RE: Collaboration with theists?
November 3, 2009 at 5:55 pm
(This post was last modified: November 3, 2009 at 6:03 pm by Secularone.)
Thank you "EvidenceVsFaith." I couldn't have said it any better myself.
I would like to emphasize the point you made about Saerules behavior having nothing to do with atheism.
Saerules blew up for good reason. But even so, is wasn't because of some atheist conviction. It was because of her conviction that all people deserve respect and equality regardless of differences. So, I don't know why she feels her actions were representative of "negative atheism." Her behavior had nothing to do with atheism whatsoever.
And actually, I congratulate her for standing up for equality and justice for all. I can excuse her behavior because I have empathy and understand her outrage. I don't think she was out of line.
When people accuse me of being extreme or fanatical, I normally do not get defensive unless I detect that they are trying to characterize me unfairly. (Like trying to compare me with Fred Phelps or Adolf Hitler.)
But if they are just trying to say I am zealous, then I must agree. But I remind them that being zealous may not always be a bad thing. Most of those who have given their lives to causes and made tremendous sacrifices for them were zealots. Yes, some may have been evil causes but some definitely were noble.
The thing all zealots must work hard at is being reasonable and fair. I try. It's hard.
But, if I sometimes fail, I am not above confessing my error and asking forgiveness.
Saerules... I appreciate your explanation. I hope you will give the subject further thought. Thank you.
But I have a question... Do you think that "nurturing hate for homosexuals with a view to disenfranchise them" is a legitimate right of theists as part of their free exercise of religion?
I would like to emphasize the point you made about Saerules behavior having nothing to do with atheism.
Saerules blew up for good reason. But even so, is wasn't because of some atheist conviction. It was because of her conviction that all people deserve respect and equality regardless of differences. So, I don't know why she feels her actions were representative of "negative atheism." Her behavior had nothing to do with atheism whatsoever.
And actually, I congratulate her for standing up for equality and justice for all. I can excuse her behavior because I have empathy and understand her outrage. I don't think she was out of line.
When people accuse me of being extreme or fanatical, I normally do not get defensive unless I detect that they are trying to characterize me unfairly. (Like trying to compare me with Fred Phelps or Adolf Hitler.)
But if they are just trying to say I am zealous, then I must agree. But I remind them that being zealous may not always be a bad thing. Most of those who have given their lives to causes and made tremendous sacrifices for them were zealots. Yes, some may have been evil causes but some definitely were noble.
The thing all zealots must work hard at is being reasonable and fair. I try. It's hard.
But, if I sometimes fail, I am not above confessing my error and asking forgiveness.
Saerules... I appreciate your explanation. I hope you will give the subject further thought. Thank you.
But I have a question... Do you think that "nurturing hate for homosexuals with a view to disenfranchise them" is a legitimate right of theists as part of their free exercise of religion?
