tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7532871.post1914183095923613268..comments2024-03-13T13:29:33.800-05:00Comments on SocraticGadfly: So, how good is #Faitheist? What’s it about? (extensively updated)Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7532871.post-14461300339220620772020-03-13T18:34:45.548-05:002020-03-13T18:34:45.548-05:00A third new anonymice? Or is this the first one of...A third new anonymice? Or is this the first one of the end of last year responding to the one of two weeks ago? In either case, I love it!Gadflyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13075757287807731373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7532871.post-38200298618377136172020-03-13T15:35:46.206-05:002020-03-13T15:35:46.206-05:00So Chris is trolling one of the actual honest revi...So Chris is trolling one of the actual honest reviews of his own book? nice. <br /><br />anyways, <br /><br />Chris Stedman<br />@ChrisDStedman<br />·<br />3h<br />I make most of my small income speaking. Due to closed campuses and social distancing I, like many, now face major financial uncertainty. Some have asked about ways to materially support (<br />Red heart<br />). I’d be so grateful if you considered preordering my next book<br /><br />https://twitter.com/ChrisDStedman/status/1238514410563534853<br /><br /><br />anyways I sold you all *drugs* for years, and I'm not talking bud<br />don't see that anywhere in the bookAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7532871.post-17532574696808714782020-03-02T19:29:25.553-06:002020-03-02T19:29:25.553-06:00A new round of dueling anonymice! Better yet.A new round of dueling anonymice! Better yet.Gadflyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13075757287807731373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7532871.post-45266288825085667172020-03-02T19:20:11.208-06:002020-03-02T19:20:11.208-06:00
Full disclosure I work for Augsburg University.
...<br />Full disclosure I work for Augsburg University. <br /><br />Having the privilege of meeting Mr. Stedman while visiting fellow alumni. I want to set the record straight. <br /><br />As per the settlement, Augsburg University has decided to appease the formal investigation from the EU member country and has found no ill will in this matter by Mr. Stedman. The issue has been formally closed. <br /><br />As for Mr. Stedman, he is currently working on a new book. Which I am looking forward to reading. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7532871.post-61902029636990836822019-12-31T17:15:56.326-06:002019-12-31T17:15:56.326-06:00Very, very interesting Mr. (newest) Anonymous.Very, very interesting Mr. (newest) Anonymous.Gadflyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13075757287807731373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7532871.post-86435517750220345232019-12-31T14:04:43.593-06:002019-12-31T14:04:43.593-06:00Ahhhh yes, Augsburg College years
When Mr. Stedma...Ahhhh yes, Augsburg College years<br /><br />When Mr. Stedman, Aaron Wells (Former Jim Graves for Congress)and Edward "Jay" Matchett tormented an Autistic Exchange Student and "removed" his door privileged from his freshman dorm. <br /><br />Yes, a quality individual. <br /><br />Apparently the Government of Norway, Augsburg University, and the State of Minnesota remember. <br /><br />Noticed that chapter is missing. <br /><br />Anyways picked up a used copy for .10 cents on Amazon. Think that should speak volumes for how much the world cares.<br /><br />-A fellow Auggie who went to school with Chris Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7532871.post-68387658244329140962013-03-07T12:58:24.521-06:002013-03-07T12:58:24.521-06:00I'll admit I may have rated it a bit on the to...I'll admit I may have rated it a bit on the tough side. That said, Amazon reviews are like a giant blog, and often I adjust my starring based on what other ratings have been like.<br /><br />And, interestingly, Thom, you note yourself that it "come(s) across as less than personal."Gadflyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13075757287807731373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7532871.post-88657508112777857162013-03-07T12:38:55.154-06:002013-03-07T12:38:55.154-06:00I fully enjoyed and identified with Chris's bo...I fully enjoyed and identified with Chris's book, and while it did come across as less than personal, found the insight into his own emotional and spiritual musings appealing. I review the book based on his age and experience, both of which are small, and as such it was highly reviewed by me on amazon.com. <br /><br />What I hope happens is that on his journey through interfaith dialogue he does grow his brand, he allows criticism come to his mind, and he reacts and grows from that