Makers of South Park call Atheisum Stupid

[Mapp]

They're pretty much equal opportunity bashers so it doesn't really bother me. As they said, making fun of it all justifies making fun of any of it. I do notice that politically they have tended to drift more to the right, libertarian side of the scale. And if they want to cling to their ridiculous first cause beliefs, while mocking others that's fine by me.

 

[WolfAU]

I see his comments as confusing atheism with anti-religion/anti-theism, which are not the same thing (I think this conflict of terms gets alot of people in trouble)... furthermore they are mistakenly asserting that all atheists believe in evolution/big bang, and his comment 'and we're just... just 'cause!' is utter crap, we all have different philosophical outlooks on the world and I think I'd rather 'cosmic randomness' over 'God's play-thing'

Also they can believe whatever they want and I find the issue of 'I believe in something... more' is becoming quite popular viewpoint, several of my friends have it.

Also they seem to have quite a few viewpoints that are conservative/republican, and some are democrat... They strike me as 'both parties are stupid' thinkers, but as a result are something of a mixed bag (Ie the goat/Stevie Nicks episode about Afghanistan, they show a knowledge of America's foreign policy bullshit, yet dogmatic patriotism in spite of it), I also think one of their episodes suggested they were pro-death penalty and the embryo one (was it "Kenny Dies"?) suggested may be "pro-life" (I can't say that with a straight face anymore).

BeardOfZeus:
The relevent parts are...
- They describe Southpark as "Peanuts on acid".
- They comment on the hypocracy that they have made countless jokes about Jesus and Scientology, but they couldn't make an episode with the image of Mohammad in it, and saying that not showing Mohammad is not 'religious tolerance' but simply a fear of getting blown up.
- They're asked if they're religious, one (I get their names mixed up) says "No", the other say "sorta but it would take me a while to explain it to you", "Do you believe in God" "Yes... I believe there is something going on that we don't know"... "People who are atheist and anti-religious.... *ramble*... but neither of us are anti-religious". Then he goes on to say the bible story is "bad writing", "but of all the bad religious stories... the silliest one i've ever heard is 'theres this universe and its expanding and its all going to collapse on itself and we're all here... just cause'".

 

[JacobEvans]

I haven't met an Atheist who didn't accept evolution or the Big Bang.

 

[theatheistguy]

I haven't met an Atheist who didn't accept evolution or the Big Bang.

I have, but not the point. Although both Atheism and science tend to be more prevalent among the rational members of society (therefore meaning that if someone accepts one, they will likely accept the other) that does not mean that with Atheism comes the prerequisite of acceptance of these theories.

 

[ImprobableJoe]

I haven't met an Atheist who didn't accept evolution or the Big Bang.

I have... I've also met atheists who rejected gods but believed in ghosts, reincarnation, and even some strange version of Heaven.

 

[ladiesman391]

I think South Park tricks everyone. Ultimately, the South Park guys are just childish and making fun of everything for the sake of making fun of everything, especially grown-up people who care about things. They are a couple of permanent 22-year old stoners who refuse to become more mature. There's no message there

I agree with you there Joe, they don't seem to be too bright, just good at taking the piss.

 

[WolfAU]

Either they are intelligent or someone who influences their show is (ie someone on the staff) because there are definately some moments of true insightfulness.

 

[AgnosticAntitheist]

I doubt they were being serious to be honest. One of them was at The Amazing Meeting once and the other one stated his religion as "Flying Spagetti Monster". They are probably just taking the piss.

 

[australopithecus]

I wont lose any sleep over it. They're consistant piss takers and even if they do honestly think what they said in the video then whatever, to each his own. So long as they keep making great TV I'm hapy.

 

[Salv]

I can't help thinking they're just saying this bs so that they don't lose a portion of their viewers. Although, I don't imagine most christians would watch South Park anyway.

 

[You]

I think they are motivated by a (misguided) sense of fairness. They feel like atheism is just one more "religion" that ought to be made fun of. Hell, they very well may believe in teaching both sides of Teh Controversy. I don't think they really know, or care, what atheism is.

 

[JacobEvans]

Well, I think I am willing to look past all of this as they are still absolutely hilarious. I'm not sure if they actually write every episode, and I'm sure they'd be fine with atheist writers making fun of their Deism.

 

[atheismforthewin]

He didn't call atheism stupid. What he said was that for him "we're all here just 'cause" is the most ridiculous explanation. I thought the two episodes making fun of "militant" atheism were hilarious.

agreed, but it seems they're associating the "just cuz" argument with non-militant atheism too much. I think if they were to hear the side of the story from a non-militant, then they would understand.

 

[Jared Jammer]

Parker and Stone are equal-opportunity offenders. They've mocked religion and God many times.

 

[Satan]

I don't like how he says "Atheist are people that hate religion".

 

[SatanicBunny]

I don't like how he says "Atheist are people that hate religion".

That coming from a user named "Satan" is quite ironic.

Anyways, what does it matter what they say. It doesn't change what atheist actually are and if someone's oppinion is based on so shallow evidence tht it can be changed by an episode of South Park then he/she has probably never met more than one atheist. I can say anything I want about religion and religious people, likewise they can say anything they want about us atheist, but calling names and spouting mis-information doesn't change our nature.

So what's the big the deal here?

 

[Don-Sama]

So what's the big the deal here?

I think it's more that they see atheism as a movement and religion, which it is obviously not. it's just not believing in something which has no evidence of existing whatsoever (god).

I'm looking forward to the episode, let them challenge what I think and maybe alter it. I hope it's going to be a good episode which can point at some odd and stupid things such as in the other episodes in which they aimed at other religions. I just hope I don't get disappointed at any of their flaws such as the claim in the video that the universe will collapse.

 

[nasher168]

they can say anything they want about us atheist, but calling names and spouting mis-information doesn't change our nature

No, but it does change the rest of the public's perception of us. If the rest of the public think we are barbaric Satan-worshippers, then they will act as though we are and politicians will attack us in the hope of getting more votes.
That could never happen here, but in the US, it is apparently a major problem.

 

[xchillx42]

Wait... Don't they call everything stupid?

 

[Grimstad]

So what's the big the deal here?

I think it's more that they see atheism as a movement and religion, which it is obviously not. it's just not believing in something which has no evidence of existing whatsoever (god).
.

But it's NOT so obvious. SOME atheists are quite evangekical. Out to prove that what they BELIEVE is right. It's not enough to accept others beliefs are different but they have a great need to prove others wrong. The only atheist that I personally know allegedly doesn't believe in god and beyond that simply doesn't care. I say allegedly because I really only know he's an atheist because of the bumper sticker on his car and he has mentioned it a couple times. Beyond that it never comes up. I have known him for over 15 years, worked with him at 3 different companies and even rented his basement for 3 years, during which time he was also my business partner.
However SOME of the atheists I find on line and many of the atheists that non atheists hear about are quite different. SOME of you are out there giving ALL of you a bad name. Much like SOME republicans are out there giving ALL republicans a bad name.