so many theists decry these "new atheists" for using old arguments. I suppose that, as usual, they don't see the hypocrisy of their position. The "old arguments" are tried, true, and valid, as shown by their longevity and lack of any substantive rebuttal.
The really sad thing is that separation of church and state is seen by many as an atheist issue - it protects all beliefs from Government influence. Wasn't that the reason America was founded in the first place? It's also sad how much discrimination exists in America - against everyone who is even remotely "different" - including atheists. No-one is safe or free living under such circumstances - the winds of change can quickly make anyone a pariah.
How true. The majority of atheist I know support the constitutional freedom of religion and understand that in order for them to have the right to be an atheist, the Christian, Jew, Muslim, Buddhist, and Pagan must have the same right to be as they are.
Yeah, the only thing "new" is a bit more willingness of atheists to actually come out of the closet. Confronting nonsense is nothing new, whether it is god or Big Foot.
Well said Sir. It's a shame there are still people with minds too closed to see the truth.
pulsfordp 3 years ago
Nice to see Atheists in the Deep South. I like the campground there.
Scrapheap71 3 years ago
Take a look at the 10 November New Scientist. It has a balanced article of about the "New Atheism" which concerns a conference in La Jolla. Some experts who spoke: Edward Slingerland, David Sloan Wilson, Stuart Kauffman. Very interesting stuff! Love the wilderness there. Great video! Thanks!
2bsirius 4 years ago
Good video. You're right, those current top Atheist authors are merely echoing what Atheists and Atheist groups have been saying for the last hundred or so years. I think that means that they owe the Atheist community a lot. Financial help for Atheist groups would be nice. Big paid advertising for Atheism would too.
aajoeyjo 4 years ago
Demonic possession , Of all the video cases Ive seen that haven't been "dramatized and embellished" by actors and Hollywood special effects,All it really amounts to people pulling tantrums going into convulsions making grunt sounds.
SultanBorat 4 years ago
The one I saw was just some teenage girl throwing a mental tantrum, while just using demonic possession as an excuse!
If only I'd thought of using that one as an excuse to scream and shout.
lol
mikeyo1234 4 years ago
I think what need to do is explain what it means more to be a skeptic then over emphasis on atheism. Bigfoot is a example, Junk solicited products.
SultanBorat 4 years ago
I agree that skepticism is vital and to me it is skepticism that underlies every atheist out there. It was skepticism about religion and their books and beliefs. It is skepticism that leads me to the conviction that Big Foot, Loch Ness Monster, Leprechauns, and others do not exist just as much as the bearded lightning tosser in the clouds.
blairscott 4 years ago
History is filled with people too timid to speak truth in the face of consensus and authority. The world needs more people like you. Keep fighting the good fight.
someguy1000 4 years ago
I'm truly sorry for the grief that your beliefs have caused you. It's maddening to think of the mindset of those who would disown a family member for not sharing in their primitive wish-fantasy. It's heartening to see people like you who have the courage to be open about their atheism and to discuss the issue in a level-headed and respectful way.
someguy1000 4 years ago 2
Thank you for your kind words, they really mean a lot.
blairscott 4 years ago
I agree, you are truly brave.
If all Atheists stick together and keep "coming out", eventually there will be a critical mass, and lots more doubters will join us.
Rock on rationality :o)
mikeyo1234 4 years ago
Thanks for sharing your perspective. Despite the indignities and discrimination that atheists endure on a regular basis, I think it is important to recognize that we do have considerably more freedom than at other times and places when it was quite literally "convert or die". Absent of that kind of torturous persecution, I believe it is vital that free thinking people be open in expressing their dissent from the "faithful" majority (coming out of the closet as you put it.)
someguy1000 4 years ago
Thank you very much, I really appreciate the compliments. I do not use cue cards or a prepared speech. I simply pick a topic and talk about it... in one take. I strive to be articulate and not stammer and use "like," "you know," and have a five minute speech filled with two minutes of "ums" and "ers." LOL
blairscott 4 years ago
I believe they did'nt coin themselves "New atheists". It's what others have called them.
xJediHowieX 4 years ago
You're right, others have coined that, perhaps even more the media than others, but I have heard atheists use it. It reminds me of when Disintegration by The Cure came out in 1989 and it hit mainstream radio. Trendies would say, "Have you heard that new band, The Cure?" I would cringe and remind them that The Cure have been around since 1978.
blairscott 4 years ago
One point: The study cited, which determined that atheists are the least acceptible minority, was done at the University of Minnesota, not Michigan. I realize that to an Alabamian Michigan and Minnesota may seem indistinguishible (I am a Michigander), but we are quite different, and it's a matter of pride (eh).
TGAPDad 4 years ago
Thank you for catching that. My apologies to Minnesotans. ;-)
blairscott 4 years ago
I think it's interesting that so many theists decry these "new atheists" for using old arguments. I suppose that, as usual, they don't see the hypocrisy of their position. The "old arguments" are tried, true, and valid, as shown by their longevity and lack of any substantive rebuttal.
vmshaxor 4 years ago
LOL
blairscott 4 years ago
The really sad thing is that separation of church and state is seen by many as an atheist issue - it protects all beliefs from Government influence. Wasn't that the reason America was founded in the first place? It's also sad how much discrimination exists in America - against everyone who is even remotely "different" - including atheists. No-one is safe or free living under such circumstances - the winds of change can quickly make anyone a pariah.
gregster1964 4 years ago
How true. The majority of atheist I know support the constitutional freedom of religion and understand that in order for them to have the right to be an atheist, the Christian, Jew, Muslim, Buddhist, and Pagan must have the same right to be as they are.
blairscott 4 years ago
Yeah, the only thing "new" is a bit more willingness of atheists to actually come out of the closet. Confronting nonsense is nothing new, whether it is god or Big Foot.
blairscott 4 years ago
Good point,atheism is growing in popularity and more atheists are coming out of the closet,but atheism is unchanging,AL in newnan ga
gaathiestsociety 4 years ago