Richard Dawkins and Alistar McGrath

[Far Rider]

Because you never read The God Delusion, right?

Believe it or not, I don't keep ALL of my reference materials here at work so I can argue with people like you.

Typical Collectivist group-think mindset. But I guess I shouldn't expect anything less from a Theist.

This is meaningless jargon.

I know its impossible for you to understand how someone could honestly form their own opinion without talking points from leaders in their organization.

That's the problem - you're not honest. If you were, you'd have honest answers, instead of bromides and hate speech. And you think because it's "countercultural" that it's meaningful, and it isn't. It's just more of the same in a different wrapper. I saw all of this shit back in the 1960's.

I know you're busy not fitting in here but you are talking to one of the biggest nonconformists of his generation, so don't bother trying to bullshit me. I have been where you are, I just haven't read the same crap - namely, Ayn Rand. Or at least not much of it anyway, and I am not guillible enough to base my life on it.

You've just traded my Bible for yours, only I don't take my Bible as seriously as you do yours. I take mine for what it is. I don't know what you think of yours, but you have preached the gospel of Ayn Rand here and elsewhere. I'm not buying it.

I am old enough to go by what I see - I don't have to read books - no, not even from Richard Dawkins - to make up my mind about things. Shakespeare said there is more to heaven and earth than is dreamt of in your philosophies. I take that to mean that if you think you have it wired you are damn narrow minded. And you think that just because you are now an atheist that you are "enlightened". And atheists are about the most narrow minded and tedious people around. I would rather be around the most raving fundamentalist than an atheist.

Now, you have read the critique of Dawkins. I can dig out an audio file of McGrath if you want, but the guy is right. Dawkins has no business talking about theology. It's not his area of expertise.

Neither is philosophy.

[FightingFalcon]

That's the problem - you're not honest. If you were, you'd have honest answers, instead of bromides and hate speech. And you think because it's "countercultural" that it's meaningful, and it isn't. It's just more of the same in a different wrapper. I saw all of this shit back in the 1960's.

Yep, I'm an active member in the counter-culture crowd. You know, the ones that fight for the rights of corporations, demand lower taxes, less government and more personal freedom. I can just see it now - handkerchief-laden protesters standing up for Starbucks...

I know you're busy not fitting in here but you are talking to one of the biggest nonconformists of his generation, so don't bother trying to bullshit me. I have been where you are, I just haven't read the same crap - namely, Ayn Rand. Or at least not much of it anyway, and I am not guillible enough to base my life on it.

Blah, blah blah. You've tried to use this argument so many times that it's getting old now. Ayn Rand is my new Jesus, etc. The fact of the matter is that she is one of many influential factors in my life. My father probably being the most influential of all and without his example of rags-to-riches, I probably wouldn't even consider Ayn Rand. I like how you alternate between Rand and Dawkins though, as if I have two personal saviors. How about we bring up some of my other heroes? I've stated on this board before that Cato the Younger is a personal hero of mine. Guess that makes him my "Jesus" too. You want there to be one person in my life who gives me all my talking points because that is how your life is run. Sorry, but mine isn't like that.

And atheists are about the most narrow minded and tedious people around. I would rather be around the most raving fundamentalist than an atheist.

At least we wouldn't saw your head off.

Dawkins has no business talking about theology. It's not his area of expertise.

Can science get the same treatment in regards to religion? Can you acknowledge here and now that religion has no business being in a science class?

I can't wait to see you slither your way out of this one.

[Far Rider]

I was wondering if you were going to answer this before I turned 60.

I like how you alternate between Rand and Dawkins though, as if I have two personal saviors...Guess that makes him my "Jesus" too.

How in hell did you get that out of what I wrote? If you are going to reply to my posts, why don't you reply to what I wrote instead of making things up and replying to that?

You want there to be one person in my life who gives me all my talking points because that is how your life is run.

Oh, I know nobody can tell you anything, which is why you wrecked your new motorcycle twice before the breaking-in period. Guess you showed me.

Can you acknowledge here and now that religion has no business being in a science class?

When did I say that?

I can't wait to see you slither your way out of this one.

You think I have to "slither" out of something YOU said?

You need help.