I suppose any theist who has read this part of the forum has to chuckle at how terrible atheist critiques of theism are.

But when the laughter dies down, you're left with a troubling realization: There actually is a huge pool of people on this planet who call themselves atheists and post on the internet, but are less familiar with theism than toddlers with the inside of a quantum mechanics textbook.

Where does one go for actually informed atheistic critiques of religion? I'm feeling my brain atrophy after reading some of the threads here.

Oh, why don't you tell us all about your fucking fairy tales.  I'm sure it will be good for a few laughs.

Can't really comment unless you link to some specifics. What exactly do you find lacking?

Second question. How informed do you think one should be to refute claims of magic and invisible wizards?

Have you considered the possibility that what you perceive as lack of substance in the criticism is actually lack of substance of the ideas which are being criticised?
You would like for there to be a more profound criticism of your religion, but maybe it just makes too little sense to lend itself to more meaningful comments.

Generally when I hear this kind of claim, it comes from a Christian who notices an atheist refuting a brand of Christianity not his own. I don't think you need to know the Bible backwards and forwards, or Hinduism, or the Koran to notice that there is a startling lack of evidence of god. And I know of no one who knows all the various brands of religion backwards and forwards. There are way too many for anyone to do that.

(October 18, 2015 at 9:16 pm)Faith No More Wrote: How informed do you think one should be to refute claims of magic and invisible wizards?

Haha, right?
Rule 1: only those who have personally met the sky wizard are qualified to criticise. Makes sense,no?

Citations required.

I could make the claims that theists are all ignorant (which isn't true) and then avoid providing examples, too.

(October 18, 2015 at 9:14 pm)Delicate Wrote: I suppose any theist who has read this part of the forum has to chuckle at how terrible atheist critiques of theism are.

But when the laughter dies down, you're left with a troubling realization: There actually is a huge pool of people on this planet who call themselves atheists and post on the internet, but are less familiar with theism than toddlers with the inside of a quantum mechanics textbook.

Where does one go for actually informed atheistic critiques of religion? I'm feeling my brain atrophy after reading some of the threads here.

Not all atheists are former christians, or have much information about religion. Some just don't take religion seriously, and remain atheists. We're a varied bunch with varying amounts of information on a subject we often don't take seriously.

There are thousands of religions. When all of them - as well as pretty much each believer individually - make up their own sh*t, it's no wonder that it's difficult to keep it all straight.

You want some uninformed critique of religion? Go to any forum dedicated to any religion other than your particular one and see what they have to say about it.

(October 18, 2015 at 9:14 pm)Delicate Wrote: I suppose any theist who has read this part of the forum has to chuckle at how terrible atheist critiques of theism are.

But when the laughter dies down, you're left with a troubling realization: There actually is a huge pool of people on this planet who call themselves atheists and post on the internet, but are less familiar with theism than toddlers with the inside of a quantum mechanics textbook.

Where does one go for actually informed atheistic critiques of religion? I'm feeling my brain atrophy after reading some of the threads here.

Odd.  I've had exactly the opposite experience here.  Most of the Atheists I've met are former theists.