Comments on The Rational Ape: O, I Think I Smell a Rat

@Ajita, A friend mentioned that she also declar...

2010-06-01T20:42:11.965-07:00

@Ajita,
A friend mentioned that she also declared herself never to vote for an atheist. Rationalize that. She must think herself quite the heathen.

Most suspect of all (to me, anyway), is the fact t...

2010-06-01T16:47:05.932-07:00

Most suspect of all (to me, anyway), is the fact that despite my having been pretty active on most of the atheist sites for nearly a decade: I have absolutely NO idea who this woman is! I've never even heard her NAME before she came out with this book and started flapping her gums (she's surprisingly eloquent for having a mouthful of Murdoch dick, isn't she?).

She's a Fox shill and I, too, am just waiting for her televised conversion and the subsequent book she'll write. Fox's audience will eat it up...

Landon, excellent analysis. I see that many of the...

2010-05-31T20:34:58.285-07:00

Landon, excellent analysis. I see that many of the commentators have missed the point completely. Of course it is possible for one to be an atheist and hold on to ridiculous beliefs. But the preponderance of evidence points to the likelihood that Cupp is a liar. I had the same reaction that you did to the statements made by Cupp, but you have carefully laid them out and demonstrated how similar they are to religious arguments. For example, her accusation that Maher is angry at god, and the previous statement that she is not angry at god. You are spot on in pointing out how similar that is to religious arguments. Only someone incapable of understanding what atheism really means could say something that stupid. In fact, I will go one further and say that nobody who is a true atheist could think in those terms. One would have to (briefly) consider the religious argument that atheists are angry at gods (since it is thrown at us so often by unthinking believers) and dismiss it as irrelevant and absurd before deciding that one is an atheist. Same with the 'deluded'/'get the appeal' comment. I do not think it is possible for someone to be an atheist and still not see that the potential benefits of religion (which she goes on at length about in response to the deluded comment) have nothing whatsoever to do with the veracity of the biblical accounts. I think Maher missed the boat on those points, BTW. Sometimes I wish we had better debaters represent atheism on mainstream TV. Anyway, great job with this post.

Interesting point about her comments on not being ...

2010-05-26T06:55:55.936-07:00

Interesting point about her comments on not being a joiner, and how she somehow thinks this somehow qualifies her beliefs (not to mention her direct contradiction with herself). I find it particularly poignant, given the fact that I find my own atheism isolating at times, and that this belief is often held in direct opposition to the typical human need to belong.

I can be in agreement with what you have just said...

2010-05-24T10:32:28.261-07:00

I can be in agreement with what you have just said, which if you'll read the comments above, you will find to be the case, and still disbelieve her if it seems she is dishonest.

The point is that being an atheist, really encompa...

2010-05-24T05:31:31.048-07:00

The point is that being an atheist, really encompasses only one statement, I do not believe in gods. Everything else is not about atheism.

Atheism does not equate rationality nor demand acknowledging even the smallest of human rights. It is possible the she actually is an atheist, one who does not believe in gods, admittedly she appears quite muddled in her views but still it is possible.

You can be longing for the trappings of a religion while being an atheist. You can defend religions even while being atheist.

As being an atheist has no strings attached to anything else than not believing in gods.

The largest hurdle, I believe, between the believer and atheist is all things attached to atheism.

She is the new Ann Coulter. Notice how the front o...

2010-05-23T09:47:34.035-07:00

She is the new Ann Coulter. Notice how the front of her book is just a big picture of herself? She's selling a personality as much as she is selling the actual product.

Her personality is this atheist who can view things independently because she is on the outside looking in. She is sympathetic to religious people and understands why they do what they do. Oh, and she's good looking.

People who have strongly held opinions only like to hear their own beliefs back to them. Having someone on the other side (an atheist) telling them exactly what they want to hear is doubly good.

I expect to see much of this woman in the future. She understands that attracting a base through lies, circumstantial evidence, and careful personality manufacturing can be very profitable.

She also outs herself as Xtian in this clip talkin...

2010-05-19T13:44:19.576-07:00

She also outs herself as Xtian in this clip talking to the Young Turks. She accuses atheists of being moral relativistic at the 11:20 part. Total Xtian talking point that has been beaten down to a pulp. i.e. its a good thing our laws/morals are researched, debated and reasoned and not from a set in stone bronze age book. If our country was based on the bible people would be stoned to death by working on sunday etc etc. She also hangs up at the end like such a classy lady.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWu5fLRCFDk

@anonymous I don't see your point behind what...

2010-05-19T10:10:58.634-07:00

@anonymous

I don't see your point behind what's already obvious. Of course one can be all these at once. In her case, however, I just don't buy it. And that suspicion has nothing whatsoever to do with her political views.

It is possible to be an atheist and still be total...

2010-05-19T04:56:35.425-07:00

It is possible to be an atheist and still be total dick in all other areas, a point that is often forgotten.

Not all atheist believe in equal rights and that is not even required for atheism. People like that exist. Even a homophobic atheist is not an oxymoron.

