Should Skeptics, by definition, be Atheists?

[amb]

I agree completely. Shermer is wimpish when compered to Dawkins or Hitchens, But I too like the man and his writings. I think I've read at least 5-6 of his books. The last was ''Why Darwin Matters''.

 

[CFLarsen]

I think Shermer's approach is a bit wimpy and people seem to find more outspoken atheists such as Dawkins or Hitchens to speak for them. Like Sam Harris, I don't think religion or faith should be coddled or given special respect or be free from scrutiny. I like Shermer too. I just think that you need to provoke people a little more if you want them to think rationally.

At the next TAM in Las Vegas, let's see how much you can provoke Shermer to think more rationally.

 

[Belz...]

Claus, I do believe Articulett has you on ignore.

 

[CFLarsen]

Claus, I do believe Articulett has you on ignore.

No, she doesn't.

 

[Belz...]

She should.

 

[amb]

No one should be on ignore. Everyone has a story to tell, in their way.
It may grate some people, but nevertheless people went to die in wars for the right say what they want in a free society.

 

[articulett]

And people went to war to be free from having others inflict their beliefs upon others as well. Everyone has a right to an opinion. I am not interested in the opinion of those not interested in my opinion of their opinions CFL imagines himself a vigilante; he is not a person I'd take advice from I do not care about his "opinions" any more than he cares about mine. I can't even understand his point most of the time, and I keep in on ignore, so I don't get sucked into the miasma. You are supposed to attack the argument, and not the arguer, and I can never even tell what Claus' argument is... he keeps moving goal posts and winning points in his the imaginary game in his head from my perspective.

I think we are all happier this way. I sure am! And CFL can put me on ignore too. Tit for tat. A beautiful system. And if I need to read what Claus has written (usually insincere questions, judgments, aspersions, and nothingness), I'm sure one of the more likable posters will quote him. I like Claus better when I can ignore him a bit... and given my tendency to respond in a barbed manner, I can guarantee he feels the same way about me.

 

[Georg]

No one should be on ignore. Everyone has a story to tell, in their way.
It may grate some people, but nevertheless people went to die in wars for the right say what they want in a free society.

[derail]I do not like the ignore feature either, but it doesn´t take away the right to say what anyone wants to, it just gives everybody the right not to read posts of certain posters. That´s not the same, right? If you don´t agree, you will be sentenced to listen to a two-hour-speech of some religious leader you hate.[/derail]

 

[Mobyseven]

No one should be on ignore. Everyone has a story to tell, in their way.
It may grate some people, but nevertheless people went to die in wars for the right say what they want in a free society.

People died in wars not only so that we may have free speech, but also so that we may have the freedom not to be forced to listen to everything every half-coherent nut with a megaphone has to say.

 

[CFLarsen]

And people went to war to be free from having others inflict their beliefs upon others as well. Everyone has a right to an opinion. I am not interested in the opinion of those not interested in my opinion of their opinions CFL imagines himself a vigilante; he is not a person I'd take advice from I do not care about his "opinions" any more than he cares about mine. I can't even understand his point most of the time, and I keep in on ignore, so I don't get sucked into the miasma. You are supposed to attack the argument, and not the arguer, and I can never even tell what Claus' argument is... he keeps moving goal posts and winning points in his the imaginary game in his head from my perspective.

I think we are all happier this way. I sure am! And CFL can put me on ignore too. Tit for tat. A beautiful system. And if I need to read what Claus has written (usually insincere questions, judgments, aspersions, and nothingness), I'm sure one of the more likable posters will quote him. I like Claus better when I can ignore him a bit... and given my tendency to respond in a barbed manner, I can guarantee he feels the same way about me.

I am so looking forward to TAM.

Aren't you?

 

[dglas]

What in the blue **** was that all about? Don't give me a load of crap. Just answer the questions:

Which political platform is the most rational?

Which presidential candidate should Americans vote for, because (s)he is the most rational?

You made it clear that you don't think anything is outside the scope of skepticism. Apply your skepticism to politics, please.

