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marfknox
SFN Die Hard
USA
3739 Posts |
 Posted - 11/19/2007 : 15:41:31
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This is a pretty neat video that talks about the history of nonbelief as well as all the terms we use to describe ourselves and other matters.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLkRE_OK2Rc
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"Too much certainty and clarity could lead to cruel intolerance" -Karen Armstrong
Check out my art store: http://www.marfknox.etsy.com
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HalfMooner
Dingaling
Philippines
15831 Posts |
Posted - 11/20/2007 : 16:18:47 [Permalink]
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Thanks for the links! I do have a better idea of the thoughts behind the Humanist side in the struggles within the secular community.
One thing I have realized is that I'm not a "secular believer," but rather a secular disbeliever. I don't need a church substitute to provide substitute rituals, but more power to those who do.
I thought the final Humanist speaker's comments warning British teachers against letting (I think he said "fanatic") atheists into the classroom was rude, unfair, and left me quite angry. He may as well as said the New Atheists.
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“Biology is just physics that has begun to smell bad.” —HalfMooner
Here's a link to Moonscape News, and one to its Archive. |
| Edited by - HalfMooner on 11/20/2007 16:30:55 |
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marfknox
SFN Die Hard
USA
3739 Posts |
Posted - 11/21/2007 : 00:25:13 [Permalink]
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Halfmooner wrote: | I thought the final Humanist speaker's comments warning British teachers against letting (I think he said "fanatic") atheists into the classroom was rude, unfair, and left me quite angry. He may as well as said the New Atheists. |
How was it rude or unfair? He prefaced it with saying that it would be unhelpful to have religious fanatics speak to a class learning about different beliefs systems. Do you think atheists are immune to fanaticism? Do you assume all atheists are logical, skeptical, open-minded people? What do you mean he's talking about the "New Atheists"? |
"Too much certainty and clarity could lead to cruel intolerance" -Karen Armstrong
Check out my art store: http://www.marfknox.etsy.com
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| Edited by - marfknox on 11/21/2007 00:25:40 |
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HalfMooner
Dingaling
Philippines
15831 Posts |
Posted - 11/21/2007 : 00:44:02 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by marfknox
Halfmooner wrote: | I thought the final Humanist speaker's comments warning British teachers against letting (I think he said "fanatic") atheists into the classroom was rude, unfair, and left me quite angry. He may as well as said the New Atheists. |
How was it rude or unfair? He prefaced it with saying that it would be unhelpful to have religious fanatics speak to a class learning about different beliefs systems. Do you think atheists are immune to fanaticism? Do you assume all atheists are logical, skeptical, open-minded people? What do you mean he's talking about the "New Atheists"?
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In my mind, that preface helped to compare the atheists he was referring to the worst religious fanatic, the Phelpses and Jihadists. And I had the impression he was referring to the New Atheists, not the very few but real atheist fanatics. At best, he seemed happy enough not to distinguish between them.
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“Biology is just physics that has begun to smell bad.” —HalfMooner
Here's a link to Moonscape News, and one to its Archive. |
| Edited by - HalfMooner on 11/21/2007 00:44:29 |
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marfknox
SFN Die Hard
USA
3739 Posts |
Posted - 11/21/2007 : 07:52:52 [Permalink]
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| I wasn't thinking of the worst religious fanatics, since it seems obvious that it isn't smart to invite those sort of people to a classroom. I just thought the guy was emphasizing that while it is important to teach about different belief systems, educators have to cautious about the faces they put on certain groups and make sure things are presented in a manner that is more educational than sensational. I think being angered by what he said is being a bit oversensitive. Maybe I'm wrong. |
"Too much certainty and clarity could lead to cruel intolerance" -Karen Armstrong
Check out my art store: http://www.marfknox.etsy.com
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HalfMooner
Dingaling
Philippines
15831 Posts |
Posted - 11/21/2007 : 15:01:57 [Permalink]
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I'm not certain I'm right, either. But I also noticed that, though that Humanist recognizes the dangers of inviting fanatical religionists or atheists into the classroom, it appears a slam-dunk assumed certainty to him that there aren't any Humanists who could possibly be fanatics.
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“Biology is just physics that has begun to smell bad.” —HalfMooner
Here's a link to Moonscape News, and one to its Archive. |
| Edited by - HalfMooner on 11/21/2007 15:02:49 |
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BBC video on the heritage of "secular believers"
