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Simon Amstell on Attacking Religion (a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net)

submitted ago by AThinker661

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[–]heidavey 47 points48 points ago

Yes, that's all very well and good, but the child running around saying "I'm a helicopter" doesn't have any legislative power.

[–][deleted] ago

[deleted]

[–]Purdy14 1 point2 points ago

This is possible the most horribly written thing I have ever read.

Grammar and spacing. Try it.

[–]Joseph445 0 points1 point ago

What did he/she say?

[–]Purdy14 1 point2 points ago

I'm not even sure...

[–]knerdy-knits 14 points15 points ago

The reason Simon can hold this opinion is that there is very little legislative pressure brought to bear by religious groups in the UK (except Northen Ireland, where religion is used more as a cultural/national identity than having much theological significance).

[–]Purdy14 1 point2 points ago

As a person who lives in Northern Ireland, a majority of people who fight, riot and argue over the divide between Catholicism and Protestantism don't even go to church or worship in any way.

They use simple things, like football (soccer) as a means for dividing and arguing. The religious divide has almost become irrelevant, and it just a means to classify one side over the other.

It's one of the reasons I grew up disliking religions. Even though I wouldn't call myself Atheist, I can't help but to despise people like this.

[–]hollingsworthless 10 points11 points ago

Choo-choo motherfucker!

[–]Alzael 4 points5 points ago

So in other words he thinks that we shouldn't be rude to religious people, but it's ok to be insultingly condescending to them.

I think he should give this some more consideration.

[–]Anzai 4 points5 points ago

That is pretty much Simon Amstell's style of comedy yes.

[–]Alzael 0 points1 point ago

If that was supposed to be comedy, it was a failure. It just sounds like someone being pants-on-head retarded, and not in a funny way.

[–]Anzai 0 points1 point ago

I don't know. The quote itself isn't that funny, but that's because it's being offered as some kind of profound anti-religious message in this format.

He would have just said it in an off-the-cuff sort of way. I find him really funny and was sad when he left Buzzcocks.

[–]knerdy-knits 1 point2 points ago

I think he's a comedian and being funny...

[–]pummel_the_anus 0 points1 point ago

Amstell is scathingly sarcastic, he has an extremely acerbic wit.

[–]Alzael 0 points1 point ago

I would disagree on that being sarcastic, or witty. That may be what he's trying for, but far from what it is.

[–]pummel_the_anus 0 points1 point ago

I don't think you understand who Simon Amstell is or what he does.

He's from England, just throwing it out there since you obviously don't know the first thing about him.

edit: Oh yeah, he's also a fucking comedian.

[–]pummel_the_anus 1 point2 points ago

Just because you are obviously a stupid idiot, here he is being incredibly sarcastic:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z22WMy45v-A

[–]Tarkaan 12 points13 points ago

If it stopped there, sure. I'd be willing to respect the beliefs of others if they were respectful about respecting them. The problem is, it's not "I'm a Christian" or "I'm a Muslim". It's "This is a Muslim household and I will NOT have you associating with that boy! That boy is a FAGGOT, he is an ABOMINATION and he is SINNING against GOD, and in a JUST world, he would be STONED to DEATH!!!"

If your beliefs make teenagers kill themselves, I won't respect them, sorry.

[–]andjok 4 points5 points ago

This is generally how I feel towards the average religious person. But just one hateful, rude, ignorant comment or action and I get to tear you apart.

[–]chilari 3 points4 points ago

I've not seen Simon Amstell on the telly in years but I still read that in his voice.

[–]thatpeculiarcat 5 points6 points ago

I think Dawkins is right on this issue. Kindness won't work. Embarrass them, make them look like fools, make them feel like outcasts, make a mockery of what they truly believe in.

[–]Maledictator 0 points1 point ago

Can you give me a quote where Dawkins says that? I was always under the impression that he doesn't want us to belittle or mock them, but illustrate how their beliefs are not founded upon any logical premises.

