http://disqus.com/people/9a939557e012ccebe00087fdd16f7d14/enThu, 13 Mar 2008 20:39:45 -0000http://danielrm26.disqus.com/the_definition_of_atheism_and_why_it_is_not_a_belief/#comment-4353540Sorry for furthering the argument, because it seems your mind is set, but I felt like I had to chime in.<br><br>If someone was raised on an island by two parents who never mentioned the concept of god, they would be an atheist, and it wouldn't be a belief.<br><br>However, in this case, they (and I) are choosing not to believe in god. To use your example against you, if you a fervently against collecting stamps as a hobby, that certainly is a belief system, although it's conscious opposition as opposed to conscious acceptance.<br><br>"Who would go around actively disbelieving in dragons? It’s not active, it’s not a belief that dragons don’t exist; it’s the lack of belief that they do."<br><br>If a majority of the population believed in dragons, you were one of the few vocal opponents of belief in dragons, and people wrote whole books on the subject of the ingrained belief of dragons in our society, than I would argue that we are actively disbelieving in dragons, rather than just lacking belief.<br><br>However, in the end, no matter who is right, does it really matter whether atheism falls under the constrictions of one word in the english language or not? It's like arguing over whether your walls are burgundy or maroon, there is a right or wrong answer, but the means to determine the answer far outweigh the importance of the issue itself, or even the satisfaction one would gain by being proven right.Richard NealMon, 12 Mar 2007 01:26:59 -0000http://danielrm26.disqus.com/dumping_os_x/#comment-4353687As an OS X user, I admit I'm biased, but you have a perfectly good Windows machine right there, and it'd save you a hell of a lot of money just buying Vista instead of a brand-new computer. Also, why not just use HotDog Pro in Parallels? I really like your blog, but if you're not going to post about OS X anymore, it's gonna be hard to stay.Richard NealSun, 01 Apr 2007 02:42:01 -0000http://danielrm26.disqus.com/why_atheists_should_consider_discussing_religion_with_their_moderately_religious_friends/#comment-4353818Wow, that was great. Think you could do a post sometime with a couple other good blogs in this sort of genre?Richard NealTue, 17 Apr 2007 00:43:57 -0000http://danielrm26.disqus.com/the_best_thing_i8217ve_ever_seen_on_youtube/#comment-4353947Woah.Richard NealSat, 05 May 2007 11:58:17 -0000http://danielrm26.disqus.com/eliminating_8220www8221_part_2/#comment-4355007Daniel, you're in the Boston Globe. The Business Filter on Page 2 of Business and Innovation has a blurb about this post!Richard NealMon, 30 Jul 2007 19:09:46 -0000http://danielrm26.disqus.com/is_the_earth_growing/#comment-4357956<p>As someone not well versed in science, this video makes some sense to me. Is there something I'm missing here which explains why it's under humor?</p>Richard NealThu, 13 Mar 2008 20:39:45 -0000http://drm.disqus.com/the_definition_of_atheism_and_why_it_is_not_a_belief/#comment-11156366Sorry for furthering the argument, because it seems your mind is set, but I felt like I had to chime in.<br><br>If someone was raised on an island by two parents who never mentioned the concept of god, they would be an atheist, and it wouldn't be a belief.<br><br>However, in this case, they (and I) are choosing not to believe in god. To use your example against you, if you a fervently against collecting stamps as a hobby, that certainly is a belief system, although it's conscious opposition as opposed to conscious acceptance.<br><br>"Who would go around actively disbelieving in dragons? It’s not active, it’s not a belief that dragons don’t exist; it’s the lack of belief that they do."<br><br>If a majority of the population believed in dragons, you were one of the few vocal opponents of belief in dragons, and people wrote whole books on the subject of the ingrained belief of dragons in our society, than I would argue that we are actively disbelieving in dragons, rather than just lacking belief.<br><br>However, in the end, no matter who is right, does it really matter whether atheism falls under the constrictions of one word in the english language or not? It's like arguing over whether your walls are burgundy or maroon, there is a right or wrong answer, but the means to determine the answer far outweigh the importance of the issue itself, or even the satisfaction one would gain by being proven right.Richard NealMon, 12 Mar 2007 01:26:59 -0000http://drm.disqus.com/dumping_os_x/#comment-11157057As an OS X user, I admit I'm biased, but you have a perfectly good Windows machine right there, and it'd save you a hell of a lot of money just buying Vista instead of a brand-new computer. Also, why not just use HotDog Pro in Parallels? I really like your blog, but if you're not going to post about OS X anymore, it's gonna be hard to stay.Richard NealSun, 01 Apr 2007 02:42:01 -0000http://drm.disqus.com/why_atheists_should_consider_discussing_religion_with_their_moderately_religious_friends/#comment-11157783Wow, that was great. Think you could do a post sometime with a couple other good blogs in this sort of genre?Richard NealTue, 17 Apr 2007 00:43:57 -0000http://drm.disqus.com/the_best_thing_i8217ve_ever_seen_on_youtube/#comment-11158414Woah.Richard NealSat, 05 May 2007 11:58:17 -0000http://drm.disqus.com/eliminating_8220www8221_part_2/#comment-11163609Daniel, you're in the Boston Globe. The Business Filter on Page 2 of Business and Innovation has a blurb about this post!Richard NealMon, 30 Jul 2007 19:09:46 -0000http://drm.disqus.com/is_the_earth_growing/#comment-11181635<p>As someone not well versed in science, this video makes some sense to me. Is there something I'm missing here which explains why it's under humor?</p>Richard NealThu, 13 Mar 2008 20:39:45 -0000