Ahh yes, all I can think of is the Courtiers Reply with regard Eagleton.

http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2006/12/the_courtiers_reply.php

woot,
The link you provide utilises an exhausted parable (thus requiring pedantic overtones while saying nothing) and fails to address my criticism. Perhaps you'll save me the labour of reading the longer link and spell out the relevant bits, in your own word preferably, as I have. Can you think on your feet, or are all your defences prepackaged?
My position is not utterly derivative, from Eagleton, and I'm happy to argue on my own account. Are you?

woot,
So we came from exploding stars.
1. Where did the stars come from before they exploded?
2. How did so much oxygen finish up on the Earth from the super heated mass of exploding stars?

Could someone fill this ignorant atheist in, just how many gods are there? Is there just the one god or are there hundreds of gods. Are the gods of the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans etc still in play or did they pass their use by date. I understand the Hindu has hundreds of gods. Are all these gods relevant or just make believe.
The truth is god(s) has been very useful to some men (not that important to woman, as they don’t get much of a say in things as far as god goes) right from the time the first caveman clubbed his main rival to death and then proclaimed his ‘divine right to rule’. The ruling elite have been using god(s) to subjugate the masses, keep themselves in power and justify their actions. The clergy have been most willing of partners in this perversion. The subjugation is still going on today, all in the name of god/religion. It’s no accident that religions find their warmest home in the poorest of places, as it is there that they can manipulate the fears of the mass of ignorance and naturally take control.

Paul1405,
1. Does the universe operate together as unity or a diversity of small self initiated independent happenings?

2. Is there a unity in the natural diversity we witness on the Earth?

3. Is there a single designed progressive development to more complex being?

This will establish how many deliberate design powers influence first causes.

Squeers

Thank you for taking the time in your oh-so-busy life to explain the basis for your claims vis a vis Dawkins & Co.

I fear you are making gross inferences regarding my opinions. Will try to be clear:

1. I repeat: I do not agree with ALL Dawkins et al have to say regarding religion. But do find their questioning of great value.

2. Fundamentalists be they religious, political or of any ideological stripe are a danger. One cannot reason or negotiate with a fundamentalist - that is their nature.

3. I do not agree with Eagleton that Dawkins & Co are "self appointed" leaders of atheism, nor that they lack sufficient intellect and study to comment on religion. Using that logic, there is not a single poster on OLO qualified to comment on anything.

4. Nor do I see atheism as another ideology - we just don't take religion as, ahem, gospel.

5. I will be attending the Atheist Convention as I am the type of person who questions everything - I have even had the temerity to question YOU.

6. I do enjoy learning, even if it is at my own expense - such as I have experienced in attempting to debate with you.

And I enjoy a laugh:

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