For the Sake of Science

Thought of the day

4 Responses

1. 

   Paul Kussmann, on April 24, 2011 at 11:35 am said:

   I don’t believe atheist score too many points with posters like this. Our human condition requires toleration towards others and this poster ridicules firmly held beliefs.

   ABC had a show on this morning with a baptist minister, Al Sharpton, Cokie Roberts ( A catholic) and her husband (Jewish), and a Muslim believer.
   Only two of them, the Jewish person and the Muslim, spoke of the need to unite with secular and humanist groups in order to maintain tolerance in our society. The fact that we humanists were mentioned at all pleased and surprised me as this was a religious Easter show, It indicates to me at least Atheist are making progress and will continue to IF we maintain our own tolerance.

   My grandmother used to say you catch more flies with sugar than vinegar. This poster is pure vinegar.I realize this poster was not aimed for the religious audience but for atheist…but I’m not pleased to be associated with that kind of ridicule.
2. 

   Michael Hawkins, on April 24, 2011 at 3:54 pm said:

   I’m not looking to score points. I refuse to offer up the respect that gets demanded by religion. Any other ridiculous belief would get mocked mercilessly without regard to adherents considered to be really important days.
3. 

   Nate, on April 24, 2011 at 4:31 pm said:

   Well I’m with the other atheist on this one Michael. You aren’t going to get any respect for your views this way, rather you’ll erode respect for them. It is you prerogative though, I’m not so shallow as to care what others think of my beliefs, nor hold it against them.

   Doesn’t mean I’m not aware that you’re just shooting yourself in the foot, but whatever gets you off… wierdo.
4. 

   Paul Kussmann, on April 24, 2011 at 8:56 pm said:

   In my view,disrespect breeds only disrespect. I appreciate your intelligence and militancy Michael and am a frequent reader and commenter on your blog. I learn from it and I appreciate the fact that religious belief , per se ,does not demand or earn my respect.

   But the believer does until his actions prove otherwise. In my view, tolerance, at least at this level, can only promote dialogue not dissuade it. I separate the believer from his belief. After all Newton believed in alchemy and spent much of his life at it. That doesn’t mean he is not one of the greatest mathematical geniuses of all time.

   I too am an militant Atheist but try to refrain from ridicule. A proverb dictates “treat others as you would want to be treated.” It’s hard..real hard to do at times.