Faith

Author‘s ’Temple for Atheists‘ May Lead to ’Churches & Cathedrals’ for Non-Believers

We’ve already reported about the fact that some atheist scientists bring their children to church and that skeptics are also advocating to install atheist military chaplains. These developments may seem quite odd, especially considering non-believers’ sometimes intense rhetoric against faith and religion. But now — there’s another more bizarre project in the works, as a new “atheist temple” is being planned in London, England.

Author Alain de De Botton Announces Atheist Temple in London, England

The design for the Temple for Atheists (Image Credit: Dezeen.com)

For years, atheists have denied that their lack of belief actually follows religious structure. But as time goes on, new developments seem to indicate that non-believers are embracing some of the same strategies and parameters that are championed by those who hold religious views. The temple, which was announced by author Alain de Botton, seems to be reflective of a worship center of sorts.

Author Alain de De Botton Announces Atheist Temple in London, England

In DeZeen Magazine, which covers architectural design, de Botton announced the plans to build the 150 foot building (measuring 46 meters in an effort to honor the earth’s alleged age — 4.6 billion years).

The project, which does not yet have a completion date, will be built in collaboration with Tom Greenall Architects. Dezeen explains de Botton’s motivation:

Author Alain de Botton has announced a bold new plan for a series of Temples for Atheists to be built around the UK.

‘Why should religious people have the most beautiful buildings in the land?’ he asks. ‘It’s time atheists had their own versions of the great churches and cathedrals’.

Alain de Botton has laid out his plans in a new book, Religion for Atheists, which argues that atheists should copy the major religions and put up a network of new architectural masterpieces in the form of temples.

‘As religions have always known, a beautiful building is an indispensable part of getting your message across. Books alone won’t do it.’

And yes, you read that correctly. De Botton’s plans call for a series of temples, with this first proposed structure simple serving as a “kick off” for other beautiful worship buildings for non-believers. In the author’s view, one doesn’t need a god or gods to serve as the basis for a temple, as a house of worship, he says, can be devoted to anything — even a benign concept like “calm” or “friendship.”

De Botton’s book, which comes out in Europe today and will be available in America on March 8, is being launched along with an ad campaign to “reposition atheism.” Below, see one of the images from this initiative:

Author Alain de De Botton Announces Atheist Temple in London, England

The author maintains that famous atheists like Richard Dawkins can’t convince individuals, through written word alone, that atheism is a proper lens through which to view the world unless communities are grown and rituals are employed. This, of course, includes architecture. In an interview with the Guardian last week, he said, ”I guess my insight was: ‘What is there here that’s useful, that we can steal?’”

And steal de Botton will, as he leads the charge toward a new brand of atheist architecture.

(H/T: Huffington Post and Dezeen)

Comments (160)

  • Derek01
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:55pm

    I can just see a large building, dedicated to nothing. The outside ornately decorated with nothing. The large building, empty inside, with high ceilings painted a bland ceiling white and the large empty walls decorated with nothing. AHH an inspiring environment, all built and dedicated for nothing.

    Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 2:01pm

      “I can just see a large building, dedicated to nothing” We already have the U.N building.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • poorrichard09
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 2:02pm

      We already have temples to atheism-they’re called colleges and universities. ;)

      By the way, I wonder how the muslims feel about this-aren’t the atheists denying allah too??
      P.S. I deny allah also-give me the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

      Report Post »  
    • Crush_Liberalism
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 2:14pm

      @Gonzo…HILARIOUS!!!

      Report Post » Crush_Liberalism  
    • Bad_Ashe
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 2:25pm

      Remember everyone, atheism is simply the act of non-belief, it isn’t a religion at all — except for the organized belief system (humanism), the aggressive proselytizing (books, billboards), the request to be recognized as a belief system (military chaplaincy), and you know, the temples.

      But outside of all that stuff…

      Report Post » Bad_Ashe  
    • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 2:31pm

      They aren’t called “Houses of Worship” for nothing. what do atheists worship?
      Environmentalism
      Animal rights
      MM Global Warming
      Technology
      All of the above?

      Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
    • KickinBack
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 2:52pm

      The only reason why an atheist would want their own church or chaplain is to mock God. There is no other logical purpose.

      Report Post » KickinBack  
    • Therightsofbilly
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 2:57pm

      Why don’t they design the building to resemble a large “hand” displaying the one finger salute?

      Report Post » Therightsofbilly  
    • TH30PH1LUS
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 3:11pm

      @ GONZO

      LOL hysterical

      Report Post » TH30PH1LUS  
    • rose-ellen
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 3:26pm

      Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. just shows how they recognize that something good is missing in their lives [without religion[.They’re human after all.

      Report Post »  
    • TomFerrari
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 3:46pm

      @anonymousT…
      You left out MONEY and SELVES !
      Money, ego, greed, and covetousness are at the root of all the items you mentioned.

      Matthew 6:24 – “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve GOD and MONEY!”
      (emphasis added)

      As such, I’d say there are MANY building that are testament to man, to mammon, to money, to egos.

      Personally, I do think we should be better stewards of God’s money, I think it would be much better used with ARCHITECTURALLY FUNCTIONAL Houses of Worship, as opposed to BILLION DOLLAR buildings. When I see those, I have to wonder the true motive in the hearts of the ‘builders’. But that is not for me to judge. However, I do believe that we should focus more on doing His Work than we do = Charity / Love (Agape in Greek).

      Faith, Hope and Charity(Love).
      Which is GREATEST ?

      Report Post » TomFerrari  
    • TAXLORDCOMETH
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 8:42pm

      after much study and careful consideration, I no longer believe in atheism.

      Report Post »  
    • jb.kibs
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 2:16am

      “Why should religious people have the most beautiful buildings in the land?” he asks. “It’s time atheists had their own versions of the great churches and cathedrals”

      they build them out of passion…

      if you got some passion to build a building in the name of nothing, or something else… do it up.

      Report Post »  
    • e7705
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 9:50am

      Who are they worshiping?

      Report Post »  
    • Secret Squirrel
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 10:48am

      .
      Can you say, “Tax free real estate”?

      Report Post » Secret Squirrel  
    • SaraD
      Posted on January 29, 2012 at 12:29am

      Well, it would be dedicated for truth, and education. I am an atheist, and I have to say, I personally like the idea of creating a place of community. This building doesn’t have a lot of support including Dawkins, he thinks the money could be spent more effectively elsewhere. There are plenty of atheist naysayers that say it is everything we hate about church. The pope talking about poverty while wearing a gold hat, pumping money into a huge building while it could be funding worthwhile projects.

      Report Post » SaraD  
  • mcsledge
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:52pm

    What purpose would it serve? To whom would their attendance benefit?

    Show me an atheist who believes temples should exist for atheists and I will show you someone who justifies to their own conscience why they avoid the values and principles associated with believing in God.

    Report Post » mcsledge  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:56pm

      I say let them do it. When they become a declared religion then the law suits to keep them out of the schools will start flying. Atheists, by all means go ahead and step into the potential quagmire.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 2:02pm

      Oops, that should be “keep their religious views” out of the schools

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
    • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 3:12pm

      So if it is a religion, there should be seperation of church and state. You can’t teach there is no God in school anymore unless you teach all religions. how confusing is that going to be?

      Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 6:30pm

      DARMOK AND JALAD AT TANAGRA, They want total separation of church and state. Let them become a church then. I can see thousands of law suits from this. The liberal courts will be in a quandary and their hypocrisy will become even more exposed.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
    • TAXLORDCOMETH
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 8:46pm

      these temples are for Luciferians — they’ve got occult symbols all over them.

      Report Post »  
    • SaraD
      Posted on January 29, 2012 at 12:33am

      They just want a tax free place to enjoy a community setting. What’s wrong with that?

      Report Post » SaraD  
  • ldaopines
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:51pm

    Well good. When we officially recognize Atheism as religion, we’ll be able to stop the government from establishing and forcing it on the rest of us. Our schools and texts have been converted to Atheism religion, our streets and buildings and airports have been converted to Atheism religion, etc. Time to fight back. High time.

