Ok, Max, I get that you are an atheist. Or, this is at least your current kick.
But, what's the difference between this video and some evangelist knocking on your door? Why are you actively spreading your beliefs?
Why are you shoving people's noses in your opinions instead of just letting them be? The vast majority of religious people mean no harm - so why break down something that brings them comfort?
And, as for the Religious Reich, they would be as insane and murderous with or without Christianity. Telling them that Christianity is a pile of empty rituals will either do nothing or leave them murderous and insane without even ONE redeeming quality. If they weren't killing in the name of Christ they would kill in the name of Barney or George the Second or whatever.
So, I ask again, why is it important for you to use this pulpit to spread your beliefs? Why are you evangelizing your opinions here?
I thought it was interesting. I didn't think it was going to change the world. I just found the video interesting.
I was under the impression that this blog was a place for us to post our thoughts and feelings, things we find interesting, etc; even if we (shudder of fear) risk offending.
My mistake. Thanks for correcting me. I'll just crawl back into my hole, then, shall I? That will leave more room for posts that make everybody happy - at least everybody who actually matters.
Why is it when you are challenged, your only reaction is "I'll hide and that will make them happy"? We used to be able to debate, now it's "someone asked me a question - time for an extreme over-reaction!"
I am in no way worried about offending the general public with this site. If the general public was reading this site, we'd be doing that on a regular basis.
I asked why you were acting like those you were opposing. You answered that you were not - you found the video interesting and decided to share. That's question asked and answered in a reasonable manner.
When did we lose the ability to debate a controversial issue on this site? When did it become personal? What do we need to do to keep it from being personal?
I should have pointed out that there is nothing wrong with either me or the religious reich talking about and advocating for our points of view. There is a difference between talking up one's point of view and trying to force it on someone through legislation.
On Historical Fact: I'm willing to buy these are facts - but I didn't see a single pointer so that I could go look this up for myself. A footnote of where the movie maker had found these facts would have added credibility.
I am also willing to buy these are coincidences. Sometimes I think people (read: conspiracy theorists) give the Church too much credit. I just can't believe that the Church is capable of being this conniving or cunning. No bureaucracy is that smart or capable. I could be wrong. It just seems a little much.
I totally agree with the legislation point. The Christian Reich goes totally deaf when someone says "Separation of Church and State". But, are we shocked by this? No. We can see many cases of religious extremists trying to run fascist states.
Luckily, this country has believed in freedom of religion long enough that several religions have some power. Ready for my racist remark of the day? Here goes: Thank God for the Jews!
As for you, I'm sorry you are in a bad place. I hope you begin to feel better.
IWDC has been, is and will continue to be a forum of public debate on controversial issues that effect us all. All are requested and encouraged to come forth and display their views - just be prepared to back up your views with facts and be attacked by the mad-dog owners of this site for no good reason other than their own entertainment!
Perhaps some well known myths were integrated into this burgeoning cult. It is not unusual for cults to pick and choose from various extant myths when putting together a canon theology.
I agree. I've heard these points since before college. Xmas is the Pagan Winter Festival. Easter is the Spring Fertility rite. St. Bridget was a pagan goddess, etc.
I just don't have the background to say if these are historical facts or atheist/pagan propaganda. Are there documents that point to the Church knowingly co-opting these things? Maybe there are. The video maker certainly didn't point to them.
And, Max, put the video back. No one has any idea what we're talking about here! :)
A good place to start is just about any book by Bart Ehrmann. He was a devout Christian who lost his faith as his studies of the history of Christianity started showing where holes where spackeled shut with bullshit.
Unlike "New Atheist" writers like Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens, he is not out to convert anyone. All he cares about, even now as a complete atheist, is researching and writing about the factual history of Christianity.
10 Comments:
Ok, Max, I get that you are an atheist. Or, this is at least your current kick.
But, what's the difference between this video and some evangelist knocking on your door? Why are you actively spreading your beliefs?