[–]thatpeculiarcat 1 point2 points ago

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxGMqKCcN6A

I am positive I had it saved somewhere but this is the only video I could find in my favorites list. I want to say it is somewhere in that video although I am not sure.

Edit: 29:06 "Let's all stop being so damned respectful" Before that comment he said we should stop being so polite.

[–]3dmonkeyarray 3 points4 points ago

He means that we should stop trying so hard not to offend people at the cost of the truth, not that we should deliberately be rude, belittling assholes.

Anyway, if someone merely says "I'm a Christian" at a party, there is really no good reason to start up an argument.

[–]thatpeculiarcat 0 points1 point ago

Nor did I imply that that would be a good reason to start up an argument, but why would I want to throw the first punch?

[–]Cavemonster 0 points1 point ago

Sometimes kindness does work, I've seen theists surprised and rethinking there position when they see atheists acting with great kindness in charity for example.

In the end, an all of the above approach is what will change the world. There are a plethora of reasons people cling to religion, so we need a plethora of ways to address that. The more varied and individual we are, the less theists will be satisfied that they've already addressed the arguments.

[–]meltedcolossus -3 points-2 points ago

So in other words, be the condescending pseudo-intellectual /r/atheist instead of simply being respectful of the other person's religious beliefs? I think a more civilized philosophy on dealing with the outwardly religious is to quietly resist instead of become the stereotype that people will ignore. Set a good example, don't make a mockery of their beliefs. "Treat others as you wish to be treated". It's hypocritical to moan and cry about them suppressing your beliefs when you resort to the same tactics to berate them as well.

[–]thatpeculiarcat 1 point2 points ago

And I have to respectfully disagree.

Like I've stated earlier, I would never be the one to throw the first punch. If someone wants to tell me how great their religion is or their God is, I hope they are ready to defend it, just like I am ready to defend my Atheist stance.

[–]HalfwayInLight -5 points-4 points ago

Embarrass them, make them look like fools, make them feel like outcasts, make a mockery of what they truly believe in.

In other words be an asshole over a very personal belief that, really, you cannot prove or disprove.

[–]thatpeculiarcat 2 points3 points ago

Sure, if you want to call it that.

[–]ralphingone5 0 points1 point ago

I have no problem being an asshole. Theism is born of ignorance and should be ridiculed, not tolerated.

When those assholes were in charge they threw scientists in jail or else disemboweled them.

Sorry, but I'm not cutting them any slack.

[–]inflatablefish 4 points5 points ago

But when the child starts punching and kicking other children "because he's an attack helicopter", you don't just play along. You do something about it.

[–]Italian_Barrel_Roll 0 points1 point ago

What happens when the kid running around saying "wheeee I'm a choo-choo!" starts making laws that unfairly represent people who think they're trains?

[–]rockafella7 0 points1 point ago

I disgree with this quite on so many levels.

Particularly this idea that religion is so passive and personal; as if it's some hobby you do alone in the bedroom.

[–]3dmonkeyarray 0 points1 point ago

I realise a lot of people on this subreddit have experience with the bible belt but, believe me, religion can be completely passive and personal. For the majority of my experience in the UK, it has been.

[–]pummel_the_anus 0 points1 point ago

Amstell is English. He's also incredibly sarcastic.

[–]rigel2112 3 points4 points ago

But even a child knows they are not REALLY a helicopter. That is the difference.

[–]dead_ed 0 points1 point ago

Is it wrong that I want to shag this guy? No.

[–]needlestack 0 points1 point ago

I admit this is where I'm at most of the time.

The thing is - it's incredibly condescending. And truth be told, the more respect I have for a religious person the more likely I am to (politely) call them out on things. If I think they're so immature and irrational that they can't take it... then sure: they're a helicopter.

[–]kontankarite 0 points1 point ago

I think what I like about this is how sinister his critique is. Top marks for cutting to the bone. Sometimes, condescension is fucking hilarious.

