Merit-bound Alley

The Canadian National Post has an interview with Dr. Robert Buckman, an oncologist and former collaborator with John Cleese, where he intimates his concern for his fellow atheists.His concern centers around his view that “the godless can be way too dogmatic and far too humourless”.

Try to be more humble. Or as he puts it, “humble up.”

“Stop feeling because you are sure you are right that gives you the power to shout and dominate and be a pill,” said Dr. Buckman, who will be appearing with his good friend Dr. Henry Morgentaler. “Humble up and accept that people may not agree with you.”

This is semi-valid advice that may change if Canada’s religious conservative movement continues to gain ground in their government. The squeakiest wheels in the atheist community at the moment are the ones who are most against religion as a whole and take the most agressive stance in promoting their views. Yes, I thought parts of Dawkin’s The God Delusion were presented in a very arrogant way that made roll my eyes  bit, and I have yet to buy Chistopher Hitchen’s God is Not Great for that very same reason. However, as with any book, you have to incoporate the opinions of the author into understanding the message of the book and why it was written.

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