Richard Dawkins: Adam and Eve symbolic?

Actually if people would just keep their opinions to themselves and rather than trying to force their beliefs on each other decided working together to improve peoples lives was a good idea we would see a pretty large drop in wars and aggression. Religion isn't the reason for suffering in the world. People people being asses is the primary reason for suffering in the world. People like Dawkin's just perpetuate that. Hell even south park knew this. note: HTML was a nightmare.Ace6301

irrational beliefs are inherently detrimental to society. if the 9/11 hijackers hadnt put their faith in dubious, ancient texts, than thousands of people would still be alive today. if people hadnt so strongly believed in the reality of witches, than they wouldnt have murdered people by the thousands in the Spanish Inquisition. and guess what? witch hunts still go on today in africa, with the same results. in most cases children are the victims of this hysteria. and they base this all in the bible.

books, religions, and ideas alone dont kill people, but they sure do seem to help. if we can bring people away from these religions and show these dogmas to be false, than we can put an end to the pointless bloodshed.

and dont say dawkins' techniques dont work even in that regaurd. when I was born, about 5% of the US population or maybe a little more were atheists. today its 15%. the percent of atheists in this country has tripled in the past 2 decades.

[QUOTE="cybrcatter"]

[QUOTE="arbitor365"]

people like dawkins oppose christianity because it causes harm in the world. in many places around the world, religious laws against blasphemy and apostasy are in place that call for capital punishment. because of religious influence in government, gay people still cant get married or adopt children in most states. christians pushing for abstinence only education have helped to create an STD and teen pregnancy epidemic in the southern states. Christians have effectively blocked stem cell research, something that holds to key to our medical future. we are currently fighting a war that is heavily influenced on both sides by religion. just last week a gay teenager in iowa was kicked to death by a bunch of fundie bigots.

and you wonder why us non beleivers oppose your religion?

if you want to see it explained more thoroughly why this arguement is BS here is a nice video on the topic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnbXlkNavwo

Rhazakna

That picture doesn't even seem to get what agnosticism is. Despite his objections, Carl Sagan was an agnostic atheist.

Dawkins has a point about Adam and Eve being symbolic, in my view, as I believe the Bible, like most religious tales, is fable. Fantastical tales written to convey moral teachings. But I still can't shake the opinion that Dawkins comes across as a pompous asshat.

[QUOTE="Serraph105"][QUOTE="arbitor365"]original sin and the fall of mankind are central facits of christian (and muslim) theology.Blue-Sky

[QUOTE="Serraph105"][QUOTE="arbitor365"]

original sin and the fall of mankind are central facits of christian (and muslim) theology.

Blue-Sky

Hate? What Hate, he just pointed out a simple contradiction. You're the one taken major offense to this, and you will because the whole point atheism is to be skeptical of theism. How do you fault something for being what it's supposed to be?

I think this video explains what you're feeling towards Atheism right now.

• Despair
• Frustration
• Resentment
• Anger
• Agressiveness
• Antisocial Behavior

I'm not taking offense to this thing that he pointed out. :| I take offense to the way he responds to people who believe in God which seems to be that if they do so then they are wrong about everything and shouldn't be listened to at all.

edit I don't pay attention to religious people who act like that towards athiests so why should I pay attention to an athiest who acts like that towards religious people?

[QUOTE="Omni-Wrath"]

Richard Dawkins, a militant atheist, hell bent on destroying religion, will not listen to their opinion and constantly discredits religion, he is as bad any religious fanatic. Dawkins, blindly opposes religion. He doesn't even try to understand what he opposes because thinks it isn't worth understanding. His fame comes from being the most arrogant and biased biologist in the world which attracts his many fanboys.

Dawkins is arrogant enough to discredit any scientist in this time if they believe in religion. He claims a real scientist does not believe in religion.

MrGeezer

I think he's an assbag too, and I'm an atheist as well.

There's a strong point to be made about how religion can be used as a destructive tool, and it'd absolutely be fair and reasonable for him to do stuff like opposing creationism being taught as a valid theory. My problem is that he seems to take real delight in acting like people are totally ****ing stupid just for being religious.