[–]drmajor840 1 point2 points ago

"(I)t feels like the battle has already been won"? Really?

Not from my perspective. Not from where I have lived in America or where I have lived in the Middle East.

[–]Epicaq 1 point2 points ago

It's just how it feels living in northern Europe I guess.

The only hardcore religious people we've got here is muslims. And most of them aren't fundamentalists. More like "my parents are religious, therefore I am also".

I've only met one hardcore Christian where I live. And she went to bible school in the US. So... Yeah, it's quite rare.

[–]JeffMo 0 points1 point ago

I never heard of this fellow before today, but I (correctly) guessed that he did not live in the United States. I look forward to the day where it's accurate to say that the battle has already been won.

[–]Nymaz 0 points1 point ago

"I choo choo choose to deny you civil rights!"

[–]cryptobomb 0 points1 point ago

I'll be up for that when those religious people feel and behave the same way.

[–]TheWalrusLivesInMe 0 points1 point ago

This is a repost, don't hurt me!

[–]dafwasdat 0 points1 point ago

Atheists, elitist while at the same time just as dumb as the majority of the people they belittle. For all their intellectual posturing, there seem to be very few acknowledging the reality of the bell curve.

[–]mombo 1 point2 points ago

If an adult ran around thinking he was a helicopter and because of that he claimed the right to force everyone to,,, got lost in the metaphor. But then again so did Simon Amstell.

EDIT Fixed the grammar somewhat. .

[–]jatobabokken 13 points14 points ago

That is so close to being a sentence.

[–]mombo 0 points1 point ago

Sorry, english is my second language. Sometimes, when I'm tired or rushed I don't see my horrid grammar. Which I assure you is much better in my native tongue.

[–]jatobabokken 0 points1 point ago

Sorry for giving you a hard time then bro :)

[–]thatgamerguy 1 point2 points ago

Smug alert. Beep beep, motherfucker.

[–]zendak 0 points1 point ago

Not that it matters who said it, but am I supposed to know who Simon Amstell is?

[–]heidavey 9 points10 points ago

He's a gay Jewish British comedian who hosted Never Mind the Buzzcocks (a comedy music panel show).

[–]zendak 1 point2 points ago

Thanks!

[–]SamEskenazi -3 points-2 points ago

But... He's Jewish, yet he just inherently says he finds Jewish people foolish?

Or did you mean that his mother was Jewish, in which case... why did you say that?

[–]heidavey 16 points17 points ago

Jewish is his race/ethnic group/ancestry/however you want to define it. He is an atheist as far as I know.

[–]camthaelion 10 points11 points ago

Upvote this. Some people don't realize that "Jewish" is as much a description of heritage as it is of religion. I know many people who are Jewish and don't believe in god. They still say they are Jewish, just to describe their ancestry.

[–]WilsonPalacios 4 points5 points ago

Why did he mention he was gay British or a comedian? Could it be that he was describing him???

[–]seldn123 1 point2 points ago

He is Jewish by blood.

[–]dead_ed 1 point2 points ago

I know lots of jews and not one of them is religious.

[–]Grindstone50k 0 points1 point ago

Michael Cera's twin?

[–]ShinyGuy 0 points1 point ago

And yet nobody on reddit follows his simple idea....

[–]traffician 0 points1 point ago

well, he speaks from a Briton's perspective. If you haven't noticed, you'll see a lot of English-speaking non-Americans on reddit asking if it's really as bad as /r/atheism makes it out to be.

[–]videobuzzard 0 points1 point ago

It is odd how in the UK the head of state and the head of the church of England are the same person but we end up with more separate church and state.

[–]traffician 0 points1 point ago

yeah, it's kind of ironic that the combination of C/S separation and religious freedom as practiced here in america has resulted in so much religious competition that the most successful ones are quite capable of violating that boundary every few months.

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