criticism. <br /><br />Thanks for your review. It was a little harsh to me, I think the book is not a 2 star and maybe my review was too kind, but perhaps somewhere in between. <br /><br />Best<br /><br />ThomThe Faith Of Marshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07039997859590007462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7532871.post-84598330009606209902013-01-27T22:23:26.217-06:002013-01-27T22:23:26.217-06:00Per that second YouTube link, I have no idea if St...Per that second YouTube link, I have no idea if Stedman was or was not the first secularist to come out against Draw Muhammad day, or just the first one lucky enough to get noticed. (As a good liberal, Chris could note the role of luck more, whether it's his rise to ascendancy or other things in other people's lives.) I did a parody blog post right here, "Draw PZ Myers." But, I didn't get "noticed." And didn't have a "brand." Maybe that's bit beyond skeptical to cynical. But, with others, like a John Loftus, who have also made the religious to irreligious link, those who have gotten noticed may have had some skill or niche I didn't. that's fine. They may also have had a drive to get noticed that I didn't. Fine IF they own up to the drive for "branding." And, they may just have gotten lucky in part.Gadflyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13075757287807731373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7532871.post-69202676598327073652013-01-27T22:15:32.535-06:002013-01-27T22:15:32.535-06:00David, I guess this is a "where is Chris Sted...David, I guess this is a "where is Chris Stedman coming from" review as much as a book review. So, I'll look at your second YouTube link, the one that's "marketing" related, first.<br /><br />That said, I have no problem with marketing, or branding ... as long as the brander accepts that he/she is going to get the branding effort critiqued, too (as Zach Alexander also did in that blog post I just linked).<br /><br />Beyond the "marketing," though, the "depersonalization" (to go even beyond the "surreal" you mentioned) ... it doesn't read that well as memoir, no matter what Chris might be branding and what issues he's tackling. At least it doesn't to me. You tangentially touched on that in college-related time periods, but I see it in him describing his childhood. Some reviewers found that gripping, but, as I said, I found it "depersonalized." Or, maybe "bloodless" would be another term.<br /><br />On the "how he got there," and even more on "how much of an atheist is he," sorry, but I'll have to disagree with you and agree with Mr. Alexander. He doesn't give much depth on details of the deconversion. Compare, if that's a harsh one, say, Augustine? (Of course, as noted, the book at times lacks detail in general.) And, per Zack Alexander, his "core interests" just don't really align with traditional core interests of atheism. That's why I wouldn't be surprised if he were "something else" in the future.<br /><br />And, apology for any unwarranted "gnu" assumption.Gadflyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13075757287807731373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7532871.post-7864074625395922162013-01-27T22:09:00.754-06:002013-01-27T22:09:00.754-06:00Oh, and also shameless plug of some other things I...Oh, and also shameless plug of some other things I've written/created online re:atheism, go here: <a href="http://newsecular.wordpress.com" rel="nofollow">http://newsecular.wordpress.com</a><br /><br />SimonSayshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04748847530760277608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7532871.post-54423133306676474332013-01-27T22:04:57.087-06:002013-01-27T22:04:57.087-06:00O hai! Thanks for following up. Read your update. ...O hai! Thanks for following up. Read your update. Perhaps a new blog post might be appropriate now that you read the book? But I digress...<br /><br />First things first I'm not a "Gnu". Never claimed to have been one. Reason I posted on Stephanie's blog is because I think she's awesome, simple as that.<br /><br />Anyhow, read what you have to say and I think there might be a video of interest to you from March 2009: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCWX_iPd_Uk<br /><br />I'm a bit tired so may have read your post wrong but you seem to be for more info on Stedman's UU connection? Well keep in mind Meadville Lombard Theological Seminary is a UU school. Feel free to discard if this is not an answer to your question. FWIW there are MANY UU's that are atheists it is not inconsistent and I wouldn't read too much into it. And yes, they do exemplary social justice work, as do the Quakers.