Frank Skinner and The Archbishop of Cantebury 'in Conversation' clip

[GodTheHypothesis]

Atheism isn't cool at all- I don't even know what that means. Religion has just become conversationally marginalised. People quietly giggle when you mention any unfounded belief. That's exactly the way it should be. People should be able to believe whatever they want- but the rest of society should react to these beliefs with either respect, if deserved, or ridicule. The only difference between a christian and someone who believes he's napoleon is that one belief is protected by society.

[conrad1on]

I've never really heard Frank speak seriously about religion, and I can see why now. I'd much rather he stick to the knob gags.

[mikelheron20]

Atheism is necessarily intellectually superior to theism because the latter rejects the intellect as a means of arriving at the truth. Theists are prepared to use their minds up to the point where they arrive at something they cannot explain and then resort to blind belief. In my book that makes them intellectually inferior. This is what makes dialogue between atheists and theists so futile - just like this conversation.

[streetpilot123]

@mikelheron20 What a load of rubbish, atheists have used science to further a philosophical ideology, there's no connection between atheism and science at all and to try and link them is futile.

[mikelheron20]

@streetpilot123 Allow me to spell it out for you. Science derives its understanding of the world from observation, testing and the rigorous appraisal of evidence. Atheists reject the idea of God because it relies upon unsupported belief and unverifiable texts purported to be divinely inspired. To that extent atheism is a logical outcome of a scientific method. But atheists have no shared "ideology". Atheism is a rejection of the myth of God and the supernatural - and that's it.

[mikelheron20]

What is the link between atheism and global warming? What am I missing?

[spoonfulofdreams]

@mikelheron20 I think the point is that if you believe something to be true you will advocate action in line with your belief. If God does exist then atheism may be cool but by promoting it you are leading others into error. And just like saying global warming doesn't exist you are discouraging people from doing anything about it. Its not a defence of deism but a 'what if' argument.

[mikelheron20]

@spoonfulofdreams I couldn't agree with you less. Atheism encourages people to think for themselves and not accept information as fact just because it's written in a book - any book. Global warming is a scientific issue which should be approached scientifically. Belief in God has absolutely no scientific basis whatsoever.

[spoonfulofdreams]

@mikelheron20 I was simply explaining the reasoning, not promoting deism. Obviously your question was rhetorical because you are not interested in any sort of dialogue. Global warming is not only a scientific issue, it affects our everyday lives and the future of civilisation. I agree that belief in God is not scientific but neither is trust, love or faith in people. Your argument is useless because its just dogma dressed up as reason.

[mikelheron20]

@spoonfulofdreams I would argue that trust and faith (what's the difference?) are based on evidence (experience). I suspect even love. I'll leave love out of it bcause we probably mean different things by it. Atheism is the antithesis of dogma unless you're going to argue that thinking for onesself is a dogma. Seems a pretty weird argument to me but your entitled to your views no matter how silly.

[spoonfulofdreams]

@mikelheron20 Faith that's based on evidence is no faith at all. If you needed evidence to prove your wife wasn't cheating on you it would demonstrate lack of faith. Experience is something different entirely. Atheism cannot be experienced but that doesn't invalidate it. You are deluded if you think you have arrived at your position by yourself and to consider my own views as silly when I haven't even stated my position on deism diminishes your argument considerably.

[mikelheron20]

@spoonfulofdreams You wouldn't require evidence that your wife wasn't cheating because of the love and respect you have for her - based on your knowledge of that person's character which is a form of evidence. Or do you automatically trust everyone on first sight. I've arrived at my position as a result of thinking and examining what others - including believers have written and said. It was your view that atheism is dogma that I'm calling silly. I neither know nor care about your other views.

[spoonfulofdreams]

@mikelheron20 I didn't say atheism was dogma, I said your argument was dogmatic. I have no problem with atheism so long as its honest. You have no interest in honest dialogue, you only insist that atheism is intellectually superior to theism. You are entitled to your opinion.

[erinl400]

substitute the work 'atheist' for 'black' or 'homosexual'. opposite discrimination.

[drmanhattan63]

I'm glad men of the cloth at least have to justify their existence these days...they've had a free run for far too long, time to answer everyone's questions!

[judgenutmeg1977]

We can either be Atheist or believe in structured religion because they're the only choices that are acceptable in modern society. Fuck that. Neither work for me. Frank Skinner doesn't speak for me, nor does he represent my views on spirituality. Being Atheist is as cool as saying you're a Jedi.

Not much is mentioned in the bible about jesus' teenage years. That's because he spent most of his time wanking in a giant cave.

[neonatalpenguin]

Atheism went out of fashion in about 2007. Nowadays, it’s more in vogue to be a pro-faith agnostic who accuses atheists of being ‘strident’ (whatever that’s supposed to mean).

I’ll still an atheist though, because of, y’know, logic and all that.

[SuzLa1]

@tdm9001 It's a shame as science doesn't have any more answers. The laws of physics break down with the big bang theory when they think about what could have happened before the point in space they say everything originates from.

[tigerbaiter1]

The AoC is a liability. I see nothing in him that is doing his job of converting people to Christianity, or defending Christianity in the UK. If he can't do it he should hand over the reigns of state Christianity to The Catholics, The Orthodox or Evangelicals.

Or Frank Skinner.

[cjmkael]

I cannot believe that Frank said people are atheists because it's become cool. That's almost depressing. He's missing the point entirely.

[DJHallidayTV]

@cjmkael but its true, atheism is becoming the 'cool' culture, more people are atheist because its the 'norm' its what all there friends are doing, it maybe depressing and unsettling as a christian to deal with these as facts but the church needs to modernise and relate to todays culture to relate to these people who find atheism cool! And I believe this is what the church is starting to do but I believe we need to do more.

[rubstrol]

Where are they chatting,in heaven?

[rubstrol]

Frank skinner=Uncool

[magoini]

At least he informs himself on the other side's opinion. Keeping a open mind is something more believers and non-believers should try to do.

[carloslerouge]

Yeah I'm an atheist because I want to appear cool Frank