This is a major issue that I wish we would focus on more. I don't know if Chas was being funny with his reply or if it really is that simple for him. It sure isn't simple for me. I want to be an anti-theist without coming across as a prick but I find that it is difficult.
A classic example is a plane crash where everybody dies except a little girl. The theists fall all over themselves praising God for saving the child. You point out the logical absurdity of praising God for intervening on the part of the little girl while letting her family (and everyone else on the plane) perish. The theists look upon you as an insensitive prick for attacking their comfort delusions.
I think it is important that if theists insist on spewing their viewpoint, we counter them. It doesn't help our cause though if in the process of doing so, we reinforce the stereotype that atheists are cold-hearted pricks. Maybe some atheists can dispense logic without coming across that way but I have a hard time of it. I think most of us do.
A classic example is a plane crash where everybody dies except a little girl. The theists fall all over themselves praising God for saving the child. You point out the logical absurdity of praising God for intervening on the part of the little girl while letting her family (and everyone else on the plane) perish. The theists look upon you as an insensitive prick for attacking their comfort delusions.
I think it is important that if theists insist on spewing their viewpoint, we counter them. It doesn't help our cause though if in the process of doing so, we reinforce the stereotype that atheists are cold-hearted pricks. Maybe some atheists can dispense logic without coming across that way but I have a hard time of it. I think most of us do.
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.
Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein
