NEW ATHEIST TOP TEN QUOTES of 2008
by chunkdzIt’s been a busy year for the New Atheists – best selling books, lectures, debates, ad campaigns – and it’s time to honor all their hard work. The bar was set pretty high in 2007, and last year’s winner Kathy Griffin (“Suck it, Jesus!”) is definitely a tough act to follow. But this years crop is just as juicy. Here are the winners for 2008 – the quotes that best exemplify the message of the New Atheism.
#10) Colin, The Angry Atheist, blogger:
“These people are stark raving f**king mad. And i don't believe for a minute that given the
chance, collectively(?), we wouldn't all be cleansed by fire in the town square. They seem to be working toward that very goal in a collective and organised manner”
Colin The Angry Atheist is a relative newcomer. In fact, this was his first and only blog entry – ever! But it didn’t take long for this "rookie of the year" to expose the theocratic conspiracy to burn all atheists in public. As Colin says, “It’s terrifying!”
#9) Ariane Sherine, comedy writer, founder of Atheist Bus Campaign:
“There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.”
Who says atheists don’t give to charitable causes? Ariane collected over $100,000 from generous, good natured British atheists. And not for some lame “feed the hungry” charity either. Ariane is spending it on something really important – convincing her fellow Brits that their lives are meaningless accidents. Bob’s yer Uncle, Ariane!
#8) Peter Singer, Philosopher:
“If people need to have gods, then, (the late Princess) Diana isn’t a bad one to have. She did try in her own way to do some good in the world, and that isn’t a poor example to set. Plus, there seems little danger that a Temple of Diana would try to impose on its adherents a repressive morality that made them feel guilty about sex.”
Worshipping God? Bad. Worshipping Diana? Not bad! We’re not sure though if Diana would have shared Pete’s “guilt free” tolerance of man/sheep relationships. But then, Pete can be a VERY persuasive speaker!
#7) Pat Condell, stand up comedian: (On The Water Of Life)
“If the water of your life gets together with the water of other people’s lives, and they form a deluge, a rushing torrent of righteous certainty that sweeps all before it including reason, well it’s not so much the water of life anymore is it? It’s rapidly turning into the water of death as everything in it’s path is crushed – original thought, rational inquiry, free speech and their tattered remnants are strewn upon the rocks of scripture and blind dogma.”
Pat Condell is the answer to every whining theist who complains that atheists are humorless dolts. Pat is a "Top 100" YouTube draw and entertains crowds all over Britain with his jokes and rib ticklers like this! Thanks Pat for making atheism fun again!
#6) Penn Jillette, comedian, illusionist, juggler:
“Hi I’m Penn Jillette, and of course I denounce the holy spirit.”
Ever the entertainer, Penn’s breathtaking reading of the “Blasphemy Challenge” at the TAM convention was simply one of his most memorable performances ever.
#5) Richard Dawkins, writer:
“It is evil to describe a child as a muslim child or a Christian child….
Do not ever call a child a muslim child or a Christian child – that is a form of child abuse…”
When a young Richard Dawkins had his noodle doodled by a priest, it was good for a chuckle or two with his classmates. But don’t you dare call a child a “Christian” in front of him – he has little tolerance for REAL child abuse. Rumor has it Richard is writing a book for children that exposes the insidious and harmful lies behind the Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy myths. Go get ‘em Richard!
#4) Henry Rollins, musician:
"These Christian fundamentalist psychotics are so power-mad they will stop at nothing – willful ignorance, intimidation, and suppression of information are their tools… THE NEW DARK AGES ARE UPON US!!"
Henry's calculated scientifically reasoned approach is devastating to theists everywhere. It's not hyperbole IF YOUR RIGHT, right?
#3) Dan Barker, Freedom From Religion Foundation: (On the Washington nativity display)
“We have a holiday. Before even this country started this time of year is the winter solstice. It’s a natural season. The Christians basically stole the season from us human beings by using the hate speech of the nativity scene which damns all of us to hell if we don’t bow down to that little baby who became the dictator.”
We’re so grateful that we have Dan as the voice of calm reason amidst this storm of controversy. Amen, Dan, and “At this season of the winter solstice may reason prevail”!
#2) Sam Harris, writer:
“Like every candidate, Obama must appeal to millions of voters who believe that without religion, most of us would spend our days raping and killing our neighbors and stealing their pornography.”
