1. Six Reasons to be an Atheist

Comment #113515 by dawson on January 19, 2008 at 9:21 pm

Saw these on another site, which posted six more, and probably better, reasons to be an atheist:

http://dontlookstupid.blogspot.com/

2. Religious Freedom in Military Questioned

Comment #101105 by dawson on December 19, 2007 at 9:01 pm

It wasn't mentioned, but the vast majority of complaints received by this organization are from Christians. Since the MRFF was founded (last year I think) it has fielded about 6,000 complaints, mostly in regards to evangelicals preaching to other Christians that they're not Christian enough. It's scary that 40% of the U.S. military are evangelicals. Luckily, 20% profess no religion.

3. The Pagan Christ

Comment #96066 by dawson on December 9, 2007 at 11:21 pm

What seems most likely is that Jesus was a composite of several different men (and later, gods) of that general time period.

4. What the New Atheists Don't See

Comment #85428 by dawson on November 5, 2007 at 9:02 pm

I think it's hilarious that he completely missed the meaning of Juan Sánchez Cotán's painting! ("Quince, Cabbage, Melon and Cucumber") If he couldn't see this, I imagine he is missing a few other things about the meanings of the authors he is trashing. http://www.uh.edu/~englmi/i/trompe/trompeloeilBorges-15.jpg

5. That's not MY God or Religion you're criticising

Comment #84239 by dawson on November 1, 2007 at 1:39 pm

Much more common to hear is, "But those guys aren't TRUE Christians." This is the Christian's shield, and it's easy for many criticisms to bounce right off of it. Ironically, the hundreds of different denominations make it impossible for Christianity to attain the cohesiveness and strength to exert the real control that Christians think they have. Thank goodness.

When confronted with this argument, it's difficult to refute. But it is important to point out that the basic tenent is the same among all believers; belief that Jesus Christ is God and died for our sins. A Christian will be very hesitant to entertain the idea that, even though his denomination is the one that has it right, all the rest just might go to Hell. We can point out that regardless of what the differences are (Eucharist, baptism, good deeds, personal fallacies, etc), all Christians receive salvation. Thus the many differences are rendered moot and the shield is rendered impotent. If the Christian argues that, indeed, most Christians are false Christians and will go to Hell, then you have to admit that's good news and there's no point in having to argue with that person any more.

6. Atheists don't believe in anything

Comment #82102 by dawson on October 25, 2007 at 5:11 pm

Atheists believe and disbelieve all sorts of things. There is no standard set of beliefs for atheists. The only commonality among atheists is the absence of belief in supernatural deities.

7. The age of endarkenment

Comment #64350 by dawson on August 19, 2007 at 5:30 pm

Physician, heal thine own brain!

8. Democratic Candidates on a Personal God

Comment #64348 by dawson on August 19, 2007 at 5:21 pm

And yet each one will end big speeches with "God Bless America!" and go on to say in other arenas that god is on our side in wars and whatnot.

God Bless Hippocrites!

9. Sean Hannity with Christopher Hitchens

Comment #54886 by dawson on July 9, 2007 at 8:32 am

I've come to realize that this kind of argument inevitably degrades. My solution has been to stop using the word "god" with christians and instead use "Jesus." In fact, I think it is utterly ridiculous for them to go back and forth between the two as it suits their argument, and silly of us to let them. "God" is too general a term. Using the name "Jesus" exclusively in place of "god" makes each person see the same color of red. Who knows if it can actually reduce the chances of seeing red, though.