Alain de Botton disagrees with traditional atheism's disdain for religion, instead preaching that what atheists need is everything Christian including congregations, sermons, church-like buildings, Christmas, and even the Bible . . . but without God.
For background, read Atheists Find Agreeable Churches Good for Family and also read Atheists Crave Church Fellowship, but Absent God as well as New Massachusetts 'Church' With No God
-- From "Atheist writers clash over how to not worship a nonexistent God" by Carolyn Kellogg, Los Angeles Times 1/27/12
Writer Alain de Botton wants to erect a $1.5-million "temple for atheists" in London, complete with a 151-foot tower reaching toward a godless sky.
De Botton finds [fellow atheist] Richard Dawkins' approach to atheism "aggressive" and "destructive."
Dawkins, an evolutionary biologist and author of the controversial book "The God Delusion," countered, "Atheists don't need temples. I think there are better things to spend this kind of money on. If you are going to spend money on atheism you could improve secular education and build non-religious schools which teach rational, skeptical critical thinking."
In his upcoming book, "Religion for Atheists," De Botton argues that many of the trappings and teachings of religion are valuable -- just not the God part.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Alain de Botton reveals plans for 'temple to atheism' in heart of London" by Robert Booth, UK Guardian 1/26/12
"Normally a temple is to Jesus, Mary or Buddha, but you can build a temple to anything that's positive and good," he said. "That could mean a temple to love, friendship, calm or perspective. Because of Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens atheism has become known as a destructive force. But there are lots of people who don't believe but aren't aggressive towards religions."
The idea has echoes of earlier atheist spaces, ranging from churches converted to "temples of reason" during the French revolution to the Conway Hall in London which is run by the humanist South Place Ethical Society. The plan is already proving controversial and attempts to secure public sector backing have struggled. Discussions with City authorities about a possible site stalled because "they can't be seen to be connected to anything to do with atheism", the project's architect, Tom Greenall, said.
Humanists said it was misplaced for non-believers to build quasi-religious buildings, because atheists did not need temples to probe the meaning of life.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Atheism 2.0: Don’t get god, get good" by David Bradley, SciScoop Science 1/28/12
Can non-believers reinvent atheism to side-step Dawkin’s snarkiness. After all, to those of unfaith, it doesn’t matter that all religions are fairy stories, we can still learn and benefit from them by picking-and-mixing the best bits of their morality, art, transcendentalism and sermonising (lectures that present not just facts but insights into the human condition).
Alain de Botton posits the idea of a mixed-creed “religion for atheists” – call it Atheism 2.0 – that incorporates religious forms and traditions to satisfy our human need for connection, ritual and transcendence, but without all the creation myths, the slings and arrows, undead and the reincarnation.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read Atheism, Paganism Latest Liberal Media Darling
Showing posts with label Dawkins. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dawkins. Show all posts
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Friday, September 23, 2011
Scientists: Outlaw Non-evolution Theories & Beliefs
Prominent scientists and atheists in the UK are demanding the outlawing of "threats" to the theory of evolution including creationism and lines of scientific inquiry such as intelligent design, and especially theories of "religious fundamentalists."
For background, read Only 25% of Britons are Darwinists and also read Few Believe Evolution Enough to Teach It as well as Darwinists Fear Fred Flintstone and Barney & Friends
In addition, read extensive documentation concerning Scientific Teaching vs. Darwinism
-- From "Ban teaching creationism at school, say academics" by Fiona Macrae, UK Daily Mail 9/19/11
The teaching of creationism should be outlawed in school science lessons, a group of leading scientists have said.
And the curriculum should be changed to ensure evolution is taught from when children start school, according to academics including Sir David Attenborough and Professor Richard Dawkins
Prof Dawkins, a geneticist and author of the God Delusion, said last night: ‘We need to stop calling evolution a theory. It is as solidly demonstrated as any fact.’
Those behind the call for ‘evolution not creationism’ say teaching that God created the world is dangerous and must be prevented by law.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "David Attenborough joins campaign against creationism in schools" by Nick Collins, Science Correspondent, London Telegraph 9/19/11
In a statement on a new campaign website, the 30 scientists and campaign groups including the British Science Association demanded creationism and "intelligent design" be banned outright.
Prof Colin Blakemore, the neurobiologist, Sir Paul Nurse, the President of the Royal Society, and former Royal Society director of education Rev Prof Michael Reiss were among the signatories.
