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Author Topic:   Arrogance of Elitism
Hyroglyphx
Inactive Member


Message 88 of 126 (484819)
10-01-2008 9:10 PM
Reply to: Message 78 by Blue Jay
09-29-2008 1:42 PM


Re: Arrogance
So, people should just cheerfully take all of your insults, taunts and patronizations if you, in hindsight, call it a "parody"?
Well, in defense of Mikey it seems exceedingly obvious at this point that everything in the parody seems to be coming to fruition -- which, quite possibly, was a tactic devised by Mike to get you to do the very thing that was parody, so that in the final analysis the parody turned out to be true.
On the one hand it gives him the safe position of getting to say what he wanted to say, but gives him an easy out to say that it was all in the interest of fun and games. In this way, perhaps it was a self-fulfilling prophecy.
But on the other hand, regardless of the approach, what he claims is a parody seems quite true, and I have called out many on the forum for the same thing. I'm just slightly less passive aggressive than Mike and will just come right out and say what I think needs to be said, your oh so delicate sensibilities be damned. I don't believe in being politically correct for the sake of being politically correct. However, I also know that you can catch more flies with honey than you can vinegar. You just have to pick and choose your battles wisely. Knowing when to go for the jugular and knowing when to befriend your opponent is an art form, one that we all need perfecting.
The fact of the matter is that there is this a snobby, elitist attitude amongst serious atheists. You know which atheists I'm referring to. The kind that don't feel satisfied until they convert everyone to their own personal nihilistic hell -- a life devoid of any real meaning so that they can go on pretending that life is an unending series of really lucky cosmic accidents. It's kind of like men who refuse to marry or have kids, not because they aren't cut out for it, but because they are afraid of having something that they might love which will make them vulnerable. Or vastly worse, something might actually love them back. And then where would their meaningless be?
And is not a serious atheist a paradox unto itself!?!? Who ever thought the promotion of nothingness could ever be so exhilarating that they spend inordinate amounts of time debunking that which they claim is not real to begin with. Ah, the epitome of logic! Okay I'm being facetious, but if it knocks a few "rationalists" off of their high horse, it needs to be said. Because condescension is, well... condescending.
But at the same time, many of those rabid atheists make excellent points about theology, with its equally unending string of misnomers. While faith serves a vital function, for all humans, it isn't unreasonable for atheists to demand some kind of primer -- some kind of legitimate reason to believe.
And there are many, many condescending theists who defend their tyrant God tooth and nail, and not to defend God for the sake of his holiness, but rather to defend their own philosophical position. In other words, many end up defending God for their own selfish motives rather than because they care about the atheists eternal disposition. Theists have to be very careful of their motivation. Their philanthropic interests can quickly devolve in to a personal battle of wits. And a potential convert quickly becomes an enemy rather than a victim they want to help.
And then there are the theists who clearly don't care about anyone else, least of all God. They just want to be right, and God for them becomes a tool of manipulation rather than the sentient being deserving of all oblation. There are a few on this forum, but I won't name any names. They have become just as angry and cynical as the most rabid atheists on the forum.
The bottom line is this: Not a single one of us knows it all, even though we are all capable of acting like condescending know-it-alls. We're all trying to find our way through the maze, compelled by a reason either unseen by some or unseen by all.
And in the final analysis, few will see the light of the others position as long as we remain pigheaded and condescending. Because each others credibility feels like it is on the line, whether that is expressed openly or not. It's not so much the position, but the fact that not one of us desires to be wrong. In the hostile environment of EvC, no one feels safe to admit their faults for fear of public excoriation.
But, whatever... You all get the point.

“Tu ne cede malis sed contra audentior ito"

This message is a reply to:
 Message 78 by Blue Jay, posted 09-29-2008 1:42 PM Blue Jay has not replied

  
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