Getting Along

By Shamus Posted Saturday Feb 3, 2007

Filed under: Random 19 comments

As a follow-up to Repent, Believer, the original poster (Dave Godfrey) responds in the comments here.

And not to misrepresent myself as a sort of mechanical thiest theist: I also believe in the Bible. I’m not as literal as some (for which they look down on me) but I do believe in it (for which others look down on me). To an Athiest Atheist this distinction is pretty much meaningless, but to Christians this is important, so let me just set that straight so I can go home with a clear conscience.

More importantly, I would never impose these values on others against their will. I share them with the curious, keep them to myself with the uninterested, and in all ways strive to respect others. I see no reason why reasonable people cannot get along, even when they differ on beliefs they hold most dear.

Thanks to Dave for the temperate response.

(Thanks to everyone else also, for many kind words and yet more praise for the work I do here.)

I consider the subject resolved.

 


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19 thoughts on “Getting Along

  1. Alex says:

    You know, I kept seeing “athiest” being bandied about. Then I wondered what these athiests were athier than? Then I realised that they are, in fact, athier than thou.

  2. Alex says:

    (just to clarify: that’s a joke about misspelling “atheist”, not a legitimate comment on religious belief or lack thereof).

  3. Aaron M says:

    All of us atheists are athy, but some are more athy than others. Or something.

  4. Shamus says:

    joke about misspelling “atheist”

    It’s one of those words I’ll never get right. I learned to spell it wrong years ago, and my fingers want to spell it wrong.

    Would anyone mind if I just used “GODLESS! HEATHENS!”, instead? Easier to spell.

    No? Fine then.

  5. Alex says:

    “Infidels” flows better. Less exclamation marks.

  6. Jason says:

    Ah, but then the fundamentalist Muslims will call you a biter, saying they made “infidel” cool first, and that you’re copying them… oh, and somehow making it an insult to Allah, forcing you to pull a Salman Rushdie and hide out for a few years.

    Better to just use “atheist”, right or wrong spelling. Less work, less running.

  7. Chris says:

    I dunno’ about it being meaningless to atheists – I am one myself, and I certantly don’t look down on people for having faith, I think that it’s a wonderful thing to have,

    And I do see the distinction between the two, it’s an important one really, there is quite a difference bwetween literal interpretation and none

    Also, I apologise on behalf of the world for the comments made about Creationism by Dave Godfrey, it’s the kind of comments that give atheists bad repuatations, and really ought to be stopped. I can’t remember who said it, but in a reply someone said that it doesn’t mean we’ve got to be anti-theist, and I feel that it would be good if the more vocal atheists would remember that.

  8. Chris says:

    *literal interpratation and not

  9. Karaden says:

    Its not that hard to remember how to spell, just remember, I before E except after C and whenever else English decides to jack up its own spelling.

  10. Patrick says:

    Well, want me to give him a few dozen papercuts anyways? maybe dump some lemon juice on em’?

  11. Brent says:

    Eh, maybe it’s just me, but the fact that his apology is contingent on your not being a young-earth creationist indicates to me that he hasn’t learned a thing.

  12. Shamus says:

    Brent: Maybe, but I am content. We’ve both had our say, and nobody got hurt. :)

  13. Rebecca says:

    Remember: a- (Greek) means without, as in “asexual.”

    -the- from theo (Greek) meaning “God,” as in “theology”

    -ist, ultimately from the Greek, meaning “somone who adheres to a doctrine or belief,” as in “hedonists.”

    A-the-ist, someone who adheres to the belief that there is no God. Simple! And it doesn’t violat the “i-before-e” rule either because they are separate syllables (hey, it made sense to me).

  14. Dave Godfrey says:

    Brent: I studied evolution and palaeontology for four years. I work with fossils on a regular basis. YECism is diametrically opposed to my view of the world. It argues against most of what we know of modern biology, geology and cosmology. That’s why I find it disappointing when intelligent likable people turn out to be supporters of sites like AiG.

    Like Shamus I think we can let this drop now.

  15. Dave says:

    silly humans.

  16. Will says:

    A girl I work with likes to describe herself as Buddhist, but when you really engage her on the subject, it’s pretty clear she just has it in for any and all Western religions.

    The best way I’ve found to talk her down after she gets wound up is to describe, little by little, my own experiences growing up, and how I came to the conclusion that there’s no sense arguing about it. None of us is getting out of here alive. We’re all going to have our chance to see what is (or isn’t) on the other side.

  17. Fernmonkey says:

    Now, as our erstwhile DM would have it, onward to bigger and better treasure!

  18. ShadoStahker says:

    ‘i’ before ‘e’, except after ‘c’,
    or if it sounds like an ‘A’, as in ‘neighbour’ or ‘weigh’,
    and on weekends and holidays, and all throughout May,
    and you’ll always be wrong, no matter _what_ you say!

    ~ Brian Regan

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