But the arguments of creationists, who believe God built the world in six days in line with the story of Genesis, and of devout Muslims have become steadily more popular in recent years.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Scientists demand tougher guidelines on teaching of creationism in schools" by Riazat Butt, religious affairs correspondent at The Guardian 9/18/11
A group of 30 scientists have signed a statement saying it is "unacceptable" to teach creationism and intelligent design, whether it happens in science lessons or not. The statement claims two organisations, Truth in Science and Creation Ministries International are "touring the UK and presenting themselves as scientists and their creationist views as science".
"Creationism and intelligent design are not scientific theories, but they are portrayed as scientific theories by some religious fundamentalists who attempt to have their views promoted in publicly funded schools," the scientists say.
Truth in Science denied advocating the teaching of creationism in schools. "We wish to highlight the scientific weaknesses of neo-Darwinism and to encourage a more critical approach to the teaching of evolution in schools and universities," it said in a statement.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "U.K. Scientists Want Schools to Shun Creationism, Promote Evolution" by Anugrah Kumar, Christian Post Contributor 9/19/11
The campaign is being coordinated by the British Humanist Association (BHA), and supported by the Association for Science Education, the British Science Association, the Campaign for Science & Engineering and the Ekklesia think tank.
Truth in Science, meanwhile, claimed on its website that the BHA is advancing a humanist agenda by pushing for compulsory teaching of evolution in schools.
The government of former Prime Minister Gordon Brown issued guidance to all schools that creationism should not be taught to pupils, but that is not enforceable.
The scientists want to go a step further.
As of now, primary schools in the U.K. can choose not to teach evolution.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
For background, read Only 25% of Britons are Darwinists and also read Few Believe Evolution Enough to Teach It as well as Darwinists Fear Fred Flintstone and Barney & Friends
In addition, read extensive documentation concerning Scientific Teaching vs. Darwinism
-- From "Ban teaching creationism at school, say academics" by Fiona Macrae, UK Daily Mail 9/19/11
The teaching of creationism should be outlawed in school science lessons, a group of leading scientists have said.
And the curriculum should be changed to ensure evolution is taught from when children start school, according to academics including Sir David Attenborough and Professor Richard Dawkins
Prof Dawkins, a geneticist and author of the God Delusion, said last night: ‘We need to stop calling evolution a theory. It is as solidly demonstrated as any fact.’
Those behind the call for ‘evolution not creationism’ say teaching that God created the world is dangerous and must be prevented by law.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "David Attenborough joins campaign against creationism in schools" by Nick Collins, Science Correspondent, London Telegraph 9/19/11
In a statement on a new campaign website, the 30 scientists and campaign groups including the British Science Association demanded creationism and "intelligent design" be banned outright.
Prof Colin Blakemore, the neurobiologist, Sir Paul Nurse, the President of the Royal Society, and former Royal Society director of education Rev Prof Michael Reiss were among the signatories.
But the arguments of creationists, who believe God built the world in six days in line with the story of Genesis, and of devout Muslims have become steadily more popular in recent years.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Scientists demand tougher guidelines on teaching of creationism in schools" by Riazat Butt, religious affairs correspondent at The Guardian 9/18/11
A group of 30 scientists have signed a statement saying it is "unacceptable" to teach creationism and intelligent design, whether it happens in science lessons or not. The statement claims two organisations, Truth in Science and Creation Ministries International are "touring the UK and presenting themselves as scientists and their creationist views as science".
"Creationism and intelligent design are not scientific theories, but they are portrayed as scientific theories by some religious fundamentalists who attempt to have their views promoted in publicly funded schools," the scientists say.
Truth in Science denied advocating the teaching of creationism in schools. "We wish to highlight the scientific weaknesses of neo-Darwinism and to encourage a more critical approach to the teaching of evolution in schools and universities," it said in a statement.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "U.K. Scientists Want Schools to Shun Creationism, Promote Evolution" by Anugrah Kumar, Christian Post Contributor 9/19/11
The campaign is being coordinated by the British Humanist Association (BHA), and supported by the Association for Science Education, the British Science Association, the Campaign for Science & Engineering and the Ekklesia think tank.
Truth in Science, meanwhile, claimed on its website that the BHA is advancing a humanist agenda by pushing for compulsory teaching of evolution in schools.
The government of former Prime Minister Gordon Brown issued guidance to all schools that creationism should not be taught to pupils, but that is not enforceable.
The scientists want to go a step further.
As of now, primary schools in the U.K. can choose not to teach evolution.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Monday, August 08, 2011
Army Accommodates Atheist 'Godless' Festival
The plan is to hold the event on March 31 [2012] at the main parade field at Fort Bragg, where the Christian-themed Rock the Fort concert was held. Famed atheist Richard Dawkins is scheduled to appear, along with musicians, speakers and other entertainment.
