> If things are going to get better in Africa, it will be because Africans grow their economy and pay taxes and their governments can provide the services that they want
The problem with this argument is that the path to achieve this is unclear, and everyone who has tried has failed. In the absence of a clear path, it seems rational to set aside lofty ideals and do whatever good you can now.
> If you are looking for low-probability events to worry about I think you could find a lot of them.
Name one that hasn't already been considered that would be a serious threat to modern technological civilization.
> Although it is run by people who say they are militant atheists, the movement has all the trappings of a religion
Supposing you're correct this thought is incomplete. Take it to its logical conclusion: a religion centered around open rational debate is bad because...?
The problem with this argument is that the path to achieve this is unclear, and everyone who has tried has failed. In the absence of a clear path, it seems rational to set aside lofty ideals and do whatever good you can now.
> If you are looking for low-probability events to worry about I think you could find a lot of them.
Name one that hasn't already been considered that would be a serious threat to modern technological civilization.
> Although it is run by people who say they are militant atheists, the movement has all the trappings of a religion
Supposing you're correct this thought is incomplete. Take it to its logical conclusion: a religion centered around open rational debate is bad because...?