Religion

Cassidy

(223 posts)

7. Critique without reason

Sat Feb 2, 2013, 06:04 PM

Feb 2013

Sure, it would be great if atheists would solve poverty, bring peace on earth, and radically alter our disasterous relationship with the environment. In the meantime, if we could get more people to use more of their reason, skepticism, and available facts, some of us believe that more rational and moral behavior would be very likely to follow.

Of course it is always easier to spew opinion than to research facts. This author, Walker Bristol, for one should try to use facts instead of selective quotes and popular prejudices.
Listen to Richard Dawkins' response to the pope, for example, to hear someone stand up against the uncaring powerful. Note that the number one group of loaners on kiva.org, with nearly $10,000,000 loaned so far is "Atheists, Agnostics, Skeptics,..."

Atheists do the right thing because it is right, not because we think we will escape hell or buy a ticket to heaven. Just because it is right.

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The New Atheist Movement Should Care About Poverty [View all] rug Feb 2013 OP

Talk about painting with broad strokes. longship Feb 2013 #1

I haven't read anything else from him. rug Feb 2013 #2

Well, apparently he is doing activism here. longship Feb 2013 #4

Lol. This wasn't here when I started posting my reply. cbayer Feb 2013 #5

It's magic! rug Feb 2013 #6

Important to note the bio on this writer cbayer Feb 2013 #3

i found the entire thing misguided and obsequious. Phillip McCleod Feb 2013 #63

That's your opinion, which is fine. cbayer Feb 2013 #65

i'm definitely pro-forgive and forget but i'm also cautious about coalitions Phillip McCleod Feb 2013 #69

I understand religious privilege and am glad to see that non-believers are gaining ground cbayer Feb 2013 #70

who is your avatar? i don't recognize it. Phillip McCleod Feb 2013 #72

Why that's the famous Wallace and Gromit! cbayer Feb 2013 #74

well if you like opus but you chose them then maybe i should check it out Phillip McCleod Feb 2013 #77

There are three shorts and one feature - all wonderful. The shorts are streaming on Netflix. cbayer Feb 2013 #85

Critique without reason Cassidy Feb 2013 #7

Welcome to the religion group, Cassidy. cbayer Feb 2013 #8

It would certainly be more interesting. rug Feb 2013 #13

Why do athiests--or others--do the right thing? Thats my opinion Feb 2013 #51

Christopher Hitchens' god is Not Great chervilant Feb 2013 #54

We all probably agree tama Feb 2013 #98

we are too busy killing god. Warren Stupidity Feb 2013 #9

101 uses for dead cat is Lounge topic, but... tama Feb 2013 #11

It would be a much greater service to humanity to convince the underprivileged religious that their dimbear Feb 2013 #10

The greatest service is to convince them their condition is the result of concentrated capital. rug Feb 2013 #15

It's hard to see the chain of causation. We mostly know that where there is much religion dimbear Feb 2013 #16

So let's be clear on this. okasha Feb 2013 #18

What is not hard to see tama Feb 2013 #21

Actually, the findings support that there is more religion in places with the most poverty, cbayer Feb 2013 #22

Interesting responses. You've heard it all before, it's old news, you know it's true, but dimbear Feb 2013 #26

So you can't respond to any of the objections okasha Feb 2013 #27

I gather we're back to the Native Americans here. As you very well know, their dimbear Feb 2013 #33

You have refused to answer either question. okasha Feb 2013 #36

A remarkable claim. Overpopulation has existed for 300 years. dimbear Feb 2013 #40

And she runs away.... cleanhippie Feb 2013 #48

Given your references to several different areas of the world, okasha Feb 2013 #86

We don't seem to agree on what represents irresponsible reproduction. It is having more dimbear Feb 2013 #94

overpopulation was one of the factors leading to the decline of mayan civilization Phillip McCleod Feb 2013 #64

Some of the most disenfranchised people in the world get food, shelter, medical care cbayer Feb 2013 #39

As I'm sure you understand ever so clearly, the problem is irresponsible reproduction. dimbear Feb 2013 #41

The problem is multifactorial, as I am sure you understand. cbayer Feb 2013 #42

I'm trying to concentrate on the factor that's relevant to the OP. What can atheists do best? dimbear Feb 2013 #43

OK, let's talk about the subject of the article. cbayer Feb 2013 #44

I disagree that that is the worst kind of missionaries. The worst kind of missionaries are those dimbear Feb 2013 #45

Well then, small numbers give you all the reason you need not to be active in areas where there is cbayer Feb 2013 #46

It's your conclusion my only goal is education. I say, responding to the OP, that is the best dimbear Feb 2013 #47

