BBC’s “A Brief History of Disbelief” The Rise of Atheism

[Liar]

Since one never knows for certain the gender of one who posts, this may be somewhat misguided, but I am led to query whether there are any men left in existence anywhere besides myself.

For three millennium and more formal thought has been directed at removing, 'pathos, emotion, irrationality and passion from the quest for knowledge and truth.

These are viewed as 'feminine' attributes and while valuable in their own rights, have no place in the lofty world of intellectual integrity.


So, yes, Liar, if you want supporters to be passionate about Paris Hilton or the Red Sox and the Yankees, then at least acknowledge that these are trivial things and do not hold the import of formal thought.

The feminist movement for nearly a century now has been enticing men to be 'more sensitive', more caring, more in tune with the other side of their persona; have they indeed succeeded in completely destroying masculinity, a true emasculation of the gender?

I wonder.

Not sure what you're aiming at here. Never said a word about gender characteristics, and it's highly irrelvant anyway. But it's your favourite red herring, so I'm gonna let it slide and try to ignore it.

Yes, the ideal for intellectual pursiut of truth is the pure logos, I agree with that, and I don't know from where in my post you got any other idea. I don't "want suppoters to be passionate about Paris Hilton or the Red Sox".

But they are, aren't they?

We live in a world where 'intellectual pursiut of truth' isn't exactly on the top of everyone's mind. And the the dilemma for logic and reason is that it's not very sexy. Passion is much more attention grabbing, magic much more seductive. Atheism, as a product of logic and reason, is by it's very nature dispassionate.

And that is why religion can hold it's ground against better knowledge. Because "better knowledge" isn't always what people are looking for. Because "better knowledge" has no glamour.

 

[Pure]

i think atheism is a product of all kinds of things, besides logic and reason. like being in a repressive church as a kid. like having one's parents or teachers, avowed Xtians, be cruel hypocrites. even having, as a child, a brother or sister die despite one's prayers.