I just realized that I used to know Randy Munroe, the writer of xkcd, back when he was a teenager. Weird.

Hey Norm,

Right Wing Watch has been posting over the past few days about the CNN "God's Warriors" special, specifically the Christian one. Looks like they've uploaded some choice clips from it, too. Creepy stuff, man. I hadn't seen what Rick Scarborough looks like until now. Somehow I had pictured someone more deranged looking... ;)

Why doesn't the United States just split into smaller countries? Would anyone really mind? The U.S. is great and everything, but I seriously doubt this "patriotism" for a country the size of the United States truly extends much past one's immediate area. If the United States split into a number of approximately France-sized countries, then Rick Scarborough and his the "God Warriors" and their ilk can have their own country. Rationalists/Brights/Atheists could have their own country, as well. We'll see who makes progress, then.

I can imagine the atheist country would not go to war nearly as much, have universal health care, a strong education system with an emphasis on the sciences and mathematics, so forth, so on...

Contrary to popular belief, diversity is not a good thing in the long run. People need common goals. The United States will always remain split down the middle and practically Balkanized as long as people with radical differences are forced to live together.

Why is the majority of Sweden atheist/agnostic and a world leader in technology? Because the majority of Sweden are SWEDES. Why is the majority of Saudi Arabia religious and doing whatever they do? Because the majority of Saudi Arabia is SAUDI. Why is the majority of the United States a huge, confusing mess? Because the majority of the United States is a HUGE, CONFUSING MESS.

Maybe if the United States split into smaller, autonomous countries led by radically-different governments, people could fall into place and have a sense of oneness rather than... whatever failure we have now.

I can imagine the atheist country would not go to war nearly as much, have universal health care, a strong education system with an emphasis on the sciences and mathematics, so forth, so on...

-signed, leon trotsky

just kidding, firi. actually, i thought that was a great post. i'd like to see a state based not on atheism or theism, but on irreverence. prime minister: sir monty of python. :)

btw, post-revolution the ussr did have all those things, as far as i know. still, there was something important missing from the mix. i don't mean to suggest it was religion...i don't mean to suggest anything. but the children and grandchildren of those revolutionaries, many of whom i have come to know well in my travels, have huge and undeniable bitterness-monkeys on their backs. many turn to all sorts of superstitions and "magikal" thinking in an effort to fill the void.

i could ramble on here, but i think ive already crossed the line. thanks for the food for thought.

Firi,

What you speak of is something that I have often dreamed of.

"crossed the line."?

There's a line? I'm gettin' out my night vision goggles. May bee it's in a higher visual octave than I can see. Damn! INFRA-red.

Shiite!

Two philosophy entries in one day? Stop me if you've heard this one: how do you get a philosopher off your front porch? Pay for the pizza.

prime minister: sir monty of python. :)

That'd be awesome!

These Hawaiian Wallabies, anyone got any information on why they're so damn special?

norm, i'm always curious about why you post what you do, but i'm grateful that you do- you've pointed me to a lot of interesting places on the net. then i poke around there and wonder to what extent you yourself have poked around there. was wondering if you saw this one on the "philosophers'carnival" site. surprised you didn't post it. even though she says some things i suspect you might disagree with, it seems so...reasonable.

http://kazez.blogspot.com/2007/06/why-are-atheists-scary-part-1.html

norm, i'm always curious about why you post what you do, but i'm grateful that you do- you've pointed me to a lot of interesting places on the net. then i poke around there and wonder to what extent you yourself have poked around there.

Everything I post I've read with the exception of posts such as the one you reference. I normally poke around and read those that interest me, but in this case it was late I was tired and I didn't read the link you reference. I'll accept your judgment that it's interesting and give it a read, thanks.

How do I choose, I simply pick those stories and links that I personally find of interest and very occasionally something to get a rise out of someone, he he.

A note to those who send me links. I post what I find of interest, and this is important what I have time to check out. I know I miss a lot of interesting stories and great links that are sent my way, but since I get a shitload of suggestions I don't always get to everything. Please keep them coming. I appreciate the effort even when I don't post them, and wouldn't want anyone to take personal offense.

and very occasionally something to get a rise out of someone, he he.

They do often give me an erection actually. ;p

@ the Kazez link:

She mostly does a bunch of rambling about how we shouldn't upset people's beliefs because they are important to them, and that people inspired by religion have on occasion done a good thing for humanity.

I hardly find any interesting points or points that have not been made ad nauseum in agnostic circles. "yes, some religion is bad, but delusions are fine if they are tolerant and nonviolent!"

It's the exact definition of a blog post, lots of rambling, points that are hinted at but not explained, and generally bad writing. I hope her book had a good editor.

Willey,

Your attention span is a thing to be pitied. What I discuss in the post is why people find atheists scary. I supply some anecdotes about students and neighbors. In "Why are Atheists Scary part II" I venture an explanation.

Yes, I do say in the first paragraph that there are good religious people. It's just a fact.

And though I do aim to respect people I disagree with, I'm not an agnostic. In fact I just finished writing something called "Why I am not an agnostic."

If it weren't for the horrible rambling and generally bad writing, it might even get published. But there's hope--maybe I'll find a good editor.