1. Russia prohibits denial of Santa

Comment #104519 by secular82 on December 28, 2007 at 5:19 pm

Stalin was a cruel dictator, no question about that. But the commies did a darn good job of educating people about atheism. Sure, imposing atheism is not an idea any of us would support, but the fact that Russians never returned to church in the 16 years after communism just proves how successful the commies had been.

2. Russia prohibits denial of Santa

Comment #104083 by secular82 on December 27, 2007 at 8:44 pm

I'm a Russian. I have no idea what really happened in this situation, but Russia certainly is one of the most secular and educated nations in the world. Rates of church attendance in Russia are among the lowest in the world - similar to Scandinavian countries.

I'm not a huge fan of Putin, but there is no doubt that he has helped Russia get up from its knees and become a much more stable and prosperous society. Putin is one of few world leaders willing to stand up to Bush's propaganda and call things by their own names. And for that he deserves respect, even if he tends to be somewhat athoritarian in his leadership style. American media are extremely bised when it comes to Putin and Russia, and I would expect people on this site to see through the anti-Russian propaganda.

3. Ayaan Hirsi Ali versus Timothy Garton Ash

Comment #98773 by secular82 on December 14, 2007 at 8:51 am

Why do we always have to emphasize the extreme aspects of a religion? Sure, there are crazies out there, but that does not mean that every Muslim wants to become a suicide bomber. In fact, the suicide bombers are in a way doing our job. They disgrace radical Islam and turn plenty of people off. Most Muslims are embarassed by their actions.

What we don't seem to understand is that plenty of Muslims are desperate to find a bridge between Islam and liberal democracy. As a religion, Islam has been more tolerant than Christianity for most of its history. That's a fact. And many Muslims today want to rediscover that tolerant heritage. We need to appeal to Islam's strong sense of justice and fairness to allow them to make a step at a time toward democracy and human rights.

In the end, what will change Islam is not an Iraq-type situation, but the slow influence of globalization that will force a change in the Islamic consciousness. So we need to be bridge-builders even if we disagree with Islam and any other religion. Intergration, not confrontation, is the way forward.

4. Creation vs. Reality

Comment #98533 by secular82 on December 13, 2007 at 8:49 pm

I thought the religious representation of evolution was fascinating. Evolution is just such a powerful concept that it makes any creation narrative look weak in comparison. I don't think the creator of this clip had any purpose in mind, but I was struck by it.

5. Here's an improvement on democracy

Comment #98524 by secular82 on December 13, 2007 at 8:36 pm

Watson's thesis about the role of secularism in society sounds fascinating, but it is such a sweeping generalization that it requires an enormous amount of historical and sociological evidence that would take years to compile. Ultimately, I don't think one idea, no matter how brilliant, can account for so much. Societies are extremely complicated, and there are thousands of factors at work every day in promoting or inhibiting prosperity.

6. Ayaan Hirsi Ali versus Timothy Garton Ash

Comment #98518 by secular82 on December 13, 2007 at 8:23 pm

While AHA was charming, as always, I think TGA's approach to Islam was much more nuanced. He is right that religion is a very fluid concept, and you cannot say that Islam is incompatible with liberal democracy. Like Christianity, Islam is constantly evolving. In the end, what matters is not what the scriptures say but how modern Muslims understand and practice them. For many of them, Islam is a tolerant and peaceful religion. And we must support these moderate/liberal Muslims in their quest to rid Islam of intolerant elements. And that's how Islam can be compatible with liberal democracy, or at least make a couple more steps in that direction.