Good to meet you George!

'Then why do you read these discussions, even throw in the spanner if you feel like that?'

I explained that. Come on, read my post again George.

' I don’t feel the need to react like this - I simply don’t read them and if I do, I don't parade my disinterest or ignorance.'

Well, that's you. And this is me. I feel the need. mmm-m. I like a parade. A parade of disinterest and ignorance is even better. It warms the cockles of my heart to know you care though.

If you cut out religious topics lately there is precious little left on OlOlOlOloLo.

There's Arjay's crazy theories, Foxy's child like innocence on political matters and worshipping of New Matilda and there's Butcher hating workers, Belly defending them Shadow minister doing what he does and, yeah-na not much happening.

But, I do I find it amazing that people are still after hundreds of years discussing whether god exists. It interests me this question is so part of people's lives and that they care so much. I read OLO to watch the personalities. The topic is neither here nor there. I find the actions and reactions interesting.

Though I do like Poirots new everything is Poetry idea, though I say that's just a natural derivative of everything is art. It's wonderfully mawkishly spellbinding around here at the moment.

Poirot I actually think you are right that discussions on religion can give rise to wonder and, therefore, are poetic in their revelation.

I suppose I am thinking of the transmission between humans, and the kind of rhetoric used to convey philosophical thought. In order to transmit the awe of discovery and realisation (or even to get to get to that point), intuition, imagination and emotion are necessary to complete "meaning".

Which means I have stumbled on the truth that Athiests are believers really when you boil it down.

As The Offspring said 'The more you suffer, the more it shows you really care!'.

(You have no idea how much fun I get by quoting popular culture references in reply to quotes from the great minds of our time, especially on a serious theistic thread)

See, it's the energy here, the aura. The vibe! OUG would say I am attracted like a bee to a flower, not knowing that it's god's purpose!

'If he had simply elaborated on the materiality of a decaying carcass on the shore, it would have been hollow of the ability to render "poetic meaning".'

I disagree. Have you ever heard Roy Slaven talk about 'Bush-Junk'.

Houellie,

Surely your bladder must be empty by now.

"It certainly gives insight as to why you feel the need for a forum on the topic."

Straw man much? as in ...

"But please, please don't try to explain it to me."

You asked for a reply, I explained.

"But it would appear that there are turning out to be as many brands of atheism"

Maybe you are slowly working it out?

Atheism has no brands. The only thing atheists have in common is a lack of a belief in a god, outside that differences and similarities run the full gamut. It's a problem you seem to be stuck on that all those at the convention didn't seem to have. We are diverse, always have been. We came together as atheists, to celebrate reason.

You seem to want to argue that 'we' should not be speaking up about our lack of belief because it rocks your atheist boat and that of the religious.

Many of us don't fit in your narrow definition of atheism, nor will. Our view of what atheism means, whether you like it or not, encompasses the diversity of atheists, yourself included.

The GAC had some speakers discussing the positions you seem to be putting forward now, and others discussing other positions, so I find it kinda funny you just projecting it one way because of your focus on specific speakers.

That's not a problem with the atheists that accept our diversity, it's a problem with folk that don't. Yet here you are in a public forum doing exactly the same thing we were doing in person. Except we were accepting and celebrating our diversity, our promotion of reason over faith, not stamping our foot and complaining about the other 'corrupting our atheism'.

"To me, it is a binary situation: God? yes or no? "

Do you believe in a god, or not? (no?)

Do you think you can know if a god someone claims exists or not, based on properties presented? (depends which god and what's claimed of it?)

Two different logical spheres, regardless of you seemingly not being able to discern the difference.

Lmao Poirot!

If I believe I am god, does that make me an athiest? I believe in no higher power, as I am the highest power!

Whaaaat if gaaad was one of ussss....

There's one thing for sure, just by being so concerned about god, the atheists show they really care. That's close enough to respecting the idea of god enough to prove to me they're scared they're wrong at the very least. They protest too much man.

The only cool people in the house are the agnostics, who pay god no mind.

It all reminds me of The Fish called Wanda and that guy popping up saying 'Don't call me stupid'.

I love your riffs, Houellebecq, which are actually quite philosophically respectable--and you're funny!
Wodehouse is hilarious, but he's also actually quite deep, if you're deep enough to get it, which paradoxically takes humour, as well as a master of language. In fact we're the only one's capable of laughter, I think, which means we can laugh at ourselves. And what could be healthier!

Anyway, Houellebecq, I always enjoy you're two cents worth.

Bahahaha! Bahahaha!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QRZMISgDJ0