http://gods4suckers.net/archives/2005/03/31/harris-against-moderation-in-religion/ THIS BLOG IS NO LONGER ACTIVE. We've retired this blog, but the GifS gang is now active at Atheist Oasis (atheistoasis.wordpress.com). Visit us there! Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:44:32 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 http://gods4suckers.net/archives/2005/03/31/harris-against-moderation-in-religion/comment-page-1/#comment-526 Kevin Fri, 01 Apr 2005 16:55:10 +0000 http://gods4suckers.net/archives/2005/03/31/harris-against-moderation-in-religion/#comment-526 It's an excellent point. However, the idea of tolerating other peoples beliefs has generally been of great benefit to those of us in the athiest camp, because we're easy targets for anyone, but letting people believe what they want and letting them DO what they want are different things. Really, it should be the responsibility of the mocerates in these camps to clean up or expel the fanatics. Simply telling them all to give it up and be rational won't work, it'll just enflame them. The point that they're acting like silly children in a fantasy world is apt, but we have to remember that they're also in the majority in most places and tend to be politically powerful and willing to take up arms to defend what they believe, whether from legislative action or a strong social movement. It's a real problem, that doesn't yield to simple solutions, but a wider recognition that religion is a blight on human society is a good first step. It’s an excellent point. However, the idea of tolerating other peoples beliefs has generally been of great benefit to those of us in the athiest camp, because we’re easy targets for anyone, but letting people believe what they want and letting them DO what they want are different things. Really, it should be the responsibility of the mocerates in these camps to clean up or expel the fanatics. Simply telling them all to give it up and be rational won’t work, it’ll just enflame them. The point that they’re acting like silly children in a fantasy world is apt, but we have to remember that they’re also in the majority in most places and tend to be politically powerful and willing to take up arms to defend what they believe, whether from legislative action or a strong social movement. It’s a real problem, that doesn’t yield to simple solutions, but a wider recognition that religion is a blight on human society is a good first step.

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