[Mind's Eye] Re: Should Atheism be promoted

im not opposed to promoting homegrown as long as the potential
negatives r promoted as well , not doing so is something thats
probably holding promotion back

Ash wrote:
> I do think it should be promoted by some, rather than actively discouraged
> and making one a target of hate and prejudice. If it follows humanistic
> secular views, moderately as OM points out, it should have little harm and
> could be a great benefit to some. Atheism (or agnosticism) don't need to be
> promoted really in large scale or officially. People discover it, and if
> they take the time to understand a little they might take it or leave it,
> hopefully a more aware person either way.
>
> These things are all just exercises for the mind anyway, what is- is
> (whatever that may be). Most of the time I cannot swallow the divine
> creation concept either, other times I see a little wiggle room in animism
> or some radical form of pantheism, and at times I am very 'spiritual'
> (romantic, subjective, whatever). It's all mood and diet to me. A roll your
> own, homegrown. Maybe we should promote that (maybe that too Tao)! *chuckles
>
> On Friday, April 8, 2011 12:37:08 AM UTC-4, malcymo wrote:
> >
> > Yes. Militant anything is frightful isn't it?
> >
> > So now we get to the question of when is militant action valid?
> >
> > I hope you have time to get hold of a copy of Grayling's book.
> >
> > I would like to hear more on the subject.
> >
> > Malc
> >
> >
> > On Apr 7, 11:19 pm, ornamentalmind <ornsmind...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> > > First, thank you Malcolm for referencing this book! I hadn't heard
> > > about it yet.
> > >
> > > As to your question(s)…Grayling and numerous others…for a long time
> > > now have had 'an argument for the active promotion of atheism'. So,
> > > since this is nothing new…I'm not sure that it should be taken as
> > > such. And, following your wording, even allowing a quick fantasy of
> > > militant evangelical atheist is fraught with the same horror of
> > > militant evangelical theists!
> > >
> > > In any sense…to give any debate about such activities, specifics will
> > > have to be presented and I just have not read the book…although I have
> > > heard him and his ilk talk. Here is one recent interview:
> > >
> > > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNCc336QgUQ
> > >
> > > His deification of rationalism seems to be at the center of his thesis…
> > > and for the purpose of our debate here and now, I'll say that such a
> > > stance is but an act of polarization and dialectics with a result of a
> > > stance that is not integrated.
> > >
> > > There is nothing 'wrong' with ideation as there is nothing 'wrong'
> > > with knowledge when the subjectivity of words and concepts is not
> > > addressed.
> > >
> > > On Apr 7, 3:18 am, malcymo <mal...@gmail.com> wrote:> I do not believe
> > that a supreme being created the universe etc.
> > >
> > > > Until today, I have accepted the existence of religions on the
> > > > grounds
> > > > that they give hope and faith to many in the face of adversity and
> > > > promote certain moral values.
> > >
> > > > This week A C Grayling brought out his book "The Good Book - A
> > > > secular
> > > > bible". In interview he stated that theism is harmful to individuals
> > > > and society. Although his thoughts on this were nor expanded.
> > >
> > > > I live in Fiji and cannot get a copy of his book but I would like to
> > > > hear his argument on this matter. Ie Why he thinks that theism is
> > > > harmful.
> > >
> > > > I have found nothing of depth on the web.
> > >
> > > > If he is indeed correct then there is an argument for the active
> > > > promotion of atheism. Perhaps we can become missionaries in the human
> > > > cause.
> > >
> > > > What say you?