Religion

longship

(40,416 posts)

33. Gotta love the "smug" tag.

Wed Nov 28, 2012, 02:20 PM

Nov 2012

It's like calling atheists strident, shrill, vitriolic, etc. It is a way to basically shut off the dialog.

And we hear these things from people of stunning arrogance who claim that without a belief in their particular god, one cannot know good from evil.

I am always amused about this, having softened my previous attitude when it would have angered me. Now I just ridicule it, with a chuckle and a smile.

About the article, I've read the Clark's Rama series. It was written by a non-believer, so I don't know why the writer uses an example that so thoroughly falsifies the premise of smugness.

Of course, there's always the unstated premise that atheists do not or cannot have numinous experiences. When I look through my telescope at the wonders of the solar system and the universe, or ponder the beauty of nature on this planet, or listen to certain music, I experience those same transcendent feelings.

And people call us smug?

I am amused!

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Post removed [View all] Post removed Nov 2012 OP

Not much of a thinker, is he? skepticscott Nov 2012 #1

The author is female. rug Nov 2012 #3

Anders is confused DavidDvorkin Nov 2012 #2

Well, at least she has found a way to feel superior to the rest of us. cleanhippie Nov 2012 #4

Jesus and Mo are particularly appropriate today: muriel_volestrangler Nov 2012 #16

Indeed. Thanks for that. cleanhippie Nov 2012 #17

In a way it is the Christians who taunt the atheist. zeemike Nov 2012 #5

I hope you are not saying that humans walking with dinosaurs is NOT a stupid idea. cleanhippie Nov 2012 #8

science fiction does have one thing in common with religious texts Phillip McCleod Nov 2012 #6

But Science fiction is honest enought to admit that it is fiction... aka-chmeee Nov 2012 #7

true true. like geosynchronous orbit. Phillip McCleod Nov 2012 #9

Though that didn't originate in fiction muriel_volestrangler Nov 2012 #14

Perhaps it would be a waste of effort to ask scifi writers what they would like theologians to cover dimbear Nov 2012 #10

Lmao n/t jamtoday Nov 2012 #11

This seems rather strange, but Science Fiction(along with real Science) is mostly what lead me... Humanist_Activist Nov 2012 #12

sometimes MFM008 Nov 2012 #13

First, edhopper Nov 2012 #15

She's quite accomplished in the field. rug Nov 2012 #19

Interesting that she wrote something that stupid then. edhopper Nov 2012 #25

What is more interesting is tthat the comments have made her point. rug Nov 2012 #36

so to summarize, atheists aren't allowed to make up fictitious, non-existent entities.. frylock Nov 2012 #38

Of course you can, but it's not much of an argument. rug Nov 2012 #39

By showing how the autghor misses the point edhopper Nov 2012 #40

Well, that was fun! cbayer Nov 2012 #18

What kind of science fiction do smug Catholics read? mr blur Nov 2012 #20

There's a wide selection at infidels.org. rug Nov 2012 #21

Why would Catholics read a different kind of science fiction that any one else? cbayer Nov 2012 #22

I can't tell how she knows the amount of sci-fi that 'smug' atheists read muriel_volestrangler Nov 2012 #23

I think you will find gcomeau Nov 2012 #24

love science fiction! maybe you should try hard science. JustFiveMoreMinutes Nov 2012 #26

+1,000,000 Walk away Nov 2012 #27

There's nothing wrong with atheism, but... Speck Tater Nov 2012 #28

hey, I am a smug atheist who finds no fun in taunting anyone hollysmom Nov 2012 #29

A naive article. immoderate Nov 2012 #30

I think smug religionists (like this author)... AlbertCat Nov 2012 #31

Wow! I must have clairvoyance! xfundy Nov 2012 #32

I know. I rarely need to read the body of your posts. rug Nov 2012 #34

Gotta love the "smug" tag. longship Nov 2012 #33

I find it interesting that people don't realize her article is not directed at atheists. rug Nov 2012 #35

I read the smug part as defining a specific group and not directed at all atheists. cbayer Nov 2012 #37