Is it wrong to defend "good" theists - Atheism vs Christianity

Message from discussion Is it wrong to defend "good" theists

More options Jun 30 2008, 11:55 pm

From: LL <llp...@aol.com>

Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2008 11:55:17 -0700 (PDT)

Local: Mon, Jun 30 2008 11:55 pm

Subject: Re: Is it wrong to defend "good" theists

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On Jun 30, 9:39 am, bob600 <b...@nireland.com> wrote:

> First my position, I am what most would consider a “strong” atheist, I
> “know” God does not exist, that in itself has attracted some attacks,
> so I would ask that you let it pass this one time.

LL: No, you're just an atheist like all other atheists. You have
simply added an irrational aspect to it that has nothing to do with
lack of belief in a god.

Bob: I have lived in the

> heart of a divided society for 25 years, a society, given my position
> in it, that tested my religious affiliations robustly and daily. So
> on a daily and personal basis I experienced the “very bad” side of
> religion. Nevertheless, and despite my strong non beliefs, I happily
> accept and defend other people’s right to think differently.

LL: So do we all, Bob. Your experience in Ireland is neither better
nor worse than Americans' experience with untrammeled religion.

Bob: For some time now I have been attacked for taking that position

> sometimes by assholes, which I consider flattery, but sometimes by
> others for whom I have a certain respect, and it is the criticism from
> the latter that leads me to ask:-

> Why is it so wrong to defend the “nice” theists who do me no harm,
> while being happy to condemn the “bad” that potentially could.

LL: It is not wrong to defend them for their right to have their own
opinions. It's when you defend their aggressive tactics to
proselytize, often violently, that causes the problem.

Bob: Believe it or not I ask this with an open mind, and if I my
position

> is proven wrong, I will accept it, reappraise my position and admit my
> error.

LL: OK, your turn.

> I leave you with an apt quote from Mahatma Gandhi, 1931:-

> “Freedom is not worth having if it does not connote freedom to err. It
> passes my comprehension how human beings, be they ever so experienced
> and able, can delight in depriving other human beings of that precious
> right.”

LL: If you are honest, you will see that throughout the history of
religion it's been theists who havei universally delighted in
depriving other human beings of that precious right.

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