More than anything else, I just get the impression that he just likes to stick it to the religious people. And if that's the case, then that really just makes him a huge piece of ****. After all, I know a LOT of Christians, and most of them aren't constantly trying to look down on me just because I'm an atheist. Yeah, that's right. The vast majority of the Christians that I know are generally willing to treat me with respect and not constantly say **** like how I'm going to Hell. So what's up with the angry bitter atheists who act like it's their duty to spread the word about how stupid and moronic religion is? Don't they realize that they're really EXACTLY the same as the religious person preaching hellfire and damnation, except that they're doing that with a different set of beliefs? The whole thing just seems infantile, in my opinion.

Great post. You would rage if you read The God Delusion. Dawkins has a chapter were he bascially says only unintelligent people can believe in religion. I can't take the guy seriously.

As for the OT: in other words this argument is "Evolution disproves Christianity." This topic has been discussed to death in OT..............

[QUOTE="Ace6301"] Actually if people would just keep their opinions to themselves and rather than trying to force their beliefs on each other decided working together to improve peoples lives was a good idea we would see a pretty large drop in wars and aggression. Religion isn't the reason for suffering in the world. People people being asses is the primary reason for suffering in the world. People like Dawkin's just perpetuate that. Hell even south park knew this. note: HTML was a nightmare.arbitor365

irrational beliefs are inherently detrimental to society. if the 9/11 hijackers hadnt put their faith in dubious, ancient texts, than thousands of people would still be alive today. if people hadnt so strongly believed in the reality of witches, than they wouldnt have murdered people by the thousands in the Spanish Inquisition. and guess what? witch hunts still go on today in africa, with the same results. in most cases children are the victims of this hysteria. and they base this all in the bible.

books, religions, and ideas alone dont kill people, but they sure do seem to help. if we can bring people away from these religions and show these dogmas to be false, than we can put an end to the pointless bloodshed.

and dont say dawkins' techniques dont work even in that regaurd. when I was born, about 5% of the US population or maybe a little more were atheists. today its 15%. the percent of atheists in this country has tripled in the past 2 decades.

Actually, no one has even tried to give a cogent argument against what Dawkins said. If there is no Adam and Eve, original sin--and by extension Jesus' sacrifice-- is mean meaningless. The response seems to be "Dawkins is an ass".Rhazakna

[QUOTE="Rhazakna"]Actually, no one has even tried to give a cogent argument against what Dawkins said. If there is no Adam and Eve, original sin--and by extension Jesus' sacrifice-- is mean meaningless. The response seems to be "Dawkins is an ass".Ace6301

Such as? The closest thing was SolidSnake saying that it doesn't matter if the story is symbolic or not, without giving any real justification.

[QUOTE="Ace6301"][QUOTE="Rhazakna"]Actually, no one has even tried to give a cogent argument against what Dawkins said. If there is no Adam and Eve, original sin--and by extension Jesus' sacrifice-- is mean meaningless. The response seems to be "Dawkins is an ass".Rhazakna

Such as? The closest thing was SolidSnake saying that it doesn't matter if the story is symbolic or not, without giving any real justification.

[QUOTE="Rhazakna"]

[QUOTE="Ace6301"] Actually they have.Ace6301

Such as? The closest thing was SolidSnake saying that it doesn't matter if the story is symbolic or not, without giving any real justification.

Cogent argument. Cogent.

Actually, no one has even tried to give a cogent argument against what Dawkins said. If there is no Adam and Eve, original sin--and by extension Jesus' sacrifice-- is mean meaningless. The response seems to be "Dawkins is an ass".Rhazakna

Why would I disagree? I don't believe in god, I don't think that old Jesus was the son of God/or holy/or could perform miracles, and I don't beliee in Adam and Eve.

And I'm saying that the man seems to deliberately (HOPEFULLY deliberately, because otherwise he's as delusional as the theists who he rails against) try to be a total and utter piece of ****.

And you know, I don't care if I think that a Christian's beliefs are silly. I'd rather associate with good people with differing beliefs, than to associate with someone of the same beliefs who takes delight in being a hateful piece of ****. I honestly try not to give a **** about beliefs, all I try to care about is if a person seems to be a good person.

[QUOTE="Ace6301"][QUOTE="Rhazakna"]

Such as? The closest thing was SolidSnake saying that it doesn't matter if the story is symbolic or not, without giving any real justification.

