I'm Jonathan. Currently 21 years old and studying physics engineering and theoretical mathematics in Lund, Sweden.
I'd like to dedicate this blog to the subject of religion but also science, philiosphy and politics to some extent.
The initiative for this comes from RebelHeart's blog which surprises me with even more riddiculus entries all the time. From my perspective religion is essentially bad for the society. While bringing comfort to some people, it undermines science and rationality and I simply think the world would be a better place without it. I know many other atheists think different about the role of relgion in society, but I'd be happy to discuss any such issues.
So! Let's start with introducing some of the important actors!
------------------- Name: Richard Dawkins
Description: Professor of the "public understanding of science" in oxford, UK. Probably the most famous atheist there is. He regularly attends debates, interviews and seminars conserning religion. He has written many books, mainly about evolutionary biology. In his latest book "The God Delusion" he argues against religion and its position in society. He has also produced a large number of TV programs about religion, science and evolution.
Introductionary video:
Short Video intreview.
Jtans comments: This guy is awesome, an oldschool englishman with a sharp mind and a quick tongue in the debates. I've read 3 of his books: "The God Delusion", "The Selfish Gene" and "The Blind Watchmaker". I recommends all of them, especially the first one. The way he writes is just beautiful! -------------------
Name: Sam Harris Description: The younger and American version of Dawkins. Argues stridently against religion and attends many TV-interviews in the US. He recently wrote "The End of Faith" mostly decribing the problems with Islam but also religion in general. As he recieved thousends of mails from angry christian Americans he wrote "A letter to a Christian Nation" as a response to the letters.
Introductionary video:
Well Bill is just stupid, Sam gives him a beating.
Jtans comments: I read his "The end of faith", a great book with a lot of controversial ideas. Sam is especially great during his interviews. He is really smart, and always stays cool no matter how much some stupid fox news gal tries to offend him. Don't think I've seen him "lose" an argument (even though that is based on ones point of view).
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Name: Daniel Dennet Description: Oldschool philosopher, the pic says it all His major critique to religion is in his book "Breaking the spell".
Introductionary video:
A talk at Caltech after publication of his "Breaking the spell"
Jtans comments: Did not read "Breaking the spell yet", but read his "Understanding Consciousness in Humans and other Animals". He's smart and brings forth a lot of great ideas on how to look upon things.
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Name: Christopher Hitchens Description: American citizen as of late. Author, columnist, journalist etc... His main fields of interests are religion and free speach. Often gets himself invited to comment about different things in the american TV-channels.
Jtans comments: I really like this guy even if he's a real asshole to some people. He generally shows up drunk for his interviews and once said that his daily intake of alcohol was enough "to kill or stun the average mule". He also smokes heavily Ignoring these things he's an awesome person. He is intelligent and doesn't hesitate a minute to say what he thinks.
Here is an awesome interview with him. It's after Jerry Falwell died and Hitchens had said a lot bad things about him like "I'm sorry there's not a hell for him to go to". So fox brought him in just to pretty much make him say he atleast was a little bit sorry for him and his family. Enjoy.
--------------------- Ecen though there are a lot of other interesting names, the above four are often described as the frontier of those questioning religion.
So which of the above do you enjoy listening to the most? If you think all of them are full of shit, don't vote.
Poll: Which one will it be? (Vote): Dawkins (Vote): Harris (Vote): Dennet (Vote): Hitchens
Please someone find the YouTube video with the guy in Salt Lake City trying to convert Mormons to atheism.
Dawkins ftw. I like his eloquence with words, and I've heard good reviews for The God Delusion. Even as a Christian, it's on my to-read list. EDIT: btw, soci"E"ty.
I've studied Dennett's book Breaking the Spell under a professor who knows Dennett personally. He made it clear that Dennett is not as open-minded as he likes to present himself in his public material.
I don't like the direction I've seen Dawkins taking in recent programs and speeches. It seems like he's gotten into the atheism movement without knowing how to lead a movement. Or at least he has nothing new to bring to the table. When using mass media, it takes more than a logical argument to convince people and he lacks anything else. It seems he's relied on reasoning too much because he comes to a dead-end with people who prefer to make major decisions in direct opposition to what reason advises. Perhaps he should consider the fact that the percentage of the population that can act on logic and reasoning all of the time is in the minority. And this is a broader issue than atheism and religion.
Nony is making a good point here. Not everyone is persuaded by reason right away. Though I feel like a total sellout for doing so, sometimes you need to play the emotional-argument card first so that you can bring them into the reach of reasoning. We all know religion is playing arguably the dirtiest game on Earth, and it feels like shit having to rely on their methods, but employing a step-by-step method is probably more effective in the long run.
