Paul McDermott Great Debate

[FSM]

Anyone catch Paul McDermott on the Great Debate last night?
He ripped out a nice one about Jesus/God et.al being just another imaginary creation of man (along with other things)
Nice round of applause for that one too.
I can't help but get the feeling every time a comedian like that lays into god or religion and puts it straight without any political correctness, I can almost feel it playing with the audiences heads, as if they are all saying to themselves "you know, he's right, but..."

Or is that just my wishful thinking that most rational people days are really closet Atheists?

Dave.

[Praxis]

I've thought the same myself actually.

In fact, I seem to automatically assume that the smarter comedians are atheist, simply because they are smart and quick thinking - but also clearly deep thinkers since most know their subjects well.

I'm always surprised when I learn that someone whom I consider otherwise quite bright turns out to be religious.

[FSM]

Originally Posted by Praxis

I'm always surprised when I learn that someone whom I consider otherwise quite bright turns out to be religious.

Yes, that's always incredibly surprising, and disappointing.
You KNOW they are much smarter than that, yet here they are throwing away their common sense and intellectual integrity and becoming conformist sheeple.
It's sad.

Dave.

[Fearless]

Mod note: Moved thread from 'News and Current Affairs' to 'General Chit Chat About Atheism'.

I was watching the debate but I think I fell asleep... Paul is quite good at showing up the short comings of religion... well, it wouldn't be hard to find material I guess

I would say there is a good percentage of people who either haven't identified themselves as atheist/agnostic etc or don't like to label themselves as such. It is just that we don't typically rake in the facts on numbers like the religious tend to do to make themselves feel more significant in society.

I have seen a number of examples on TV like the one you mentioned where the crowd applaud more than normal. I'll admit there is a feel of satisfaction on my part that even if we don't trumpet it everywhere people are thinking, talking and joking about it.

Why not really... it's a big joke after all.

[Seamus]

Or is that just my wishful thinking that most rational people days are really closet Atheists?

"These days" No;it's just a label. I think we have probably always had had far more non believers than most people realise.I think that may in part be due to our convict heritage and contempt for authority.Religion almost invariably aligns itself with a major power paradigm.

I do tend to get a bit tired of the smugly patronising attitude of some atheists who attack theists on the grounds of reason and intellect.

Religious beliefs and the associated cognitive dissonance have nothing to do with reason or intelligence. Such beliefs are inculcated uncritically in most people before the age of reason.They become part of a person's world view. Most people never even seriously question their beliefs. To paraphrase Greg House; if religion had anything to do with intellect or reason,there wouldn't be any.

However,there's a tiny flaw in my theory; it doesn't seem to account for adult conversions,which baffle me.

[Centauri]

Originally Posted by Seamus

However,there's a tiny flaw in my theory; it doesn't seem to account for adult conversions,which baffle me.

Adult conversions would probably be for those people who have gone from one version of woo to the next, trying to "find themselves", and then settle for christian.

Would also likely to be lonely people. The welcome received upon joining the church would be overwhelming and intoxicating for them, and they get sucked in.

[crocoduck]

[quote=Seamus;168927]" .Religion almost invariably aligns itself with a major power paradigm.

The instant I read this I was reminded of Kate and Wills approaching wedding in a big building with the god stamp on it... I deliberately didnt recall which one. I do accept it's a nod to tradition, but the fantasist in me had a meet the press moment with Kate saying " no I don't want to get married in a cathedral I'm an atheist"

Come to think of it, does anyone know what she thinks about anything?

They seem like a nice couple etc etc. Wish them well etc etc.

[Godless Ray]

A side question, what would be some of the better religious debates we could download and watch/listen to?

[Lord Blackadder]

Originally Posted by Godless Ray

A side question, what would be some of the better religious debates we could download and watch/listen to?

Andrew Denton was involved in a World Series Debate eons ago; "That God Has No Sense of Humour". Can't seem to find a download for it though. I'll keep looking, as it's very funny.

[senectus]

Was this VODcast anywhere?