    Report Post »  
    • JP4JOY
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 2:04pm

      On first glance am in total support of this idea!! Let me pray on it for a while and i’ll get back to you.

      Report Post » JP4JOY  
    • Heb4Seven
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 8:19pm

      You said it Perfectly….That is RIGHT. They would have to stop pushing their religion on us. AMEN!!

      Report Post »  
    • Infidelephant
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 12:58pm

      @heb….

      HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

      HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!

      I’ve come to realize – Christians have NO sense of irony! Oh – and…

      HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

      Report Post » Infidelephant  
  • let us prey
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:49pm

    Let’s put a rocket motor in it, and let them worship the vacuum of space.

    Report Post » let us prey  
  • SoupSandwich
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:45pm

    Holy Cow! What are the Unitarians going to do now?

    Report Post »  
  • GoodStuff
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:45pm

    If built, this building will lose money, be forced to sell, and some Christians can buy it and turn it into a Church.

    Report Post »  
  • Depressed_American
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:43pm

    Yeah this one is about as good as the Atheist Military Chaplins….. I have a bridge in NYC I’ll sell you real cheap. Building churches and cathredals to WORSHIP WHAT???

    Report Post » Depressed_American  
  • LightvsDarkness
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:43pm

    These atheist…. useful idiots for you know who.

    Report Post » LightvsDarkness  
  • hi
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:40pm

    They already have atheist buildings. They are called schools.

    Report Post » hi  
  • Therightsofbilly
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:36pm

    Thanks to the BLAZE for providing a bit of comedy to brighten up a dreary day.

    Report Post » Therightsofbilly  
  • Mandors
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:34pm

    Richard Dawkins said, ”I guess my insight was: ‘What is there here that’s useful, that we can STEAL?’” (emphasis added.)

    Here is the best reason against atheists and their secular morality, out of their own mouths.

    Report Post » Mandors  
    • Thors Hammer
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:39pm

      If they build, or try to have their propaganda introduced into schools, then I will object; it ‘offends’ me, and they’ll have to stop, right? Or does that only work one way? If this is their ‘religion’ then it must be held to the same rules as other religions.

      Report Post »  
    • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 3:14pm

      @Thors Hammer
      Shouldn’t you be called Mjolnir? Just saying :-)

      Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
  • THX-1138
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:33pm

    “Why should religious people have the most beautiful buildings in the land?”

    Well, since it’s been that way for all of recorded history perhaps a better question might be, “Why DO religious people have the most beautiful buildings in the land?”

    The answer might make you uncomfortable though…

    Report Post » THX-1138  
    • TheJeffersonian
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:41pm

      Because religion is extremely profitable and wealthy people can build massive monuments? Walking through St. Peter’s Basilica is at once awe-inspiring and depressing. How much good could the church have done with that money? Instead they opted to make a gilded palace for the Pope. How charitable.

      Report Post » TheJeffersonian  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 2:09pm

      That’s almost exactly what the disciples said when the woman in Bethany washed his hair with expensive perfume.

      8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. 9 “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”

      10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 The poor you will always have with you.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • pennswoods
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 3:39pm

      Jeffersonian. The present St Peter’s Basilica was built between 1506 and 1626. During that 120 year time frame thousands if not tens of thousands of men were employed in stone and marble quarries, as brick makers, transporting the marble and bricks to the Vatican, carpenters, craftsmen of all types, laborers, not to mention the architects. Over the centuries countless jobs were created for Roman citizens who suppy the needs of Catholic pilgrims. These pilgrims needed places to stay and bought countless souvenirs over the centuries to take back home. A lot of this is tacky stuff but just imagine how many jobs printing post cards and guide books alone creates for Romans today. The ripple affect of any religious building isn‘t only in the jobs constructing the building creates it’s the beauty and joy they will give people who visit them for centuries. Last time I was in Rome and visited St. Peter’s there was no admission fee. There was a fee to see the Sistine Chapel but that was fine with me because the restored ceiling with Michelaneglo‘s famous frescos was more than worth the few Euro’s paid. Why did your hero Jefferson spend so much of his spare time devoted to building his beloved Monticello when he could have freed his slaves and used his money feeding the poor?

