Josephus,

Did you just watch the title, “The Grand Design” and then turn off the television in case you encountered disturbing material that might have shaken your arcane views.

Stephen Hawkins is an atheist. He does not promote the idea that a god, in your case, Yahweh/Jesus, designed the universe. Stephen Hawkins’ physical impediments, even though he is amazed as we all should be to be living at a time when science is unravelling the wonders of the universe, is an example of the design not being perfect and god like.

The title could be his own or a provocative one-liner by the producers of the show. It seems to have provoked you.

It is unfortunate that Stephen Hawkins has also let the cat out of the bag on what atheism is all about, but hey, what can you do?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPPebr5Llvo

David

Yes, but would the reasoning, polite and respectful Stephen Hawking agree with the crassness of AFA in posting a thread to deliberately insult and provoke Christians on their holy day?

As well, the insult probably displays some intended secondary cultural offence. Because AFA apparently reserves this sort of crude offence and niggling to Christians.

Prophet's Day is Thursday, January 24, 2013. As I remarked earlier, all could bet London to a brick that David will not be aiming similar offence at Muslims on behalf of AFA. However like many others I would (similarly) object if it did happen.

The elephant in the room is why David and the AFA find it so necessary to offend. What was the motivation? What was the desired end product? All this this sort of behaviour does is impress upon its OLO audience that the AFA likely represents intolerant and uncivil people who get their jollies out of causing offence and want to force their opinions on others.

Do David and AFA represent all atheists? Most likely not.

Would Stephen Hawkings ever be responsible for posting a thread like this, or lend his name to it? Most likely not.

Last sentence should be Hawking, not Hawkings.

onthebeach,

“Yes, but would the reasoning, polite and respectful Stephen Hawking agree with the crassness of AFA in posting a thread to deliberately insult and provoke Christians on their holy day? ”

I assume you didn't look at the video I posted. If you are insulted by facts, then who is to blame? The ‘holy’ day is derived from the festival of Saturnalia. Did you miss that?

“Prophet's Day is Thursday, January 24, 2013. As I remarked earlier, all could bet London to a brick that David will not be aiming similar offence at Muslims on behalf of AFA. However like many others I would (similarly) object if it did happen.”

If Islam presented the same political/social problems in Australia as does Christianity, the AFA would visibly object. But, now read this once or twice so it sinks in, it is the Atheist Foundation of Australia. You would object because it is just another religion. That decision is devoid of ethics.

“The elephant in the room is why David and the AFA find it so necessary to offend. What was the motivation? What was the desired end product? All this this sort of behaviour does is impress upon its OLO audience that the AFA likely represents intolerant and uncivil people who get their jollies out of causing offence and want to force their opinions on others.”

It might pay you to read the thread and see why the AFA brings to light the foibles of religion. Intolerance is a forever product of religion and if you did read the thread you would see that. For the umpteenth time, think women, gays/lesbians, those seeking voluntary euthanasia, lack of effective sex education, 30 billion dollars annually non taxed money etc.

The AFA stance on most topics is representative of most atheists, no one is claiming all atheists, and interestingly enough, it represents a majority of religious adherents on many positions also.

“Would Stephen Hawkins ever be responsible for posting a thread like this, or lend his name to it? Most likely not.”

Did you look at and understand the video?

David

Prophet's Day is Thursday, January 24, 2013.

A day when doubtless David will be sallying forth to fulfill his promise to bring to light the foibles of religion and the intolerance "affecting women, gays/lesbians, those seeking voluntary euthanasia, lack of effective sex education, 30 billion dollars annually non taxed money etc".

No one is willing to take up that wager of London to a brick that David and the AFA don't have a similar stunt for Prophet's Day. Easter in around 80 days might be a different proposition though.

For myself, I would be happy if the AFA wasn't petty, narky and downright rude to Christians or any other religions on their holy days. The AFA has many other opportunities where it can engage in polite and respectful informing and debate.

onthebeach,

Sorry to let you know but you do not dictate what and what not can be discussed on this forum. If you are offended by my posts, then my suggestion is to not look at them. The censorship you suggest is typical of religion which fears critical examination of the effects of its mores, tenets and traditions on ordinary people.

Some parts of Islam, which is a religion, would kill others if they criticise it, Christianity used to do the same until the enlightening clipped its claws.

Are you suggesting that atheists criticise Islam which has no effect on politics in Australia just because you want us to. May I suggest you think about why you wish to criticise Islam. How about give us the reasons? You have failed to comment on anything I have said but I expect you to comment on this.

"The AFA has many other opportunities where it can engage in polite and respectful informing and debate."

Yes indeed it does and it makes use of them the same as it does here.

The respect religion demands is not warranted and until it lifts its game there will be people letting it know about its inherent problems. I am one of those people.

David