Rhazakna

Cogent argument. Cogent.

[QUOTE="Rhazakna"]Actually, no one has even tried to give a cogent argument against what Dawkins said. If there is no Adam and Eve, original sin--and by extension Jesus' sacrifice-- is mean meaningless. The response seems to be "Dawkins is an ass".MrGeezer

Why would I disagree? I don't believe in god, I don't think that old Jesus was the son of God/or holy/or could perform miracles, and I don't beliee in Adam and Eve.

And I'm saying that the man seems to deliberately (HOPEFULLY deliberately, because otherwise he's as delusional as the theists who he rails against) try to be a total and utter piece of ****.

And you know, I don't care if I think that a Christian's beliefs are silly. I'd rather associate with good people with differing beliefs, than to associate with someone of the same beliefs who takes delight in being a hateful piece of ****. I honestly try not to give a **** about beliefs, all I try to care about is if a person seems to be a good person.

I'm obviously referring to the people who do disagree.

[QUOTE="Rhazakna"]

[QUOTE="Ace6301"] Well he tried.Ace6301

Cogent argument. Cogent.

The internet can be a great place for debate if you know where to look. Even this forum can have its moments.

In the past few months, I've become religious, I've started to believe in god, creationism and intelligent design, and the reason that I now believe in god and creationism and intelligent design is because of Professor Richard Dawkins. Because when I look at something as complex and intricate and beautiful as Professor Richard Dawkins, I don't think that just could've evolved by chance. Professor Richard Dawkins was put there by god to test us, like fossils. And facts.

(not me, Stewart Lee)

just wanted to say i completely agree with MrGeezer.

Being Muslim, and being on this forum i think - hopefully - demonstrated that i like a lot of you guys and get along with you guys even knowing most of you guys are not religious or even agnostic or athiest all together.

The same is true with my relations with my real life friends. In college most of the people i hang around are agnostics and athiests, and were all pretty open minded and civil and polite to each other and we get along very well. On occasion having debates or discuessions on matters in religion. But I can't think of a time where my Athiests or Agnostics friends ever called me stupid, and i wouldn't dream of ever thinking or saying or even hoping to say my friends would end up in Hell for not believing in God. In fact, given that i believe in God, i do hope and sometimes pray that there is mercy for them, because i do care a lot about them and whatever the afterlife may be like, my friends - of other faiths/nonfaiths - i consider to be good people.

I don't associate with militant -insert ideology/religion here - people. I don't like people who intentionally be jerks or demean or intimidate others because it suits them.

-peace

Richard Dawkins is an idiot IMO. Ironically the hordes of followers he has lured with his pseudoscience make it look like a religion.

This is why I can't stand Dawkins.The-Apostle

[QUOTE="The-Apostle"]This is why I can't stand Dawkins.Ace6301

People really get their panties in a bunch in religion topics. Oddly enough, it's not just team Christfans.

Richard Dawkins is an idiot IMO. Ironically the hordes of followers he has lured with his pseudoscience looks a lot like a religion.kuraimen

[QUOTE="Ace6301"][QUOTE="The-Apostle"]This is why I can't stand Dawkins.The-Apostle

People really get their panties in a bunch in religion topics. Oddly enough, it's not just team Christfans.

coolbeans90

[QUOTE="Ace6301"][QUOTE="The-Apostle"]This is why I can't stand Dawkins.The-Apostle

For every single Atheist like Richard Dawkins, there's a million fundamentalists that are morebelligerent, intrusive and offensive.

I'm not saying all. Just that there's a higher ratio of annoying fundamentalists to atheists.

People really get their panties in a bunch in religion topics. Oddly enough, it's not just team Christfans.

coolbeans90

Never seen that before, well played CB. :P

But yeah, don't really understand why people get so upset over religion on either side. Let people believe what they want to believe. As long as they aren't trying to legislate their religion, I've got no real problem with people believing in or not believing in whatever they want.

few well-known people who argue against Christianity and are good at it. However, he is not one of them.mindstorm

It's almost impossible for scientific methodology to win against a faith based ideology. How do prove something that doesn't require logic or reasoning to be false by using logic and reasoning?

For every single Atheist like Richard Dawkins, there's a million fundamentalists that are morebelligerent, intrusive and offensive.

