From: ChuckKuecker (ckuecker@mcs.net)
Date: Fri Apr 24 1998 - 06:16:08 MDT
At 11:16 4/24/98 +0200, you wrote:
>And AMEN to that! Regardless of any intellectual games or "official"
>definitions this is the real difference between atheism and agnosticism.
>Atheists *reject* the god-meme out of principle, they think it's wrong
>and should be fought (mostly verbally) whenever possible. It's a stupid,
>dangerous (killer!) meme that has caused enormous damage throughout
>history, and it deserves every ounce of criticism it gets.
>
>Agnostics on the other hand seem to have something of a lukewarm
>attitude towards the whole matter. It seems that they refuse to see
>religion for what it really is: dangerous and stupid, not "neutral".
>Just go to Iran or the Bible Belt and see how "harmless" it is. Mass
>insanity really is quite scary.
>
Okay, I have a 'lukewarm' attitude. Granted.
Please tell me how having an overbearing, in-your-face attitude, where 'I am
right and you are wrong' (assuming you are a religious type as described) is
going to make you change your mind? More likely, you will come after me with
sword drawn, screaming 'Infidel!'.
(No, I am NOT calling you a fundie. Unless you are an atheist fundie!)
The best one can do is to peacefully and by example teach those around him
about tolerance and logical thought. Particularly one's own children!
Screaming and fist waving are the province of the fundies, and these
critters are NEVER going to change their minds. Why don't we wait for the
present crop to die out, and work to change things here?
In the US, supporting laws that continue and enhance separation of religion
and government is worthwhile. Writing letters and emails to legislators who
propose religious slanted laws can't hurt! These people will back away from
dumb laws if they see the lack of public support.
Unless you want a bloody religious war, atheists vs. fundies and all others,
I suggest restraint and attempting to support education and freedom instead
of coercion.
Chuck Kuecker
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