The Atheism Plus "movement" -- good, bad, ugly?

[Ian]

I love it when ultra-orthodox religious Atheists argue about church doctrine. Martin Luther is laughing his ass off right now.

I think this sort of discussion is very healthy. Sadly when Christians used to discuss the ins and outs of what they believed or didn't and started insisting they were right and the other guy wrong they started burning each other.

Oh, I'm sure you guys will get around to burning someone pretty soon. Perhaps the whole of London, or maybe just the Vatican.

Now now, we don't want to burn the Vatican, just turn it into a museum.

You want to know what happens when atheists become a large majority and take control of all the reigns of power in a society, and what sort of harsh retribution they'll impose upon theists? Go visit Scandinavia nowadays.

[DaveDodo007]

I love it when ultra-orthodox religious Atheists argue about church doctrine. Martin Luther is laughing his ass off right now.

I think this sort of discussion is very healthy. Sadly when Christians used to discuss the ins and outs of what they believed or didn't and started insisting they were right and the other guy wrong they started burning each other.

Oh, I'm sure you guys will get around to burning someone pretty soon. Perhaps the whole of London, or maybe just the Vatican.

Well burning down the vatican would be a positive in my book, if ever there was an monument to evil then that is it. If you have a problem with what I say show me where they are following Jebus' teaching.

[cowiz]

I just noticed DaveDodo007 that you are the #1 enemy at Blag Hag and listed #1 on the banned list.

[Gallstones]

People taking power by force or other coercion to establish their own ideas of how things should be, are not doing it to make things better for everyone. They are doing it to enforce their will on the rest whether you want to be a member of their group or not. Such people are no one's friend. I consider them enemies and even dangerous. This movement isn't about atheism at all, it is about being in charge and owning a brand.

The Church of Scientology comes to mind.

[cowiz]

... I lack a belief in a god or gods. Who should I follow again?

[Robert_S]

People taking power by force or other coercion to establish their own ideas of how things should be, are not doing it to make things better for everyone. They are doing it to enforce their will on the rest whether you want to be a member of their group or not. Such people are no one's friend. I consider them enemies and even dangerous. This movement isn't about atheism at all, it is about being in charge and owning a brand.

The Church of Scientology comes to mind.

Even if this group has noble motives, which I try to hold out hope for 'till the last possible moment, they seem to be oblivious to the dangers of consolidating power. Lots of power in one place attracts people who strongly desire a lot of power.

But I think we don't really have much to worry about. As non-belief and the acceptance of non-belief spreads, people won't bother with it. On another board, the Euros are puzzled about some of the rhetoric because the "atheist community" is essentially the general public.

[DaveDodo007]

I just noticed DaveDodo007 that you are the #1 enemy at Blag Hag and listed #1 on the banned list.

Ha Ha, I wouldn't know as of all the FTBlogs I ever posted on Blag Hag was the only one that banned me. Seriously I'm OK with feminism equal rights and equality under the law for women who can argue with that. Though missus I'm bi but I have never slept with someone of the same gender is a serious fuckwit who will let my profession down badly (biology.) I got banned for not agreeing with the self appointed fearless leader which was blag hag herself or come to think of it was one of her knobhead commentators.

So there goes my ambition as leader of the new newer atheist new newer new world order, drat.

[Audley Strange]

Religion + Political Expediency vs Atheism + Political Expediency.

“The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.”

― George Orwell, Animal Farm

I used an animal farm quote when I left RDF. Of course that was just me flouncing for attention, as evinced by my active membership since that date.

[DaveDodo007]

Religion + Political Expediency vs Atheism + Political Expediency.

“The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.”

― George Orwell, Animal Farm

I used an animal farm quote when I left RDF. Of course that was just me flouncing for attention, as evinced by my active membership since that date.

It's really is amazing how George Orwell exposed these people and yet the sheep keep falling for it. We can't even blame religion for this mess.

[Audley Strange]

Yes we can. If feminism can redefine misogyny as anything bad that happens to even a single woman ever, I can define religion as any group united around non evidential faith propositions.

Here's the thing I've been saying for a while. Human social dynamics seem to be based on "club together to fall apart." Schisms are inevitable within cultures and religions. These are always political and always been about struggling to maintain ones individuality within the group mechanic that one sought to be part of.

"Everyone in this world is queer, except for me and thee, and sometimes I wonder about thee." Robert Owen.

[Xamonas Chegwé]

Here's the thing I've been saying for a while. Human social dynamics seem to be based on "club together to fall apart." Schisms are inevitable within cultures and religions. These are always political and always been about struggling to maintain ones individuality within the group mechanic that one sought to be part of.

Actually, I think it's more a case of certain members seeking to maintain and/or improve their status within the group. Some people just have an inbuilt need to climb any greasy pole in front of them.

[Robert_S]

Here's the thing I've been saying for a while. Human social dynamics seem to be based on "club together to fall apart." Schisms are inevitable within cultures and religions. These are always political and always been about struggling to maintain ones individuality within the group mechanic that one sought to be part of.

Actually, I think it's more a case of certain members seeking to maintain and/or improve their status within the group. Some people just have an inbuilt need to climb any greasy pole in front of them.

Oh, really... I'll stock up on lube, you point me to where these people are!

[SteveB]

Here's the thing I've been saying for a while. Human social dynamics seem to be based on "club together to fall apart." Schisms are inevitable within cultures and religions. These are always political and always been about struggling to maintain ones individuality within the group mechanic that one sought to be part of.

Actually, I think it's more a case of certain members seeking to maintain and/or improve their status within the group. Some people just have an inbuilt need to climb any greasy pole in front of them.

Oh, really... I'll stock up on lube, you point me to where these people are!

Whatever happened to you wanting to become a Skepchick? You got unenamoured pretty fast.

[Audley Strange]

Here's the thing I've been saying for a while. Human social dynamics seem to be based on "club together to fall apart." Schisms are inevitable within cultures and religions. These are always political and always been about struggling to maintain ones individuality within the group mechanic that one sought to be part of.

Actually, I think it's more a case of certain members seeking to maintain and/or improve their status within the group. Some people just have an inbuilt need to climb any greasy pole in front of them.

Undoubtedly that is one part of it however it would not be a schism if others did not think "they're getting crazy and too big for their boots."

However I am of the opinion that much of what passes for social concern is ego masturbation anyway. "Amn't I a good person." "Look what I did." I would not go as far as to say all altruism is entirely selfish, there are some forward thinkers however, they do it normally quietly and without much thanks, they are not motivated by their own lack of self worth.

[rasetsu]

Finally! An atheism for those of us who want a movement but lack all that lack of belief nonsense! Though perhaps I should establish myself through branding and call it Double Plus Good Atheism.