-- From "Army approves atheism-themed concert at Fort Bragg" by Tom Breen, Associated Press 8/8/11
A concert event organized by atheist, agnostic and other non-theist soldiers has been cleared by the Army to take place next spring at Fort Bragg, concert organizers and a spokesman for the post said Monday.
Organizers planned to hold the Rock Beyond Belief event this year, but they canceled after saying Bragg leadership was not providing the same support it gave to an evangelical Christian concert last fall.
The event had its origin in the Rock the Fort concert last fall, which was organized by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Groups like Americans United for the Separation of Church and State opposed the event, saying it was an unconstitutional use of military resources aimed at winning converts to Christianity. Military leaders at the time said any private event, regardless of religious orientation, would receive the same level of support, and Griffith, stationed at Bragg, decided to take them up on that.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Atheists Win Fort Bragg's Consent for 'Godless' Festival" by Anugrah Kumar, Christian Post Contributor 8/7/11
Sgt. Justin Griffith, the man behind the festival, says . . . “This just might be the turning point in the foxhole atheist community’s struggle for acceptance, tolerance and respect. It’s an amazing time to be a nonbeliever in the U.S. military on the cusp of a major breakthrough.”
. . . Griffith, with the backing of groups working for church-state separation, last month complained to the Secretary of the Army that the fort was discriminating against certain religious groups.
The atheist festival is aimed at gaining acceptance in armed forces and invites public “free of charge, to see this revolution begin to bear fruit.”
“Vendors are going to be hawking godless books, stickers, t-shirts and of course food and drinks.” The group, which describes itself as “a small grass-roots outfit,” claims the backing of “many major secular and military foundations.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read Pagan Worship Center Added to Air Force Academy
-- From "Army approves atheism-themed concert at Fort Bragg" by Tom Breen, Associated Press 8/8/11
A concert event organized by atheist, agnostic and other non-theist soldiers has been cleared by the Army to take place next spring at Fort Bragg, concert organizers and a spokesman for the post said Monday.
Organizers planned to hold the Rock Beyond Belief event this year, but they canceled after saying Bragg leadership was not providing the same support it gave to an evangelical Christian concert last fall.
The event had its origin in the Rock the Fort concert last fall, which was organized by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Groups like Americans United for the Separation of Church and State opposed the event, saying it was an unconstitutional use of military resources aimed at winning converts to Christianity. Military leaders at the time said any private event, regardless of religious orientation, would receive the same level of support, and Griffith, stationed at Bragg, decided to take them up on that.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Atheists Win Fort Bragg's Consent for 'Godless' Festival" by Anugrah Kumar, Christian Post Contributor 8/7/11
Sgt. Justin Griffith, the man behind the festival, says . . . “This just might be the turning point in the foxhole atheist community’s struggle for acceptance, tolerance and respect. It’s an amazing time to be a nonbeliever in the U.S. military on the cusp of a major breakthrough.”
. . . Griffith, with the backing of groups working for church-state separation, last month complained to the Secretary of the Army that the fort was discriminating against certain religious groups.
The atheist festival is aimed at gaining acceptance in armed forces and invites public “free of charge, to see this revolution begin to bear fruit.”
“Vendors are going to be hawking godless books, stickers, t-shirts and of course food and drinks.” The group, which describes itself as “a small grass-roots outfit,” claims the backing of “many major secular and military foundations.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read Pagan Worship Center Added to Air Force Academy
Monday, April 12, 2010
Atheists Call for Pope's Arrest
Accusing the Pope covering up clerical sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic Church, Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens want lawyers to build a case for his arrest when he visits Britain later this year to beatify a 19th century British theologian.
-- From "Richard Dawkins calls for arrest of Pope Benedict XVI" by Marc Horne, The Sunday Times of London 4/11/10
Richard Dawkins, the atheist campaigner, is planning a legal ambush to have the Pope arrested during his state visit to Britain “for crimes against humanity”.
Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens . . . believe they can exploit the same legal principle used to arrest Augusto Pinochet, the late Chilean dictator, when he visited Britain in 1998.
The Pope was embroiled in new controversy this weekend over a letter he signed arguing that the “good of the universal church” should be considered against the defrocking of an American priest who committed sex offences against two boys. It was dated 1985, when he was in charge of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which deals with sex abuse cases.
