I can see why some atheists look cult-like, and how some cults include atheism (Raelians for instance), but to include all vocal atheists as a cult is just as wrong as vocal atheists claiming that all Christians think the Earth is 6000 to 10000 years old and we all rode on Dinosaurs. There are those that think Dawkins is the bees knees of atheism, but just a quick search on this forum alone will show that not everyone is as taken with him as an atheist spokesperson (myself included).
As for repeating what other atheists said before, it is not dogmatic if it is accurate.
If one is science minded (and not all atheists are), and scientific result show that position X is the correct position, it really doesn't matter where the source comes from or what his/her beliefs are. I will gladly quote Ken Miller whenever he is right, or Francis Collins, regardless of their beliefs. Their findings can be verified independently, which is one of the most important rules in science, repeatable verifiable results (with the exception of history of course).
Not every human is an expert of everything, there are some things you need to rely on the experts. If an expert says my washing machine is broken beyond repair, and I ask for a second opinion, and the second experts also says it is broken beyond repair, it is not dogmatic of me to say "my washing machine is broken beyond repair".
That said, there are some atheist arguments that I wish atheists like your friend describes stop using. But it is their prerogative to do so.
As for repeating what other atheists said before, it is not dogmatic if it is accurate.
If one is science minded (and not all atheists are), and scientific result show that position X is the correct position, it really doesn't matter where the source comes from or what his/her beliefs are. I will gladly quote Ken Miller whenever he is right, or Francis Collins, regardless of their beliefs. Their findings can be verified independently, which is one of the most important rules in science, repeatable verifiable results (with the exception of history of course).
Not every human is an expert of everything, there are some things you need to rely on the experts. If an expert says my washing machine is broken beyond repair, and I ask for a second opinion, and the second experts also says it is broken beyond repair, it is not dogmatic of me to say "my washing machine is broken beyond repair".
That said, there are some atheist arguments that I wish atheists like your friend describes stop using. But it is their prerogative to do so.
Best regards,
Leo van Miert
Horsepower is how hard you hit the wall --Torque is how far you take the wall with you
Leo van Miert
Horsepower is how hard you hit the wall --Torque is how far you take the wall with you
