David Attenborough and hate mail

[naomi24]

Not really a question, just an interesting article. Any thoughts?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/ 4345830/Sir-David-Attenborough-I-get-hate-mail -telling-me-to-burn-in-hell-for-not-crediting- God.html

[andy-hughes]

My major problem with Christians - as opposed to Christianity - is their "I've got something you need ..." approach to life. They adopt the moral high ground and spin their vitriol at anyone whom they see as offending their way of seeing the world, apparently ignoring the cornerstone of their belief - a forgiving God who wants tro save everyone.

As a compassionate and educated man, DA is a fine example of someone who appreciates the wonders of this world - having seen more of them than most, and I am sure that if God exists, our Dave will be a shoe-in as an angel, and the bigoted vemon-spitters may have some explaining to do.

[China Doll]

Good grief... hate mail for David Attenborough?! Who'd have thunk it! Some of my best moments of childhood were spent glued to his programs! (Yes, I was a geeky child and am a geekier adult and very proud).

[WaldoMcFroog]

I hugely admire David Attenborough and don't for a second think he is deserving of such treatment but I fail to see why anyone would be particularly surprised that he recieves these sorts of letters.

He has dared to state that a scientific theory backed up by loads of evidence is a fact which, as many people have discovered, is all you have to do to attract threats from certain extreme sections of society.

[Octavius]

Andy They adopt the moral high ground and spin their vitriol at anyone whom they see as offending their way of seeing the world

I agree, but have you heard what some of the atheists on here say? You could say they are fighting fire with fire, but generally they are more often fighting a warm cosy night in with a nuclear warhead. The atheists on R&S are the extremists!

Incidentally, re the article, I completely agree with �. Waldo.

[WaldoMcFroog]

Stop it. It's wrong.

[ludwig]

What I find strange about the hate mailers is that they obviously don't think god's big enough to stand up for himself.

I mean, if Attenborough's wrong he's going to hell right? Surely that's enough punishment. Does he really need a nasty letter from Mr R.Nutter of Tunbridge to add to his problems?

[Octavius]

Sorry Waldo, but it�s a fact.

Also, this article isn�t new, it�s been going on for years unfortunately � almost every time he starts a new series.

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/03/24/1048 354544138.html?from=storyrhs

[jake-the-peg]

You know Octavius I hate to say this but I don't think we're that extreme.

I've yet to see an atheist standing in a shopping centre on a Saturday afternoon shouting that everyone's going to hell.

I can't speak for others but all I want is for religion to stay in the churches.

Get it out of schools

Get it out of Parliament

Keep it to yourselves.

Is that really extreme?

[brionon]

jake-the-peg Couldn't agree more,mate.

[andy-hughes]

I'm an atheist, and I couldn't say that I was in any way extreme - I certainly respect the viewes of others at all times.

[Octavius]

Me too Andy.

Jake, I don�t know anyone on R&S that does the sandwich-board hell fire thingymajig. Do you? I was referring to R&S after all.

I think that religious education is not appropriate in science, but that education about religion is important to understanding international cultures and beliefs, so that we may be informed when visiting other countries or trying to carry out international aid activities. Thats a view, you don't have to agree.

I don�t see any merit in bishops and cardinals being in parliament, although I think they should be entitled to represent their creed on the political stage in matters of specific interest - a bit like representation from the Royal Institute of British Architects on planning policies if you like.

I do keep it to myself. My religion only raises its head above the barricade in R&S when we are trying to ask why you are firing the catapults full of dung at us, and then to try to answer the questions of your very average intolerant atheist.

That�s not very extreme is it? So who exactly are you preaching to?

[WaldoMcFroog]

Unfortunately, Octavius, many do not believe that religious views should be restricted in the way you do.

KeyPlus, for example, has indicated just today that Islam is a system that is both religious and political and a 'whole life' system. Many Christians believe they have the right to impose their faith-based beliefs on others, for example with regard to things like Stem Cell research or abortion. It's not enough for them to say "My faith dictates I should not do X, Y or Z" but that "My faith dictates that no one should do X, Y or Z."

[Octavius]

Yes I know Waldo, and herein I agree with you (Jesus Christ, again for God�s sake, I hear you say!)*. Live and live and all that malarchy. Although I do believe people should be able to have a moral objection (using their religiously orthodox beliefs if that is the case, or ethics or whatever) towards something they disagree with. I am not a great fan of �I�m right you�re wrong� preaching in any form.

* I said two Hail Mary�s this morning in advance of this blasphemy, so I�m safe.

[jake-the-peg]

Octavius

You said "the atheists on R&S are extremeists"

Did you not?

I didn't say any of the religous on here were extremists - I just gave an example of extreme behaviour.



Now I happen to think Bible literalists are extremeists and there are one or two of them knocking around here.

But maybe you don't think taking the words in a 2,000 year old book as literally true is extreme?

[Octavius]

Nope, unless they take action on those words to violate common moral standards.

[Lonnie]

I read this article, and was totally disgusted, but what really struck me, was what he said about the African boy and the worm.

Certainly food for thought.

[naomi24]

It certainly is Lonnie, but is it only the atheists who are really thinking about it?