3 ms·

Atheism is not the belief that there is nothing supernatural, it's simply the absence of any belief that there is. > "To me, hardcore atheists are almost as ba

Atheism is not the belief that there is nothing supernatural, it's simply the absence of any belief that there is. > "To me, hardcore atheists are almost as bad as religious fundamentalists in their own way" This is ridiculous, religious fundamentalists kill people in the name of their religion. What atheist has ever done that? > "capitalism has done just as much evil as religion" You're comparing apples with oranges. This is just as much of a non-sequitor as bringing up atheism in a discussion about sexism (like you mentioned below). > "Atheists often claim rationality on their side, but how rational is it to invoke religious beliefs in a thread about sexist asshole talk? It's an utter non-sequitur and what it demonstrates is an irrational axe to grind." Agreed, not sure what peterforde was trying to accomplish here.

dasil003 13y ago
> This is ridiculous, religious fundamentalists kill people in the name of their religion. What atheist has ever done that? Good point, I was narrow in my thinking and didn't mean with regard to real violence, I was speaking more to the endless debates seen on the internet and generally in western society. Of course, following your definition, the absence of belief makes it hard to attribute anything specifically to atheism. My point is not to condemn atheism in general, but rather the militant variety that is not to content to judge people on their actions and deeds, but must attack their beliefs. Attacking someone who has beliefs you do not share is certainly not unique to atheists (it's fundamental human nature I suppose), but there is a certain hypocrisy about it that I find very distasteful.
- argumentum 13y ago
  Well as long as you acknowledge that "militant atheism" is not the same thing as "militant islam" (etc) in that the key word "militant" means a very different thing. A "militant" atheist may be distasteful, but his/her "attacks" don't physically hurt people and harm society.

dasil003 13y ago

> This is ridiculous, religious fundamentalists kill people in the name of their religion. What atheist has ever done that? Good point, I was narrow in my thinking and didn't mean with regard to real violence, I was speaking more to the endless debates seen on the internet and generally in western society. Of course, following your definition, the absence of belief makes it hard to attribute anything specifically to atheism. My point is not to condemn atheism in general, but rather the militant variety that is not to content to judge people on their actions and deeds, but must attack their beliefs. Attacking someone who has beliefs you do not share is certainly not unique to atheists (it's fundamental human nature I suppose), but there is a certain hypocrisy about it that I find very distasteful.

argumentum 13y ago
Well as long as you acknowledge that "militant atheism" is not the same thing as "militant islam" (etc) in that the key word "militant" means a very different thing. A "militant" atheist may be distasteful, but his/her "attacks" don't physically hurt people and harm society.