Atheism And Its Critics
Atheists have been called the most hated minority in America. And yet recent atheist manifestos by Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens and Sam Harris have all made the best-seller list. So have these atheists changed our thinking about religion? We'll talk about he New Atheism with Richard Dawkins and two of his critics in the time hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge.
2. Comment #383376 by Cristian on May 31, 2009 at 9:34 am
"Its" (possessive pron.), and not "it's" should be in the title. Not being picky, just sayin', it's on the archives front page, where, God forbid, a kid could see it and be scarred for life.3. Comment #383377 by infinitum17 on May 31, 2009 at 9:51 am
man, listening to that first guy was like taking poison, but then listening to Richard was the antidote.4. Comment #383380 by themoonsays on May 31, 2009 at 10:11 am
Cristian,5. Comment #383382 by superwolf on May 31, 2009 at 10:18 am
6. Comment #383383 by Delsolar16 on May 31, 2009 at 10:27 am
7. Comment #383385 by mirandaceleste on May 31, 2009 at 10:29 am
8. Comment #383386 by sonnygll on May 31, 2009 at 10:30 am
Superwolf, it's like that because "its" is describing an attribute belonging to "it". It being the pronoun used to refer to a previously mentioned object. While "it's" is a contraction for "it is". An apostrophe shows missing letters in a contraction. For example, can not is can't and would not is wouldn't. Plural and possessive forms are different than contractions.9. Comment #383387 by Cristian on May 31, 2009 at 10:34 am
Well, the apostrophe denotes the contraction, I guess you call it, of "it is." On the other hand, "its" is the same thing as "his" and "her," and, like them, it doesn't require an apostrophe. As for its plural form, I reckon it would always be "their."10. Comment #383388 by Cristian on May 31, 2009 at 10:36 am
Delsolar16, no, no, please don't mind me and do listen to the audio, it's quite interesting.11. Comment #383392 by soul_biscuit on May 31, 2009 at 10:58 am
12. Comment #383394 by Richard Dawkins on May 31, 2009 at 11:13 am
13. Comment #383395 by Follow Peter Egan on May 31, 2009 at 11:27 am
14. Comment #383396 by Verylee on May 31, 2009 at 11:28 am
Can we take the "It's" as already corrected and more on from there?
Richard
15. Comment #383397 by Beachbum on May 31, 2009 at 11:28 am
16. Comment #383398 by mybelle on May 31, 2009 at 11:29 am
I thought this audio was interesting, certainly with a listen. I especially enjoyed Richard's reaction to the passage from Chris Hedges!17. Comment #383399 by Bonzai on May 31, 2009 at 11:31 am
Who you calling a more on?
18. Comment #383400 by Gamma ut on May 31, 2009 at 11:44 am
19. Comment #383401 by Beachbum on May 31, 2009 at 11:48 am
20. Comment #383402 by Crazycharlie on May 31, 2009 at 11:51 am
21. Comment #383403 by Steve Zara on May 31, 2009 at 12:01 pm
After listening to John Haught, I have finally realised what all the talk of "old atheists" is about.22. Comment #383404 by Follow Peter Egan on May 31, 2009 at 12:05 pm
23. Comment #383405 by Verylee on May 31, 2009 at 12:06 pm
The angel who whispered to Joesph Smith?
24. Comment #383406 by Steve Zara on May 31, 2009 at 12:11 pm
I think this was one of Richard's best recent interviews. Really spot on about the supernaturalism/naturalism issue, the "explanation of the gaps" nature of talk of transcendence and his reaction to Hedges was priceless.25. Comment #383407 by BrandySpears on May 31, 2009 at 12:15 pm
26. Comment #383408 by mig... on May 31, 2009 at 12:22 pm
27. Comment #383409 by Beachbum on May 31, 2009 at 12:22 pm
28. Comment #383411 by ahmunnaeetchoo on May 31, 2009 at 12:33 pm
A really passionate interview there from Richard. Consistent in it's uncompromising tone, brilliant!29. Comment #383412 by Liveliest Crib on May 31, 2009 at 12:34 pm
infinitum17 @ #383377:man, listening to that first guy was like taking poison[.]I'm listening right now. He's simultaneously infuriating and hilarious.
