No, it is not just the tone. It is absurd to blame religion for all of the negative things with which it may be associated, even incidentally, and to not give it any credit for the positive things. The position itself is clear evidence of having an axe to grind.
We do not call an opinion irrational just because it not scientific. As long as it is not unreasonable, it is rational. Irrational, in this context, is not being used according to vernacular usage, therefore it is always, implicitly, a disparagement. Additionally, as I pointed out, knowledge claims may be true without being subject to public examination, so it is not necessarily irrational to claim knowledge. Finally, sometimes people do not see what seems clear to others, and it is not possible to say where the fault lies.
Sure, there are things that are beyond the pale, although I try to be generally respectful. But I am talking about conversations mostly revolving around mere belief in God.
As long as non- believers are prepared to acknowledge that they have their own bias, I have no problem. I do have a problem when the "psycho- analysis" of believers is highly disparaging, and shows a lack of empathy. |
