“Go away, little flea. My bootstraps are clearly beyond your reach and my time is too valuable to keep wasting on your confusion.”
Thought those of you who remember my ‘Matt’ Unbelievable debates might be interested to hear of our latest ‘twitter’ discussion. Matt was still struggling with the ‘Dachau is wrong is not a fact’ statement. Someone had made a wee video about our previous interchange on this –
After calling me a liar and an ass, he finished up with the above gem. And you thought I was too rude?! Matt is considered to be a rising intellectual star of the New Atheism..I guess we don’t have too much to fear (at least in terms of the intellectual content!). Sadly this is all too typical of the emotive language, bullying tone and arrogance of the new NFA – New Fundamentalist Atheist movement. In the past couple of days I have been sworn at, abused and mocked by those who say that they are speaking in the name of reason and tolerance.
In case you missed the shows and might be interested then you can get all the links here.
http://theweeflea.wordpress.com/2014/03/05/unbelievable-the-matt-dillahunty-showdown/
What I hear is a disagreement brother, and a difference of perceptions. You are implying Matt was rude, others have commented giving an opinion that you were condescending towards Matt.
Putting subjective opinions aside, the question was posed about “Dauchau is wrong is not a fact” to which Matt answered in the clip that it is as fact is that it was against the well being of those involved which was interesting. Another interesting point was one you made David is about claims that some make about faith being in spite of or contrary to evidence but faith being based on reason and evidence.
A common argument that atheists will make is so say about the existence of the Abrahamic monotheistic God or “god” as they like to say in asking for evidence of such. Yet an equal argument can be made to the same atheist to ask them to prove the nonexistence of God.
Dawkins attempt at that is in Ch4 of his “God Delusion” where he claims in 6 1/2 out of 7 of the criteria he determines for the existence of God, he has proven God not to exist. Has anyone examined his criteria and determined it’s validity? I would be interested to know.
He regards people of faith to be deserving of mocking and treating with contempt. Kinda what Jesus went through isn’t it? Didn’t Jesus say something about being hated for being associated with him? This is where I am bewildered. Dawkins appears to be an intelligent man, if anyone of faith is indeed “deluded” (or have some form or mental illness), aren’t they deserving of pity (or in need of help) rather than being deserving of contempt? Just a thought.
Seems the contempt of Dawkins is serving to confirm what Jesus said about being hated does it not? In which case perhaps the word of Jesus are appropriate “Blessed are you when people insult you… because great is your reward in heaven” (Matt 5:11).
David, as a Christian brother who enjoys your podcasts and writings, may I encourage you to stand firm. I’m sure you will.
Matt does himself a disservice; I was tempted to refer to Galatians 6:3 (!) but instead shall
just ask that you continue your work supporting Christians to stand up for their faith and to give a reason for the hope we have, with respect, courtesy and confidence.
1 Corinthians 4:12-13
……,and we labour, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.
Tim Ward