Encounter ABC Radio National 18 April 2010

[Lee]

Atheism on the Rise? (http://www.abc.net.au/rn/encounter/stories/2010/2872545.htm)

We report from the 2010 Global Atheist Convention in Melbourne. Is atheism truly on the rise, and if so, what kind of atheism is it? While we've heard a great deal from so-called celebrity atheists like Richard Dawkins, their scientific, evidence-based approach to understanding the world undervalues not only theology, but philosophy itself.


http://www.abc.net.au/rn/encounter/

[Fearless]

Thank you for this :)

[atheist echo]

Atheism on the Rise? (http://www.abc.net.au/rn/encounter/stories/2010/2872545.htm)

We report from the 2010 Global Atheist Convention in Melbourne. Is atheism truly on the rise, and if so, what kind of atheism is it? While we've heard a great deal from so-called celebrity atheists like Richard Dawkins, their scientific, evidence-based approach to understanding the world undervalues not only theology, but philosophy itself.


http://www.abc.net.au/rn/encounter/
Listened to it this morning. For a sunday it was an early rise for me but well worth it. What did everyone think? I enjoyed the interviews immensely.

[eccles]

When I saw this was an "Encounter" a Religious program I started the MP3 with some trepidation. That soon disappeared when I found that the program gave a very fair report of the GAC. At least we did not have to listen to the hell and damnation rantings of Mr. Jensen and Mr. Pell. It was good to hear A.C. Grayling whom I met after his speech so I could ask him why he brought the dreaded "Metaphysics" into it. He soon reassured me that my opinion of metaphysics as crap is correct.

I just finished read Dan Barker "Godless", so I related more than I would have to him after reading that book.

I did disagree with Scott Stevens' opinion regarding 'celebrity' staus of Richard Dawkins. How about the status of the Pope and many of those televangalists like Benny Hinn and Pat Robertson.

I hope that program can get liberal minded Christians thinking and start questioning the teachings of Religion especially from the point of view of the bible.

[two dogs]

Thanks, Lee. I quite enjoyed listening to that. It was non-judgemental, unlike so much of the diatribe shit that has emanated from the ABC of late.

The brief excerpt from the opening of the convention (comprising part of musical composition by Vangelis (which often makes me teary), followed by El Presidente's address) brought back many fond memories of the event. :)

[Logic]

That was very interesting (and made me happy I was a part of the event) and a pretty unbiased account.

[Goldenmane]

Scott Stephens' little contribution was a load of bollocks.

The rest was interesting, though.

[two dogs]

Scott Stephens' little contribution was a load of bollocks.
...

Indeed, he took a long time to say fuck all, but what else would you expect from a theologian (http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?p=45791&highlight=theologian#post45791). :)

[Goldenmane]

Indeed, he took a long time to say fuck all, but what else would you expect from a theologian (http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?p=45791&highlight=theologian#post45791). :)

these people seem to get a bit stymied by all the calm, collected addressing of the issues that they come up against.

They should come and interview me. I'm perfectly happy to employ passion and invective to support reason.

To put it another way, I'm an advocate of creative invective, and as such I'm greatly more entertaining than bloodless academia.

PZ wishes he had my skillz. :D

[Lee]

Thanks, Lee. Pleasure TD. I am so peeved that I didn't get to meet you...and nearly everybody else on the Forum.

The brief excerpt from the opening of the convention (comprising part of musical composition by Vangelis (which often makes me teary), Can I just mention to the whole world that I suggested to the GAC Committee that we use that track. :D I get goosey listening to it. It's bloody brilliant. If I may digress...in my early years I was a YES fan. I then discovered and loved Jon and Vangelis' Friends of Mr Cairo. I still like it even though it is religiousish. I'm not quite sure I understand it actually. But the music is great. Then when Vangelis did the music for Carl Sagan's COSMOS I was beside myself. We bought the album (yes one of those big black flat things) but it was a shocking recording.

followed by El Presidente's address brought back many fond memories of the event. :)

Friday night was the most I saw of the whole shebang. I wanted to run up to David and give him a big hug (I have hug rights being his life-partner) but it didn't seem appropriate at the time. :)

[DanielV]

Thanks for posting this Lee, I listened to this MP3 after it was linked from PZ Myers Pharyngula website - one of the best, balanced coverage of an event i've heard in a while - it was a great listen.

[DanielV]

I did disagree with Scott Stevens' opinion regarding 'celebrity' staus of Richard Dawkins. How about the status of the Pope and many of those televangalists like Benny Hinn and Pat Robertson.


Hi eccles, I agree, I found Scott Stevens critique of the "celebrity" status of Dawkins et al just a non argument.

Sure, Dawkins had written a very successful and widely-read book pertaining to the interest of many atheists and many had seen him on TV and so forth - so that extent he is very much a public figure.

However, I don't think most atheists engage in cult of celebrity practices with Dawkins. Some people will definitely have admiration for the guy, but thats far from universal - many atheists and skeptics disagree with his tactics or opinions.

Scott Stevens also remarked that he felt Dawkins went after religious targets that were "below the great man" - such as touring the American Bible Best for the most pungent of religious practitioners. Not sure how to respond to this, but I guess i'd say that a great number of Americans would relate to at least components of the beliefs of the evangelics and "Hell House" keepers - its just a matter of extent.

Yes, Dawkins could have devoted more of his time in confronting more liberal theologians, but it is in that kind of territory that you lose much of the essence of religion that many people would relate to.

[atheist echo]

Hi eccles, I agree, I found Scott Stevens critique of the "celebrity" status of Dawkins et al just a non argument.

Sure, Dawkins had written a very successful and widely-read book pertaining to the interest of many atheists and many had seen him on TV and so forth - so that extent he is very much a public figure.

However, I don't think most atheists engage in cult of celebrity practices with Dawkins. Some people will definitely have admiration for the guy, but thats far from universal - many atheists and skeptics disagree with his tactics or opinions.

Scott Stevens also remarked that he felt Dawkins went after religious targets that were "below the great man" - such as touring the American Bible Best for the most pungent of religious practitioners. Not sure how to respond to this, but I guess i'd say that a great number of Americans would relate to at least components of the beliefs of the evangelics and "Hell House" keepers - its just a matter of extent.

Yes, Dawkins could have devoted more of his time in confronting more liberal theologians, but it is in that kind of territory that you lose much of the essence of religion that many people would relate to.
It was really a smokescreen and provided him with an excuse not to confront the real issues...