My profoundest apologies, Claus. I gave you too much credit. No more "crap" for you. Have fun wallowing in childish rhetorical ploys, as if the point of an argument was to win. Maybe someday you'll grow out of the freshman mentality.

 

[Big Les]

I am so looking forward to TAM.

Aren't you?

That was a little creepy!

 

[articulett]

That was a little creepy!

Was that directed at me? Claus is going to hunt me down and make sure I can't ignore him? Is that what he's implying? I have to remember to keep myself surrounded at all times by larger skeptics. (Lets see... Grayman likes me... he could take Claus; RSL could too... and Penn Jillette could... Are you going to be there, Big Les?)

 

[Big Les]

Was that directed at me? Claus is going to hunt me down and make sure I can't ignore him? Is that what he's implying? I have to remember to keep myself surrounded at all times by larger skeptics. (Lets see... Grayman likes me... he could take Claus; RSL could too... and Penn Jillette could... Are you going to be there, Big Les?)

I wish! One day, perhaps. Not sure I'm suitable minder material, although I'm picturing Mr CFL as Mr Burns from the Simpsons (not sure why).

 

[-Fran-]

although I'm picturing Mr CFL as Mr Burns from the Simpsons (not sure why).

Now that really made me LOL

 

[articulett]

I wish! One day, perhaps. Not sure I'm suitable minder material, although I'm picturing Mr CFL as Mr Burns from the Simpsons (not sure why).

More Mr. Mackey from South park-- mmmkay?

 

[HghrSymmetry]

A fine group of sentinels for sure.

Yet don't discount the might of the Symmetry. While not the largest warrior, the decades of brutally intense training has provided a foundation that can give even the most fearsome villian pause.

 

[articulett]

A fine group of sentinels for sure.

Yet don't discount the might of the Symmetry. While not the largest warrior, the decades of brutally intense training has provided a foundation that can give even the most fearsome villian pause.

I only need people bigger than me... and that is just about everyone. Even Randi. Claus is an averaged size bloke... I don't think he's violent, but I keep reading bits and pieces about him and guns and airplanes-- but I have no idea what it means, and I don't think I want to.

I try to avoid speaking out loud in the vicinity of irrational people that can throw things at me. Claus has white hair so I can stay on alert and I'll catch him off guard by blowing kisses at him should I see him approaching. This will be my cue to myself (and those surrounding me) to carefully keep me from being drawn into any miasma where I might say something that causes smoke to come out of Claus' ears... and who knows what else.

Maybe a miracle will happen and Claus will evolve and apologize for his priggish ways... but I am ever the skeptic; I will keep myself surrounded by friends.

So... HM-- you are planning to come to TAM 6?

 

[HghrSymmetry]

I only need people bigger than me... and that is just about everyone. Even Randi. Claus is an averaged size bloke... I don't think he's violent, but I keep reading bits and pieces about him and guns and airplanes-- but I have no idea what it means, and I don't think I want to.

Noted.

I try to avoid speaking out loud in the vicinity of irrational people that can throw things at me. Claus has white hair so I can stay on alert and I'll catch him off guard by blowing kisses at him should I see him approaching. This will be my cue to myself (and those surrounding me) to carefully keep me from being drawn into any miasma where I might say something that causes smoke to come out of Claus' ears... and who knows what else.


Maybe a miracle will happen and Claus will evolve and apologize for his priggish ways... but I am ever the skeptic; I will keep myself surrounded by friends.

A prudent plan.

So... HM-- you are planning to come to TAM 6?

Unfortunately, my vacation hours have been depleted and will not accrue to a significant amount for the next 16 fortnights. However, I'll be there in spirit.

 

[amb]

[derail]I do not like the ignore feature either, but it doesn´t take away the right to say what anyone wants to, it just gives everybody the right not to read posts of certain posters. That´s not the same, right? If you don´t agree, you will be sentenced to listen to a two-hour-speech of some religious leader you hate.[/derail]

Can I re-phrase that? Most people have a story to tell and we should show a sliver of courtesy. Downright idiots are not in the same boat. Like Articullet says; attack the message, not the messenger. But if the person attacks you because you don't agree with their loopy beliefs or distortion of facts, then you can only take so much, after all we are only human.