When will the atheists be done debunking the fundies so we can get on to other matters?

Question

Spirituality is a fairly large field to be getting bogged down like this. In any event,it's very boring. It's also impossible of resolution so why bother? Let the fundies think as they please. Who cares if they think the world is 7,000 years or whatever. They are a minority; they will never get school prayer,or "creationism" taught in public schools, what to speak of establishing a Christian theocracy. It's all idiotic. Why is everyone wasting time with all this? Why are you atheists so obsessed with fundies? You're taking up an awful lot of space. You're not going to "debunk" fundie theology for fundies. You're not going to change anything. They will continue to believe as they do. Why all this waste?

Who said anything about "silencing" them? I referred to their apparent obsession with fundies. Joseph campbell was an athiest but he had more intelligent things to say on religion than "I think fundies are ridiculous". That's just stating the obvious.
Where did I say atheists should be silenced? I suggested they find subjects other than fundamentalism before we all expire from ennui.

Taeween! It's NOT fun! It's BORING!!!

That Together sounds like a hysteric. I've noticed this too - lots of paranoid ideation.

Well,Neo I'm not seeing that,ok? Can we see some more of these alledged questions on non-fundie matters? What a treat that would be. Like going to a nice restaurant.

Barbara gennadt - no it's not! It's like looking for a needle in a haystack to find anything other than "Atheist Attacks Fundies,Extra Extra Read All About It".

Monika,how do we "suffer" from the Moral Majority which collapsed 20 years ago? Can I have an example? I'm not "suffering' because of a movement from the '80s. They never got anywhere with it,for all the hoopla. I was in grade school then! Are you people suffering from hallucinations? It's 2007! What "Moral Majority"?

Answer 1

I agree with you. The persistance of that particular debate is tiresome, uninteresting and ideologically motivated,rather than an examination of theological and philosophical issues at any level of depth. Further, most of the questions posed in this regard are not genuine questions that seek the illumination of wisdom or knowledge, but sophmoric and smug ad hominen attacks intended to make another person's position appear ridiculous and absurd. Given this, who reading this drivel would recognize in either the atheists or the fundamentalists positions anything worthy of consideration?

Perhaps, the Yahoo Answers "team" could rethink their categories and establish one entitled "Atheists and Fundamentalists", thus making room in this board for theological questions, issues of religiousity and religious culture that are actually much more interesting and directed toward constructive dialogue and debate.

Answer 2

Personally, I'd let people believe as they would if it were not for the sheer numbers coupled with the fact that we live in a republic (ie. we elect people to represent us in government). If people could leave their religous views out of our government and public affairs, I'd be all for letting people think what they want. But as an Atheist, I deal strictly in reality, and the reality is that religious people have caused people like the current President lead our country to the state that it is in now, not because he was the best candidate for the position, but because he pushed the right issues to stimulate their religious buttons.

Gay rights did not cause us to go to war with the wrong country, neither did abortion or immigration. People placed the religious value of those issues above sound decision making and critical thinking skills, and thus we have a war that should have never been, in a country that we broke and can not fix. On top of all that, we elected a leader of the free world does not believe in freedom or the constitution, but does believe in executive priviledge. Sounds like a dictatorship in the making, not a democracy in continuance.

Our society is established, the rules are in place. Our choices are either change the rules, or change the beliefs. I personally like the rules, they would work fine if the beliefs followed suit.

Answer 3

The problem is how the movement is growing.


This massive, highly political movement did not even exist until the unholy marriage of Jerry Falwell and Ralph Reed gave us the 80s' "Moral Majority." We still suffer from the remains of that movement.

And as for creationism, the problem is that they *do* occasionally dupe people into teaching it in schools, even though the courts and voters usually get rid of it as soon as possible. It's scary when multiple *presidential candidates* are willing to admit on national television that they don't accept evolution.


Edit: The Moral Majority was the start of the modern, politicized evangelical movement. Essentially, they're the reason we have Bush, "Intelligent Design," a stem cell ban, a conservative Supreme Court that might harm abortion rights, and Jesus Camp, and all the rest of that modern evangelical garbage. You don't call that suffering?
They may not control everything, but they're certain influential.

Answer 4

It's not WHAT they think that is the problem...... the problem is that they want what they think to be taught to ALL CHILDREN in schools... they want what THEY think to be placed on public & government buildings. It's more than just them believing the world is 6,000 years old...... it's the fact that they want to push that belief on everyone else including children who are extremely impressionable and easily convinced by fantastic stories of invisible people who watch over them. (i.e. santa claus, the tooth fairy, god.etc)

It wouldn't be so bad if it was just what they believed and they practiced it in the comfort of their own homes and churches...... but that's not how it is at all! The christian regime in this country is trying to mold this into the "christian nation" that they already believe that it is and that is why atheists cannot stop debunking them.

How do you know it won't change anything? How do you know it is a waste?

What should we all do? lay back & just accept that these fundie a$$holes are going to want to teach OUR children their dogma and their fairy tales? you want us to just let them dictate how we choose to live OUR lives? I don't think so!! As long as there is a single breath in my body I will fight against it because it is not right! It does not matter if the majority believe in this fairy tale...... this is a country where we are all supposed to have equality and equal freedom to persue what we wish. How can atheists persue anything when this country is so blatantly delusional that an honest atheist could never get into a high ranking office in government? Do you realize that it is easier for a corrupt christian (G.W. Bush) to get into office (TWICE) than it is for an honest, decent atheist to even get on the ballot??

This nation is christian biased because the christians are the majority...... when that comes to an end and I, as an atheist, could have a shot at being president if i chose to run or run for any other government office....... then this fight will continue!!

You see it as a waste..... I see it as standing my ground and not allowing them to walk all over me and try to make THEIR beliefs the norm.

Answer 5

As an atheist I would argue that you aren't Christian if you aren't a fundie... You're the next generation, the generation that takes from the Bible what suits you, and its not Christian, its spirituality in its rawest most robust form.

Many atheists present questions and arguments that apply to all spirituality, not just the uneducated delusional fundies

Answer 6

Its not a waste because its obvious that fundies have tremendous political and financial power, and that they have abused this power again and again. Those who do not learn from the past they say.... and I've no desire to relive the inquisition or other such nonsense. This means that atheists and everyone else has to continually combat the forces of ignorance and darkness, or be overwhelmed. Minorities are very powerful when no one speaks against them, and have ruled nations time and again, and still do ...

Answer 7

I guess you missed the Dover School Board case? Fundies need to be put in their place and that is NOT in public schools. Teaching the children of this nation lies is not a back burner issue. Something needs to be done. If this is ignored we will be getting on to "other matters" alright and those matters will be a nation gone mad.

Answer 8

It's an open board and everyone has the right to their opinion. Just because you think it's boring and someone else doesn't does not make your opinion any more ~right~ than theirs.

Everyone is here of their own free will, I wouldn't imagine anyones arm is being twisted to do this. It's easy to skip over what doesn't appeal to you.

Answer 9

Uh, when a question catches my eye, especially if it's addressed to atheists (such as ME), then I'll answer it.

Do I expect to change the fundies minds?

No.

But if I'm asked questions, often, I'll answer.

If you have a question, so for it.

Answer 10

I have trouble thinking of it as waste since I know very well that religion was taught in our schools not all that long ago and they are trying desperately to have that happen again. If you didn't notice, the Supreme Court has been stacked with that very hope in mind.

If I am 'obsessed'. it is with ensuring that those lunatics do not take over my country.