Expert: Philip A. Stahl - 6/25/2010

Question
QUESTION: I was on the "Ask An Atheist" forum site and belatedly learned it appeared to mostly be dedicated to arguing *against* and refuting whatever the real non-theists were stating there. Then on the Richard Dawkins atheist forum some folks there seemed to be working hard to refute various comments that I made. So it would be great if I could get logged-on a website where it's possible to seriously (%26 intelligently) discuss the importance of non-theism and the FRAUD being perpetrated by the religions. Do you have any recommendation about where I might 'go' on-line to find an excellent atheist forum? Also I hope to find a cheap copy of that book on JFK you have strongly recommended on the Amazon site: "JFK and The Unspeakable" by James W. Douglass. From a former Intertel member - -  Thanks!

ANSWER: Hello,

The unfortunate aspect of most atheist public forums, in fact all I've seen thus far, is that they're soon overrun by zealous theists - and mostly of the orthodox or fundie variety. This means that it's essentially impossible to have an intelligent discussion. Whatever begins as worthwhile and constructive soon descends into chaos, and often name calling or accusations.

Amazon is a perfect example, in its book review forums. A few years ago I reviewed the theology-cum-anthropology monograph ('Discovering God: The Origins of the Great Religions and the Evolution of Belief ') by anthropologist Roland Stark. I suppose the wandering religionists, mostly Christians, were annoyed at my 1-star rating, and have delivered insipid comments since the review went up. Not one single constructive critique to be seen, all on the superficial attack level.

The last theist, instead of submitting a reasoned response on why she didn't like the review, simply asked numerous irrelevant questions as to, when and where I got my Ph.D., how many papers I published, if I believed I was "smarter than Prof. Stark" and other spurious nonsense.

I replied to her(ticked off as I was):

"Either: a) the arguments I submitted have merit in the review, or b) they do not. Which is it? If YOUR perception is (b) then submit a rational, coherent rejoinder explaining where and how I've fallen short. Can you do that? As opposed to spurious personal inquiries (a form of ad hominem) which accomplishes nothing.

These are merely transparent efforts on your part to deflect attention and indirectly impugn my review, possibly because you're unable to make even a rudimentary case of your own."

So now, I don't even bother to look for any public forums because it's impossible to locate any where irrational theists haven't invaded and taken over, or at least chased many of the non-theists out.

I even, some time ago, received an invitation to join Mensa's Atheist discussion group online, but after my last experience (1994-95) with Mensa's AthSig, I thought the better of it, and simply moved on.

So, my time now is spent compiling a number of books, including one on the JFK assassination ('Lancer Down: The Final Analysis of the JFK Assassination') where I use fractional calculus to address a recent finding by Hany Farid of Dartmouth that the backyard Oswald photos were not faked. (I found they were). I'm also finishing a book that will be a compendium of recent pieces that appeared on my blog, Brane Space. An earlier book, 'Mathematical Excursions in Brane Space' has already been published and is available at lulu.com.

Sorry not to have been more helpful on locating a quality atheist forum, but it seems it's more and more a vast wasteland out there.




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Is it a realistic possibility for a non-theist to build his own militantly atheistic web page - and to hope or expect his Home Page won't be destroyed by the U.S., rabidly super-godly folks? Would it be better - and far safer - to publish strongly anti-religious facts and commentary in a self-published book, the author of which treatise would be "Anon"?

Noto bene: Information from P.A. Stahl was read in Integra that clearly explained why there is such "very strong doubt" that any deity could possibly exist. A reply to P.A. Stahl's excellent paper then inquired of him whether it may be possible that a deity might exist someplace outside the boundaries of the "known" Universe.

Answer
Hello again,

Yes, I believe one can build a militantly atheistic web page. (Some people have complained my blog fits that description when I go after my brother!)  Probably, the better alternative is to use a self-published book or tract. (The reason I say this is that last year my bro complained to Google and temporarily had my blog taken down as "spam". I had to not only post a vigorous article in response, but also go through some formalities to show otherwise. I haven't forgiven him for it either!)

Btw, thanks for referencing the Integra article! I actually also submitted a further reply to two members (R. Kovacs, K. Wear) who criticized it, but for some reason it was never published.