Quark,

Aren’t you being a fundamentalist too? Just in an opposite manner. And why all the strident comments? You could make a hell of a lot stronger point with less of them. And “being a jerk” is not the same as calling someone a jerk. One is descriptive of a person acting a certain way at a certain time and the other is a description of the persons character in general. Yeah, I know, it is a reading comprehension thing.

Now as far as some of what I think is your point. I came from a religious background, but that would be Catholic in the 60’s when it was quite liberal and trying to be open to all, etc. Everyday I would question a lot of the teachings and the fundamentals of those teachings. But I also learned some people need those and if their goals were good then it was good. I learned some fundamentals also give some a drive they might not get another way. Also good. And I feel the exact same way about anyone that is an atheist also has a drive from a different direction or motivation and they too can also have good goals. So to me it all comes down to the individual. And you seem to like grouping. I think that harms your debate as you tend to stridently generalize.

One other thing, you hung a lot of your argument on that bit about getting pregnant with a touch. Do you need take that so literally? What about taking it allegorically. Such as “these teens these days. It seems if they touch one another the girl gets pregnant.!” I would think even a few atheists might feel that way from time to time. As Dark Falcon points out, it is a concern for any parent or guardian of any teenager, fundamental or realist.

Add some polish to your argument, you might actually get people to consider it. I believe at the root you have merit in a decent discussion, but you aren’t allowing anyone to debate the point when they end up debating the debater character and motivations.

Note: sorry for being so late to the thread. Just wanted to toss in. Hell, I’m always behind!