Atheism isn’t so scary. We’re not all bearded old men calling you nasty names you can’t understand from the comfort of a leather wingback chair while swirling scotch in a glass. Sometimes we’re pleasant young women who like to point out that atheism is nothing more than the lack of a god belief and it makes no sense to vilify those of us who hold this position. I’ll still take that scotch, though.
It’s Called Reciprocal Altruism, Mr. Archbold
21 01 2010Every atheist has heard the argument that a person can have no moral code or sense of altruism without accepting god first. It’s a lazy argument theists use when they choose to ignore reality so I rarely give people the time of day when I note this sentiment oozing out of them like ignorance made manifest. That being said, I find National Catholic Register blogger Matthew Archbold difficult to ignore. Why? I haven’t seen something this offensive and illogical since God Will Take ‘Em Back. Mr. Archbold seems to be upset (masked as patronizing amusement) that the Richard Dawkins Foundation has the audacity to create a charity in which non-believers send aid to Haiti (by way of Doctors Without Borders and the International Red Cross). The nerve!
Writes Archbold:
I always get a kick out of evangelizing atheists and how they’re so desperate to prove that they’re as good (and usually better) than us religious types. Dawkins writes on the charity’s website: “When donating via Non-Believers Giving Aid, you are helping to counter the scandalous myth that only the religious care about their fellow-humans.” While we should all applaud Mr. Dawkins’ altruistic efforts to help his fellow man I’m just not sure he’s making the point he thinks he’s making.
If Dawkins is running this charity to show up religion and helping Haitians is only a secondary consequence then we could hardly claim that what he’s doing is good by most definitions. Because if that’s true then it would seem that the greatest value of Haitians lives to Dawkins is how they make Dawkins look.
Wow. So, by that logic I assume Christian-specific charities are also out for self-promotion? No? Oh, that’s right. They’re out to promote god. I guess that makes it better somehow. But wait … something seems wrong with that argument. Is Mr. Archbold honestly saying there is something wrong with creating a charity of any sort that contributes to the welfare of people in need? Let’s take your (incorrect) argument for granted and assume Dawkins doesn’t have Haiti’s best interest at heart (he does) and really is out for self-promotion (he isn’t). People are still being helped by his actions, right? If I’m starving and someone offers me food, I’m going to take it and be grateful regardless of the giver’s motives. Anyway, it’s not as though Dawkins invented the idea of secular charity. Plus, if you send your money to a secular charity you can be assured it won’t go towards one of the 600 solar-powered talking Bibles being sent over by one Christian organization. At $100 a piece, that’s $60,000 that could have been used for food, water or medicine. Nauseating.
Also, in case you’ve missed the previous subtle hints, click here to donate to a worthwhile cause.
Comments : 5 Comments »
Tags: assholes, charity, christian charity, Dawkins, Haiti, haiti earthquake, matthew archbold, national catholic register, reciprocal altruism, secular charity, solar-powered bibles, stupid people, talking bibles
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Breaking News: The Cuddly Atheist Misses Her Dog
17 11 2009Yeah, people have all kinds of horrid problems, but let’s face it. I’m sexier than they are. Here are some photos of my dog because you care.
Reilly says the pope smelled of mothballs and gardenias.
Shortly after saving a small child from a bullshark
Diverting a train from hitting a stalled bus full of orphans ... WITH HIS MIND
Rescuing me from excessive Christmas cheer
If you feel at all moved, please send five hundred dollars for a pet deposit so I can have my dog back.
Comments : 2 Comments »
Tags: badass dogs, beach, dogs, give me my dog back, pope john II, reilly, reilly sue, trains
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Stop Drop and Roll Won’t Work in Hell
14 11 2009No, I haven’t become a theist. I saw this on a bumper sticker today and was immediately bemused. This has to be close to one of the most offensive Christian bumper stickers I’ve ever seen. It’s like the driver delighted in the idea that non-believers and sinners would burn in an eternal lake of fire.
What’s the most offensive religious bumper sticker you’ve ever seen?
