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Following the success of The God Delusion, Richard Dawkins is about to publish a new work called I Don't Like it, Not One Bit - a damning, thrillingly systematic dismantling of modern magic and everything Paul Daniels has ever stood for. The only thing that remains is to prove that Victoria Beckham does not exist! I was wondering if any of my fellow dakkite's have an opinion on this?

HERESY!

Absolutely dead in my eyes, and the figures suggest that Religion is dying out in every Western nation bar America.

This board has lots of American's using it though, so I suggest you keep these thoughts to yourself before you get banned for a week. Religious discussion never ends well.

Dakka ain't a democracy, and our iron fisted rulers like Jesus.

We've yet to look forward to that exciting set of book by Oolon Colluphid - Where God Went Wrong, Some More of God's Greatest Mistakes, Who is this God Person Anyway? and That About Wraps it Up for God.

Howard A Treesong wrote:We've yet to look forward to that exciting set of book by Oolon Colluphid - Where God Went Wrong, Some More of God's Greatest Mistakes, Who is this God Person Anyway? and That About Wraps it Up for God.

Hitch Hikers Guide FTW!

I'd be impressed if Dawkins took on Wiccans, Hindus or Shinto. Unfortunately, he continues to revel in his teenage angst against Christians for some as-of-yet unexplained reason.

I think it's because he got beat up a lot as a kid.

In answer to the question in the topic: see Nietzsche.

biccat wrote:I'd be impressed if Dawkins took on Wiccans, Hindus or Shinto. Unfortunately, he continues to revel in his teenage angst against Christians for some as-of-yet unexplained reason.

I'd be impressed if he accepted that he wasn't going to change the world in the 10-20 odd years he has remaining and just got on with enjoying life. It's not like he's saying anything revelatory. His basic argument is "Darwin was right, you lot are all crackers", which isn't much of a legacy by anyone's standards.

biccat wrote:I'd be impressed if Dawkins took on Wiccans, Hindus or Shinto. Unfortunately, he continues to revel in his teenage angst against Christians for some as-of-yet unexplained reason.

I think it's because he got beat up a lot as a kid.

In answer to the question in the topic: see Nietzsche.

A more cynical man than I would suggest that he picks on the most visible and dominant religion in his culture, that is unlikely to react in an explosive fashion, so as to garner more attention to his books. They might even go as far as to suggest that his attacks on Christianity are more reactionary diatribe than reasoned debate, and that he should stick to genetic science, and not give atheistic debate a bad name. Actually, a man exactly as cynical as me would say that.

biccat wrote:I'd be impressed if Dawkins took on Wiccans, Hindus or Shinto. Unfortunately, he continues to revel in his teenage angst against Christians for some as-of-yet unexplained reason.

I think it's because he got beat up a lot as a kid.

In answer to the question in the topic: see Nietzsche.

If Christian's don't treat the above as serious religions, why should he?

Well seeing as we cannot know anything other than we exist (well I know I exist) I don't know how we can disprove anything else as afterall it may not exist.

Phototoxin wrote:Well seeing as we cannot know anything other than we exist (well I know I exist) I don't know how we can disprove anything else as afterall it may not exist.

According to Descartes? Even though it assumes the existance of the thinker? Sir, prove that you exist. Irrefutably. Do this, and I will found a religion worshipping you, and misinterpret your words to cause centuries of oppression, discrimination, and war.

It doesn't assume the existance of any other thinker.

I cannot prove that I exist, only I know that I exist. You only know that you exist... all else is futile...

But seriously the reasons dawkins gives for slating christiantiy are reasons only a few loonies believe for the most part.

Of course in his books he comes across like a firebrand but on tv and IRL seems personable.

Phototoxin wrote:It doesn't assume the existance of any other thinker.

I cannot prove that I exist, only I know that I exist. You only know that you exist... all else is futile...

But seriously the reasons dawkins gives for slating christiantiy are reasons only a few loonies believe for the most part.

Of course in his books he comes across like a firebrand but on tv and IRL seems personable.

Hmm, probably should have waited before printing all of these Church of Phototoxin t-shirts.

Having been involved in a number of events for book launches and promotions for the man, I cannot say as I agree with the assessment of him being personable. He has acted on several occasions in a most arrogant and unfriendly fashion. The wages of fame, I suspect.

biccat wrote:I'd be impressed if Dawkins took on Wiccans, Hindus or Shinto. Unfortunately, he continues to revel in his teenage angst against Christians for some as-of-yet unexplained reason.