<br /><br />Also, if I understand correctly you seem to imply that Stedman doesn't do a good job of explicitly stating how he arrived at atheism. I disagree with this. He does a good job of both pointing out inconsistencies in scripture during his teen years as well as articulating the approximate time in college when he lost his faith.<br /><br />To your general "branding" question, I think this may also be relevant: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmGPWkVlwqM<br /><br />However, ultimately I'm not sure how much any of this is appropriate to discuss within the confines of a book review.<br /><br />And also, if someone is going to be an activist I think it is perfectly fine to want to differentiate themselves. If that is how Stedman (or whoever) believes they can be effective and get their message across. As long someone is sincere and honest it is what it is. So if there are parts of his story that are indeed unique well then more power to him if he wants to highlight.SimonSayshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04748847530760277608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7532871.post-18908572969640976712013-01-27T20:01:38.753-06:002013-01-27T20:01:38.753-06:00OK, don't know if either Simon or Barbara is s...OK, don't know if either Simon or Barbara is still following the comments thread or not. But I've read and reviewed the book myself.<br /><br />Simon, I'll never be a Gnu, unlike you. That said, other than perhaps being nitpicky about the opening scene, I think your review was charitable. Too charitable, if anything.<br /><br />Barbara, you probably won't like the review. Sorry.Gadflyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13075757287807731373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7532871.post-18041731466514929532012-12-21T10:19:48.388-06:002012-12-21T10:19:48.388-06:00No, we don't have to rely on memory, I guess. ...No, we don't have to rely on memory, I guess. I must have thought of some other conversation involving Gnus and someone wearing a T-shirt. (I'm reasonably sure my focus on a T-shirt didn't come out of whole cloth, pun intended.)<br /><br />And, tying this back to the original blog post, i.e., Chris' memory for a party. About 90 percent in jest, but ... 10 percent in seriousness, I hope this doesn't affect your perception of my perception of Gnu Atheism.Gadflyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13075757287807731373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7532871.post-58581436643555214072012-12-21T09:37:26.502-06:002012-12-21T09:37:26.502-06:00Thankfully we don't need to rely on memory for...Thankfully we don't need to rely on memory for this one: http://www.daylightatheism.org/images/ReasonRally34.jpgSimonSayshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04748847530760277608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7532871.post-87349545225903394852012-12-21T09:31:30.508-06:002012-12-21T09:31:30.508-06:00Ahh, no, I'm pretty sure she also had a "...Ahh, no, I'm pretty sure she also had a "destroy religion," or similar, T-shirt in addition to any sign. (Not 100 percent sure ... memory, remember! But, pretty sure.) And, her T-shirt (and/or sign) not about CFI. About Gnu Atheism/Atheist Plusers in general. (Per my comment above, that I thought indicated that I had switched the thread to Gnus, or at least their stereotypes, and away from CFI.)Gadflyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13075757287807731373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7532871.post-86052806807386715872012-12-21T09:17:44.062-06:002012-12-21T09:17:44.062-06:00I think you mean Jen's sign at the Reason Rall...I think you mean Jen's sign at the Reason Rally. Not sure what that's got to do with CFI however...I believe she was there in an official capacity with the Secular Student Alliance.<br />SimonSayshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04748847530760277608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7532871.post-40668972419492487562012-12-20T17:44:10.233-06:002012-12-20T17:44:10.233-06:00Reason Rally; her shirt definitely raised non-Gnu ...Reason Rally; her shirt definitely raised non-Gnu eyebrows.Gadflyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13075757287807731373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7532871.post-69186052502845420382012-12-20T17:39:37.119-06:002012-12-20T17:39:37.119-06:00Er, which event are you referring to? The only nat...Er, which event are you referring to? The only national secular event in DC in 2013 that I am aware of will be Women in Secularism 2. Or do you mean this year's Reason Rally?SimonSayshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04748847530760277608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7532871.post-82071305923133733732012-12-20T15:29:07.868-06:002012-12-20T15:29:07.868-06:00But, you WILL find