Athée Canadien
Joe
This user hasn't shared any biographical information
Posts by Joe
Weapon of choices
May 17th
The Sikh kirpan is one of those issues that brings out my less tolerant nature. It is one of those issues, like male/female circumcision, where I don’t think there is much room for compromise.
That said, when it comes to the kirpan, I think the deciding factor should be: does it represent a significant danger? The simple fact, that it is an unusual religious practice, should not make it a problem.
Toronto police have developed a formal policy allowing Sikhs to bring their ceremonial daggers into courthouses.The policy, announced Wednesday by the Ontario Human Rights Commission and World Sikh Organization of Canada, contains some conditions, including subjecting anyone with a kirpan to a risk assessment.
Although I don’t much like the idea of the kirpan at all, I’m willing to admit, a risk assessment, as opposed to giving into fear and ignorance, is the better way to go. Kirpans are not all the same. I still don’t like it, but you can stab someone with a sharpened pencil, and do some real damage, if you are so inclined. Accommodation needs to be reasonable, not automatic.
Jesus and his father, Hitler
May 8th
Freedom of expression can be a dangerous thing.
I often get in trouble myself, I tend to be critical of everything. I like pulling apart ideas, and while many people often gleefully do this, when it comes to what the other guy(girlgal:) believes, it’s often less appreciated when you’re on the receiving end. See, the thing is, when people are personally(emotionally) invested in something, they tend to see any criticism as an attack. So they defend, rather than discuss. I do this too of course, its a very human thing.
I got invited to join a demonstration promoting Gay-Straight high-school groups, it’s happening in Toronto this weekend. And I support this, largely because although I’m not gay and not in high-school, having spent a few years in a public, and fairly secular, high-school, I know that even when religion is not on the table, ‘gay’ is a pretty powerful word. It’s the kind of word young men get into physical confrontations over.
And when I say it is powerful, I mean, in two distinct ways. When I was in school, ‘gay’ was the worst thing they could call you. It was a hate-filled word and in many contexts,(online gaming comes to mind) it still very much is, powerful in that sense. Homosexuals have also embraced the word, much like I’m happy to accept labels like atheist, accommodationalist, and postmodernist, in open defiance of the negative ways these words get used.
I’m not saying they are equivalent… More >
Atheist profiles
May 7th
Update: More PZ and More Harris
–
Ok, so I refrained from commenting on Sam Harris’ apologetic for profiling, largely because I’ve been critical of Harris in the past, so I might not seem very objective, and because I was annoyed by his position, which isn’t always good for rational argument.
Harris has since added an ‘addendum‘ to his post. And PZ has responded.
I should note, I am in agreement with PZ. His argument about numbers is bang on. Muslim is simply not a useful ‘terrorist filter’ when you have over a billion Muslims on the planet, and thousands of un-highjacked planes carrying Muslims flying around. (Unfortunately human beings are crap when it comes to thinking in big numbers).
So, if both of these guys are rational atheists, why are they so far apart on this issue. PZ seems to think that it is just that Harris’ logic is off, but I don’t think that is really the issue.
Now, I hate to beat a dead horse… More >
Gay In The Bible
May 4th
This is a video by a gay christian called Mathew Vines. He argues, based on scripture that the Bible does not consider loving gay relationships to be evil. It’s quite compelling.
Getting Wasted On Atheism
May 4th
Schools have it tough, they have to balance the education needs of children, ensure children aren’t bullied, or exposed to things that might harm their ability to learn. And they have to do this with students who can be hugely diverse. They also have to balance all of this with a students right to express themselves.
A grade 12 student in Nova Scotia recently got into trouble with administrators for wearing a T-shirt that some might consider offensive.
Swinimer wore the T-shirt every day to class for several weeks. The principal told him repeatedly to stop wearing it, but the student refused to comply.Swinimer says the principal would have accepted a shirt with the slogan, “My life is wasted without Jesus.”
“But I didn’t go for that because I have my rights as a Canadian citizen,” Swinimer said.
Swinimer says he never intended to attack anyone else’s beliefs. He says he will continue to wear the shirt and is prepared to be suspended the rest of the year.
The shirt said: Life is wasted without Jesus
As for me, I’d only be offended by that, if he refused to wash it.
The Clergy Project
May 1st
Losing one’s faith can often be very traumatic for people, and no small part of that is dealing with loved ones who might not understand or approve. But even harder, what if religion is your job? Then its not just you, and your personal life, but also your career, maybe your life’s work, that you’re giving up.
Then she took a deep breath and said, “My name is Teresa. And I am an atheist.” As the room exploded with cheers, Teresa MacBain wiped away tears.MacBain, 44, is the latest “graduate” of The Clergy Project, an online support network for pastors who, like her, have lost their faith and found atheism.
CFI enters the fray
May 1st
Looks like CFI has gotten involved with the Solo incident in Saskatoon. The article has some interesting quotes from people commenting on the issue of the Mayor’s use of prayer as part of his duties.
“I would encourage councillor Donauer and his worship the mayor to let Mr. Solo take his concerns to Human Rights if he wishes. Christians have rights, too.”“Soon we will have to hide in caves or have 666 printed on our foreheads,”
“Religion is a very personal matter, best left between the individual and their God.”
“His belief in an imaginary friend is his choice, but he must be respectful and represent all of Saskatoon’s people fairly,”
Doing the good works.
Immoral Goatscaping
Apr 30th
The Friendly Atheist says Sam Harris isn’t a racist.
I agree. He’s just being xenophobic and giving into irrational fear.
I’m going to stop there, because this really makes me sad, and I’m likely to say something I’ll regret later.
Update: PZ defends the terrorists.(Go PZ!)
Dan gets savage
Apr 29th
While I agree with the sentiment here, I’m not so sure that this is the most constructive way to approach the problem. I liked the ‘It gets better’ campaign because it focused on helping the victims of bullying. This seems like a gift to those who claim Christians are discriminated against.
I don’t think simply believing homosexuality is wrong is the same as bullying, although it can certainly lead to it. My experience with high-school bullies is that they would use any convenient excuse and go after anyone they thought was weak. That said, I still think it would have been harder, if I had been gay, at my high school.
I guess I just can’t see this as ‘defense’. It definitely seems like an attack on Christians, who may or may not be bullies, may or may not agree with Leviticus. No doubt many will disagree… but does anyone think that a bully is going to care what Dan thinks about Leviticus? What is the goal here? I’m all for criticizing religion and supporting those who feel bullied, but this seems more like carpet-bombing, as opposed to a surgical strike. Seems more like revenge, rather than justice. Where does one draw that line?
End of Nothing
Apr 29th
Ok, this is my last post on this issue, I found this to be good reading on the Krauss “kerfuffle”.
And it makes sense, and I’m still not a physicist, so I’ll let you decide what to make of it.
Nothing about modern physics explains why we have these laws rather than some totally different laws, although physicists sometimes talk that way — a mistake they might be able to avoid if they took philosophers more seriously. Then the discussion quickly degrades into name-calling and point-missing, which is unfortunate because these are smart people who agree about 95% of the interesting issues, and the chance for productive engagement diminishes considerably with each installment.
Comments