Dawkins, author of The God Delusion, said: “This is a man whose first instinct when his priests are caught with their pants down is to cover up the scandal and damn the young victims to silence.”
Hitchens, author of God Is Not Great, said: “This man is not above or outside the law. The institutionalised concealment of child rape is a crime under any law and demands not private ceremonies of repentance or church-funded payoffs, but justice and punishment."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Activist Atheist Pair Want Pope Arrested" by Patrick Goodenough, CNSNews International Editor 4/12/10
A senior Vatican legal official, Giuseppe Dalla Torre, earlier told an Italian newspaper that the Pope enjoyed diplomatic immunity as head of state. He was responding at the time to calls by some lawyers representing abuse victims, wanting the Pope to testify.
The move in Britain goes much further, seeking to have the head of the Roman Catholic Church appear not just as a witness but as an accused in a criminal or civil case.
“There is every possibility of legal action against the Pope occurring,” Mark Stephens, one of the lawyers hired by the two campaigning atheists, told the Daily Telegraph.
The other lawyer, human rights activist Geoffrey Robertson, earlier this month published an article challenging the Vatican’s claim to sovereignty – and hence immunity for the Pope as head of a sovereign state – noting that while the United Nations afforded the Vatican a unique special status, it has never agreed to granting it membership.
Robertson said the sovereignty/immunity claim could be challenged in British courts and in the European Court of Human Rights.
An alternative course of action would be to go the International Criminal Court (ICC) route, where immunity would provide no protection.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
-- From "Richard Dawkins calls for arrest of Pope Benedict XVI" by Marc Horne, The Sunday Times of London 4/11/10
Richard Dawkins, the atheist campaigner, is planning a legal ambush to have the Pope arrested during his state visit to Britain “for crimes against humanity”.
Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens . . . believe they can exploit the same legal principle used to arrest Augusto Pinochet, the late Chilean dictator, when he visited Britain in 1998.
The Pope was embroiled in new controversy this weekend over a letter he signed arguing that the “good of the universal church” should be considered against the defrocking of an American priest who committed sex offences against two boys. It was dated 1985, when he was in charge of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which deals with sex abuse cases.
Dawkins, author of The God Delusion, said: “This is a man whose first instinct when his priests are caught with their pants down is to cover up the scandal and damn the young victims to silence.”
Hitchens, author of God Is Not Great, said: “This man is not above or outside the law. The institutionalised concealment of child rape is a crime under any law and demands not private ceremonies of repentance or church-funded payoffs, but justice and punishment."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Activist Atheist Pair Want Pope Arrested" by Patrick Goodenough, CNSNews International Editor 4/12/10
A senior Vatican legal official, Giuseppe Dalla Torre, earlier told an Italian newspaper that the Pope enjoyed diplomatic immunity as head of state. He was responding at the time to calls by some lawyers representing abuse victims, wanting the Pope to testify.
The move in Britain goes much further, seeking to have the head of the Roman Catholic Church appear not just as a witness but as an accused in a criminal or civil case.
“There is every possibility of legal action against the Pope occurring,” Mark Stephens, one of the lawyers hired by the two campaigning atheists, told the Daily Telegraph.
The other lawyer, human rights activist Geoffrey Robertson, earlier this month published an article challenging the Vatican’s claim to sovereignty – and hence immunity for the Pope as head of a sovereign state – noting that while the United Nations afforded the Vatican a unique special status, it has never agreed to granting it membership.
Robertson said the sovereignty/immunity claim could be challenged in British courts and in the European Court of Human Rights.
An alternative course of action would be to go the International Criminal Court (ICC) route, where immunity would provide no protection.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Friday, June 20, 2008
New Book Debunks Atheists’ Claims
Much of what atheists pass off as fact in their charges against God and religion is really based on myth, says Legionary of Christ Father Thomas D. Williams.
-- From "New Book Debunks Atheists’ Claims" by Karna Swanson, posted at Zenit.org 6/16/08
Father Williams is author of Greater Than You Think: A Theologian Answers the Atheists About God.
“Though the atheists claim to represent the side of reason,” he asserts in his book, “their arguments more often than not are ideological rather than rational.”
In this interview, ZENIT asked Father Williams, a theology professor in Rome and Vatican analyst for CBS News, to explain some of the common fallacies perpetuated by atheism that he addresses in his book.
Q: What spurred you to write this book?
Father Williams: As you are undoubtedly aware, the last several years have seen a surge in neo-atheist literature, with books such as Daniel Dennett’s "Breaking the Spell," Sam Harris’ "The End of Faith," Richard Dawkins’ "The God Delusion," and Christopher Hitchens’ "God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything."
