I think Dawkins is right that it's all part of the same ball of snakes, that moderates lead inevitably to extremists
can be made about all sorts of subjects, equally unfairly, using the same justification. I have certainly never suggested that moderate beliefs shouldn't be questioned, but that statement is pretty insulting, in the same way that the statement that all men are just potential rapists waiting to happen is. *Some* moderate views may encourage extremism, but others specifically oppose it. Blanket statements are wildly unhelpful in making actual progress.
It's a frequent source of annoyance to me that many otherwise liberal and progressive folk don't seem to be able to tell allies from enemies when it comes to religion.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2008-08-06 08:36 pm (UTC)I think Dawkins is right that it's all part of the same ball of snakes, that moderates lead inevitably to extremists
can be made about all sorts of subjects, equally unfairly, using the same justification. I have certainly never suggested that moderate beliefs shouldn't be questioned, but that statement is pretty insulting, in the same way that the statement that all men are just potential rapists waiting to happen is. *Some* moderate views may encourage extremism, but others specifically oppose it. Blanket statements are wildly unhelpful in making actual progress.
It's a frequent source of annoyance to me that many otherwise liberal and progressive folk don't seem to be able to tell allies from enemies when it comes to religion.