Atheism, Agnosticism, Politics and Religion

Sumac- The web site for this movement is:

http://www.the-brights.net/

I don't particularly care for the word "bright" (I think that it has loaded connotations), but I think that the idea itself has a lot of merit. People with a naturalistic world view do NOT have a forum in the politiical marketplace. I think that it is laudable that people are attempting to pull people of similar thought together, especially during this time of politically spurred religiosity.

Couldn't agree with your points more, Phoenix, and I will check out the website.

I just joined at the website, and told them of my distaste for the term 'bright'.

Hi Phoenix, I'm another atheist that detest the use of the word "bright" for anything I believe in. It shouldn't be that difficult to find another name that represents us, but "bright" is out. c.i.

I'm not a joiner -- and will not join this group. But I wish them well.

In my opinion, the atheists have it much better than the agnostics.

My guess is that agnostics (people who do not know if God exists or is no gods exist) are in the majority -- but we might as well be invisible.

Agnostics, unfortunately, have a tendency to say: "To hell with both your houses" -- and sit out the acrimoneous discussions (!) between atheists and theists.

I am a very activist agnostic.

I ain't sitting on no sidelines -- and anyone using that "fence straddler" nonsense with me gets more than their money's worth before I'm through.

Like I said: Good luck to them.

I do agree that "the brights" opens them up to unnecessary laughter.

I don't know, frank -- your avatar certainly looks bright.

I just checked out the website and though I subscribe largely to the concept, I didn't sign in.

back later

truth
The label, Brights, sounds a bit like the pretentious attitude of Mensa. I wonder if they include naturalists like zen buddhists and taoists who have nothing to do with miracles, supernaturalism, gods, and "mystical" entities.

Well, at least they now realize that marketing their ideas under the term secular humanism is getting them nowhere.

Yet they are not dealing with the fundamental issues:

How is one's life affected by embracing their positions?

What kind of world do they envision if their views are dominant in a culture?

(Wo)man is more than the sum of her/his parts, and the evidence of the material world does not predict the gestalt of sentience, especially by their "scientific, none-supernatural" examination simple matter, less sophisticated life forms, or even the human brain.

For sentience to occur, 2 plus 2 equals 5. This is not logical, but if you are capable of reading this, you lend a proof this equation.

How do they deal with the illogic that their premise holds, that the human mind arises from nothingness?

On a political level in the West, attacks on secular humanism arise from antagonism to the heterodoxy of questioning the Judeo-Christian world-view and the morality and ethics that flow from this world-view.

Once the artifices of this world-view are undermined, what is left?

It's one thing for a 7 year old to find there is no Santa Claus; entirely another matter for human civilization to find there is no God.

"Oh that a man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a Heaven for?"
...Robert Browning...

It was taken on a "bright" beach. Sure has a lot of relected sunlight, doesn't it!!!

I joined the cub scouts, and got thrown out for jumping up and down on the den mother's sofa.

I joined the Army, no further explanation is necessary for that . . .

I have eschewed joining ever since. Goofballs such as these convince me of the wisdom of that position.

I also join, but I don't know why it would cause a laugh the term bright(I don't understand many funny things in english), would someone plz care to elaborate?

Dux- The term "bright" is used as a synonym for "intelligent".

I do know that, but still don't get why it would cause a laugh?

There is something inherently funny about people tooting their own horn. Using the word "brights" to describe themselves amounts to a lot of tooting on one's own horn.

When my step Dad used to call me "bright boy" I did not feel very special.

Perhaps there was a touch of sarcasm in the usage, EB?

My Dad use to compliment me by telling people:

My other two sons I gotta pay to get them to be good. Frank, here is good for nothing.