30. Comment #383413 by tobybarrett on May 31, 2009 at 12:36 pm
31. Comment #383415 by Steve Zara on May 31, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Comment #383412 by Liveliest Crib32. Comment #383416 by John_T on May 31, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Steve Zara: Really spot on about the supernaturalism/naturalism issue
33. Comment #383417 by sonnygll on May 31, 2009 at 12:43 pm
This was the same usual stuff from the theists. A little "not my religion", a little verbal gymnastics and other bullshit, assumptions that feelings you would not analyze are supernatural, the seemly random jump from that to Christianity, a big helping of getting morals from the bible topped with biblical cherry picking, of course the usual straw man arguments about "new atheists".34. Comment #383418 by Liveliest Crib on May 31, 2009 at 12:44 pm
Steve Zara @ Comment #383415:I think there is another message as well there. To be a "real" atheist should take work, because you have to struggle daily to find meaning in a desolate God-free universe.I think you're correct. That was part of his message.
35. Comment #383419 by Steve Zara on May 31, 2009 at 12:49 pm
Comment #383416 by John_TSupernatural phenomena" (whatever that may be) are not within the realm of science.
36. Comment #383420 by Liveliest Crib on May 31, 2009 at 12:50 pm
My favorite bit:The question is not whether god exists; it is whether we contemplate, or are utterly indifferent to, the transcendent -- that which cannot be measured or quantified, that which lies beyond the reach of rational deduction. We all encounter this aspect of existence in love, beauty, alienation, loneliness, suffering, good, evil and the reality of death. These powerful, non-rational, super-real forces in human life are the domain of religion.What do you make of that assessment of religion?
37. Comment #383422 by Peacebeuponme on May 31, 2009 at 12:54 pm
I'm totally anti-theist. This is why.38. Comment #383423 by John_T on May 31, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Steve Zara: This talk of "science not being able to study the supernatural" has to stop. It makes as much sense as saying that geographers can't study Narnia.
39. Comment #383425 by Steve Zara on May 31, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Comment #383423 by John_T40. Comment #383426 by Tom Morris on May 31, 2009 at 1:01 pm
I had to switch it off when it got to Alister McGrath. Got a university exam tomorrow afternoon. I just can't fill my brain up with theology the night before and hope to be able to answer the questions tomorrow with any degree of sanity.41. Comment #383427 by Bonzai on May 31, 2009 at 1:05 pm
42. Comment #383428 by John_T on May 31, 2009 at 1:06 pm
Steve Zara: science can certainly study what most people think of as "supernatural"
43. Comment #383429 by Bonzai on May 31, 2009 at 1:14 pm
44. Comment #383430 by Irat on May 31, 2009 at 1:14 pm
45. Comment #383431 by Steve Zara on May 31, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Comment #383428 by John_T46. Comment #383432 by Diacanu on May 31, 2009 at 1:25 pm
47. Comment #383433 by Corylus on May 31, 2009 at 1:30 pm
When atheists say "faith is believin' what you know ain't so" (or variants on that theme), the response of people like people like Haught is to say "No, no, no, you've got it all wrong!". Then when you ask them what faith really is, they remain rather silent or pull out the theological version of the get-out-of-jail-free card: the Mystery Card.Completely agree, which is why I would have loved for the interviewer to have pushed for a clear definition from the outset.
Got a university exam tomorrow afternoon. I just can't fill my brain up with theology the night before and hope to be able to answer the questions tomorrow with any degree of sanity.Very wise. Remember to get some sleep too.
48. Comment #383434 by RightWingAtheist on May 31, 2009 at 1:32 pm
49. Comment #383435 by huzonfurst on May 31, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Here's how to remember the correct way to spell 'its': it's ;>) a possessive pronoun like mine, yours, his, hers, ours and theirs - *none* of which have an apostrophe. Fewer people [not 'less' people!] add apostrophes to yours, hers, ours and theirs, and when they do it leaps off the page screaming "semi-literate boob!" every time.50. Comment #383436 by mordacious1 on May 31, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Send a letter to the editor of the original media outlet.
flemingj@wpr.org
1. Comment #383374 by Max of Earlobes on May 31, 2009 at 9:21 am
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