Several of these books have become bestsellers. The problem is, most people only hear one side of the story. They become indoctrinated with the atheistic arguments without ever hearing a reasoned response.
Many people have been confused by these books. Others worry about friends who have read them, or simply would like good answers to the charges atheisms brings against God, religion, and Christianity in particular. I wrote this book to furnish clear, concise replies to the atheists’ charges.
The book lays out -- and responds to -- the chief claims of the neo-atheists in five categories: (1) the case against God and religion, (2) the case against religion’s benefits for society, (3) the case against religion’s compatibility with science and reason, (4) the case against Christianity, and (5) the case for atheism’s superiority.
To read the entire interview, CLICK HERE.
-- From "New Book Debunks Atheists’ Claims" by Karna Swanson, posted at Zenit.org 6/16/08
Father Williams is author of Greater Than You Think: A Theologian Answers the Atheists About God.
“Though the atheists claim to represent the side of reason,” he asserts in his book, “their arguments more often than not are ideological rather than rational.”
In this interview, ZENIT asked Father Williams, a theology professor in Rome and Vatican analyst for CBS News, to explain some of the common fallacies perpetuated by atheism that he addresses in his book.
Q: What spurred you to write this book?
Father Williams: As you are undoubtedly aware, the last several years have seen a surge in neo-atheist literature, with books such as Daniel Dennett’s "Breaking the Spell," Sam Harris’ "The End of Faith," Richard Dawkins’ "The God Delusion," and Christopher Hitchens’ "God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything."
Several of these books have become bestsellers. The problem is, most people only hear one side of the story. They become indoctrinated with the atheistic arguments without ever hearing a reasoned response.
Many people have been confused by these books. Others worry about friends who have read them, or simply would like good answers to the charges atheisms brings against God, religion, and Christianity in particular. I wrote this book to furnish clear, concise replies to the atheists’ charges.
The book lays out -- and responds to -- the chief claims of the neo-atheists in five categories: (1) the case against God and religion, (2) the case against religion’s benefits for society, (3) the case against religion’s compatibility with science and reason, (4) the case against Christianity, and (5) the case for atheism’s superiority.
To read the entire interview, CLICK HERE.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Nietzsche Would Laugh
Morality without God?
From "Nietzsche Would Laugh" by Chuck Colson, posted 12/26/07 at Breakpoint.org
One of the biggest obstacles facing what's called the "New Atheism" is the issue of morality. Writers like Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins, and Christopher Hitchens have to convince people that morals and values are possible in a society that does not believe in God.
It is important to understand what is not in doubt: whether an individual atheist or agnostic can be a "good" person. Of course they can, just as a professing Christian can do bad things.
The issue is whether the secular worldview can provide a basis for a good society. Can it motivate and inspire people to be virtuous and generous?
...Being unable to account for human altruism is not enough for Sam Harris, author of Letter to a Christian Nation. In a recent debate with Rick Warren, he complained about Christians "contaminating" their altruistic deeds in places like Africa with "religious ideas" like "the divinity of Jesus." Instead of rejoicing at the alleviation of suffering, he frets over someone hearing the Gospel.
In response, Warren pointed out the inconvenient (for Harris, that is) truth: You won't find many atheists feeding the hungry and ministering to the sick in places like Africa or Mother Teresa's Calcutta.
Read the whole commentary.
From "Nietzsche Would Laugh" by Chuck Colson, posted 12/26/07 at Breakpoint.org
One of the biggest obstacles facing what's called the "New Atheism" is the issue of morality. Writers like Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins, and Christopher Hitchens have to convince people that morals and values are possible in a society that does not believe in God.
It is important to understand what is not in doubt: whether an individual atheist or agnostic can be a "good" person. Of course they can, just as a professing Christian can do bad things.
The issue is whether the secular worldview can provide a basis for a good society. Can it motivate and inspire people to be virtuous and generous?
...Being unable to account for human altruism is not enough for Sam Harris, author of Letter to a Christian Nation. In a recent debate with Rick Warren, he complained about Christians "contaminating" their altruistic deeds in places like Africa with "religious ideas" like "the divinity of Jesus." Instead of rejoicing at the alleviation of suffering, he frets over someone hearing the Gospel.
In response, Warren pointed out the inconvenient (for Harris, that is) truth: You won't find many atheists feeding the hungry and ministering to the sick in places like Africa or Mother Teresa's Calcutta.
Read the whole commentary.
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