Comments : 4 Comments »
Tags: atheism, atheists, bumper stickers, christians, rabid Christians, stop drop and roll
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Criticism of Religion Under Attack
13 11 2009The NGOs, which include Christian, Muslim and Jewish organisations as well as humanist and secular groups from around the world, argue that “unlike traditional defamation laws, which punish false statements of fact that harm individual persons, measures prohibiting the `defamation of religions’ punish the peaceful criticism of ideas”.
Really? The peaceful criticism of religion is so dangerous that measures need to be taken against it? At least in this country it is our right to criticize anything we see fit. Let’s keep it that way.
Another statement counters this by saying, “United Nations resolutions on the `defamation of religions’ are incompatible with the fundamental freedoms of individuals to freely exercise and peacefully express their thoughts, ideas, and beliefs.” On the other hand, “Such calls will be strengthened as the UN General Assembly looks set to pass another controversial resolution next month entitled “Combating the Defamation of Religion”, its fifth in five years.”
So, it looks like a struggle and one that’s been going on for some time. Let’s just hope we keep our right to say things like, “Islam promotes violence,” “Intelligent design is full of lies,” and “Mormons are complete nutjobs.” And Scientology? Don’t even get me started.
Cuddles,
Kate
Comments : 4 Comments »
Tags: atheism, criticism of religion under attack, defamation, defamation of religion, NGO, United Nations
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Atheist Billboard Comes Down Due to Threats
12 11 2009In Cincinnati, an atheist billboard came down due to serious threats from multiple sources. The billboard which read, ““Don’t Believe In God? You are not alone” came down Thursday morning, according to this news source. It sounds so innocent, doesn’t it? There was nothing offensive about the wording and yet people were outraged enough to demand its removal. It’s sad that we live in a society where something so benign can be construed as being malevolent and harmful. I call bigotry. This makes me want to start a fund to put up a billboard here in Beaumont, preferably next to the “Jesus, I trust in you” monstrosities. Anyone with me? Good.
Cuddles,
Kate
Comments : 2 Comments »
Tags: atheism, atheist billboards, bigotry, billboards, don't believe in god you're not alone
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Where do you stand?
12 11 2009Comments : 5 Comments »
Tags: atheism, atheist polls, critical thinking, false dichotomies, polls, skepticism
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Dogmatic Atheists?
9 11 2009What does it mean to be an atheist? Is there some special club with weekly dues and funny hats that you must pay and don in order to be a ‘proper’ atheist? Do you have to know a special handshake? What sort of club is this and where is my gin and tonic? I ordered it ages ago. The service here sucks. Oh, wait. No wonder. This is Fuddruckers and not some convoluted atheist circle jerk.
I’m noticing a fairly disturbing trend lately. It seems that we atheists are expected to stick together and lift up anyone else who happens to be an atheist, as well, no matter what other factors might ordinarily inhibit support for them. First, I suppose we should define atheism. All it means to me is a lack of a god belief. Anyone can be an atheist. There really isn’t much to it. There are no codes or bylaws one must adhere to in order to join. There are atheist conservatives, atheist liberals, atheist Jets and atheist Sharks. It doesn’t matter. The only thing that binds us together is a lack of a belief in god.
I’ve never felt the need to support anyone just because he happens to be an atheist. What’s the point? Atheism isn’t a platform. It’s simply a word that helps us identify ourselves and other people who don’t believe in god. It’s a small part of our identity and, if you ask me, atheism is simply a by-product of something I find to be much more important: critical thinking. Without logic and reason I don’t know why anyone would come to the conclusion that there are no gods. That’s why it confuses me when atheists also happen to be conspiracy theorists or anti-vaxxers. I don’t quite understand how someone can come to one major logical conclusion and then throw reason right out the window in favor of some groundless conclusion. Can atheists have wacky beliefs? Sure. Do I have to respect them for it? Absolutely not.
In short, rules belong to religions. Now bugger off. Here comes my drink.
Cuddles,
Kate
Comments : 8 Comments »
Tags: anti-vaxxers, atheism, bill maher, conspiracy theorists, dogmatic atheists, Fuddruckers, new atheism, new atheists, religion
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And the Creepy Christian of the Millenium Award Goes To…
8 11 2009Ron and Marty from TBN’s Joy Junction! Enjoy, suckers.
