21% of Atheists believe in god??
June 29th, 2008
Found this over at De-conversion the original survey is here http://religions.pewforum.org/reports and coverage by The Dallas Morning News
This is not a puzzling survey result.
As we all know, Atheists tend to be smart asses(Go on deny, dare ya). And Survey takers tend to not give a crap, especially about the little things like… thinking etc.
Question 1: “Sir what is your religious Affiliation?”
Atheist A: “I’m an Atheist”
Question 2: “Sir, would you say you believe in a personal god?”
Atheist A: “… Yeah… definitely…”
Question 3: “Sir, What do you call your personal god?”
Atheist A: “I pray exclusively to the flying spaghetti monster”
So the question begs, are they lumping Pastafarians into the Atheist camp? If so, those BASTARDS need to issue a retraction. I say we storm embassies and hold large chanting get-togethers (we could make smores) - on second thoughts, lets not… we don’t want to be copycats.
… or maybe they outsourced the survey takers to India.
Debate Atheism vs Theism - good reading
June 28th, 2008
The Political Inquirer sat down an Atheist and a Theist and asked them to debate this question:
“Is Atheism beneficial or dangerous to society?” and similarly, “Is Theism beneficial or dangerous to society?”
You can read the full article here http://politicalinquirer.com/2008/06/26/god-in-society-an-atheism-theism-debate/
Having read the preliminaries, I’m still a greater fan of Kyle Williams debating with a book. (Warning Long ass post). But both personalities involved in the debate seem measured and not too vitriolic. http://www.atheismisdead.blogspot.com/ represents the theist position and Leo Pardus of DE-CONVERSION the atheist. Personally, I’d have hoped someone from exchristian.net would have been invited, but it still promises to be an interesting discussion.
What, as always, has me amused is the comments.
More on George Carlin (May 12, 1937 - June 22, 2008)
June 23rd, 2008
I think George would be glad to have died. At least now we’ll see less of Tim Russert.
But seriously, there’s a whole generation out there who barely knew him, and hopefully in death he’ll be able to get more of his important message across to those who desperately need to hear it.
Plus, he’ll get to offend people from beyond the grave… I never knew him personally, only through his comedy, but somehow… I think he’ll get a real kick out of that.
Check out his wikiquote entry (and while you’re at it… check out Mark Twain too. They died almost a hundred years apart, although the language of Mr Clemens is cleaner, the message is the same)
Some of the worthwhile links in the Blogosphere:
Some great Clips:
http://furzdurzelette.wordpress.com/2008/06/23/im-fine-but-im-not-dandy-george-carlin-rip/trackback/
A nice tribute:
http://legionofnameless.wordpress.com/2008/06/23/rip-george-carlin/trackback/
Seven Words sketch:
http://forestdragon.wordpress.com/2008/06/23/george-carlin-may-12-1937-june-22-2008/trackback/
and a Xtian writer who is saddened by the news, but happy that George is an aetheist no more: http://davidtjordan.wordpress.com/2008/06/23/newsflash-george-carlin-atheist-no-more/trackback/
The agnostic in me hopes that the enlightened are wrong, that there is indeed a heaven, I can imagine god welcoming George at the pearly gates with a “Hah!”. and a “Thanks for thinking”, then watch him go get introduced to Sam L Clemens, those two I imagine could talk for a while.
My list of (probably pulled by the copyright owner shortly) Memorable Carlin clips:
George Carlin on Education & the Hidden Rulers of America
and most appropriately: George Carlin on Death
I know George would love it if he offended a few more of the narrow minded, and liberated a few more seekers.
George, if you’re yelling from down there… see ya soon 
Skep
Xtianity vs Aetheism
June 21st, 2008
What a very well thought out and written article at the 15 minute Genius
His/Her question: “But then you have to ask them the question, ‘Why is murder wrong?’ At this the most common answer is because of humanity being of importance. Aetheists would say humans shouldn’t kill humans because humans don’t have the right to. But where would they get or not get this right?”
The ten commandments essentially boil down to one. “Thou Shalt not steal”. Taking something that is not yours without the permission of the owner is wrong. Unless we have that rule, human society would be brutalized by the strong taking away from the weak. We are a society, for a society to function, there has to be some order. But who gets to establish that order?
Early religious leaders realized this, and controlled the masses by letting them know that there was an all powerful being who would punish them for eternity if they broke society’s rules (This was before CSI).
The majority of the moral code in all religions is essentially the rules for a society where the weak are protected from the strong.
Great minds came up with the Bill of Rights. But even then, some still practiced slavery, most mysogyny, but their hearts were in the right place, and the path they illuminated sets us off in the right direction.
Why aetheists are so keen in pointing out the flaws in religion is not (necessarily) to feel superior to those of faith. But to get across the message, you can’t rely on faith to solve this world’s problems.
As an agnostic, I struggle occasionally. I respect people of faith for following sound moral guidelines, but despair because some of these guidelines are so out of date, and taken only as it suits.
Xtians, for the most part, are homophobic, because Leviticus states it’s an abomination. So why don’t we see protests of Red Lobster? Because it no longer suits them to follow those rules.
As we as humans move forward, we will see more and more that the crux of religion is man controlling man through “you must have faith”, “trust in the lord”, “judgement will come” are all ways of saying “Forget about what is wrong in your life right now, just be good, and it will all work out”
I cannot truly say that I don’t believe in the supreme maker. But I do believe in mankind’s ability, and propensity to avert its’ eyes from things that need changing.
Skep
The Catholic Church bars film crew entry.
June 19th, 2008
What’s the matter, boys? Faith can’t handle the pressure?
Among other sources, the Houston Chronicle has the full story.
Now while not a person of faith (obviously), I think that spirituality is a wonderful thing, so I would never deny that people of faith, who actually live by that faith, aren’t potentially good human beings.
But having said that, I still believe that the attitude:”My Faith’s better than your faith” is a bone-headed way to carry on.
Still, it’s their property (ahem paid for how? hmmm?) and they are entitled to privacy. I think their PR approach of sticking their heads up their collective asses is probably less effective than letting the crew in to film, and saying that because “its a wonderful creation of fiction” “of course they don’t mind obliging, by sharing these beautiful pieces of art in the making of the film”.
Probably because they’re worried people might think they meant something else.
Keep up the good work, Vatican boys!
Skep