Atheism.

[mr_clarinet]

Isn't it funny how passionate, strident atheists like Richard Dawkins are described as "fundamentalist" and being "just as bad as those they rail against", and then more laid back campaigns like the Athiest Bus are derided as "ineffectual" and "pointless." WHAT DO YOU WANT

Comments

[bangalorian]

Isn't it just down to there being lots of different people who are atheists? Some like Dawkins, others like Michael Ruse.

I think in this case people mean "fundamentalist" to mean close-minded. Dawkins is pretty clear that religious people are, on average, pretty thick; and at the same time he doesn't really seem to have a grasp of what intelligent religious people might say about different things. So you can see why people might use that word. (Not that I would, btw.)

(Does != mean "not equal to"?)

[mr_clarinet]

yes, it does.

If fundamentalist = close-minded, Dawkins still doesn't cut the mustard IMO. He freely and cheerily admits that if compelling, testable evidence were to be presented for the existence of God or for the falsity of evolution that he would accept it. It's how science works, it's a self-correcting system which is always updating itself as we build new knowledge onto what we already have. It doesn't dogmatically stick to eternal, unchanging "truths", which is where Dawkins' real ire lies. If he is "fundamentalist", it's about the value of evidence and the scientific method. And I am DOWN with that.

[bangalorian]

Well. I think fundamentalism is an overused term that is meant to cover a huge range of meanings, kind of like "fascist".

I absolutely agree with you about scientific method, but methodological naturalism is not the same thing as metaphysical naturalism. There are things like historical truth and the hard problem of consciousness and moral values, which the former will illuminate but the latter can devalue to the point of irrationality.

[mr_clarinet]

Definitely agreed on the use of Fundamentalist and Fascist!

[the_petey_boosh]

Oh gosh, there must be a schism! I think we just need to accept that atheists are a ragtag bunch with no specific agenda, and a whole internet upon which to vomit their opinions.

I love the new Atheist Bus posters, though. :D!

[mr_clarinet]

Indeed! I wrote this entry while reading the comments on the Guardian story. Half the (atheist) people were ranting about Dawkins being too strident, and others that this Atheist Bus thing isn't effectual enough! I agree there's no need for a "movement", though.

[bangalorian]

Do you mean the adverts about children? I like them too! They're actually quite positive.

[liddle_oldman]

It might indicate that "fundamentalist" is now an insult.

(In any case, I, fundamentally, feel that serious belief in a divine is sort of sad.)