Re: The logic of atheism

Emmanual Kann wrote:

> Ben Goren wrote:
>
>> On the other hand...
>>
>> It's not that long ago that racism and sexism were not
>> only acceptable, but praiseworthy; today, it's all but
>> socio-political suicide to be known to hold such positions. By
>> calling attention to the illogical fuckwittery essentially
>> necessary for most religions (not to mention, of course, the
>> incredibly damaging societal and financial consequences), it's
>> possible we can do the same for irrationalism (aka ``faith'').
>
> Perhaps these stupid stories on Fox News about the war on
> Christianity are signs that the times are changing. It's easy
> to imagine these types of stories in the US in 50s and 60s,
> claiming a war on the white race by the evil carpetbagger civil
> rights activists from up north teamed with Jews and bleeding
> heart liberals.

I think the better sign is that religion is starting to bifurcate.

On the one hand, all the ``respectable'' denominations are
moving away from God and miracles. Not only would few Christians
recognize much of the Bible, they'd be shocked and horrified at
most of the stuff in it. Their religion has moved so far away
from its roots that about all that's left is the names. Mostly,
it's just modern philosophy. And, they all seem to be heading in
(and aren't far from) the same direction: Pantheism, which we all
should recognize as indistinguishable from atheism (except for the
rituals).

On the other hand, we have the literalist fundamentalists. They
would seem to be responsible the death spasms you're pointing
at. Final stand, last bastion of the faithful, and all that.

What /really/ scares me is that this minority has seized power, is
raping the environment and the economy, and is actively talking
about starting a nuclear war....

> Then again, it's a lot easier for atheists to "pass" than it is
> for blacks or women.

Yes, it is. There're all sorts of things that I otherwise would
have posted to my Web site that I haven't for fear of offending
potential employers (etc.). I sometimes worry about somebody
finding my posting history on USENET and not hiring me because I'm
so clearly not a God-fearing Christian.

On the other hand, all I have to do to ``pass'' is suppress my own
civil rights. For women, even a sex change won't do the trick; for
blacks, you wind up like Michael Jackson.

....can you imagine what it would be like to be a black Latino
Jewish atheist lesbian?

Cheers,

b&

--
EAC Memographer
BAAWA Knight of Blasphemy
``All but God can prove this sentence true.''

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