"Richard Dawkins on militant atheism"

[handmade34]

worth the watch... "Richard Dawkins urges all atheists to openly state their position -- and to fight the incursion of the church into politics and science. A fiery, funny, powerful talk"

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/richard_dawkins_on_militant_atheism.html

[ncdemocrat1976]

1. Thanks!

[handmade34]

2. he notes that

our political system prevents the best qualified people from running... excellent talk

[handmade34]

3. concludes with...

"...let's all stop being so damn respectful" (of those institutions that have done us harm)

[onager]

4. Cue the Stalin comparisons in 5, 4, 3, 2...

n/t

[TalkingDog]

5. Stalin? Nah...

But fundamentalist proselytizers, yes, that I would agree with.

[ZombieHorde]

6. People who say they are atheists are fundamentalist proselytizers?

Why are you so threatened by atheists?

[skepticscott]

7. Since we all know

that atheists believe in nothing (fundies said so, must be true), then they can't very well be proselytizing much, now can they?

[TalkingDog]

8. No they can't, not if you use the word incorrectly. n/t

But using it by it's proper and longstanding definition, they most certainly can.

[skepticscott]

11. Please enlighten us

as to what you consider to be the one and only, true, proper, correct and long standing definition of the word.

[TalkingDog]

9. Wow, overreactive hyperbole much?

If you will kindly point out where I said ANY of those things, I will do my best to answer your question.

[AlecBGreen]

12. no, not all

but there are some atheists who are fundamentalist in their belief (i use that word to mean they are adamant, and brook no argument that there is possible alternative) who try to proselytize. Of course this could devlove into the arguments re: "what is an atheist?" or "is non-belief the same as as a belief in nothing?" or "how can you be a fundamentalist atheist?" etc etc.

My point is there are some who call themselves atheists, they declare with utmost certainty "THERE IS NO GOD!" and they try their hardest to get others to adopt their line of thinking. This person would fit my definition of a "fundamentalist atheist proselytizer." Does Richard Dawkins fit this? I dont know enough about him to say.

p.s. ZombieHorde, I like your animated avatar. Cracks me up every time I see it! :hi:

[Cleobulus]

10. Funny, just stating you are an atheist makes you a "fundamentalist proselytizer"....

I'm so sorry that we actually claim we exist, we shall go back into the closet for you since it makes you so uncomfortable. :sarcasm:

[dimbear]

13. Agreed, you turn on a flashlight in a pitch-black room, and pretty

soon everyone wants one. Can't people just be happy that some of us can see?