Comments on: changing the conversation http://holdthisspace.org.au/changing-the-conversation/ an alternative worship project Fri, 18 May 2012 01:47:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: becky http://holdthisspace.org.au/changing-the-conversation/comment-page-1/#comment-82755 becky Sat, 24 May 2008 18:15:16 +0000 http://alternative.victas.uca.org.au/index.php/2008/05/14/changing-the-conversation/#comment-82755 New Atheists are simply religious fundamentalists in different clothing - same tactics to try and force their metanarrative on others - this debate smacks of modernity and bores me. What's exciting for me in exploring this debate is to meet with humanists and atheists who are willing to tone down the rhetoric where we can distill the white noise and see what we have in common with our shared humanity. I feel some very exciting things happening in these quiet spaces - it requires Cheryl as your kind gentle wisdom reminds us - moving away from the master table and find other places to play. New Atheists are simply religious fundamentalists in different clothing – same tactics to try and force their metanarrative on others – this debate smacks of modernity and bores me. What’s exciting for me in exploring this debate is to meet with humanists and atheists who are willing to tone down the rhetoric where we can distill the white noise and see what we have in common with our shared humanity. I feel some very exciting things happening in these quiet spaces – it requires Cheryl as your kind gentle wisdom reminds us – moving away from the master table and find other places to play.

]]> By: Alan Jackson http://holdthisspace.org.au/changing-the-conversation/comment-page-1/#comment-82754 Alan Jackson Sat, 24 May 2008 09:35:20 +0000 http://alternative.victas.uca.org.au/index.php/2008/05/14/changing-the-conversation/#comment-82754 The existence of God isn't being debated; the atheist fundamentalists just use a different word - the Universe. The only point at issue is the existence of a personal God. Nor are 'particular doctrines and particular bible teachings' of any real importance to the orthodox: it's the world-view and the mind-set that truly matter. "Faith in the bible" is contrary to christianity and to judaism; it breaks the first of the Ten Commandments. BTW, surely 'self-transcendence' would be contrary to Godel's Theorem? And the author knows nothing about Buddhism! The existence of God isn’t being debated; the atheist fundamentalists just use a different word – the Universe. The only point at issue is the existence of a personal God. Nor are ‘particular doctrines and particular bible teachings’ of any real importance to the orthodox: it’s the world-view and the mind-set that truly matter. “Faith in the bible” is contrary to christianity and to judaism; it breaks the first of the Ten Commandments.
BTW, surely ’self-transcendence’ would be contrary to Godel’s Theorem?
And the author knows nothing about Buddhism!

]]> By: Paul Fromont http://holdthisspace.org.au/changing-the-conversation/comment-page-1/#comment-82747 Paul Fromont Mon, 19 May 2008 18:42:54 +0000 http://alternative.victas.uca.org.au/index.php/2008/05/14/changing-the-conversation/#comment-82747 Interesting NY Times article. Thanks for the link Cheryl. I hope all is coming together for the NOSH, and that life is to stressed and busy. Take care. Interesting NY Times article. Thanks for the link Cheryl. I hope all is coming together for the NOSH, and that life is to stressed and busy. Take care.

]]> By: Peter http://holdthisspace.org.au/changing-the-conversation/comment-page-1/#comment-82742 Peter Wed, 14 May 2008 08:19:08 +0000 http://alternative.victas.uca.org.au/index.php/2008/05/14/changing-the-conversation/#comment-82742 I agree with Lindsay, why try and even defend it? If they don't believe in God, that's their (dare I say God given) choice. Fine by me!! BTW: people who believe Buddhism stands out as the one belief system that's immune from the effects of cultural artifacts and religious dogma don't know much about Buddhism! I agree with Lindsay, why try and even defend it? If they don’t believe in God, that’s their (dare I say God given) choice. Fine by me!!

BTW: people who believe Buddhism stands out as the one belief system that’s immune from the effects of cultural artifacts and religious dogma don’t know much about Buddhism!

]]> By: Lindsay Cullen http://holdthisspace.org.au/changing-the-conversation/comment-page-1/#comment-82741 Lindsay Cullen Wed, 14 May 2008 03:52:17 +0000 http://alternative.victas.uca.org.au/index.php/2008/05/14/changing-the-conversation/#comment-82741 Hmmm. The whole 'defending particular doctrines' thing sounds pretty modernist to me. For myself I'd rather just say that the story of God I find in the Bible makes sense of my story and history. I don't need to defend that or to feel defensive about it. But I do agree with the guy that the fundamentalist atheist things is, and will be a sideline. In a sense I think these guys (and they are all guys, at least the popular ones) are modernists fighting a modernist battle. Postmoderns just sidestep it and look at both sides with bemusement. Hmmm. The whole ‘defending particular doctrines’ thing sounds pretty modernist to me. For myself I’d rather just say that the story of God I find in the Bible makes sense of my story and history. I don’t need to defend that or to feel defensive about it.

But I do agree with the guy that the fundamentalist atheist things is, and will be a sideline. In a sense I think these guys (and they are all guys, at least the popular ones) are modernists fighting a modernist battle. Postmoderns just sidestep it and look at both sides with bemusement.

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