      Report Post »  
    • TheJeffersonian
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 3:44pm

      Because he wasn’t the head of a church which follows a man who taught his disciples to give away all their wealth to help the poor?

      Report Post » TheJeffersonian  
    • Twobyfour
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 2:22am

      Give a man fish and feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish (or to build a cathedral) and feed him for life.

      Report Post » Twobyfour  
    • Twobyfour
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 2:48am

      Jesus asked his 12 disciples to give away their wealth so they won’t be distracted by it, to be on the message. He did not ask the same of Joseph of Arimathea. Why do you think that was?

      Report Post » Twobyfour  
  • Kankokage
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:32pm

    So I guess that explains it. The reason atheists are so hostile, so judgmental, and so intolerant of religion: they are jealous of religion. In other words, they are guilty of breaking the 10th commandment.

    Report Post » Kankokage  
  • RagingJudge
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:31pm

    What a bunch of pathetic, envious morons who want to have their cake and eat it too.

    I can see the atheist “chaplains” now:

    Soldier: “I’m afraid to die!”
    “Chaplain”: “Don’t worry, there’s nothing to look forward to after death.”

    ??what??

    Report Post » RagingJudge  
    • Nick84
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:45pm

      Most atheists I know wouldn’t go to anything like this. You can’t judge all atheists by one man trying to make a profit off of it. Also, there should be counselors for atheists in the military to talk to, since a chaplain’s job is more than just preaching.

      Report Post »  
    • MetalPatriot
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:45pm

      lol! Thanks Judge.

      Don’t you wonder that people who hate religion practice religion?

      I’m all for beautiful architecture, but the premise is just plain dumb.

      Report Post » MetalPatriot  
    • AmericanBumpkin
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 2:40pm

      i thought the point of being atheist was not only not believing in any deity, but simply not giving a crap about *any* religion?
      i feel like im getting stupider everytime i read something about this group. i dont consider these people atheist, they obviously arent. anti-semetic trolls is all they are

      Report Post »  
    • rose-ellen
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 4:13pm

      It’s not envy so much as the factt that they see the beauty of churches and in doing so their hearts are being lifted up to want God. They lack the cognitive assent to faith yet as beings created in his image they too respond to the sublime .[God expressed in churches].That’s why they like religious music too-their souls respond irrespective of what they believe in their minds. God is touching them in his way.stop judging them as hypocrites. Hypocrisy is not what is going on.

      Report Post »  
  • RejectFalseIcons
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:31pm

    Hey at least Atheists are starting to embrace the fact that Atheism is a religion! God works in mysterious ways, maybe he has a plan for these people as he did for Thomas?

    Report Post » RejectFalseIcons  
  • ModerationIsBest
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:29pm

    Yeah, I”ll pass on this too. lol

    Report Post »  
  • Alecto
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:29pm

    Atheists don’t reject God so much as they worship themselves. We all should pray for humility, for that is the first step to God.

    Report Post » Alecto  
  • cheterby
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:26pm

    I hear they also have an atheist emergency prayer phone line; When the phone rings, nobody answers!

    Report Post »  
  • ZomBrad
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:25pm

    This guy is wrong…..I do believe Christianity spread just fine with the message alone, before the rise of grand cathedrals…

    My church uses an old restaurant for it’s services….nothing grand, or awe-inspiring at all….

    For people who think they’re “more smarterer” than you….they’re ideas are indicative of the contrary >.>

    ….they’re also self-righteous :)

    Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:36pm

      The grand cathedrals don’t keep the faith alive anyway, look at Europe.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
  • KP
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:25pm

    As an atheist, I don‘t understand why the ’official’ atheists need to do this? If you don’t believe, you don’t believe, simple as that. I don’t tell other people NOT to believe, I just don’t participate. Why would I want to participate in this? Oh well, to each his own.

    Report Post » KP  
    • ModerationIsBest
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:38pm

      I agree. I’m an atheist and have NO interest in this.

      Then again, I’ve never been one to feel that I need to be “a part of something” or some group.

