Monday, October 8, 2012

An Interview with The Arizona Atheist

The following is an interview with Ken, the Arizona Atheist, of The Skeptic Ink Network.

In your past, you found some value in the teachings of Buddism. What would you say to an atheist who dismisses Buddism as just another false religion?

I would say that the atheist is correct. Buddhism is another false religion, at least in certain aspects. I do believe some of its philosophy can be useful and makes a lot of sense (such as their view that it's best to live in the present moment). However, I wholeheartedly disagree with Buddhism’s belief in reincarnation and their concept of “non-attachment.” For a few years I tried to attain this state of “non-attached” living but it proved impossible. When I studied Buddhism formally for a short time I asked two different monks about how to attain this state and I never got a straight answer. I came to the conclusion that their idea of “non-attachment” was a lot of nonsense. I later realized that as human beings it's in our nature to become attached to loved ones and other things. I don't buy their view (as was expressed in one of my books on Buddhism) that if one is able to attain non-attachment you will be able to love something to an even greater extent because you will not be concerned with losing that object of affection. So, basically, I view Buddhism as another false belief system, but at the same time it does have some beneficial teachings.

Was there a particular argument for God that you found, at least at one time, the most convincing? If so, why?”

Yes. When I first began learning about the reasons Christians believe I was somewhat convinced (though still a bit skeptical) by the first cause argument and the argument that near-death experiences and out-of-body-experiences were possible evidence for an after life. I had read a book titled God: The Evidence: A Reconciliation of Faith and Reason in a Postsecular World, by Patrick Glynn and some of his arguments seemed plausible to me in the beginning. The reason, regarding the first cause argument, was because at the time it seemed to make sense. The idea of cause of effect is naturally intuitive and I fell for it. Regarding OBE's and NDE's all of the stories seemed to match what Christians said about heaven and if life force could come out of their bodies what might this mean for the view that humans were merely another piece of matter? Also at this time I took many of these personal testimonies about OBE and NDE experiences at face value, never really questioning them. But after learning more about these subjects during my personal quest to discover the truth about whether or not there was a god I found that these were not good arguments. They were flawed, both logically and factually.

When you were exploring your belief in God, was there any book/film/blog or any other work that you found most influential in your progress to atheism? What was it and how did if affect you?

There were several books, documentaries, and websites. I read Richard Dawkins' The God Delusion, as well as the other New Atheist authors. Bart D. Ehrman's Misquoting Jesus was also highly influential. Later on, when I began to have a lot of doubts about religion, I read John W. Loftus' book Why I Rejected Christianity: A Former Apologist Explains, which aided in helping me see the falsity of religious belief. These books influenced me by showing me the flawed thinking of religious believers and the harm that religion can cause. A highly influential website was the Talk Origins Archive where I did much of my research about evolution and creationism. The website was invaluable to me in determining the truth or falsehood of several creationist claims I came across.

Another source were debates between atheists and believers on YouTube. I watched so many of those debates and listened closely to each person's arguments. The non-believers seemed to me to have the edge because their responses made the most logical sense and in most cases their evidence and reasoning were more compelling. This is a large part of how I began learning about all these issues.

Finally, watching Richard Dawkins' documentaries, such as The Root of All Evil, was highly influential in my thinking about religion.


How did the idea to start Skeptic Ink (formerly Skeptic Blogs) come about? What made you want to be a part of it?

Out of the blue I received an email from John Loftus asking if I'd like to join this new network of atheists he was creating. After thinking it over I decided to join. There were a few motivations for joining. First, I thought it would be a fun opportunity to be among some very talented atheist writers such as Loftus and Nicholas Covington, author of the Answers in Genesis Busted blog. I've been reading his blog for years. Second, I was very flattered that such a big time blogger and author John Loftus would ask little old me, who is barely a blip on the radar. That's my perception anyway. Maybe I'm more well known than I think? I was so flattered that he asked I would have felt bad had I said no. A third motivation was being linked to such big names, which would greatly help in giving me and my work much greater exposure.

Who is your favorite influential atheist? Why?

This is a tough one. I don't really have a “favorite” atheist. I think there are many atheists who do an excellent job of disseminating information about atheism and the errors of religious/supernatural thinking. However, when I was a budding atheist Richard Dawkins and the other New Atheists were highly influential. I've read all of Dawkins' books and I've enjoyed all of the documentaries he's done, especially The Root of All Evil? and The Enemies of Reason. He is so eloquent and much of what he says just made a lot of sense to me. He definitely influenced my thinking early on. Other atheists who have influenced me over the years to a degree are John Loftus, Victor Stenger, and Richard Carrier. I agree with many of their conclusions and I think they articulate their positions and their views well. I don't agree with everything they say obviously, especially regarding Carrier, but I think they all do good work over all.

