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Atheists & Agnostics

AlbertCat

(17,505 posts)

4. By saying that god does not exist, one is belitting those who insist that "he" does.

Reply to lib_wit_it (Original post)

Fri Mar 23, 2012, 11:39 AM

Mar 2012

How so?

Explain.

If one believes in the Easter Bunny, and I say he doesn't exist, how have I belittled that person?

(if one feels stupid afterward, that's their problem)

I would like to add that, personally, I feel religious people get all upset because 1) they've put so much time and energy into the god thing, and 2) when push comes to shove, they really don't believe it as solidly as they might like. It's that "belief in belief" thing Daniel Dennett talks about.

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Hi. I'm trying to understand what is permitted in this group. [View all] lib_wit_it Mar 2012 OP

the beliefs are belittled, not those who hold them wyldwolf Mar 2012 #1

Welcome Lib_wit_it! JNelson6563 Mar 2012 #2

Maybe you could think of it as rrneck Mar 2012 #3

By saying that god does not exist, one is belitting those who insist that "he" does. AlbertCat Mar 2012 #4

As I say below, I think the difference is a technicality, but I accept the rule here. I don't know lib_wit_it Mar 2012 #9

Here are some Dennett talks..... check it out! AlbertCat Mar 2012 #15

Hi, and welcome aboard. Curmudgeoness Mar 2012 #5

Basically "Hate the belief, not the believer" Taverner Mar 2012 #6

It's a respect and civility thing EvolveOrConvolve Mar 2012 #7

If it's true that we can attack the "sinner" as well as the "sin" as long as the "sinner" isn't a DU lib_wit_it Mar 2012 #11

You can attack the message, but not the messenger. Rhiannon12866 Mar 2012 #8

Thank you, everyone who responded. Most of you have said, basically, "It means what it says." lib_wit_it Mar 2012 #10

I don't know anything about your family but OriginalGeek Mar 2012 #12

I have had some major fights with family members over religion, but not my immediate family. My Dad lib_wit_it Mar 2012 #13

Good point about the politics OriginalGeek Mar 2012 #14

Well said and welcome to this group. Starboard Tack Mar 2012 #16