I'm not saying all. Just that there's a higher ratio of annoying fundamentalists to atheists.

Blue-Sky

There's a higher ratio of Christians to atheists as well.

[QUOTE="Blue-Sky"]

For every single Atheist like Richard Dawkins, there's a million fundamentalists that are morebelligerent, intrusive and offensive.

I'm not saying all. Just that there's a higher ratio of annoying fundamentalists to atheists.

coolbeans90

There's a higher ratio of Christians to atheists as well.

[QUOTE="coolbeans90"]

[QUOTE="Blue-Sky"]

For every single Atheist like Richard Dawkins, there's a million fundamentalists that are morebelligerent, intrusive and offensive.

I'm not saying all. Just that there's a higher ratio of annoying fundamentalists to atheists.

chessmaster1989

There's a higher ratio of Christians to atheists as well.

Trufax. Though, I've more or less become rather apathetic to the whole thing. I blame (thank) the internet for that.

Richard Dawkins, a militant atheist, hell bent on destroying religion, will not listen to their opinion and constantly discredits religion, he is as bad any religious fanatic. Dawkins, blindly opposes religion. He doesn't even try to understand what he opposes because thinks it isn't worth understanding. His fame comes from being the most arrogant and biased biologist in the world which attracts his many fanboys.

Dawkins is arrogant enough to discredit any scientist in this time if they believe in religion. He claims a real scientist does not believe in religion.

Omni-Wrath

well considering the Adamu were the name of the first humans and their home was called the eden...

this thread is just flame baiting.

Richard Dawkins, a militant atheist, hell bent on destroying religion, will not listen to their opinion and constantly discredits religion, he is as bad any religious fanatic. Dawkins, blindly opposes religion. He doesn't even try to understand what he opposes because thinks it isn't worth understanding. His fame comes from being the most arrogant and biased biologist in the world which attracts his many fanboys.

Dawkins is arrogant enough to discredit any scientist in this time if they believe in religion. He claims a real scientist does not believe in religion.

Omni-Wrath

Many Christian apologists attempting to downplay the absurdity of the stories in the Bible label them symbolic, as in the Bible isn't really saying they happened; they're just a story with another meaning. Yet, these same Christians believe Jesus died for our sins, which is in fact the whole point of the religion. Jesus died to negate original sin (adam and eve), so these Christians are essentially arguing that Jesus died to redeem humanity of the sins committed in what is apparently just a symbolic story.

They are contradicting themselves.

The point is obvious to anyone who isn't a Christian apologist trying to perform mental gymnastics.

[QUOTE="Ace6301"][QUOTE="Rhazakna"]

Such as? The closest thing was SolidSnake saying that it doesn't matter if the story is symbolic or not, without giving any real justification.

Rhazakna

Cogent argument. Cogent.

[QUOTE="SolidSnake35"][QUOTE="scorch-62"] Um. . . Jesus died to absolve humanity of Original Sin. All Dawkins is saying is that if Adam and Eve were just symbolic (ie, they never existed), then neither did Original Sin. It's pretty straight-forward.Rhazakna

No, actually, he didn't. According to many CHristian ideologies humans are born in sin. What they do in life is meaningless, orginal sin has made it so that going through birth a sin in itself, because of Adam and Eve's transgression against god. In this way, everyone needs forgiveness, and no one is free of sin.

I miss the times when Dawkins was actually doing scientific work instead of being atheist celeb.

"Religion is the cause of every problem in the world because I say it is" - Richard Bad Boy Dawkins.

Dude, I dont believe either but give it a rest. It's like he is on some personal crusade against religion. Live and let live, man. Otherwise, just join a hate group cause that seems to be what your pushing.

[QUOTE="mindstorm"]few well-known people who argue against Christianity and are good at it. However, he is not one of them.Blue-Sky

It's almost impossible for scientific methodology to win against a faith based ideology. How do prove something that doesn't require logic or reasoning to be false by using logic and reasoning?

[QUOTE="kuraimen"]Richard Dawkins is an idiot IMO. Ironically the hordes of followers he has lured with his pseudoscience looks a lot like a religion.scorch-62

well considering the Adamu were the name of the first humans and their home was called the eden...

sonofsmeagle

Say what?

Dawkins is just trolling