      Report Post »  
    • A Conservatarian
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:45pm

      Instead of re-writing the whole discussion go to
      http://www.theblaze.com/stories/god-is-an-imaginary-friend-atheist-billboard-ignites-controversy-in-colorado/

      and read under page 1 (well a lot of the discussions are good) the poster names

      TOMR @ 1/25/12 5:05pm (press ctrl+f and type the name in)

      and also under

      STPPPIM @ 1/25/12 4:52pm.

      Discussions on the nature of Atheism, theism, the false dichotomy between the two, and death are discussed in the comments. Might help you out with why a lot of Atheists don’t understand they fall into the same trap as theists (hence they act quite religious).

      Report Post » A Conservatarian  
    • ZeldaZick
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 2:23pm

      The Christian Faith is built on Historical Fact. Ignor History if you wish, I’ll even defend your right to do so, but “The Truth has no Agenda”. He came, He died, He has risen!

      His tomb is empty and all 12 of his closest followers died violent deaths. None denined that He is the Son of God.

      Report Post »  
    • ModerationIsBest
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 2:52pm

      Historical fact, hahaha.

      Report Post »  
    • Bad_Ashe
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 2:52pm

      @KP – Many atheist “fathers” have simply realized that they can no longer fight human nature. It certainly took them long enough considering how they treat evolution as some transcendent belief.

      Atheist ploys such as the “brights” movement have been utter failures, and some atheists have realized that the only way to gain numbers outside of the relatively small amount of socially autistic who currently fill their ranks is to steal from religion. This imitation is not too surprising, as atheists have been engaging in moral parasitism for quite some time.

      @MODERATIONISBEST – No need to feel as if you are “part of something”, yet you feel the need to troll comment boards, spewing logically deficient vitriol about religious topics that you clearly have little knowledge of. If it walks like a social disorder, and quacks like a social disorder…

      @A CONSERVATARIAN – I find it odd that you seem convinced the interlocutors here are not aware of the lack of dichotomy between theism and atheism — it’s obvious that there is no grand dilemma here, as deism, agnosticism, and wearing lotsa hemp and worshipping the great Mother Gaia are all options on the table.

      No one is claiming that these are only two options. However, given the overwhelming belief in theism (nearly 90% in the U.S.), and the fact that atheism directly opposes this overwhelming belief, it should be no surprise that these debates are framed the way they are.

      Report Post » Bad_Ashe  
    • Bad_Ashe
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 3:11pm

      @MODERATIONISBEST – I’ve enjoyed seeing you bring your unique brand of logic and argument to these religious-themed stories over the past couple of days.

      Yes. Christianity is a historically-based religion. This is one of the traits that separates it from other religions or ancient mythologies, and one that has allowed it to persist for so long. Only an idiot would claim otherwise. However, if the resurrection or existence of Jesus was shown to be false, this would falsify Christianity, though not the existence of God. This is where you come in.

      In an earlier post on another thread, you stated, “God isn’t real, neither is Jesus, or Allah, or Z”

      With this statement, you’re now the one making the claim that needs to be supported, whether it is a negative claim or not. The philosophical burden of proof is on you to support your assertion.

      If I were to make the “positive” assertion for God’s existence, I would provide evidence for the theological, cosmological, teleological, moral, aesthetic, and ontological arguments to support my assertion. However, I did not assert anything outside of your ignorance, which is pretty apparent.

      You have made a “negative” assertion, however, and the burden is now on you to support that assertion. So, removing Allah and Zeus from the mix, please support your claim that “God” and “Jesus” do not exist.

      I look forward to your response, as well as the poor logic and evidentiary cherry-picking that will sure

      Report Post » Bad_Ashe  
    • rush_is_right
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 4:22pm

      “Historical fact, hahaha.”

      do you have any historical facts to disprove christianty? thought not..hahahahah

      oh and while the resurrection can’t be shown archeologically…it can be shown to be true via the rules of evidence…not that facts, logic, truth, etc matter to atheists…

      Testimony of the Evangelists by Simon Greenleaf (1783-1853)
      Greenleaf, one of the principle founders of the Harvard Law School, originally set out to disprove the biblical testimony concerning the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He was certain that a careful examination of the internal witness of the Gospels would dispel all the myths at the heart of Christianity. But this legal scholar came to the conclusion that the witnesses were reliable, and that the resurrection did in fact happen.

      http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/jesus/greenleaf.html

      Report Post »  
    • ModerationIsBest
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 4:52pm

      @Bad

      It doesn’t surprise me that you view me that way. We have entered into a society where the moment gives an opposing viewpoint, they are called a trolled and are made to feel unwelcome. It doesn’t matter whether they are giving valid viewpoints or not, the fact that they don’t follow the group means they are different and should be marginalized.

