Sam Harris: 10 myths—and 10 Truths—About Atheism

Sam Harris' Blog from his Los Angeles Times article ^ | Dec 24, 2006 | Sam Harris

[MarkBsnr]

You’re nicer than I.

No way. We've talked before. You are much nicer than I (and probably much better looking as well).

[MarkBsnr]

If Obama were a cat....

Relax. I found Obama II.

[AndrewC]

Who ever thought that the day would come when it would be considered *reasonable* to reject God?

Well, some people forget that everyone's logic stands on unprovable statements. That is the nature of logic. So people who reject God will conclude that it is reasonable to reject God.

When scientists don’t know something — like why the universe came into being or how the first self-replicating molecules formed — they admit it.

I nearly split my sides when I read this. Ever hear of global warming? Or the fairy tales spun about fossil finds?

As far as intelligence, reasoning, and religion is concerned, I merely point out that chimps don't bury their dead with possessions. And atheists seem to respect memories of dead people for some "illogical" reason. Why would atheists praise Darwin or any other person who does not exist?

[editor-surveyor]

But his nose doesn’t point in the right direction!

[metmom]

I love your *smug* cat. I just may steal that.

[aruanan]

When scientists don’t know something — like why the universe came into being or how the first self-replicating molecules formed — they admit it.

I nearly split my sides when I read this. Ever hear of global warming? Or the fairy tales spun about fossil finds?

I remember reading my brother's high school biology book. The author had just finished a detailed description of the history of the universe back through the evolution of life through a particular account of planetary formation and so on to the Big Bang. Then he said (I'm paraphrasing), "But whence this Big Bang came or what existed before it we don't profess to know. We intend to stay within the bounds of our knowledge."

[MarkBsnr]

But his nose doesn’t point in the right direction!

I'm sure that the other end does.

[MarkBsnr]

I love your *smug* cat. I just may steal that.

All of the photoshopped pictures that I have posted on FR are in the public domain (or available on publically available websites). Don't think of it as stealing. Think of it as spreading joy.

I am spreading joy to a good Calvinist FRiend...

[metmom]

Which Calvinist FRiend?

You don’t mean me, do you?

[MarkBsnr]

Which Calvinist FRiend? You don’t mean me, do you?

Negative. The individual in question is a very good FRiend and we converse regularly, almost on a daily basis. She has demonstrated machenoma to us all on a scale rarely, if ever achieved.

[metmom]

Oh. Cause I’m not a Calvinist and didn’t know if anyone had that misconception of me.

[metmom]

Well then, if I have your permission, it’s not stealing so I’m set....

[MarkBsnr]

Oh. Cause I’m not a Calvinist and didn’t know if anyone had that misconception of me.

Certainly not that I'm aware of. I wouldn't wish that upon (almost) anyone. :)

[Cvengr]

There is, in fact, not a Christian on this Earth who can be certain that Jesus even wore a beard, much less that he was born of a virgin or rose from the dead. These are just not the sort of claims that spiritual experience can authenticate.

There sure are a lot of angels out there who think differently. Also alot of believers who have had spiritual knowledge which is spiritually investigated to testify that He not only rose from the dead, but is very much alive, seated at the right hand of the Father, and very much indwells us. That is information not understandable by those who do not believe.

[Cvengr]

Do you know somebody who still dances the Machenoma? ;^)

[MarkBsnr]

Since they're not mine to begin with, and they can only spread joy. But you must remember to set each post up with this sort of reaction in mind:

because if you don't, the reaction will drive you to:

[MarkBsnr]

Do you know somebody who still dances the Machenoma? ;^)

Oh yes. We swap spittle most days.

[Cvengr]

[metmom]

Ping to post 77 for a great image to use for the zot list....

[GunRunner]

Non-believers have the problem of being randomized and categorized into a category (Atheism), much like denominational religious people people do.

There needs to be a term that describes someone who simply doesn't believe there's evidence for the supernatural, or that God wrote any books during the Iron Age.

I've never understood the argument that because the universe is complex and that there's things we don't understand, that that somehow makes room for the God of Abraham.

I even heard an evangelical make the point that Dark Matter proves the existence of God.