13 on the 13th

Well, it’s Friday 13th.  There’s no better time than to answer Nullifidian’s Atheist Thirteen.

[In order that we might find out at least a little bit more about each other in the atheist blogging community, Nullifidian has come up with a little meme.]

If you’d like to take part, copy these questions, and answer them in your own words on your own blog.

Q1. How would you define “atheism”?

A belief in no gods or no belief in gods.

Q2. Was your upbringing religious? If so, what tradition?

I was raised in the Southern Baptist Church.  I hit several long periods of extreme fundamentalism but I often didn’t consider myself a fundamentalist.

Q3. How would you describe “Intelligent Design”, using only one word?

Poopballs.

Q4. What scientific endeavour really excites you?

Astrobiology.  I’m a big geology fanboy with a generous smattering of interest in biology and astronomy.  What better than to mix the three?

Q5. If you could change one thing about the “atheist community”, what would it be and why?

The size, mostly.  I’d love to see more Atheists come out of the woodworks and join us at the orgies.  It would also be nice to have more de-converts… but I won’t hold my breath.

Q6. If your child came up to you and said “I’m joining the clergy”, what would be your first response?

I’m only nineteen, and since you’re my son, you must be really young.  The other clergy men are sure to love you.  [wink]  Keep a condom in your wallet, son.

Q7. What’s your favourite theistic argument, and how do you usually refute it?

“You can’t test God!  Evidence doesn’t apply to Him!  You gotta have faith!”

“I win.  Thank you for this stimulating debate.  Good day.”

Q8. What’s your most “controversial” (as far as general attitudes amongst other atheists goes) viewpoint?

Where do I start?  I’m not against war in Iran.  I’m not against war in North Korea.  I’m for the death penalty in some cases.  I rather enjoy reading religious texts (including the Bible) for the purpose of recreation, and not criticising them each time I open them… although I do my fair share of criticism too.  I own a handgun and I don’t plan on getting rid of it in the foreseeable future.  Sometimes I doubt whether killing and eating babies is the right thing to do.

Q9. Of the “Four Horsemen” (Dawkins, Dennett, Hitchens and Harris) who is your favourite, and why?

Hitchens – He’s the only man I’ve ever met who likes to piss people off and insult them in ways that they don’t understand as much as I do.

Q10. If you could convince just one theistic person to abandon their beliefs, who would it be?

The Pope.  Imagine if the Pope declared that the entire history of the Church is one of secrecy, fraud and scandal and that neither he or any other Pope has ever heard the voice of God.  Imagine the Pope saying that the Bible is a nice book of fables but it was a gigantic mistake to interpret them literally as science and history.  Imagine the Pope telling Catholics and other Christians worldwide:  “You just got Punk’d!”  I’m sure many would stick to the faith, but imagine how awesome that would be.

Now name three other atheist blogs that you’d like to see take up the Atheist Thirteen gauntlet:

1. Friendly Atheist

2. Five Public Opinions

3. Atheist Homeschooler