Atheists For Religion

[Warren Stupidity]

I'm posting this here because it is so stunningly stupid.

Richard Dawkins, world-class scientist and staunch atheist, is surrounded by admirers and skeptics at the home of Andres Roemer, the Mexican consul general in San Francisco. They are assembled to learn more about the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason & Science, which supports science education as an antidote to religious fundamentalism, broadly defined. Roemer, a Jewish atheist representing a mostly Catholic country, had invited Dawkins into conversation as part of his lifelong quest for truth in public discourse.

It cannot be a hit piece on atheism without the actual subject being DASKWINS!~$!$#$!!!

The question, as many in the room wanted to know, is if religion and science can coexist, or if one must be vanquished.

“The gentle answer is, if one doesn’t force religion on others, that’s fine,” Dawkins answered in his calm English accent. But on a fundamental level, “the two are incongruous.”

But the questions persisted. A woman who identified as “an atheist from a Catholic background” said that when she arrived in California from Argentina she could go into any church and be welcomed and comforted, “and I couldn’t have walked into a chemistry lab and gotten the same reception.”

So, we can stop there, right? We now have to be as stunningly stupid as such a piece can get.

Well no of course not, the piece finally gets around to the object of the title, the religionistas favorite atheist:

The question I wish I had asked was prompted by the musings of a slightly more affable atheist, Alain de Botton. In “Religion for Atheists: A Non-believer’s Guide to the Uses of Religion:” “When God is dead, human beings — much to their detriment — are at risk of taking psychological center stage. They imagine themselves to be commanders of their own destinies, they trample upon nature, forget the rhythm of the earth, deny death and shy away from valuing and honoring all that slips through their grasp.”

1. Bash Dawkins.
2. Make some sort of argument that shows why religion good science bad.
3. Find a goto Good Atheist who loves him some god. Alain de Botton is your guy.
http://www.thejewishweek.com/features/culture-view/atheists-religion

[bvf]

1. Especially like

the equation of churches and chemistry labs. That's a keeper.

Plus did you know Dawkins defends pedophilia?

[mr blur]

2. Never mind...

[trotsky]

3. *facepalm*

“When God is dead, human beings — much to their detriment — are at risk of taking psychological center stage. They imagine themselves to be commanders of their own destinies, they trample upon nature, forget the rhythm of the earth, deny death and shy away from valuing and honoring all that slips through their grasp.”

As opposed to when they believe in an all-powerful god who JUST HAPPENS TO SHARE THEIR OPINIONS on those topics???

The fail is strong.

[Rainforestgoddess]

4. The part that pisses me off the most

Is the freaking arrogance of religion being such a positive behaviour modifier... But not for the enlightened faitheists, just the great unwashed who might hurt themselves with big thoughts if you take away their security blankie.

Only one step away from religious leaders who actually don't believe but keep up the facade for their "flock".

[Warren Stupidity]

5. " religious leaders who actually don't believe "

which is probably the case for the majority of religious leaders. From the bible belt hucksters to the Vatican, it is all just a game.

[trotsky]

6. Definitely something that pisses me off too.

Apparently it's more respectful to be condescending to believers than honest.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/123027218

[Rainforestgoddess]

9. Thanks, I missed that one earlier

And of course it's much more eloquent than my disjointed ramblings.

[Arugula Latte]

7. Uhh -- "forget the rhythm of the earth"

Is that the same earth the Bible tells us humans are supposed to take command of to use as we please? The same earth that we can rape and pillage, as James Watt said, because Jesus is coming back soon so who gives a shit if our water supply is poisoned by fracking and the glaciers are going to be the size of ice cubes soon?

[JNelson6563]

8. I never cease to be amazed at this nonsense.

Such great lengths believers (and their enablers) go to in order to constantly reassure themselves & strengthen their faith. Mental gymnastics to hammer home basically the same messages every time.

Lather, rinse, repeat.

Julie

[Cartoonist]

10. In defense of Chemistry labs

First, that quote is pure bullshit. That Argentinian NEVER walked into a chemistry lab seeking help. Never, not once. She wins first place in the strawman contest.

Second, I HAVE walked into chemistry labs. It was my job. I used to be a courier for a lab that analyzed blood and urine. I would go to all the hospitals and meet most of the chemists employed in their labs. Without exception, they were some of the best people on earth. They were dedicated to helping people by using their scientific knowledge to quantify disease so that they can be cured. People just like them are volunteering to build labs in desolate areas to fight ebola. They aren't wasting any time to pray away the virus.

Arguments like that comparison make me come to only one conclusion: Believers are seriously deluded.

[Warren Stupidity]

11. Oh well not only that but even if we don't take her literally,

as it seems religionists have a hard time saying what they actually mean, but instead decide she meant that Academia is closed off whereas The Holy Mother Church welcomes you with open arms, she is still full of shit. If she would like to learn chemistry EdX is open and free and has many courses from top universities on the subject, and there are other MOOCs as well, all working on making a planetary university that is open to everyone.

[AlbertCat]

12. They imagine themselves to be commanders of their own destinies,

B-b-but isn't that the whole point of "You'd better do what god says 'cause iffen ya don't you will be punished (somehow)"...you chose to go to bliss or punishment. There's no chance involved, no random circumstances, no just being in the right/wrong place at the right/wrong time.... you are being JUDGED all the time. So your actions are the only thing that makes your own destiny if you're a religious person.


"and I couldn’t have walked into a chemistry lab and gotten the same reception.” Boy that is so stupid I'm sure Dawkins just had nothing to say!

And, if you need meds or some kind of chemistry to survive and live well, you'll get no help from a church. Seems to me it depends on what one is looking for, lady.