What do you see as the most harmful aspect of religion?

Definitely religion's tendency to inculcate “blind faith” in sometimes harmful beliefs, such as the view that sex is sinful, or that women should be covered from head to toe (which is another expression of the suppression of very natural sexual urges). Religion also often encourages acceptance of other silly beliefs like the occult, witchcraft, and things like this, that have no evidence for them whatsoever. Many times this “blind faith” in a particular belief is held without justification and no amount of evidence will shake them from it. I agree with Richard Dawkins who says that to the religious mind “blind faith” is a virtue and that this belief should be challenged. I think evidence should be sought for all beliefs one decides to hold, and those reasons ought to be carefully scrutinized. And of course, many of the beliefs religious people hold can often lead to certain violent acts, like the murder of abortion doctors.

If you could incorporate any aspect of religion into your life or the life of others without the mythology, what would it be and why? (bonus, how would you incorporate it?)

I have actually already done this with my adoption of several Buddhist teachings when I was a teenager. Even to this day some of the teachings still help me to get through tough times in life. Of course, these ideas (such as living in the present moment) aren't particularly religious. I've heard psychologists advocating such views. As for how I would implement it it was actually very easy. The Buddhist teaching of living in the present moment was probably the single most important idea that I took. When I hit the age of about 16-17 I fell into a deep depression over all of the years of teasing I endured because of my prosthetic leg (I've detailed these events at my blog). Rather than just trying to let it go and forget about it, I allowed the cruel things people said to me to continually reverberate inside my head. Over the years I played back the things people said to me over and over until I began to believe the things they were saying. Through Buddhism I realized a way that I could stop this cycle and over a period of about six months I stopped thinking about all these bad things, and I lived in the present moment. Eventually, these bad memories became more and more faint until I almost never thought about them. That's in a nutshell how I applied that particular Buddhist teaching. Looking back it seems so simple, but at the time the idea seemed revolutionary. I suppose I was just locked into a mindset of self pity and locked into this habit, or pattern of thinking, that I had trouble breaking free from. It took this idea to help me break that cycle.

7 comments:

  1. Great interview, also I learned a new word: inculcate.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Good interview and would agree with the comments on "blind faith".

    What I cannot seem to get my head around however is the conflation that seems to occur (not just on this post) between the concepts of atheism and agnosticism.

    Why do many atheists assert they "cannot be certain" deities do not exits yet still remain in a position of atheism? Richard Dawkins by his own admission has indicated he is agnostic?

    I am aware of such terms as "Agnostic atheist" but such I an of the opinion such a term has been created more out of convenience than of sound argument- it is essentially self-contradictory and using similar logic it follows an "Atheist Theist" can also exist,

    This question is not meaning to be inflammatory. I am aware there are some very intelligent people who are atheists however I remain confused by the ability to hold the position of being atheist yet also remain uncertain deities do not exist or that of agnosticism.

    So if such a spectrum (or in the interests of balance a "confusion of ideas") is accepted than such a spectrum can also exist within the "religious community". Boom!*&#$@ All hell breaks loose with the energy of a fusion reaction (with chains). The obligatory cats and dogs end up living both in sin and attending church together. No prayers at dinner and spaghetti meatballs are strictly forbidden, and in sympathetic acceptance of each other's delusions the dinner table remains deafening silent...That is until the atheist and theist catch a glint in each other's eye and begin to reminisce and bring up old arguments that they kinda hold but kinda don't, just to rekindle the fire from the good old days. The days before all their positions bleed into one. But then again this is just pure fantasy so back to reality...any thoughts?


    Regards,

    ReplyDelete
  3. Good question. When asked what I am, atheist or agnostic are both acceptable answers. I try to get a sense of the questioner's definitions before I answer to either label.

    Atheist and theist are the two options for someone holding a belief about God. You might believe in God, making you a theist, I don't, so I'm an atheist. If you believe one way or the other, you can't be agnostic...would you agree?

    To me agnostic can be a position of true "lack of belief" one way or the other in regards to God (very few people fall into this category.) Agnostic can also refer to a lack of certain knowledge (which everyone falls into this category.) I don't know for certain that an intelligence created the universe, but I don't believe this to be the case--so I am an agnostic atheist or a "weak atheist."

