T 7 Antony (Farrell, Sinott-Armstrong , Curley, Belzer, TappendenRead 'em all if you can, but at least read and post a comment on your group's essay and then look at the others. Group 3 in particular may need some backup, there were only three of them to begin with. Take a look at Brian's last post, he asks a very good question in response to Garber's essay that some may be able to speak to.
And be thinking about your midterm report, I'll be asking soon for a declaration of intent. You can do a presentation, an essay, or a series of related blog posts. More on that on Tuesday.
Also, be thinking about a possible addition to our reading list. We'll be voting on that before the month ends.
Following up on part of Thursday's discussion: Raisin' freethinkers...
And following up on Jamie's mention of the reformed Koran: Jefferson Koran...
Baggini reports on Atheism in America...
Alain de Botton follows up on his 'temple of atheism' (thanks for the link, David)....
The Atheist's Guide to Reality: An interview with Alex Rosenberg...
WHO NEEDS GOD? Kenan Malik - he's an atheist but says it IS harder to be good without God...
Dawkins on Darwin in The Blind Watchmaker: "I said I could not imagine being an atheist at any time before 1859, when Darwin's Origin of Species was published." My thoughts...
I have read several pieces by ministers/pastors that (correctly) identify the internet as the single greatest threat to religion. They are of course correct, but not because of any particularly special characteristic of religion. Knowledge, openness, and free inquiry are equally dangerous to many forms of regressive behaviors. It is increasingly difficult to sequester people from the truth.
ReplyDeleteWhile I am under no illusion that this will lead to the end of religion, I do hope that we are already seeing the beginning of the end for its most dangerous manifestations. I certainly hope so.
I think we are seeing the beginning of the end of fanatical fundamentalism, but it can't end fast enough for the victims. As John Kerry once asked in another context, how can you ask someone to be the last to die for a mistake? But it's a good sign, isn't it, that there are reformers in Islam?
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, yes. I fully acknowledge that in order for lasting reform to take hold in the Islamic world, it will take something very similar to what happened to Christianity: a combination of internal moderation and external societal pressure. Neither by itself is likely to get the job done.
ReplyDeleteSo, more power to the moderates in Islam. By all means, let them continue to try and frame the conversation and redefine what it means to be a Muslim. I wish them success, for all of our sake. And since I am not a Muslim, I will continue to be on the side of increasing societal pressure against the fundamentalist versions of all faiths, including Islam.