Her need to be right will overpower anything you do or say. cleanhippie Feb 2013 #49

Not saying it doesn't happen, but can you give examples of efforts addressing poverty cbayer Feb 2013 #50

Here's a simple one: barrier methods of birth control and the RCC. dimbear Feb 2013 #56

So, is your complaint with the catholic church or are there other religious organizations cbayer Feb 2013 #60

I have sometimes remarked how attractive the Shakers are as a religion. dimbear Feb 2013 #62

The largest religion in the Middle East is Islam Meshuga Feb 2013 #79

Since I mentioned Iran, note Iran has simply decided arbitrarily to end its dimbear Feb 2013 #80

I don't think the move was arbitrary Meshuga Feb 2013 #81

It did happen in an officially atheist country, okasha Feb 2013 #89

Actually, much as I detest the religiously-dominated political 'pro-life' movement LeftishBrit Feb 2013 #91

We ought to note Spain does not fit your thesis at all muriel_volestrangler Feb 2013 #82

The figure I saw for Iran was 24. dimbear Feb 2013 #92

It is eugenics. okasha Feb 2013 #87

And poor because of their religion. I find this position pretty shocking. cbayer Feb 2013 #88

Okasha, be honest with me. Doesn't that describe practically the whole 3rd world? dimbear Feb 2013 #93

The point that I have been making all along, okasha Feb 2013 #99

Those are all important issues right up there in second place. dimbear Feb 2013 #104

why would the religious groups stop helping the poor? Phillip McCleod Feb 2013 #66

They probably wouldn't. But those that would *educate* people away from religion (and cbayer Feb 2013 #73

i go to the methodist food bank once it a while.. Phillip McCleod Feb 2013 #78

What's on the posters and why do you feel like a fraud? cbayer Feb 2013 #83

it's not their fault. they chose posters appropos to the place Phillip McCleod Feb 2013 #96

really?...you really believe that? madrchsod Feb 2013 #103

And why aren't Atheist edhopper Feb 2013 #12

You're right. rug Feb 2013 #14

says nothing but implies much. Phillip McCleod Feb 2013 #67

It literally implies nothing. rug Feb 2013 #68

nothing or atheism because there is logic and there is social psychology? Phillip McCleod Feb 2013 #71

Non stamp-collectors should also care about poverty n/t Silent3 Feb 2013 #17

Non stamp collectors do not claim okasha Feb 2013 #19

And you think atheists do? Silent3 Feb 2013 #20

See any one of the okasha Feb 2013 #30

How does any of that add up to a claim of moral superiority... Silent3 Feb 2013 #31

It is either a claim to moral superiority okasha Feb 2013 #32

Project much? cleanhippie Feb 2013 #35

'We're right, you're wrong' does not imply a sense of moral superiority LeftishBrit Feb 2013 #61

we combat the notion that religion has a unique and exclusive claim on morality Phillip McCleod Feb 2013 #75

What do you think the objectives and mission of these growing non-believer organizations cbayer Feb 2013 #23

There's of course nothing wrong, and a lot right, with working for those causes. Silent3 Feb 2013 #24

I find it really encourage and refreshing to see young leaders like this cbayer Feb 2013 #25

There can be some bearing tama Feb 2013 #34

all laudable goals but the theological question not being related to the ethical for atheists Phillip McCleod Feb 2013 #76

It's one of the things I found really attractive about A+. cbayer Feb 2013 #84

the book has yet to be written i'd say Phillip McCleod Feb 2013 #95

i'm disappointed but not surprised there's not more substance overall on this topic Phillip McCleod Feb 2013 #97

Not sure who you meant to reply to here, but I like your post. cbayer Feb 2013 #100

Considering organized religions don't care about poverty jeff47 Feb 2013 #28

This has to be one of the funniest posts I have ever seen in this group. cbayer Feb 2013 #29

This is pretty funny too: Warren Stupidity Feb 2013 #37

Agree that is horrifying and not funny at all. cbayer Feb 2013 #38

Religion has been responsible for some terrible things.. Thats my opinion Feb 2013 #53

Must be an inside joke. nt Deep13 Feb 2013 #102

Do me a favor. Go around the world Thats my opinion Feb 2013 #52

So....95% of religious folk don't give a damn, and the remaining 5% buy them absolution? jeff47 Feb 2013 #55

In Christianity Christ "bought" absolution for all who believe in Him tama Feb 2013 #58

it is difficult to dialogue those who not only don't know the facts, Thats my opinion Feb 2013 #90

So should everyone! LeftishBrit Feb 2013 #57

Amen. rug Feb 2013 #59

I don't think that's true. Deep13 Feb 2013 #101