Book recommendation for MD atheists

[_MrStakhanovite]

I just posted a review of Reasonable Atheismon my blog:

The commentary on the “New Atheists” is where the book begins to earn it’s keep. At several points I felt like clapping for the authors, as they made their case against the ‘New Atheist’ approach to dialogue, which is a combination of aggression and ignorance. Their finest example has to do with the Ontological argument, which was by far, my favorite part of the book, and how this argument is useful is gauging people’s understanding of the more complex issues involved. If you don’t understand the Ontological argument, and do not have a reasoned response to it, your atheism is more than likely to be poorly justified.

SAUCE

I'd recomend this book to anyone here, unless your name is EA or Blixa.

[_Simon Belmont]

How about a brief explanation of the Ontological Argument?

[_MrStakhanovite]

How about a brief explanation of the Ontological Argument?

You're the M.A. my friend. Teach me.

[_Simon Belmont]

How about a brief explanation of the Ontological Argument?

You're the M.A. my friend. Teach me.

Aw, c'mon Stak! This is your thread, and I'm thinking about your audience.

Basically, the way I understand it is this:

If it can be thought of or conceived, it exists. If God can be conceived, God exists.

This derives from the idea that everything known of or conceived of exists as a thought, though some things exist as a thought and something else (something physical), everything exists as at least a thought.

It can be kind of confusing. What's your take?

[_MrStakhanovite]

While I think modality is involved in the more sophisticated arguments, the basics is that God is supremely perfect, and to not exist is a flaw, so God has to exist. Conceivability is dangerous, because you can’t go from possible to actual.

[_zeezrom]

I like how you say, sauce.

I, however, would probably stick with frosting

[_MrStakhanovite]

Zeez, I still owe you an essay for the trip you took me to the Punjab. I'm suprised you're not down with the sauce.

[_zeezrom]

Zeez, I still owe you an essay for the trip you took me to the Punjab. I'm suprised you're not down with the sauce.

I'm way, way down with the sauce. That said, I would feel bad for copying you and I love frosting. I like sugar enough to violate the Word of Wisdom with gusto.

[_Ren]

Thanks for the recommendation.
It does look good, and I've just ordered it...

I'll save inflicting any of my knuckle-dragging comments upon you until I've read it :)

[_MrStakhanovite]

You're far from a knuckle dragger Ren! I leave that to Honorentheos, that cur.