I think it's because he got beat up a lot as a kid.

Yeah, its cos he got beat up alot as a kid. Hilarious!

Who actually says that in a sensible conversation?

And why is it "teenage angst" when you complain alot about something? Is it because your Religious perhaps and you get very angry when people disagree with you?

Being a big fan of Dawkin's, I've read most of his books, and there is no way he has "teenage angst" for Christians. He picks on Muslims far more, and he has personally said several times he has an "affection" for the Church of England. He likes the sense of community that they build, and he had a pleasant hour long talk with Richard Harries in which they seemed to get along splendidly.

In short, your completely wrong and your making things up.

I do see God fading slowly in America, specially outside the Bible Belt as its called. It really depends on where your at in the States, to show you how faithful people are. I personally believe something had a hand in creating what is on this planet, but what that was Ive no idea. Im open to ideas and such, but I just cant shake that feeling that we werent accidents

This can only end badly....

Although I think I'll wiegh in anyways with what I believe. God is not dead, he has just taken some time out....If people feel comforted by praying to a diety of some form or other, what's the problem?

Like most things I see in life, if it floats your boat go for it, just don't ram your beliefs down my throat. And that goes for you, strange Buddist Monks that follow me around Camden.....

KingCracker wrote:I do see God fading slowly in America, specially outside the Bible Belt as its called. It really depends on where your at in the States, to show you how faithful people are. I personally believe something had a hand in creating what is on this planet, but what that was Ive no idea. Im open to ideas and such, but I just cant shake that feeling that we werent accidents

Damn straight.

My missus, all of her family and all of her friends (California) get almost as pissed off with the BB as I do.

As far as she can tell, the US really should be split into two separate countries. My missus would be more than happy to see the bible belt bugger off and make its own country, she feels like they have absolutely nothing in common and there isn't any point in pretending otherwise and frankly so would I.

Ask yourself this, who do centre left leaning democrat voting Americans have more in common with? Europeans/British people or their fellow countrymen?

None of my missus Dem voting family are anti social medicine, pro-gun, anti-abortion, creationists who like teaching supposed controversys, Humvees and shooting bears with chain-guns, and funny thing nobody I ever met in France is either.

And far be it from me to stick up for a Frenchie!

Whoa whoa whoa....whats wrong with progun? Progun is American dammit! Im starting to not like you mattyrm




BUT on the subject of the Bible Belt, those bunch of States are incredibly backwards and they will kick out anyone, American included, that isnt hardcore Christian. And I dont think thats right at all

KingCracker wrote:Whoa whoa whoa....whats wrong with progun? Progun is American dammit! Im starting to not like you mattyrm




BUT on the subject of the Bible Belt, those bunch of States are incredibly backwards and they will kick out anyone, American included, that isnt hardcore Christian. And I dont think thats right at all

Im not exactly anti-gun, because I like guns and I like shooting people that we deem deserve it.

But I really think its a fethed up situation in the states. Im pro guns for the military, but I really dont think every Tom Dick and Harry should be packing, your just asking for trouble.

Have you seen how fething dumb the general public are?!

Dumb yes, but find statistics of gun violence that occurs with registered gun owners, now find gun violence with illegal weapons (So this would normally be fellons owning firearms and gang members and such) Honest civilians with firearms obey the laws to the letter and are up right citizens. That whole myth that ALL Americuns pack heat and just shoot people dead for taking their newspaper is a crock

KingCracker wrote:I do see God fading slowly in America, specially outside the Bible Belt as its called. It really depends on where your at in the States, to show you how faithful people are. I personally believe something had a hand in creating what is on this planet, but what that was Ive no idea. Im open to ideas and such, but I just cant shake that feeling that we werent accidents

I believe something called the Anthropic Principle explains your stance rather well. It's the idea that the Universe is the way it is because, if not, we would not be here to notice it. Let me put it another way, a so - called coincidence might happen to you one day that may seem so unlikely that it could have a feel of the devine to it. But is it really? For example: one day, an ordinary bloke was on holiday when he suddenly heard the phone box that he was walking past at the time, start to ring. Upon answering the phone he was absolutely dumbfounded to discover that it was in fact his closest friend from back home. The mate in question had dialled the wrong number and mistakenly rang through to the right person! Now, the question is: did God have some involvment or what? Unlikely, consider this: how many people have ever walked past a phone box and not had the above happen to them? When looked at like that it suddenly takes on a whole new meaning. It not only becomes a possibility but actually very likely! It's events such as these that can push people towards religion, in my opinion. I'm personally what's called a Strong Agnostic A'theist which means that I don't believe in a God and stop just short of not being open to His existence but, more importantly, the 'evidence' or knowledge that would confirm His existence beyond ANY doubt will never, or could never, be known to us, remaining forever beyond our reach.

mattyrm wrote: Who actually says that in a sensible conversation?

