Alex’s Heresies – embracing a physical reality

The meaning of atheism creates disputes even amongst atheists. The two most popular definitions are (1) disbelief in god(s) and (2) rejection of the existence of god(s). It’s rightfully argued, I think, the second meaning really needs a more specific concept or definition of god to deny. So if we are talking about the classical definition of the Christian god, then someone can reasonably argue rejection based on the logical incoherence of the collection of omni…’s that their god is supposed to be. For good measure also throw in the problem of evil.

Steven Schafersman argues that an someone can hold both of these definitions of atheism at the same time. Non-belief against all gods, non-theist as he calls it, and rejection against a specific definition of a god, anti-theist. For that matter the same person could also believe that god(s) or any supernatural presence(s) are by definition unknowable to physical creatures like humans. Check out Steven’s article – its’ good reading.

Alex McCullie

This is the latest amusing twist to the Probably No God message on UK buses. Now you can insert your own message. Check site out here.

I didn’t say it was thought-provoking!

Alex McCullie

The UK bus “probably no God” continues with a London business driver being horrified at seeing the bus messages questioning the existence of God (see article at Christian Today website). Why are religious people so fragile even with the most moderate questioning? Is this the problem of faith with no evidence?

I should complain every time I see a “you will be saved by God message”.

Alex McCullie

previous related blog entry

I’ve mentioned the non-God bus message campaign before. Here’s a recent news article update with Richard Dawkins and model photographed with one of the buses (article).

Alex McCullie

Here’s your chance to put those non-believer singing voices to a very good cause – atheism. Q Transmissions, a weekly skeptical call-in talk show in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, is conducting a singing contest – the best singing voice for a new atheist anthem. Submit via YouTube, Blackberry or laptop. Raise up your voices and sing for… (Check the contest here.)

Alex McCullie

A paid-for Imagine No Religion billboard in Ontario, Canada threatens the faith of the religious. Well that’s why it’s been removed much to the relief of the somewhat faithful.

Judy Rooze, administrator of First Baptist Church of Rancho Cucamonga, which is two blocks from the billboard, was relieved it was coming down.

Rooze said it was unsettling.

“I understand people have freedom of speech, but this is taking it too far,” she said. “It’s very jarring.”

Nothing more dangerous than a “jarred” Christian (PE.com full article 20 Nov 2008)

Alex McCullie

Here’s an interesting graphical representation of atheist populations by country (website). US has the least percentage and Vietnam the most.

Alex McCullie

According to Christian Today, on-line Christian newspaper, The American Humanist Association will run bus ads proclaiming a godless holiday with the great quotation:

“Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness’ sake”

This follows the lead from the British Humanist Association that ran with the quotation:

“There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life”

The newspaper article is quite reasonable from a Christian viewpoint even though some of the quotations just refrain from using the term blasphemy (full article 14 Nov 2008).

A group of humanists announced this week plans to plaster over 200 buses in Washington DC with ads bearing its “godless holiday” message.

Ads proclaiming, “Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness’ sake”, will appear on the outside and inside of DC Metro buses starting next Tuesday and will run throughout December. Newspaper versions of the ads ran in The New York Times and The Washington Post this week.

The advertising campaign is part of an effort by the American Humanist Association to reach out to like-minded individuals around the nation’s capital and elsewhere who might be interested in humanism. The atheist group espouses the belief that people can live a moral life apart from a belief in a god or the afterlife.

…

“It is the ultimate ‘grinch’ to suggest there is no God during a holiday where millions of people around the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It is insensitive and mean,” remarked Mathew D Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel, a conservative Christian legal group that has defended the rights of cities and schools to display nativity scenes and Christmas decorations.

“Christmas is a time of joy and hope, not a time for hate,” added Staver. “Why believe in God? – Because Santa is not the only one coming to town.”

…

Roberta Combs, who heads the Christian Coalition of America, said the campaign’s attempt to ban God and Christmas from the public square will not sit well with many Americans.

…

But Combs said her organisation plans to mobilise its 2.5 million supporters to contact city officials and Congress to stop the “un-Godly campaign.”

Alex McCullie

REMINDER – HAPPENING TONIGHT AT 8.00pm

Atheist Society 8pm Tue 9 September 2008 at Unitarian Hall, 110 Grey Street, East Melbourne (Melways 2G, D2)

The New Atheists and Christian Nationalism Prof Graham Oppy – Monash University

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