    ReplyDelete
  4. Well thought out comment. Like I said, I answer that I'm agnostic or atheist depending who I'm talking to. Now knowing how you see things, I have no problem identifing as agnostic.

    At least I'm agnostic towards some vague creator, I'd still consider myself atheist towards the Gods of the religions I'm familiar with. Maybe achristian and amuslim would be more accurate that saying atheist. Of course, if I say I'm achristian one might think that I'm a Christian, which is a problem.

    How would you answer the simple question "do you believe in God?"

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks for the response. Just a comment on the whole atheist / theist discourse. From my observation it suffers from absolutism and the difficulties of engaging in intellectual discussion without resorting to insults.

    There are spectrum's of approach (as you have given examples of) and it is unfortunate that part of the being on internet means there is no real editorial control (there is on forums but generally) of varying levels of understanding and appreciation of differing views and arguments. Add to this the anonymity of the Internet (which can be great positive force dealing with oppression) often the public discourse is akin to a bar room brawl that is Twitter.

    I can understand the frustrations. I am sometimes shocked at some of the logic employed by creationists and atheists alike in debunking arguments and it must be frustrating having to repeat basic arguments to those who have not encountered such before.

    Anyway to your question "Do I believe in God?" This is a pertinent question and it may explain some of my conflated posts as also engaging in a self-analysis or confirmation of what is my position on God or more specifically the concept of a "God". As stated prior I am essentially agnostic.And I believe my position on religion needs clarification in addition to my position on science. I value the scientific method, and the hold evolution to be pretty much truth. I don't go to church, although I will enter one by choice. I certainly do not believe creationism, nor do I believe some of the claims many Christian denominations make about original sin and that we are inherently sinful to be particularly endearing or truthful.

    Religion has been the subject of much conflict throughout history. However Religion has also achieved much good throughout history and to this day continues to do so. Charity work is good example. The concept of Christian forgiveness and acceptance of people without prejudice (not always enacted in practice I know) shows some of the best humanity has to offer. Having said this I would not consider myself religious at all in that I do lots of the "bad" things good. Have a few drinks, swear occasionally, don't turn the other cheek in debate, and all mostly what normal functioning human beings do. I like to think I do not insult unnecessarily but none is perfect.

    Any way the God question. I to cut to the chase I believe there is more evidence to assert "God" exists than does not however not enough for me to be atheist in rejection and not enough to worship a version in a church or follow commandments to the letter.

    The mystery that is our consciousness and the bizzare world of quantum mechanics suggests we actively create our own realities - to what degree and to how much is delusional vs accurate descriptions of reality is open for contention. Planck himself was of the view matter itself is derived from consciousness. If this is the case than we are creating our own universe and by definition than we are the creators ourselves....but then I think about my messy kitchen and no about of nose wiggling seems to get it to wash the dishes...sigh

    It is a very interesting world / universe we live in and I guess one of my other motivations in engaging with the twitter world was an attempt to illustrate that as humans we are far more complex in behaviour and interaction that to be viewed through prisms of through gender, race, belief, sexual orientation etc.

