"Interview an Atheist at Church Day"

I really like the idea of Christians interviewing atheists. It may help eliminate some of the more blatant myths and stereotypes that so many religious people seem to have about non-theists.

Though I appreciate Bob Seidensticker and Kile Jones' approach I do have a few concerns related to this idea. I am somewhat wary of the motivation behind those clergy interested in participating. Christianity, despite claims to the contrary, have not always been very honest or particularly nice when dealing with either non-believers or non-Christian believers. Given that these interviews are suppose to take place in church and even in some instances as part of a service I can easily see it as a hostile venue.

That leads to my second concern. If a church in this area were to decide to participate in the May 5th interview day I'm not sure that I would actually participate. I'd like to but I'm not convinced I could overcome my instincts. I am not comfortable in a church setting. I've been to plenty of services over the years in a variety of denominations and have never felt very welcome. Being uneasy and potentially defensive is not a good formula for a productive interview. I see no reason clergy and/or laity could not meet with atheists in a restaurants, coffee shops, libraries, or some other non-sectarian locales.

Overall, it is an excellent idea. I hope it is successful and others take it further.

Recent A.C. Grayling Interviews

In the past handful of weeks there have been a number of attacks and smears aimed at A.C. Grayling. I would emphasize that they are attacks rather than critiques since the majority of "criticisms" are either grossly exaggerated/skewed or outright fabrications. The uptick in focus on Grayling rather than the so-called New Atheists in general* is that he has a new book out. Though I have not yet read a copy of The God Argument there have been a few interviews with him recently.  I have included links to two such interviews below. I think they do an excellent job demonstrating the exceptional intelligence and reasonable nature of A.C. Grayling.

Point of Inquiry
A.C. Grayling - The God Argument
April 8, 2013
http://www.pointofinquiry.org/a.c._grayling_the_god_argument/


Culture Shocks
Jonathan Rieder, A C Grayling
April 11 . 2013
http://www.cultureshocks.com/shows/2013/04/11/jonathan-rieder-a-c-grayling/


*If the media and/or public is paying any attention to us it is generally to marginalize, smear, or demonize us.

Phil Zuckerman Interview

Recently on Culture Shocks Barry Lyn Interviewed Phil Zuckerman. It was a very interesting interview that I would recommend listening to highly. There were a number of questions and points I thought should have been elaborated on but in a set time frame it is impossible to cover everything.

One point I would have loved to have added to involved the question of whether the belief in God has to include the idea of perfection. It does not. However, removing perfection as a trait of God does change quite a bit. Many theists seem to think removing this trait solves a lot of inconsistencies and contradictions. It might but it also opens up a whole other set. It, among other things, opens the door to polytheism. If God is perfect and therefore all powerful there can be no other source of power. This eliminates the possibility of other gods. If God is not perfect then God is not all powerful which means there is no reason not believe other gods are not possible. After all, there is no other species that is limited to a single specimen. It also leaves open the implication that the Christian god is not eternal, is not the source of all things, and can be supplanted by another being. All points that Christian theology, regardless of sect/denomination, all vehemently deny. Basically, if theists want their god to be God, the one true god, then perfection is required. Back to square one and all its absurdities.