convergance: atheism

There is an interesting discussion happening here and here. Both of these posts reference the growing acclaim that atheistic positions are achieving in our culture. What is clear from much of the material that is referenced in both of these places is that it is really easy for atheist to take unfettered pot shots at Christian fundamentalists – especially those who espouse a literal interpretation of the Bible. Of course it is frustrating that there seem to be some many over generalizations here that lump the various different Christian positions together into one singular vein of thought (But then it shouldn’t be surprising that that sort of generalization exists when we Christians may well have taught the rest of the world how to do it). Both Gil and Dave make some excellent points in their posts. As many of you will have already read Gil’s let me highlight a quote from Dave:
but first the prayer of Serenity as written by Neibuhr
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and (the) wisdom to know the difference.
"This is why Niebuhr wrote this as a prayer. He believed he was unable to achieve serenity, courage and wisdom by his own power. He knew and saw the ultimate moral weakness and unrestrained evil of, not religion, but all humans and society. His isn’t a pessimistic view of the human race, but one which demanded the exacting exercises of contrition and love."