tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559910.post7627008890584786969..comments2024-02-17T19:58:47.311-05:00Comments on Textuality: Studying AtheismLarry Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14642725101009530480noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559910.post-82274838351225360182010-09-09T09:47:50.922-04:002010-09-09T09:47:50.922-04:00I'm glad to see you've written a critique ...I'm glad to see you've written a critique on this article.<br /><br />I too frequent Hoffmann's blog, and I wanted to criticize this article, but I wrote a Jesus one instead.<br /><br />I think Hoffmann lost me at "Should Atheism be Taught?" as if Atheism was a philosophy.<br /><br />It's a non-philosophy. And it's hard to teach people that aren't. I don't know about Hoffmann, but I'm an atheist because of the failure of Christianity to stand up to critical scrutiny, not because I choose the "philosophy of atheism" (whatever that might mean).<br /><br />Instead of teaching "atheism" why not teach 'All the other things atheist believe n' instead of what they don't believe in.<br /><br />But wouldn't that just be considered philosophy?<br /><br />Part of my book, as you know, is to define atheism more clearly. So I also have issues with his suggestion that no atheists are trying to come down from their lofty/elitist rooftops... or whatever. Again, I was sort of lost in his colloquial speak.<br /><br />And I agree with you about atheist blogs... many of them are well written, highly educational, well informed, places to share ideas and participate in dialogues with other educated folks who are open minded enough to talk about such ideas without being offended. <br /><br />We can disagree and still not feel threatened by anyone else's personal beliefs. And that's the importance of sharing ideas.<br /><br />So maybe Hoffmann should focus on the importance of the discourse rather than the teaching of a non-philosophy. Just my two cents.Tristan Vickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05348780254008374268noreply@blogger.com