Comments on: Everyone born atheist

By: Anon

Anon — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:13:21 +0000

It helps to know how to spell. Ad hominem arguments are a very common strategy amongst religious zealots.

By: Hugo

Hugo — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:39:34 +0000

I just recently heard something on a podcast that made me think, it really is no surprise that belief is so prevalent.
The person said that when he was young he tried believing “like everyone around him did”.
I must say that even I as a 2nd generation atheist in a country that is really not that religious also at some point in my life tried belief thing, not much and it certainly didn’t stick but my mind was open to it.
Now any company would love the chance to get 100% of the population to try their product, by chance alone a significant portion of the population will buy (into) it, add peer pressure/power/influence/indoctrination/reward/fear and imho it’s no wonder that the majority believe in god.

Just a thought.

By: nontheist

nontheist — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:03:31 +0000

While I agree not to use the term stupid, as it only buoys up resentment and lessens the possibility of coming to agreement, I believe used cautiously and not pejoratively can be used effectively, and is somewhat better than “credulity” as that is not as well understood. Of course in written material where it is amazingly simple to look up words (though so few seem to!) it should not be necessary to do much more than assure your correspondent that you are not merely calling him names, but are attempting to elevate the conversation.
(did that come off as arrogant? Just trying to be clear!)