Binoy Kampmark refers in his article to some unnecessary juxtapositions. He quotes Dawkins talking about the necessity of secualr and non-religious schools to teach about rational, sceptical, and critical thinking. Any school, no matter what its worldview, should be committed to teaching students how to think. This must include the rational, the sceptical, and the critical pathways to reason and understanding. Some (not all) religiously based Schools and Universities have been champions of this. A foolish Juxtapostion.

Another unnecessary juxtaposition is where he quotes from Andrew Copson saying that religious people get their sense of awe and wonder from religion whereas non-religious people get that from places like art, nature, and relationships. Does that mean religious people don't get a sense of wonder when they look at a brilliant sunset or a feeling of awe when a new baby is born? Foolish thinking that is! The difference between religious and non-religious people is who ultimately gets the credit for the sunset and the new-born baby.

On the other hand it is interesting how (some) Secularists and Atheists are feeling the need to re-introduce religious icons into their frameorks. First we had A.C.Grayling's 'The Good Book: A Secualr Bible', and now we have De Botton's suggestion that a Temple for Atheists be constructed. I wonder what it is that my Secularist and Atheistic friends sense they are missing in life that causes them to look to religion for some answers. Be careful! It's only one short step away from seeking God for some answers!!

In 'Life After God' Douglas Coupland shares his secret longing for the God he is trying to live without: “My secret is that I need God--that I am sick and can no longer make it alone. I need God to help me give, because I no longer seem to be capable of giving; to help me be kind, as I no longer seem capable of kindness; to help me love, as I seem beyond being able to love.” Grayling and DeBotton are following the same theme. Interesting!

The popularity of Atheism is imploding. Dawkins' ideas are finally being questioned by his own followers and De Boton, a pop philosopher with an exotic name and presentation which masks intellectually fragile ideas, shows atheism is clearly running out of puff. Its now approaching the end of its road to nowhere and meandering into back alleys of meaningless stupidity.

The new Atheism is being shown up for what it is.. just a reconstituted religion (as the author says), complete with its high priests, preaching and dogmas, but ultimately a meaningless one where the end of the road has a big 'dead end' sign. Now the sillines begins. Let's build a temple to ..err 'niceness'.

Runner,
You ignore the sting in the tail of my quote and only repeat the lead in. I should have anticipated that.
Have a look at the evolution of man as charted by the University of Chicago.
Over the 4-5 million years since Autralopithecus africanus first hunted for a living only about two or three significant mutations were necessary, and a various amounts of selective pressure dependent on the occupied region, to arrive at us, Homo sapiens with our minor variations such as colour, eye shape and ability to digest milk products. After we had hunted for about 190,000 years we took up farming and animal husbandry.
Your ignorance of science and your unwillingness to investigate the information developed over the last 2000 years is amazing.

sophiathinktank,

de Botton is asking us in the secular word to analyse the "high points" of religious architecture.

The proportions of grand architecture reflect those in nature, which is why they induce a sense of awe. The mistake we make in modern secular thought is to separate the religious inspiration behind these monuments from their genesis which is in nature and translated by man.

http://europe.factoidz.com/worlds-most-beautiful-and-spectacular-buildings-the-rise-of-europe-gothic-cathedrals/

http://saintpetersbasilica.org/Interior/Dome/Dome.htm

Here's the newest mega-building in Perth 9cental in pic)
http://www.brookfieldmultiplex.com/projects/australasia/wa/construction_and_development/commercial/under_constuction/city_square/

Nice try, Atman.

>>The new Atheism is being shown up for what it is.. just a reconstituted religion (as the author says), complete with its high priests, preaching and dogmas<<

You are confusing the opinions of two individuals - Dawkins and de Botton - with religious dogma.

While they are both entitled to their views - a liberty startlingly absent from formalized religion - they do not "represent" atheism. Or even atheists, come to that. The term "high priest" is only used by theists, when attempting to denigrate atheists in general, and atheism in particular. You will never come across a genuine atheist even beginning to think in those terms.

>>Dawkins' ideas are finally being questioned by his own followers<<

And why not, indeed. They are his ideas, and are as open to question as anyone else's. It is not as if he speaks for all atheists, or even some - he is expressing his own opinions.

>>De Boton, a pop philosopher with an exotic name and presentation which masks intellectually fragile ideas<<

I'm right with you there. The man is a professional self-publicist, and represents no-one but himself. Thank goodness.

>>Now the sillines begins. Let's build a temple to ..err 'niceness'.<<

Couldn't agree more. Pure silliness. Once again, absolutely nothing to do with atheism. Just a bit of publicity oxygen to pep up de Botton's next lecture tour, or next book.

Or both.

Foyle

'Your ignorance of science and your unwillingness to investigate the information developed over the last 2000 years is amazing.'

your willingness to swallow the myth built around scientific evidence is amazing.