What is on my mind at the moment

[Autumnlicious]

First of all I will admit that I am not really spiritual and philosophically I would agree fully with the Metaphysical Naturalists that all there is nature and natural phenomenon which can be observed by scientifically.

Why do you say that?

Secondly, I will admit that superstitions of all sort (not just of the religious type) are a cancer on our society and need to purged from our society in order for humanity to reach its full potential.

Not gonna happen as long as we're human. Magical thinking, while corrosive for decision making, is often used as a way of enduring life. In fact, most statements we might make in daily life about dealing with others might fall under the category of 'magical thinking', as for the most part speculation about someone else's mind is, well, speculation.

I'm not terribly sure that most of the things I react to are logically intercepted and categorized -- in fact, more often it gets interpreted in an emotional context. I'm fairly certain most people deal with the former like the latter.

However I am critical of some well known Atheists, their rhetoric and tactics which I believe is counterproductive towards achieving a secular society and more rational, critical and scientific thinking among the public. Not to mention I struggle to explain the sort of opposition they hold against religion, other than those reasons I have written above.

I suppose a fundamental opposition of believing in things without evidence might not be the only reason why popular Atheists reject religious nonsense. Fanfare, money and activism can be just as likely a motivator.

Because the religious people I have known in my life (including quite devout ones) I have found to be pretty good people, even if I disagree with what they believe in and some religious people I know broadly agree with me on many issues (even including marriage equality). So I am not opposed to religion as such and only desire the following;

Most people don't have their magical thinking tested everyday and forced to endure the consequences of such beliefs. This allows for rather ugly spots to develop in otherwise upstanding people.

Mind you, I didn't speak about religion, but towards magical thinking.

1. A strict separation between church and state be established and maintained.

2. Reforming the education system so that children are taught how to think, especially critically (which is a important aspect of the scientific method). Along with comprehensive comparative religious studies along the lines proposed by Daniel Dennett.

Both won't happen as it directly will force people to confront their magical thinking. While the above is a laudable goal, any implementation of it would come only very slowly and in bits and pieces, if ever.