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Do we need an atheist religion?
Why Evolution is True
January 21, 2012
In this TED talk, Alain de Botton (an author who specializes in popular philosophy) proposes “Atheism 2.0,” which rejects all deities and supernatural acts but caters to the “ritualistic side” of some atheists.
The highlights:
- 0:32: Implicit snark directed toward Richard Dawkins
- 4:00: Begins tirade about how education, in contrast to religion fails to provide guidance for how to live (e.g. how can we be moral?). Here de Botton neglects the fact that in countries where religion has taken a nosedive, morality remains high—indeed, often far more moral than in religious countries.
- 7:00: Says that we need to “structure time” through calendars, so we can think about certain things at certain times.
- 7:50: We need rituals.
- 8:30: We need to learn the art of oratory, which supposedly is so important in religion.
- 9:40: We need to adopt ritual baths from the Jews: a fusion of brain and body.
- 10:40: We need to learn how to use and interpret art as propaganda: art should be didactic, and explicitly so.
- 12:30: We need to learn how to foster sociality by forming institutions. The Catholic Church is his example; all we need is a secular institution like the Vatican: multinational, branded, and with a clear identity.
This is all a facile attempt to appropriate the trappings of religion as something essential to an atheist world. But do we need sermons and the endless repetition of “lessons”? Secular Europe does just fine without these things. What we need, as sociological studies indicate, is not stained glass, potted lilies, and a gasbag orator, but a society that cares about its citizens. For, as those studies show, societies that tend to be healthy are also the secular ones, and their citizens need not turn to sky-fathers for solace. Yes, we can have our rituals of marriage and funerals, but ritual baths? Calendars marking when we should observe what? I think not.
http://whyevolutionistrue.wordpress.com/2012/01/21/do-we-need-an-at...
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by bleacheddecay on -
That made me smile! Good on you!
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Permalink Reply by Davy on -
I agree with what you say Michel we do have a dependence on others. We build inter-dependence with our friendships that we form.
I like the word "Hall" My thoughts are swirling around the word "Long House" and "college".????
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Permalink Reply by Carl Pastor on -
i dont have any need to lecture others or to be lectured to. why wud i ? i have A/U.
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Permalink Reply by Adriana on -
Aww, Carl, that is sweet! Don't forget to go to about.com and vote for us! See Main Page. We are finalists! And all thanks to you guys!
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Permalink Reply by Carl Pastor on
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i did wow we got only 2%
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Permalink Reply by Michel on -
Reddit/Atheism claims 524,002 redditors, Atheist Nexus has 25,000+ members, Think Atheist 14,000+, we are 560.
The end measure will give the proportion of active members.
These were last year's results:
Results for Best Atheist Social Networking Site
- Atheist Nexus - 51%
- AtheistSocial - 1%
- Ex-Christian.net - 26%
- The Brights - 5%
- Think Atheist - 16%
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Permalink Reply by Arnab Banerjee on -
the difference between atheism and religion is that in the former the sermon, institution, rituals are not there.that is the beauty of atheism. if these hocus pocus enters atheism, they will destroy the very spirit of atheism.
but one thing should be considered: that organized religion should be destroyed. if majority of europe is atheists/secular then why govt. just don't ban religion?
it would be far better if there is no religion, no social rule, no restriction.only there should be one's own will.
what do you think?
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Permalink Reply by Carl Pastor on
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unfortunately, it apprears that banning religion doesn't work. it seems that banning it makes it stronger.
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Permalink Reply by Chris on -
I think one reason England has more atheists than America because they learn about religion in school.
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Permalink Reply by Marianne on -
I think it's important for atheist to have places to meet. But a name for them is very difficult to find... I don't like at all the name Temple, I would love Garden, but I'm not quite in the climate for that, but maybe it wouldn't matter. I don't like school either (too many memories)... I'm definitely not sure about Halls, because I think it has been used a lot by sects, so well I'm at a loss for words...
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