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[–]Alifib 1 point2 points ago

So what about atheists that used to be religious? Were they not actually religious? Isn't that buying into the no true Scotsman fallacy? Or did they become atheists for irrational reasons? Your quote is bad and you should feel bad.

[–]biodrones -1 points0 points ago

The message House is trying to convey (which you seem to have overlooked) is that there would have been religious people in the past, but they would be gone by now if they could be reasoned with.

[–]Alifib -1 points0 points ago

I took him to mean that it's impossible to reason with religious people, which given the demographics of this subreddit is patently untrue. The quote as written is false. Where do you get the idea that he's talking about the past? What indicates that?

[–]Bunniescreed[S] -1 points0 points ago

Well, the word "could" gives some indication that it's in the past...

[–]Alifib 0 points1 point ago

Right, it's technically a past conditional. But the conditional seems the more important part. The statement seems closer in meaning to something like "If I could understand quantum mechanics..." or "If I could fly...". Those are past conditionals, but I'm not really talking about the past.

[–]biodrones 0 points1 point ago

I admire your energy in attempting a grammar lesson to a fictitious character in order to correct a phrase everyone else has no trouble understanding, but your efforts are misguided and, frankly, silly.

[–]Alifib -1 points0 points ago

Personally I think it's a stupid, arrogant, and false quote just like this one. But it's pro atheist so everyone will like it. So it goes.

I mean, are you denying that the quote is incorrect? Do you think it is impossible to reason with religious people?

[–]LaVieZomb -1 points0 points ago

the irony of this conversation is so rich!

[–]Philile 0 points1 point ago

Sorry, did you just point out the irony in his accusation of stupidity and arrogance with smugness? Truly, this conversation is an exercise in smug satisfaction. (I'm super meta.)

The quote is self-gratifying and facetious and I'm tired of seeing it everywhere. It's nowhere near a profound as you believe it to be.