Following figureheads

One last topic before my computer time is restricted for school.

As either an atheist or a theist, do you prefer to follow a figurehead's teaching (various "atheist preachers" who rant about atheism, or a pastor/pope) and consider that person as always right? Or do you prefer to interpret things for yourself?

What is your opinion on some of these leaders in belief?

One last topic before my computer time is restricted for school.

As either an atheist or a theist, do you prefer to follow a figurehead's teaching (various "atheist preachers" who rant about atheism, or a pastor/pope) and consider that person as always right? Or do you prefer to interpret things for yourself?

What is your opinion on some of these leaders in belief?

itsTolkien_time

No woman/man is infallible. And thats the thing: I cant agree 100% with a person.

And I think its wrong when people do it, because they end up destorting their perception in order to not let their logic interfere and actually disagree with said person.

Its just not beneficial for anyone.

Well that depends, I do tend to agree with most of the views the supposed 'figureheads' of atheism (Dawkins, Harris, Dennet, Hitchens etc) hold, but the reason I agree with those views is not because they hold them or that I 'follow' them.

I had come to my own decisions about most things long before I had even heard of those guys.

I try to listen to ideas, not people.

I take the statements of other humans to be valuable sources for further investigation, but I accept nothing until properly researching the matter and convincing myself that it is true (or false, if the case may be).

As many have so dutifully reminded me in the past, it is better to trust in God than to place confidence in men. :P

I try to listen to ideas, not people.

Genetic_Code

This. People are correct or incorrect based on the merits of their argument not on the merits of their personality or social standing.

I certainly do only interpret things myself.  However, there are certain leaders/pastors who I largely agree with and admire.  I've personally learned a lot from Mark Driscoll, John Piper, and professors and pastors I know personally.  Essentually, when I see someone live like Christ, I take notice.  Do not think I ever blindly follow someone.