    I guess Oscar Wilde had a good approach (I really just wanted to quote Oscar Wilde) in that he quipped
    "only the dull are treated seriously, and I live in terror of not being misunderstood." - and I believe I have no idea of what he means. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for the response. Just a comment on the whole atheist / theist discourse. From my observation it suffers from absolutism and the difficulties of engaging in intellectual discussion without resorting to insults.
    There are spectrum's of approach (as you have given examples of) and it is unfortunate that part of the being on internet means there is no real editorial control (there is on forums but generally) of varying levels of understanding and appreciation of differing views and arguments. Add to this the anonymity of the Internet (which can be great positive force dealing with oppression) often the public discourse is akin to a bar room brawl that is Twitter.
    I can understand the frustrations. I am sometimes shocked at some of the logic employed by creationists and atheists alike in debunking arguments and it must be frustrating having to repeat basic arguments to those who have not encountered such before.
    Anyway to your question "Do I believe in God?" This is a pertinent question and it may explain some of my conflated posts as also engaging in a self-analysis or confirmation of what is my position on God or more specifically the concept of a "God". As stated prior I am essentially agnostic.And I believe my position on religion needs clarification in addition to my position on science. I value the scientific method, and the hold evolution to be pretty much truth. I don't go to church, although I will enter one by choice. I certainly do not believe creationism, nor do I believe some of the claims many Christian denominations make about original sin and that we are inherently sinful to be particularly endearing or truthful.
    Religion has been the subject of much conflict throughout history. However Religion has also achieved much good throughout history and to this day continues to do so. Charity work is good example. The concept of Christian forgiveness and acceptance of people without prejudice (not always enacted in practice I know) shows some of the best humanity has to offer. Having said this I would not consider myself religious at all in that I do lots of the "bad" things good. Have a few drinks, swear occasionally, don't turn the other cheek in debate, and all mostly what normal functioning human beings do. I like to think I do not insult unnecessarily but none is perfect.
    Any way the God question. I to cut to the chase I believe there is more evidence to assert "God" exists than does not however not enough for me to be atheist in rejection and not enough to worship a version in a church or follow commandments to the letter.
    The mystery that is our consciousness and the bizzare world of quantum mechanics suggests we actively create our own realities - to what degree and to how much is delusional vs accurate descriptions of reality is open for contention. Planck himself was of the view matter itself is derived from consciousness. If this is the case than we are creating our own universe and by definition than we are the creators ourselves....but then I think about my messy kitchen and no about of nose wiggling seems to get it to wash the dishes...sigh
    It is a very interesting world / universe we live in and I guess one of my other motivations in engaging with the twitter world was an attempt to illustrate that as humans we are far more complex in behaviour and interaction that to be viewed through prisms of through gender, race, belief, sexual orientation etc.
    I guess Oscar Wilde had a good approach (I really just wanted to quote Oscar Wilde) in that he quipped
    "only the dull are treated seriously, and I live in terror of not being misunderstood." - and I believe I have no idea of what he means. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks for the response. Just a comment on
    the whole atheist / theist discourse. From my observation it suffers from
    absolutism and the difficulties of engaging in intellectual discussion without
    resorting to insults.




    There are spectrum's of approach (as you have
    given examples of) and it is unfortunate that part of the being on internet
    means there is no real editorial control (there is on forums but generally) of
    varying levels of understanding and appreciation of differing views and
    arguments. Add to this the anonymity of the Internet (which can be great
    positive force dealing with oppression) often the public discourse is akin to a
    bar room brawl that is Twitter.




    I can understand the frustrations. I am sometimes
    shocked at some of the logic employed by creationists and atheists alike in
    debunking arguments and it must be frustrating having to repeat basic arguments
    to those who have not encountered such before.




    Anyway to your question "Do I believe in
    God?" This is a pertinent question and it may explain some of my conflated
    posts as also engaging in a self-analysis or confirmation of what is my
    position on God or more specifically the concept of a "God". As
    stated prior I am essentially agnostic.And I believe my position on religion
    needs clarification in addition to my position on science. I value the
    scientific method, and the hold evolution to be pretty much truth. I don't go
    to church, although I will enter one by choice. I certainly do not believe
    creationism, nor do I believe some of the claims many Christian denominations
    make about original sin and that we are inherently sinful to be particularly endearing
    or truthful.




    Religion has been the subject of much conflict
    throughout history. However Religion has also achieved much good throughout
    history and to this day continues to do so. Charity work is good example. The
    concept of Christian forgiveness and acceptance of people without prejudice
    (not always enacted in practice I know) shows some of the best humanity has to
    offer. Having said this I would not consider myself religious at all in that I
    do lots of the "bad" things good. Have a few drinks, swear
    occasionally, don't turn the other cheek in debate, and all mostly what normal
    functioning human beings do. I like to think I do not insult unnecessarily but
    none is perfect.

    Any way the God question. I to cut to the chase I
    believe there is more evidence to assert "God" exists than does not
    however not enough for me to be atheist in rejection and not enough to worship
    a version in a church or follow commandments to the letter.




    The mystery that is our consciousness and the bizarre
    world of quantum mechanics suggests we actively create our own realities - to
    what degree and to how much is delusional vs accurate descriptions of reality
    is open for contention. Planck himself was of the view matter itself is derived
    from consciousness. If this is the case than we are creating our own universe
    and by definition than we are the creators ourselves....but then I think about
    my messy kitchen and no about of nose wiggling seems to get it to wash the
    dishes...sigh




    It is a very interesting world / universe we live
    in and I guess one of my other motivations in engaging with the twitter world
    was an attempt to illustrate that as humans we are far more complex in
    behaviour and interaction that to be viewed through prisms of through gender,
    race, belief, sexual orientation etc.


    I guess Oscar Wilde had a good approach (I really
    just wanted to quote Oscar Wilde) in that he quipped




    "only the dull are treated seriously, and I
    live in terror of not being misunderstood." - and I believe I have no idea
    of what he means. :-)

    ReplyDelete