Michael Dishnow: Character is what really counts

[rug]

8 hours ago • By Michael Dishnow

It’s easy to name famous and accomplished atheists — Mark Twain, Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Jodie Foster, Marlene Dietrich and Richard Branson. It is also easy to name famous and accomplished believers — Francis Collins, Denzel Washington, Chuck Norris, Martin Sheen, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., James C. Penny and Conrad Hilton.

As you can see from the names on this list, it’s character and what one does — not belief in a higher power — that counts.

There are many instances of intolerant and horrific events that have occurred in the name of Christianity and Islam, and there are many other instances of horrific events that have occurred in nations proclaiming a national policy of atheism. It’s the people, not their beliefs, that are the underlying factor.

The ongoing war of words between theists and nontheists is futile and unlikely to change many minds. Most adults have settled for themselves the question of God’s existence.

http://lacrossetribune.com/news/opinion/michael-dishnow-character-is-what-really-counts/article_028aa078-cfb5-11e2-a356-0019bb2963f4.html

[pangaia]

1. Chuck Norris, accompished?

[rug]

2. .

[pangaia]

4. eeeeeeeeeeeeeeiiiiiiiiii

Hey, RUG,, warn me when you are going to do that..

[LostOne4Ever]

5. Chuck Norris fact

[rug]

8. Epic.

[Zoeisright]

3. What a bunch of bullshit.

First of all, there have been NO "horrific events" committed in the name is atheism. And don't bring up Stalin: he was a brutal dictator who loved killing people. His atheism had absolutely nothing to do with it.

And plenty of "good" people do plenty of horrific things in the name of religion. That is absolutely ridiculous. Have you never heard of mob mentality?

Finally, atheists have every right to continue to challenge religion. Why? Because of all of the horrific things that are done in the name of god. And since the vast majority of moderate christians do not condemn the most awful things religious people do, it's up to atheists to do it. Your moderate christianity is allowing the whackos to continue.

[rug]

7. Read it again.

there are many other instances of horrific events that have occurred in nations proclaiming a national policy of atheism. It’s the people, not their beliefs, that are the underlying factor.

He didn't claim it was done in the name of atheism.

You put up a very confused post.

Your moderate christianity is allowing the whackos to continue.

If you're talking to him, he's an atheist. If you're talking to me, prove it or concede that's bullshit.

[longship]

6. Those iconic so-called atheist states.

Stalin, Pol Pot, Mao, etc. were just dictators who did not want to share any power with any religion. Hitler was a catholic, as he professed on many occasions.

The only state which practiced terror in the name of rationality that I can think of is revolutionary France where the reign of terror resulted in beheadings on a rather large scale. But as one might predict, in these extreme cases the revolution eventually devours itself.

There is no evidence that atheists are anymore violent or immoral than theists. In fact there is a multitude of counter examples which I think does no good to cite in these discussions.

But the atheist regime claim comes up enough that atheists pretty much expect it. That doesn't make the claim true. In fact, the repetition of such an easily debunked claim speaks volumes about the ethics of the one making such an argument. But in reality, I don't think the folks that use it can help themselves. They use these arguments as much to prop up their beliefs as to tear down non-belief.

So I don't concern myself too much about it. It is nevertheless amusing how often it comes up. Especially Hitler and Stalin. Mostly Hitler, which is quite an easy to debunk claim.

[dimbear]

9. It's easy to name famous and prominent folks who smoke.

President Obama, Sigmund Freud, Winston Churchill, ad nauseum (hee hee) one could go on. Nonsmokers just as easily. Personal decision each makes.

Not going to shut up about it, tho. Making some important progress, saving lives.