Strident atheism

[andy at handiwork]

Cardinal Walter Kasper, 77, was to make a trip to Britain as part of the Pope's entourage, but now wont be making the trip, following an interview he gave to German magazine Focus in which he said Britain was facing an "aggressive new atheism".

About time as far as I'm concerned.

[andy at handiwork]

I am of course an equal opportunities non-believer. I belong to a 'broad church' of disdain for all god-botherers, whatever their strange adherence.

[Deano!]

I wonder if they are mistaking belonging to a formally recognised religion as being the only proof of belief in God. Plenty of people don't belong to a rubber stamped church but still believe in something higher. They probably don't show up in the official statistics.

[Arginald Valleywater]

He probably realised the UK laws on dry bumming young boys are stricter than inside the Vatican so decided to stay at home.

[alicia_fan_uk]

It's not like Christianity has ever been know for strident pursuit of it's own agenda, has it?!?....

What I've noticed recently is that many faiths are becoming increasingly friendly towards each other, whereas before they would have been arms-length if not overtly hostile. This is even though what they believe contradicts the other, even in fundamental/"universal" truths. This is a somewhat desperate attempt to retain whatever influence they have/believe they have over society; strength in numbers against "strident athiests" or agnostics. I see this sign of weakness on their part.

I also like it when faiths "move with the times", ie where they water down or alter what was previously a fundamental rule or teaching to reflect the changing society in which they are operating. It speaks volumes when rules can be swept aside (or "reinterpreted" or whatever phrase each will use to defend it); I didn't realise God followed trends and changing tastes, like some kind of omnipotent fashion designer.

Ultimately, religion today is just a big game of market share. It's like how supermarkets operate in the UK, vying for as big a slice of the pie and dominance over our lives as possible, only with religion a brand-preference is usually ingrained at birth. Oh, and there's a much lower chance of getting bummed at Tesco.

alicia_fan_uk

[spider]

I feel quite sorry for him, suffering from Gout.

He's going to have to spend the next few days stuck in front of the TV with his foot propped-up.

I hope there's something worth watching.

I feel so sorry for him I might send him some DVDs to watch.

Do you think he's appreciate it if I sent him a boxed set of "Father Ted" DVDs?

[Dave Wells]

Atheism RULES ! Fuck off back your ponced up crap in Rome Popey !

[BGAFD Admin]

As if that wasn't bad enough, according to his pal Edmund Adamus - director of Pastoral Affairs for the Diocese of Westminster: "historically, and continuing right now, Britain, and in particular London, has been and is the geopolitical epicenter of the culture of death". Crikey!

[Sam Slater]

'Aggressive' and 'strident' are terms labelled at anyone who speaks openly about their lack of belief, or has the gumption to point out the bad things about religion. Religions always want it their own way.

I see no 'atheist schools' for kids and do atheist/secular associations get tax-breaks and the same amount of government grants religious associations do? Are we drafted into high, influential positions like the House of Lords due to our atheism? Does any of your tax money go to atheist institutions whether you like it or not, like all taxpayers pay into the church? Are atheists allowed to break certain laws due to their lack of faith like Sikhs being exempt from having to wear a helmet on a motorcycle? Are atheists asked to appear on talk shows and news slots where they're automatically seen as some sort of expert on ethics, or spokesperson for a community, all because they happen to not believe in a divine creator like Vicars, Priests Imams and Rabbis are?

The influence and aggression is all from the religious side, I'm afraid, and they'll do whatever it takes to keep it that way for the next 1000 years too.