      I couldn’t help but notice you gave absolutely zero examples of my “logically deficient vitriol” about religious topics. I also noticed you failed to mention the times when I defend religion as I did in the post about the vandals who chopped off the head of the statue. Or how I defended and encouraged a person’s right to put their nativity scenes up on their houses, or their churches but thought it was unnecessary to put them on public property as well. Or how I defend someone‘s right to practice their religion but won’t defend their ability to shove that belief on others or try to force people to conform to those beliefs through legislation.

      Report Post »  
    • Therightsofbilly
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 5:40pm

      MOD

      Your faux “defense” of anyone’s religion, beliefs, or rights is nothing more than a shield you hide behind so that you can periodically peek out from behind it and launch your verbal rockets.

      Sound familiar?

      Report Post » Therightsofbilly  
    • Bad_Ashe
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 1:44am

      @MODERATIONISBEST (1)

      It always makes me laugh when Internet atheist religion-baiters suddenly paint themselves the victim, and resort to passive-aggressive behavior when those they snipe at don’t simply roll over and take it. Poor, poor atheists.

      Make no mistake, I refer to you as a troll not because you give an opposing viewpoint, but rather because many of your posts exhibit troll-like behavior. For all I know you also live under a bridge and eat younglings, but what you do in your private time is no concern of mine.

      Your defense here isn’t a defense at all, it’s simply illogical conflation. That you respect the privacy of your fellow citizens and look down upon vandalism is no more a defense of religion than my support of the First Amendment is a defense of that idiot Bill Maher. This is just one of the numerous errors in argumentative logic you’ve made over the past few days.

      In a summary of your posts, I’ve seen you accuse others of being “brainwashed” when they were politely attempting to explain their position to you. I‘ve seen you make false scriptural assertions that you’ve backed up with zero evidence. I’ve seen you clearly demonstrate your ignorance at the concept of objective vs. subjective morality, as well as divine command theory. I’ve seen you demonstrate your ignorance of child psychology when it comes to independent teleological thinking, or the entirety of the teleological argument for that matter.

      Report Post » Bad_Ashe  
    • Bad_Ashe
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 1:53am

      @MODERATIONISBEST (2)

      Additionally, you’ve also shown a complete lack of understanding when it comes to separating the truth claims or qualities of one religious faith to the next, and the evidentiary criteria of active religions vs. ancient mythologies.

      Of course, when you aren’t doing that, you are crafting well-reasoned and thoughtful rebuttals and/or naked assertions such as “LOL”, “HAHAHAHA”, “Give me a break”, “[Gods] don’t exist”, “No religion is true”, and referring to all deities as “imaginary beings”. You also don’t seem to know the proper definition of “hypocrisy”, or understand the nature of evidence. Those playing at home can surely spot all of these gems if they go looking through your posting history.

      Is it vitriolic? Some of it. Troll-like? Most of it. Logically deficient? For sure.

      The one bit of clarity one can glean from your posts is that you want religion excised from the public square because you consider it to be “forced” upon you. You live in a country that is 80% Christian, and roughly 90% theistic…this is going to be reflected in the dominant culture. You might as well be asking for NFL football to be excised from the public square.

      In conclusion, you may want to seriously consider a move to Sweden. Trolls are part of Scandinavian folklore after all.

      Report Post » Bad_Ashe  
    • ModerationIsBest
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 8:06pm

      I was merely pointing out that a lot of people consider someone who has a different view point as a troll as I think this is the case. Obviously i’m not playing the “victim card” when i continually come back here to combat absolute nonsense.