Yes, it’s simply stating the obvious, but no one seems to state the obvious as eloquently as this “fourth horseman” does. You are a true national treasure, Sam!
And the #1 quote of 2008:
“IT’S A F**KING CRACKER!”
-P.Z. Myers
Congratulations and “Happy Monkey” to all of our contestants for a fantastic year!!
December 28th, 2008 at 1:20 am
New Atheists are living advertisements against atheism.
Comment by Bradford — December 28, 2008 @ 1:20 am
December 28th, 2008 at 2:02 am
If those are the worst things atheists said this year then we really are kicking Theism's ass.
Comment by Todd Berkebile — December 28, 2008 @ 2:02 am
December 28th, 2008 at 3:03 am
Todd, it's too late to submit for 2008, but we'll consider your comment for next years award.
Comment by chunkdz — December 28, 2008 @ 3:03 am
December 28th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
chunkdz:
Couple of questions:
What is New Atheism and what is so new about it?
What is their message?
Comment by Raevmo — December 28, 2008 @ 2:37 pm
December 29th, 2008 at 11:12 am
seriously, pz myers quote is beyond awesome in its scope of ignorance and bigotry
Comment by dantedanti — December 29, 2008 @ 11:12 am
December 29th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
In case anybody skimmed this, it is true, and alarming. Dawkins is a minor apologist for pedophilia. Sure, he takes a stand against pedophilia, but dismisses his own sexual abuse as a child as an "embarrassing" episode in The G*d delusion, yet bristles when children are referred to by the religion of their parents.
Of course he neglects the fact that, for example, an "Amish child" is understood to convey the idea that the child is the child of Amish parents, and that the child, when an adult, is given the opportunity to decide whether or not he wants to be baptized into the Amish church.
Comment by William Wallace — December 29, 2008 @ 12:54 pm
December 29th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
William Wallace wrote:
If that's not defamation then I don't know what is.
Comment by olegt — December 29, 2008 @ 1:01 pm
December 29th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Well, it's too late for him to make the top ten list – otherwise I would have offered this entry from The Raving Atheist:
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen.
Comment by nullasalus — December 29, 2008 @ 3:40 pm
December 29th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Of course, here's another good quote from a similarly interesting source.
Now a confirmed atheist, I've become convinced of the enormous contribution that Christian evangelism makes in Africa: sharply distinct from the work of secular NGOs, government projects and international aid efforts. These alone will not do. Education and training alone will not do. In Africa Christianity changes people's hearts. It brings a spiritual transformation. The rebirth is real. The change is good.
Amazing what poison can accomplish.
Comment by nullasalus — December 29, 2008 @ 5:48 pm
December 29th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Except it's true…read the book.
Comment by William Wallace — December 29, 2008 @ 5:58 pm
December 30th, 2008 at 5:43 am
nullasalus:
Amen to that:
Link
Comment by Raevmo — December 30, 2008 @ 5:43 am
December 30th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Raevmo,
You will find no one quicker to condemn catholics than me when they start acting like atheists, Raevmo.
Comment by nullasalus — December 30, 2008 @ 10:48 am
December 30th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
nullasalus:
Why would you condemn catholics for acting like atheists? Are atheists more likely to commit crimes than catholics? Did atheists slaughter the Tutsis at the catholic churches in Rwanda?
Comment by Raevmo — December 30, 2008 @ 6:05 pm
December 30th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Raevmo,
'Because that would mean their behavior is likely reprehensible when external checks are not present.'
'If they are sincere in their atheism or insincere in their christian beliefs, yes.'
'Quite possibly. It would certainly explain the blatant and apparent hypocrisy.'
Have a Happy New Year!
Comment by nullasalus — December 30, 2008 @ 6:29 pm
December 30th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
olegt,
About that defamation thing: William Wallace said you could check it out in the book. He's right. Or you could save yourself some time and see it right here on Dawkins's website.
Comment by TomG — December 30, 2008 @ 7:37 pm
January 1st, 2009 at 11:33 am
See? Who says that atheists can't be funny? It just requires the same ingredients as abiogenesis: chance, time, and a lack of intention.
Comment by Deuce — January 1, 2009 @ 11:33 am