tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16594468.post6170938159722082376..comments2023-10-24T04:29:23.693-06:00Comments on Atheist Ethicist: Birth Rates and Competing IdeasAlonzo Fyfehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05687777216426347054noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16594468.post-34629235362089966812012-02-23T15:32:02.837-07:002012-02-23T15:32:02.837-07:00Hello, I'm one of those folks from a large fam...Hello, I'm one of those folks from a large family of indoctrinated believers, but I'm quite happy to stay that way and I'm not here to debate. What I was wondering, though, is whether the author or any of the rest of you know of anywhere I can get some hard data on atheist fertility rates. You see, I'm in the process of trying to figure out how long it will take my tribe to inherit the earth.<br /><br />Peace,<br /><br />Mitchell PowellMitchell Powellhttp://fontwords.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16594468.post-30874891720948147692011-08-08T02:41:57.624-06:002011-08-08T02:41:57.624-06:00I really enjoy your comment on the survival of a s...I really enjoy your comment on the survival of a small part of atheist's beliefs resting in the pages of your blog; as opposed to your indoctrinated offspring. Reason wins because it is accurate, not because we educate people from birth to believe it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16594468.post-8676372286468191352009-10-14T19:39:35.896-06:002009-10-14T19:39:35.896-06:00WI - your "supernatural mysteries" aren&...WI - your "supernatural mysteries" aren't very mysterious. In fact they're <a href="http://blog.evangelicalrealism.com/2009/09/25/xfiles-friday-is-versus-has/" rel="nofollow">quite simple</a>. The mysteries of the real world are much more complex, relevant, and interesting.<br /><br />Anon - can you please provide an example of a "truth of religion" that is both religious and demonstrably true? As religion is purified by increased knowledge it is purified out of existence.Eneaszhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14500232958398471146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16594468.post-39323801337784222009-10-14T00:57:39.212-06:002009-10-14T00:57:39.212-06:00I suggest that the men and women who have given up...I suggest that the men and women who have given up religion because of the impact on their minds of modern science and philosophy were never truly religious in the first place, but only superstitious. The prevalence and predominance of science in our culture has cured a great many of the superstitious beliefs that constituted their false religiosity. The increase of secularism and irreligion in our society does not reflect a decrease in the number of persons who are truly religious, but a decrease in the number of those who are falsely religious; that is, merely superstitious. There is no question but that science is the cure for superstition, and, if given half the chance with education, it will reduce the amount that exists. The truths of religion must be compatible with the truths of science and the truths of philosophy. As scientific knowledge advances, and as philosophical analysis improves, religion is progressively purified of the superstitions that accidentally attach themselves to it as parasites. That being so, it is easier in fact to be more truly religious today than ever before, precisely because of the advances that have been made in science and philosophy. That is to say, it is easier for those who will make the effort to think clearly in and about religion, not for those whose addiction to religion is nothing more than a slavish adherence to inherited superstition. Throughout the whole of the past, only a small number of men were ever truly religious. The vast majority who gave their epochs and their societies the appearance of being religious were primarily and essentially superstitious.” Mortimer AdlerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16594468.post-82721312355798330952009-10-14T00:56:02.016-06:002009-10-14T00:56:02.016-06:00"A little philosophy leads one to atheism. De..."A little philosophy leads one to atheism. Depth in philosophy leads one to God" - Francis Bacon<br /><br />Truth is on the side of Catholicism, although it cannot be proved scientifically but can be reasoned logically. Catholicism never contradicts reason or science, but does contain supernatural mysteries that is above reason so a rational leap of faith is required. I was once a rationalist, in the sense that it was my subscribing philosophy, and was never indoctrinated by religion, but rather by practically atheist parents. I am still a rationalist, but I have come to embrace a totally reasonable faith. Reason and Truth are on the side of Catholicism. An honest search for truth will lead everyone there. Ultimately only falsely rational people, or rather shall I say unwise, are Atheists. Agnostic would be a better position, although basically you are sitting on the fence. But you are close, since if I was not a Catholic, I would be a Deist, and third and last a Rationalist. Atheism gives no peace, not even true freedom but license.wiseintellectualnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16594468.post-29336538602223719292008-02-29T00:38:00.000-07:002008-02-29T00:38:00.000-07:00@Samuel: This is exactly what I think, and I also ...@Samuel: This is exactly what I think, and I also think that with correct education then many problems will dissapear (i.e. more critical thinking = less vulnerable to fascism and religion. More scepticism = Less Woo-woo etc)<BR/><BR/>Unfortunately, the powers that be seem hell bent on keeping people uneducated which is understandable since knowledge is their enemy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16594468.post-72785891698233064202008-02-28T18:18:00.000-07:002008-02-28T18:18:00.000-07:00Simple- we have to spread faster than the birth ra...Simple- we have to spread faster than the birth rate. Once a population reaches a certain level of explicit atheism it probably won't backslide and believers are neutralized. Getting that to happen though...Samuel Skinnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01587994908818534357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16594468.post-76293503839056308062008-02-28T14:22:00.000-07:002008-02-28T14:22:00.000-07:00The following exchange took place in a BBC radio p...The following exchange took place in a BBC radio programme between the interviewer and the headmaster of an Islamic school:<BR/><BR/>IBRAHIM LAWSON: "The essential purpose of the Islamia school as with all Islamic schools is to inculcate profound religious belief in the children."<BR/><BR/>INTERVIEWER: "You use the word 'inculcate': does that mean you are in the business of indoctrination?"<BR/><BR/>IL: "I would say so, yes; I mean we are quite unashamed about that really…"<BR/><BR/>INTERVIEWER: "Does that mean that Islam is a given and is never challenged?"<BR/><BR/>IL: "That’s right…"<BR/><BR/>This led to an extended debate on Stephen Law's philosophy blog which is well worth studying:<BR/><BR/>http:/stephenlaw.blogspot.comanticanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18135207107619114891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16594468.post-34861894994276635192008-02-28T00:42:00.000-07:002008-02-28T00:42:00.000-07:00In a sense however, the problem is not so much tha...In a sense however, the problem is not so much that atheists don't need to indoctrinate our children but rathers in that, since Muslims in foreign countries (especially liberal leaning European ones) generally exhibit great solidarity and tend to cluster in their own communities while shunning external culture, they are impossible to be changed in any significant numbers.<BR/> <BR/>All would be well if Muslims came to Europe and were open to the same values that they came here for, but far from it. Not only do they not, but they tend to try and force their opinion and values (usually the same ones they left their countries to escape) on everyone else (see cartoon fiasco, death threats and whatnot).<BR/><BR/>In the end, it is not so important if we Atheists are having the better arguments. If the opponent is not willing to listen, but it willing to kill (or change the laws) for his cause, we may end up reaching a situation (again) where our voices are not being allowed to be heard<BR/><BR/>I do not know how to counter this problem without forcing the parents to allow their children to have normal education.<BR/><BR/>What is your idea?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com