Thread: Evolutionist/Atheist Mano Singham Interviewed

A new interview with evolutionist/atheist Mano Singham can be found here. To quote him:

"Once you concede the idea of a god, you have ceased to think rationally in that area of your life, and are prey to those who preach extreme forms of religion. Of course, most people do not go so far, but that is because most people are not really that religious, though they say and act like they are. In the TV show House, someone asks the title character whether he is an atheist and he replies "Only on Christmas and Easter. The rest of the time it doesn't seem to matter." I think he is right. Most people are just nominally religious and unlikely to go off the deep end. It is the deeply religious who can be persuaded to do appalling things in the name of god because it is only they who will let their humane and ethical and common senses be overridden by the idea that god wants them to commit specific acts."

Once you concede the idea of a god, you have ceased to think rationally in that area of your life, and are prey to those who preach extreme forms of religion. Of course, most people do not go so far, but that is because most people are not really that religious, though they say and act like they are.

Unsubstantiated.

Originally Posted by NLN

"Once you concede the idea of a god, you have ceased to think rationally in that area of your life, and are prey to those who preach extreme forms of religion.

I would have to agree. For one to fall prey to an extreme forms of religion, one must first EDIT:believe in god. That's a very hard concept to argue against.

However, entrenched beliefs can never be altered by facts. This forum should be proof enough... It is the closeminded person who is set in his or her ways.

Many people go through something in their life that will have them not "locked in" to their belief system. A loss in their life, remourse, guilt, anger, need for acceptance, looking for love, etc. such emotions can cause someone to "look for something" and question their belief system. That doubt then unlocks their belief system. This setting loose and opening up to new ideas puts the person at risk of drifting. Once adrift, the person is always at risk of landing in an extreme area.

As your quote points out, you need to believe to be decieved. But such is not limited to religion. Most, if not all ideologies have extreme groups that activly recruit new members who are either like-minded, or are those seeking to find what's missing in their life. Such is why critical thinking is always important when evaluating ideas and data.

Originally Posted by scientstphilosophertheist

Once you concede the idea of a god, you have ceased to think rationally in that area of your life, and are prey to those who preach extreme forms of religion. Of course, most people do not go so far, but that is because most people are not really that religious, though they say and act like they are.

Unsubstantiated.

particularly if one can indicate persons/communties/nations doing appalling things without any direct religious influence