I am a religious agnostic because of science, an atheist because of probability, and an anti-theist because of religion.
Matthew Cook
United States
Pharyngula
Evolution, development, and random biological ejaculations from a godless liberal
I am a religious agnostic because of science, an atheist because of probability, and an anti-theist because of religion.
Matthew Cook
United States
That is perfect. That is everything right there in a nutshell. Well done!
Nice one!
Oh, well said!
Succinct.
The first time I read it, I took “religious agnostic” to mean the smae thing as “agnostic theist”.
I read the rest of the post and saw my mistake.
Agreed. Succinct and to the point.
Pithy and pertinent.
There’s a bumper sticker in there, and possibly a billboard.
I want to say I am an Atheist because I realized that the Church is the devil its priests say Jesus will save you from: “Sell us your soul and we will guarantee you a happy afterlife,” but I figured that out later.
Well done! Best quick summary I’ve seen. And it definitely needs a billboard.
I agree. Cook touches all the bases just once; he does it clearly, simply, and scores easily with one swing of the bat.
Wonderfully said. Refreshingly succinct.
Sententious. Well done.
These are my words! I’m Matt Cook! So excited that my words got posted here. I’m a long-time Pharyngula reader, and I think I’ve only ever commented once. One of my friends tipped me off that PZ posted it. Glad to see the positive comments – in fact I’m always glad to see the lively discussion among commenters. Thanks, PZ, for hosting such an awesome blog.
I may switch to using “Anti-theist” myself.
I’m not against the gods because I don’t believe in them in the first place. I’m not against most of the religious — hey, I have friends who waste their weekends playing D & D or building model trains. (Whatever gets you through the week, I guess.) I am very much against the mostly US-based Fundy Christian toads, for reasons well documented on this very blog.
Matt, do you mind if I quote you? I would credit you (and also PZ, btw, your squidliness).
This is just such a winner. And all in a nice crunchy nutshell!
By all means, feel free to use these words. I have found them very effective in conversational debates about religion – it also immediately provides multiple contextual perspectives for addressing how non-belief manifests and can change over time.
These are exactly the reasons why I like your quote so much. Thanks!
Exactly
That’s a very apt and forward testimonial. I like it.
Smoooth, Matthew. In a concise fashion that outright gives your position and the reasons why; in an intriguing fashion that invites further thought. Not to mention that you establish yourself as thoughtful, informed and confident.
Like I said, smoooth.
Nice to meetcha. Hope to hear more from you.
Indeed. I could wish to be so concise and convey meaning while I was at it, but it would be just that: a wish. So perhaps a hope that you share more often?…
I am an optimist because of this post.
I don’t usually read these testimonial posts but was attracted to your because it was so succinct and elegant.
Awesomely said. Tweeted and shared on Reddit.
Matt, your quote here if you are interested (my blog doesn’t have a lot of readers yet, but 50-60 views per day, so these fine words will make their way into at least a few new circles!)
http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2155986947588635239#editor/target=post;postID=2986159575463495259
Thanks again… I agree with viaten. This needs to go on a bumper sticker.
Whoops..borked that link.
Here is the correct one:
http://niftyatheist.blogspot.com/2012/03/why-i-am-atheist-series-on-pharyngula.html