Via Snowqueen: A very nice Thought for the Afternoon from atheist bus organiser Ariane Sherine. The Thoughts are usually religious, but non-believers are sometimes asked to speak. This clip aired on BBC Radio last week. I’ve captured it and placed it here because the broadcasts disappear from the site after a while.
If you can’t get the recording to work, I’ll summarise it for you: We all have a lot in common, even though we come from different backgrounds and have different beliefs. As for us atheists, we believe in enjoying things, taking care of our children, and living happy and safe lives. Could you muckheads please not spoil it for the rest of us by arguing over your beliefs, even though you like them? kthxbai
All right, she’s a lot more positive than I would be. Note to the BBC: Never ask me to give the Thought for the Afternoon.
12 January 2009 at 12:27 pm
Ugh, lots of fallacious feel-good generalisations there. She doesn’t speak for all atheists.
12 January 2009 at 11:07 pm
Hmm — I was going to say that she was over-estimating the good will of religious believers, some of whom don’t give a rat’s about getting along or living a happy life. They’re just doing time here in the ‘vale of tears’ until they can get free and be with their favourite god. Which is why they’d blow people up in exchange for a glorious eternity.
I think her remarks make more sense when you consider the audience — mostly religious folk, many of whom consider atheists to be hedonistic maniacs who couldn’t possibly have any sense of morality without believing in Dog. It’s not bad for them to hear some fluffy talk from a secular rationalist now and again.
12 January 2009 at 11:20 pm
I think that’s a bit harsh, Dean! Obviously she doesn’t speak for all atheists – that’s pretty much the point she makes isn’t it?
And some atheists don’t give a shit about other people too.