Comments : 3 Comments »
Tags: atheism, Creepy Christians, dirty pictures, gingham shirts, Joy Junction, oh my god this shit is real, Ron and Marty, scary puppets, scary theists, ventriloquism, ventriloquists, wishy washy
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A Note to Dawkins
3 11 2009A note.
To Richard Dawkins: You’re being a dick. Yeah, I said it. Supporting Bill Maher? What are you thinking? That guy is a total whackjob! Have you seriously considered his position on Western medicine and vaccines? You’re giving him an award? Honestly? I know he’s supported atheism but is that enough? He doesn’t think critically and if he doesn’t think critically then he’s no friend of mine, atheist or no. Honestly, to me, atheism is about coming to a conclusion that you arrived at by … guess what? Thinking critically, that’s what. Bill Maher obviously didn’t do that since he’s a freaking nut bag about conventional medicine. Seriously. Think about it.
Cuddles,
Kate
Comments : 15 Comments »
Tags: :P, aagh, atheism, bill maher, criticism, richard dawkins, richard dawkins award
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The Cuddly Atheist’s Cuddly Comeback Post
28 10 2009I know, I know. It’s been a while since I’ve been in touch, but look … it’s not you, it’s me. Well, maybe you have something to do with it. Ok, if that’s the attitude you’re going to take, it’s all your fault. Look at you! Who wants to come home to this mess every day, especially considering I know you’ve been seeing other bloggers?! Do you know what it’s like to spend all day working hard, marking posts with misleading tags to drag unsuspecting readers to my blog when the whole time you’re sitting there pretty-as-you-please whoring it up for the likes of Pharyngula and the Friendly Atheist? How am I supposed to compete for that? You … you know what? I can’t. I just can’t. So I haven’t been posting. Are you happy now? Good, now maybe we can talk about my day for a change. Jesus.
Now, look honey, don’t get mad…. Promise you won’t get mad or I won’t tell you. Promise? Okay. Wow, this is even more difficult than I thought it was going to be. Okay, out with it. Igotmarried. Now hang on, hang on, hang on, you said you wouldn’t get mad! Wait a minute, I DO still love you! It’s just that I looked into it and it turns out I can’t legally marry a readership in this country because that would amount to polygamy and there’s like a law or something. No, honest, look it up! Man, this is awkward. Remember how I went to TAM7 awhile back? Well, I roomed with this guy, right? I know some of you were suspicious at the time that something might have been going on behind your backs, but look. At the time we were just friends. I swear. Nothing more. Yeah, but then, you see … then we hooked up a little after that and now we’re married. Hey, no, listen. Listen! There’s good news and you won’t very well hear it while you’re yammering on about fidelity and trust issues, will you? Okay, fine. I’ll let you vent, then. I’m sure this is a very difficult time for you.
Are you done? No? Okay….
Yes, thank you. Your feelings matter very much to me. Now that that’s out of your system and I’ve stealthily moved all sharp and heavy objects from out of your reach while you were venting, I’d like to tell you the good news. Okay. The good news is that he says I can still see you! Isn’t that great, cupcake? There! There’s that smile I’ve always loved! I knew you’d come around in the end! Look, I know I’ve done you wrong. I promise to not neglect you like I have these past few months but you have to give me something in return. You just get all your little friends to read me, right? I don’t care how you do it. You can graffiti my link on a bathroom stall door if you like. Here’s a sharpie. It’d probably be more effective to just, you know, casually link to me in high-traffic areas of the internet, though. What? Of course I’m a shameless self-promoter. You knew that coming into this deal. Okay, well, I should wrap this up. My husband Jay just came home and he’s still a little sensitive about this arrangement I have with you. So put your pants back on and sneak out the door while I distract him with an aperitif and a cheese platter. Go on, shoo!
Cuddles,
Kate
Comments : 6 Comments »
Tags: atheism, awkward, awkward break-ups, awkward reunions, bliss, Britney Spears, cheating, cuddly atheist, friendly atheist, happiness, it's not you it's me, Jay Laudig, Jonas Brothers, marriage, Miley Cyrus, negligence, not Jay Novella, pharyngula, promote my blog, rehab, self-promotion, TAM7
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