      Fact is, I have made NUMEROUS posts on other articles that don’t involve religion and have sided with many of the blazers on here when it comes to fiscal conservatism, my dislike for Obama’s policies and other topics. So to consider me a “troll” is to completely ignore what it means to be a troll.

      I never said my arguments weren’t vitriolic, just refuting the claim that they are illogical.

      People claim that they believe Jesus died for their sins and that it was necessary. Fact is, that means someone who believes that is pro human sacrifice. If you don’t like hearing it, fine but it doesn‘t mean it’s not true.

      The Bible consists of heavenly ordained rape, theft and genocide, read the old Testament. The fact that it is in the OT is irrelevant because it makes the argument that those evil atrocities are moral……..as long as it is ordained by God.

      Report Post »  
    • Bad_Ashe
      Posted on January 29, 2012 at 2:38am

      @MODERATIONISBEST (1)

      Oh, I get it now…

      You’re simply the atheist version of a cursed princess, but instead of turning into a troll when the sun goes down, you do so when the words “religion” or “God” are mentioned. For a person not playing the “victim card” you are certainly good at acting as if you’re being put upon, princess.

      You have transitioned from intellectual dishonesty to outright dishonesty here. You were not merely pointing out that many consider someone with a different viewpoint a troll, you were inferring that I was doing so as well, even stating that you were not “surprised” by my response. When I point out examples of your behavior, you resort to hand waving.

      Your behavior when posting on other topics does not excuse your troll-like behavior when posting on this one. This is yet another example of poor logic on your part. I’ll add this to your illogical conflation of defending privacy/abhorring vandalism as defending religion, and your nonsensical “hypocrisy” comment regarding someone selling her book to interested individuals. This latter comment is either another example of your lack of logic or you simply don’t understand the definition of hypocrisy.

      You admit to vitriol, and by appealing to your posts on other topics in order to defend your posts on religion, you’ve more or less admitted to (selective) trolling. Unfortunately for you, your attempts to defend your logic are equally condemning.

      Report Post » Bad_Ashe  
    • Bad_Ashe
      Posted on January 29, 2012 at 2:41am

      @MODERATIONISBEST (2)

      The comedy here is that you haven’t actually made any logical arguments or proper appeals to logic. Doubling down on unsupported assertions does not somehow make them correct or logical. You also manage to avoid addressing the majority of the points I made regarding your obvious lack of knowledge, which is as much of an admission of your ignorance as anything.

      Your comprehension of the crucifixion betrays just how shallow your thinking is on this matter. You are excising both free will and bodily resurrection from the equation; and you are ignoring or attempting to alter the nature of the sacrifice to meet your attempted argument.

      If this meets your criteria for human sacrifice, then you too are in fact “pro-human sacrifice”. I won’t be too surprised if you fail to understand why.

      Your claims of the OT versus the NT are the feeble protests of basement-dwelling Internet atheists who don’t actually know their bible, but love to cherry pick at it an attempt to make a false moral argument. Come back after you’ve some understanding of God and his actions as head of government in the OT theocracy — until then, you’re too short for this ride.

      The bottom line is…God’s game, God’s rules.

      Finally, explain to me how precisely you are making moral judgements on God or anyone else. What is moral? From what do you derive moral?

      Have fun with that.

      Report Post » Bad_Ashe  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:21pm

    Looks like the Tower of Babel to me.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
  • 13th Imam
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:21pm

    You could do this in Lowe’s parking lot . Alone

    Report Post » 13th Imam  
  • CatB
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:20pm

    If you don’t believe in something .. why do you need a place to go and not believe … looks like someone wants to get in your pockets athiests .. pony up your money to support non-belief.

    Report Post »  
    • Mandors
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:31pm

      Many of them do believe in something, or someone. They’re just not telling you what, or whom.

      Report Post » Mandors  
  • democritusoilder267
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:20pm

    This will be interesting. I would like to see atheist and other non-believers learning how to critical of religions like Christianity, Islam, etc. This sounds fun!!

    Report Post » democritusoilder267  
  • ThePostman
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:17pm

    I bet most of their congregations don’t go weekly, either.

    And I bet they have a real hard time with tithing.

    Report Post »  

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