Atheism vs religion: half time update

[rug]

Andrew Hamilton October 19, 2011

Recently public interest in the aggressive form of atheism represented by Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens, and in the religious response to it, seems to have waned.

This half time break gives commentators a chance to grab a pie and sauce, to say who is likely to win and to assess the success of the respective game plans. Casual spectators can also satisfy their curiosity about whether this is a preliminary match or the Grand Final.

Most observers would acknowledge that the Atheist team has won in a few positions on the field. Their aggressive attack on religious belief has appealed particularly to people who have separated themselves from their religious roots, but still feel marginal unease or resentment. They find support for the break they have made in the polemic and in the claim that a scientific world view is sufficient.

The debating skills of the Atheist champions, too, have made some Christians more hesitant in their belief.

http://eurekastreet.com.au/article.aspx?aeid=28668

I hope this doesn't get moved to the Sports forum.

[elocs]

1. It should since the Religion/Theology Forum appears to have a new tag team. n/t

[rug]

2. R/T needs a video feed.

[deacon_sephiroth]

5. I want my own intro music

I'm thinking: "I walk alone" by Saliva

The titantron video will show me walking around in the desert and there will be only one set of footprints. No explanation will be needed for why there's only one set.

[Kurmudgeon]

3. Nothing to win, just an ego feed. "Champions", what , did they start a sports league?

I can believe the attack part. However, that's not what is really needed in a country where people have a right to religious freedom.

[NMMNG]

4. ...

[Name removed]

6. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[rexcat]

8. I am sure christians are being killed and/or repressed in other countries...

but the graph represents the US religious distribution, not the world distribution so get off your high horse.

One more point, if you are an American and you go to a country where it is illegal to proselytize your religion and you proselytize expect negative consequences.

So now tell me you are not a religious bigot and why.

[Jim__]

7. The sad truth:

This opponent is a Western culture in which all affirmations of large meanings drown in a swamp. Whether it be the sole sufficiency of science or the divinity of Christ that is affirmed, the affirmation is heard with a shrug, and is smothered in uncommitted tolerance. Against such a defence both Christianity and atheism struggle to make ground with their assertions about the nature of reality.

All meaning is contained within consumerism. Anything beyond that is distraction.

[Goblinmonger]

9. If they are "aggressive" atheism

are religions ready to admit that they are all "aggressive" religions for most of time since really all these guys are doing is putting their views out there.

[trotsky]

10. No kidding. n/t