A simple message that some will never grasp...

[cleanhippie]

http://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2011/09/09/a-simple-message-that-some-will-never-grasp/

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

1. Bill Gates?

That's the best they could come up with?

[RC]

3. Correct. Bill Gates and ethics?

Surely, or whatever their name is, they can do better than that.

[cleanhippie]

4. Without defending the creator of the graphic, is it possible that people immediately think of

Microsoft Bill Gates, and not Bill Gates the Philanthropist who really IS doing a lot with his fortune to help humanity?


Yes, there are probably MANY other, and better, names, but I get it.

[bananas]

18. Embrace, Extend, Extinguish applied to Philanthropy is "ethical"?

I don't think so...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#Philanthropy

The foundation was at the same time criticized because it invests assets that it has not yet distributed with the exclusive goal of maximizing return on investment. As a result, its investments include companies that have been charged with worsening poverty in the same developing countries where the Foundation is attempting to relieve poverty. These include companies that pollute heavily, and pharmaceutical companies that do not sell into the developing world.<71> In response to press criticism, the foundation announced in 2007 a review of its investments, to assess social responsibility.<72> It subsequently canceled the review and stood by its policy of investing for maximum return, while using voting rights to influence company practices.<73>

[dmallind]

2. Why are the people without religion only "ethical" not the much stronger "good"?

For a potentially useful image - although I question a couple of the examples - expressly designed to remind others against making distinctions in assessing peoples' goodness on religious differrences, it's a pretty startling thing to refer to the non-religious with a much weaker compliment.

[Demit]

5. Lol, maybe it had something to do with using Bill Gates as the example.

You're right though, good point. The words used throughout are good and evil, until you get to the last pair. I'd call this a fail.

edited for typo. I've been doing this all day!

[cleanhippie]

6. That is an interesting observation.

I cannot disagree.

[Pacifist Patriot]

8. Depends upon who's doing the describing.

Humanists have long been using the catch-phrase "good without god."

Edited for grammar

[d_r]

7. there's a simple response message, also rarely grasped

[rug]

9. You're saying there are good Christians?

:wow:

I wonder if you'll ever say there are rational Christians and priests who are not child rapists.

[cleanhippie]

11. No, I'm not saying that at all.

I'm saying that there are good people AND bad people, some of which happen to be christian, muslim, atheist, wiccan, hindu......

And, IMO, people who defend, rationalize, ignore, hide, and protect child-rapists are BAD people, no matter WHAT the profession of the child-rapist happens to be.

[Festivito]

10. Now there we can agree -- finally.

Although, I'd say: "Bill Gates?" How about Sam Clemens/Mark Twain instead. Just the same, the idea is clear and well received.

Religion or non-religion is not the problem we have in America today. Instead, it is attacks on any, ANY, group that freely associates to abuse that group for political purposes.

And that leads the top .1% to fund people who keep the division between religious and non-religious going, especially here on DU, so that we Democrats do not make inroads into religious voters -- keeping the religious a stronghold for the Republicans.

[cleanhippie]

12. I'm glad we can finally see eye-to-eye.

:fistbump:

[Festivito]

13. Two down, about ten to go.

respec' knuckles :fistbump: back at 'ya.

[cleanhippie]

14. We will get there, eventually.

[Deep13]

15. True. Can't tell you how many times I have heard someone...

...try to prove himself or herself an ethical or moral person by pointing to church attendance. No, what the really does is prove you are part of the in-group.

[Odin2005]

16. BILL GATES? this Atheist is INSULTED by that corporate fucker being called "good".

Where is Carl Sagan?

[darkstar3]

17. Bill Gates is a thief, a liar, and in general a corporate tool.

Having said that, it is impossible to ignore the incredible amount of work his foundation has done for various medicinal and charitable causes.

In a world where people put more stock in the amount of money one freely throws at a charitable cause, and less stock into any other character traits, Gates is a good example.

In the sane world that you and I might like to live in, a better example might be Adam Savage. Family friendly TV star, all around cool and likable guy, and an atheist.