Any thread involving Dawkins is not, cannot, and will never be "sensible."

mattyrm wrote:And why is it "teenage angst" when you complain alot about something? Is it because your Religious perhaps and you get very angry when people disagree with you?

I don't have a problem when someone disagrees with me. I have a problem when someone calls me stupid and irrational.

mattyrm wrote:In short, your completely wrong and your making things up.

And you're bad at grammar.

mattyrm wrote:As far as she can tell, the US really should be split into two separate countries. My missus would be more than happy to see the bible belt bugger off and make its own country, she feels like they have absolutely nothing in common and there isn't any point in pretending otherwise and frankly so would I.

They tried that, if you recall your American history. The North burned the hell out of them for having the gall to try to express their right of self-determination.

From my experiance people who dont belive in something e.g god , allah or whaterver , are a shell of a person with no confidence.I feel sorry for people who dont at least belive in something.

biccat wrote:Any thread involving Dawkins is not, cannot, and will never be "sensible."

I'm an aethiest, and I fully agree with you there, at least on what you seem to think of Dawkins anyway.

o0shotty0o wrote:From my experiance people who dont belive in something e.g god , allah or whaterver , are a shell of a person with no confidence.I feel sorry for people who dont at least belive in something.

Just wanted this post to come up again. Made me dead happy.

I'm an Athiest by choice. I went to a Chatholic primary school so we had church every wednesday morning, but sitting on the pews waiting for confession always seemed kinda not right too me. I would say i stopped fully believing in God around age 9 or 10 much to the lament of my HEAVILY Chatholic Irish grandparents. I did however enjoy communion purely for the fact that i liked to hold the wafer on my tongue to see how long it took to dissolve. Good times... I'd like to say yes God is irrevocably dead. I'd like to say that about all Gods because that would more then likey solve a lot of the worlds issues but the belief of millions of Christians around the world would seem to prove otherwise aye?

Now I listen to a lot of metal, mostly death and black metal and as such wear a lot of grim looking Tshirts so when meet me they assume im some Satan worshipping miscreant. Im not though coz i dont believe in Her either. But to get to my point, I respect those who have a faith because that is their choice. Im an athiest by choice and i am of the opinion that the universe created itself out of nothing.

For the record i have not a fething clue who Richard Dawkins is but i thought i'd chime in with my 2cents anyway

htj wrote:

o0shotty0o wrote:From my experiance people who dont belive in something e.g god , allah or whaterver , are a shell of a person with no confidence.I feel sorry for people who dont at least belive in something.

Just wanted this post to come up again. Made me dead happy.

Can almost feel his next ban coming up can't you?

MrDwhitey wrote:

htj wrote:

o0shotty0o wrote:From my experiance people who dont belive in something e.g god , allah or whaterver , are a shell of a person with no confidence.I feel sorry for people who dont at least belive in something.

Just wanted this post to come up again. Made me dead happy.

Can almost feel his next ban coming up can't you?

Being an empty shell of a person, I feel nothing.

Brother Azul wrote:Now I listen to a lot of metal, mostly death and black metal and as such wear a lot of grim looking Tshirts so when meet me they assume im some Satan worshipping miscreant. Im not though coz i dont believe in Her either.

Just curious how, if you don't believe in Satan, you've come to the conclusion that Satan is female.

I'm not aware of any religious traditions that personify evil as a woman, and Satan is used as a masculine noun in Hebrew.

biccat wrote:

Brother Azul wrote:Now I listen to a lot of metal, mostly death and black metal and as such wear a lot of grim looking Tshirts so when meet me they assume im some Satan worshipping miscreant. Im not though coz i dont believe in Her either.

Just curious how, if you don't believe in Satan, you've come to the conclusion that Satan is female.

I'm not aware of any religious traditions that personify evil as a woman, and Satan is used as a masculine noun in Hebrew.

Ah im glad you picked up on that. That was me just seeing who was paying attention. Like i said i dont believe in Satan be it a he or she but one of my friends who is a Christian is of the opinion that the devil is a woman purely for the fact he hates his mother. So in convesation should Satan ever be brought up it is refered to in the tense of a Woman for his sake.

*it being Satan...