those goals expressed by PZed, ...But, you WILL find those goals expressed by PZed, Coyne, and the "plusers," including by Jen McCreight this spring on a T-shirt at the skeptical event in DC.Gadflyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13075757287807731373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7532871.post-58635774286634793862012-12-20T15:05:35.803-06:002012-12-20T15:05:35.803-06:00Probably the best distillation of what CFI does an...Probably the best distillation of what CFI does and why is in the organization's mission statement: http://centerforinquiry.net/about<br /><br />You won't find the destruction of religion among those goals :-)SimonSayshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04748847530760277608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7532871.post-12927292255017366472012-12-20T14:48:50.519-06:002012-12-20T14:48:50.519-06:00Simon, so you did, on motive ... I couldn't re...Simon, so you did, on motive ... I couldn't remember if you did or not, and didn't click the link in advance. (And, it's Steve, here.)<br /><br />And Coyne? Anything short of a Gnu Atheist jihad would probably look anti-atheist to him (and select others, like Ophelia Benson, IMO).<br /><br />That said, while I'm more anti-Gnu than Chris (and as I said in the thread at Patheos, he needs to hear Sean Connery in the Untouchables), I can appreciate them, at times, at least outside of atheism itself. However, often (like other commenters in that thread, and "leaders" such as Coyne and PZ) they conflate "all versions of Christianity" with fundamentalism.<br /><br />Beyond that, like Garbo, I just want to be "let alone" by the Religious Right types. I have no desire to "destroy religion" or even come close.Gadflyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13075757287807731373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7532871.post-58961004833165049322012-12-20T14:01:11.627-06:002012-12-20T14:01:11.627-06:00Gadfly: In the review itself, in my discussion of ...Gadfly: In the review itself, in my discussion of Chapter 1 I believe I answer this question quite explicitly.<br /><br />As for the matter of CFI's direction, I'm a bit amused because it seems like a situation of damned if you do and damned if you don't. Here's what Mr. "Gnu" himself Jerry Coyne wrote about CFI back in 2010 (also post-Kurtz): http://whyevolutionistrue.wordpress.com/2010/09/25/cfi-declares-war-on-atheists/SimonSayshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04748847530760277608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7532871.post-36881592499677228672012-12-20T12:23:27.407-06:002012-12-20T12:23:27.407-06:00Simon, post-Kurtz, CFI has unarguably move more in...Simon, post-Kurtz, CFI has unarguably move more in a Gnu Atheist direction, and arguably become semi-full blown Gnu. That's why I find it ironic he's still on their speaker's bureau!<br /><br />Anyway, I do hope to read the book myself; that said, I don't know when Waco, Texas' library system might get a copy.<br /><br />And, if you want to share more of any motivation you had, this space is open.Gadflyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13075757287807731373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7532871.post-17935709440407242652012-12-20T11:15:22.661-06:002012-12-20T11:15:22.661-06:00Thanks for reading my review. I will confess to be...Thanks for reading my review. I will confess to being nit-picky at times...though I prefer to use the term "thorough" myself :-)<br /><br />One question: Chris Stedman is on the CFI speaker's bureau (the page you link to). What is it about the current direction of CFI that makes you think this would no longer be the case?<br /><br />I do feel the need to respond to Barbara Drescher however. Firstly, one of the Sagan quotes I mentioned <i>was</i> incorrectly attributed (ie a misquote). This is a matter of fact that has been verified. Also, Barbara seems to be saying I incorrectly claimed that there were multiple misquotes. I would ask Barbara to please indicate precisely where I did this and how I was incorrect. <br /><br />More importantly however, yes, she and I and some other people had a lengthy twitter conversation prompted by the Salon.com excerpt that was released prior to the book itself.<br /><br />However I object quite vigorously to her characterization that I was "hell-bent" on discrediting Stedman. I do not recall ever meeting Barbara and the only online interaction with her I am aware of is the aforementioned one on twitter (which I might add was originally neither addressed to her nor mentioned her). As such, I feel that she is simply not in a position to judge my motivation.SimonSayshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04748847530760277608noreply@blogger.com