Everyone who thinks they are so enlightened and look down and frown upon people with religious beliefs are close to being fascists. Dawkins serves as a role-model here, it definately appears like he thinks that he is better than alot of people.
On September 25 2007 02:15 NonY[rC] wrote: I've studied Dennett's book Breaking the Spell under a professor who knows Dennett personally. He made it clear that Dennett is not as open-minded as he likes to present himself in his public material.
I don't like the direction I've seen Dawkins taking in recent programs and speeches. It seems like he's gotten into the atheism movement without knowing how to lead a movement. Or at least he has nothing new to bring to the table. When using mass media, it takes more than a logical argument to convince people and he lacks anything else. It seems he's relied on reasoning too much because he comes to a dead-end with people who prefer to make major decisions in direct opposition to what reason advises. Perhaps he should consider the fact that the percentage of the population that can act on logic and reasoning all of the time is in the minority. And this is a broader issue than atheism and religion.
I don't know the other two.
I agree with you; Dawkins can hold a real solid argument, but he doesn't really fit for a leader figure.
What he says is probably best appreciated by an educated audiance, but I think he does a good job trying to reach out to the public via TV-series like "the root of all evil" and "the enemies of reason".
On September 25 2007 04:21 JensOfSweden wrote: Sorry but Dawkins sucks ass.
Everyone who thinks they are so enlightened and look down and frown upon people with religious beliefs are close to being fascists. Dawkins serves as a role-model here, it definately appears like he thinks that he is better than alot of people.
Yeah, just like every christian think god loves them more than any athesit. People always think they are better then people they believe are wrong.
On September 25 2007 04:21 JensOfSweden wrote: Sorry but Dawkins sucks ass.
Everyone who thinks they are so enlightened and look down and frown upon people with religious beliefs are close to being fascists. Dawkins serves as a role-model here, it definately appears like he thinks that he is better than alot of people.
Yeah, just like every christian think god loves them more than any athesit. People always think they are better then people they believe are wrong.
I think you, like most people who subscribe to your position, simply misunderstand the people you criticize (hell, I think I just nailed a larger population subset than I meant to).
On September 25 2007 04:21 JensOfSweden wrote: Sorry but Dawkins sucks ass.
Everyone who thinks they are so enlightened and look down and frown upon people with religious beliefs are close to being fascists. Dawkins serves as a role-model here, it definately appears like he thinks that he is better than alot of people.
Yeah, just like every christian think god loves them more than any athesit. People always think they are better then people they believe are wrong.
At least use intelligent debate rather than having to resort to prejudicial stereotyping
On September 25 2007 04:21 JensOfSweden wrote: Sorry but Dawkins sucks ass.
Everyone who thinks they are so enlightened and look down and frown upon people with religious beliefs are close to being fascists. Dawkins serves as a role-model here, it definately appears like he thinks that he is better than alot of people.
Yeah, just like every christian think god loves them more than any athesit. People always think they are better then people they believe are wrong.
At least use intelligent debate rather than having to resort to prejudicial stereotyping
Sure, I knew someone might say Christians don't think they are better and blah blah
But are you seriously saying Dawkins thinks he knows so much better? Compare it to a republican debating a democrat, both are sure they are right and think the other one is plain stupid. Dawkins is sure that he is right, but at least he is being pretty humble when talking to religious people.
On September 25 2007 04:21 JensOfSweden wrote: Sorry but Dawkins sucks ass.
Everyone who thinks they are so enlightened and look down and frown upon people with religious beliefs are close to being fascists. Dawkins serves as a role-model here, it definately appears like he thinks that he is better than alot of people.
Yeah, just like every christian think god loves them more than any athesit. People always think they are better then people they believe are wrong.
At least use intelligent debate rather than having to resort to prejudicial stereotyping
Sure, I knew someone might say Christians don't think they are better and blah blah
But are you seriously saying Dawkins thinks he knows so much better? Compare it to a republican debating a democrat, both are sure they are right and think the other one is plain stupid. Dawkins is sure that he is right, but at least he is being pretty humble when talking to religious people.
Well I wasn't the one who said that. But you're resorting to the same tactic by responding the same way. Unless, of course, you were just being sarcastic.
EPT![[image loading]](http://www.nndb.com/people/281/000024209/dawkins.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4b/Sam_Harris_01.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://carlosvalencia.files.wordpress.com/2006/11/filosofo.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/binary/33b5/seedo_onlineWED_01_hitchens.jpg)