Various other causes just get tacked upon it and uninformed people assume that all those are requirements for atheism.

So, the lady can be an atheist even if only a token one.

Her name is SEE CUPP. Just another average boob.

2010-05-19T02:47:09.379-07:00

Her name is SEE CUPP.

Just another average boob.

I don't even really see her argument. Christia...

2010-05-18T09:28:14.122-07:00

I don't even really see her argument. Christian's attack atheists far more than the other way around which would make for a better book in regards to oppression. If atheists do anything it's to keep the playing field equal or to throw a red flag on christians taking their beliefs too far into government and education. Sorry if we have to ruin their fun in the name of the constitution. And if a political pundit like keith olbermann, or maher make a comment about how christianity is silly, how is that any different than what Bill O'reilly or Glenn Beck say about how horrible atheists are on a daily basis? She also insinuates that religion has positive effects on people. How does the effect of a belief have any bearing on whether it's true. Would she like to live in a world where people are in deference to a big cult you don't believe in?... or how about we use reason, logic, science and occam's razor to determine what we know and teach that to kids, instead of fairy tales. And if you're not convinced of religion's truth, you must believe those that believe it are being DELUDED! otherwise you'd believe it yourself!

You know, when I saw this video clip this morning ...

2010-05-18T08:57:12.970-07:00

You know, when I saw this video clip this morning I started wondering if I was the only one that had the same thoughts about this lady, then again I do not watch pox news.
we can agree on one thing, when we see a rat and it smells like a rat, odds are: it is a rat.

I see you can't read very well. Atheism is on...

2010-05-18T00:50:47.707-07:00

I see you can't read very well.

Atheism is only the lack of belief in God/gods. No "platform" could ever come of it.

I also believe the faithful should be allowed to practice their religion freely. I believe in freedom. Don't call me, or anyone else, a fascist if you don't know what the word means.

So, let's see... one can BE and atheist... as ...

2010-05-18T00:32:31.573-07:00

So, let's see... one can BE and atheist... as long as they adhere to YOUR atheistic "platform." That is SO ridiculous! I, like Ms. Cupp, am fascinated by religion and believe that "believers" should be allowed to practice their religion without government interference or social persecution. Respect and belief are TWO different streets! Stop being such a fascist!

listen to me, you little F*cker... you are...

2010-05-18T00:24:09.336-07:00

listen to me, you little F*cker...

you are not going to tell me what I believe...

we're going to play a NEW GAME...

FROM NOW ON:

*******************************************

EVERYTHING YOU SAY I WILL DOUBLE ON YOU...

*******************************************
Atheists,

you are going to learn even to TALK about GOD the way you do is going to cost you your lives...

the writing on the wall...

f*ck you very much!

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/6e/Touched_by_His_Noodly_Appendage.jpg

see, you degenerates have last names like first names...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_Spaghetti_Monster

how about I believe in WHATEVER I want - even in the FLYING SPAGHETTI MONSTER! - and you have nothing to say!

let me show you the end results of this particular *ONE-DIMENSIONAL SCIENTIFIC MODE*
of thinking that is called *CRITICAL THINKING*, which is completely divorced from
any human objectives...

this style has been perfected by dawkins, pz, randi and the other *NEW ATHEISTS*
**
THE BOOBQUAKE - 911!

see how we take a term and convert it into its AUTHENTIC POLITICAL DIMENSION - THAT
OF LIBERATION - not just merely harmless expression...

visit

http://dissidentphilosophy.lifediscussion.net/philosophy-f1/the-boobquake-911-t1310.htm

She seems too manufactured. As if she were specifi...

2010-05-17T22:36:58.470-07:00

She seems too manufactured. As if she were specifically chosen to try and lend credence to the typical Christian "Waa.. we're being persecuted." thing.

@Jinx protocol I am as well. Always a difficult ...

2010-05-17T21:18:53.081-07:00

@Jinx protocol

I am as well. Always a difficult thing to do. Nevertheless.

I'm right in line with your thinking here. I a...

2010-05-17T20:08:49.366-07:00

I'm right in line with your thinking here. I am reticent to question her sincerity, but I am convinced she will be the Alan Colmes of atheism for FOX News. Also, I reposted on my blog.

http://www.jinxprotocol.blogspot.com

Mr. Ross, I had similar thoughts as I watched Real...

2010-05-17T19:59:08.015-07:00

Mr. Ross, I had similar thoughts as I watched Real Time Friday night. I said to my wife, "She is not an athiest." I found her to be very confusing on this point.

@anonymous, Thanks. Just to preempt... I'm no...

2010-05-17T18:42:14.748-07:00

@anonymous, Thanks.

Just to preempt... I'm not falling into the "no true Scotsman" fallacy, because I do not argue that she can't possibly be sincere. She could conceivably be an atheist, albeit an incredibly unthinking one, but I strongly suspect otherwise and therefore I'm saying it now. In the Lee Strobel vein.

I applaud you sir. I've reblogged you via http...

2010-05-17T18:20:17.586-07:00

I applaud you sir. I've reblogged you via http://dalatheist.tumblr.com