1. When too much Rapture is barely enough

Comment #204601 by Phil T on July 5, 2008 at 10:43 am

Mental illness... Nothing more, nothing less.

2. Get out of here, atheists!

Comment #156374 by Phil T on April 7, 2008 at 12:23 pm

Demented... No other word for her.

3. Belief in Belief

Comment #117337 by Phil T on January 28, 2008 at 3:14 pm

Terrific stuff - as always - from the wonderful Mr Hitchens and the videos are brilliantly illustrated.

4. It is possible to be moral without God

Comment #105120 by Phil T on December 30, 2007 at 3:48 pm

It is possible to be moral without God.

We know, thanks ever so much.

5. Religions don't deserve special treatment

Comment #5530 by Phil T on November 9, 2006 at 8:49 pm

I particularly agree with your last comment William.
Most of my old friends are still believers and I love them dearly. I'm still in the process of "coming out" with them. I'm treading gently because I value their friendship and dont want to place any artificial barriers between us. Note I said artificial, that is there is nothing of substance that seperates us from my perspective. I support their morals and most of their values. They are decent folk and I respect them.
I'm just not sure how they are going to take it. I've dropped a few hints, written some letters to magazine columns supporting evolution. They were curious but not overly so. They said something along the lines of "how big is your god?" as if their theology could swallow any scientific explanations that were thrown at them.
Frankly I dont want to change them. Like I respect them the way I'd like them to respect me. Unconditionally.
I'd hate atheism to become another ideology that breeds intolerance and "us verses them" mentality. Persuasion, reason and example are OK as ways to influence others. Of course resistance becomes neccessary when they try to foist their beleifs on the rest of us. Lets try to keep it peaceful shall we?
Regards

Phil

6. Religions don't deserve special treatment

Comment #5467 by Phil T on November 9, 2006 at 3:29 pm

Scott,
You have invented a theology that fits within your comfort zone. Most moderate christians do this. I did it. You think god cannot send his creatures to suffer eternally, it just doesn't fit with the idea of a loving and good god.
Well sorry Scott, read your bible and remember that "the worm never sleeps".
You are on the slippery slope to disbelief and you can't have it both ways.
Open your mind, dont you think a loving father would encourage you to honest enquiry? All that is required is honesty, thats all we are asking. I'm glad you have come to this forum, you remind me of...me. I started asking honest questions of god and here I am. I have grown out of beleif. It was a crutch and it got me from A to B. Now I want to get to C and beyond. You cant do it holding on to irrational, unsubstantiated beleif.
The journey ends when you think you have arrived.
Kind regards

Phil

7. Controversial Religious Summer Camp Closed

Comment #5345 by Phil T on November 9, 2006 at 2:56 am

We saw some of the "Kids on Fire" footage on a local current events show here in New Zealand. It was presented as and perceived as very scary. Was this lunacy taking hold of the most powerful nation in the world? Were these people having an influence?
I am relieved to see that they have withered under the gaze of public scrutiny. Keep up the good work.
Oh, and congratulations on clipping Bush's wings while I'm at it. The free world is depending on you guys, stand up for what you (don't) believe in.

8. God only knows who's right or wrong

Comment #3171 by Phil T on October 26, 2006 at 4:50 am

I have not yet finished reading TGD (although I have read many of RD's books over some decades)and I thank him for stimulating this worthy debate. Thus far I'm with him on a rational level. I became a fervent Christian as an adult but found it lost its power over me as its model did not fit reality. I'd say I am an atheist now. I certainly don’t accept the biblical (or any other) god and its like the scales have fallen from my eyes. What I think is missing is what others above have referred to, an understanding of the emotional needs that lead us to believe mythology.
Have a look at an evangelical congregation in full swing. People come because they get something from it. They feel connected, they have their beliefs reinforced, they feel valued, accepted and loved (so long as they conform and don’t like to think too much), part of something bigger. And they get to think that some essential part of them is not going to die... I remember that feeling, totally erroneous and naive but you have to have compassion for those that need this.
The human condition is.....temporary, and full of pain and loss. Richard is asking us to grow up and face a reality that does not always show us a friendly face. Without an invisible friend to tell us its all OK. Perhaps it is all OK, in the long run. And perhaps we have to live every moment to the full because this is all there is. And perhaps we have to have compassion for other beings in the same boat and help them make the most of it too? This is a good reason to offer release to those whose lives would be improved by willing dis-illusionment.
But can we offer what the congregation offers, even based as it is on a myth? Is there a community out there? It has been argued that this social cohesion is what gives religion its adaptive value. Thats what we are up against and that is what it will take to counter it.
I am persuaded that, as individuals and as a species it is now crunch time. We have to appreciate reality, adapt to it or perish. We are reaching the edge of our "agar plate". Following outmoded and unrealistic models of reality will see us in the evolutionary dustbin. Its time to grow up. Seeing ourselves as close to angels and separate from the natural world rather than just another species is hindering our ability to adapt.
Richard, I hope you are not too late and too rational to be understood.