Why are you shoving people's noses in your opinions instead of just letting them be? The vast majority of religious people mean no harm - so why break down something that brings them comfort?
And, as for the Religious Reich, they would be as insane and murderous with or without Christianity. Telling them that Christianity is a pile of empty rituals will either do nothing or leave them murderous and insane without even ONE redeeming quality. If they weren't killing in the name of Christ they would kill in the name of Barney or George the Second or whatever.
So, I ask again, why is it important for you to use this pulpit to spread your beliefs? Why are you evangelizing your opinions here?
I thought it was interesting. I didn't think it was going to change the world. I just found the video interesting.
I was under the impression that this blog was a place for us to post our thoughts and feelings, things we find interesting, etc; even if we (shudder of fear) risk offending.
My mistake. Thanks for correcting me. I'll just crawl back into my hole, then, shall I? That will leave more room for posts that make everybody happy - at least everybody who actually matters.
Why is it when you are challenged, your only reaction is "I'll hide and that will make them happy"? We used to be able to debate, now it's "someone asked me a question - time for an extreme over-reaction!"
I am in no way worried about offending the general public with this site. If the general public was reading this site, we'd be doing that on a regular basis.
I asked why you were acting like those you were opposing. You answered that you were not - you found the video interesting and decided to share. That's question asked and answered in a reasonable manner.
When did we lose the ability to debate a controversial issue on this site? When did it become personal? What do we need to do to keep it from being personal?
I am not in a happy place.
But also, if showing a video about historical fact makes me the same as the religious reich, then what exactly is okay to post?
So, yeah, I overreacted. And then some.
I should have pointed out that there is nothing wrong with either me or the religious reich talking about and advocating for our points of view. There is a difference between talking up one's point of view and trying to force it on someone through legislation.
On Historical Fact: I'm willing to buy these are facts - but I didn't see a single pointer so that I could go look this up for myself. A footnote of where the movie maker had found these facts would have added credibility.
I am also willing to buy these are coincidences. Sometimes I think people (read: conspiracy theorists) give the Church too much credit. I just can't believe that the Church is capable of being this conniving or cunning. No bureaucracy is that smart or capable. I could be wrong. It just seems a little much.
I totally agree with the legislation point. The Christian Reich goes totally deaf when someone says "Separation of Church and State". But, are we shocked by this? No. We can see many cases of religious extremists trying to run fascist states.
Luckily, this country has believed in freedom of religion long enough that several religions have some power. Ready for my racist remark of the day? Here goes: Thank God for the Jews!
As for you, I'm sorry you are in a bad place. I hope you begin to feel better.
IWDC has been, is and will continue to be a forum of public debate on controversial issues that effect us all. All are requested and encouraged to come forth and display their views - just be prepared to back up your views with facts and be attacked by the mad-dog owners of this site for no good reason other than their own entertainment!
Dance, Monkeys! DANCE!!! ;)
Perhaps some well known myths were integrated into this burgeoning cult. It is not unusual for cults to pick and choose from various extant myths when putting together a canon theology.
I agree. I've heard these points since before college. Xmas is the Pagan Winter Festival. Easter is the Spring Fertility rite. St. Bridget was a pagan goddess, etc.
I just don't have the background to say if these are historical facts or atheist/pagan propaganda. Are there documents that point to the Church knowingly co-opting these things? Maybe there are. The video maker certainly didn't point to them.
And, Max, put the video back. No one has any idea what we're talking about here! :)
A good place to start is just about any book by Bart Ehrmann. He was a devout Christian who lost his faith as his studies of the history of Christianity started showing where holes where spackeled shut with bullshit.
Unlike "New Atheist" writers like Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens, he is not out to convert anyone. All he cares about, even now as a complete atheist, is researching and writing about the factual history of Christianity.
That's the Max I know and love!! :)
Post a Comment
<< Home