quote:

ORIGINAL: Anaxagoras

quote:

ORIGINAL: Moonhead

quote:

ORIGINAL: GotSteel

quote:

ORIGINAL: thishereboi
I always assumed it was because they seem to think that their actions and thoughts of some idiots reflect that of all christians.

No we've just gotten tired of being oppressed while the rest of the Christians fail to stand up to those idiots.

It's particularly intriguing that the bulk of sane Christians refuse to condemn these people. I remember the mooslim failure to do that being part of the proof that every living koran reader is part of the jihad against the west, after all...

Actually all or most speaking up for Christians on here labelled him a fool or a bigot but even if they didn't, the words "false" and "equivalence" spring to mind. If you need me to explain that I will but here is an example as a taster: Prolific Islamist violence is an issue in almost every serious religious conflict in the world, and it is done ostensibly in the name of Islam. It has the explicit support of very many Islamic leaders. Take the violent purge of Christians - last month the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, an individual who holds a position that is a close equivalent to the Pope due to the immense import of the location of his office to the faith, stated there should be no more Churches in the Arabian Peninsula.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Kirata

quote:

ORIGINAL: fucktoyprincess

This is so heartbreaking to read. And now this pastor is simply going to be contributing to more runaway children, more psychologically messed-up young adults, more broken families? And how exactly is this good for us as a society, regardless of whether one is theist, atheist, or whateverist?

I suppose any homophobic flake might say as much. What's heartbreaking to me is that this guy is accepted as a freaking pastor. But I guess that's the state of affairs you end up with when your definition of religion is any set of beliefs "generally agreed upon by a number of persons."

K.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Dom4subssub4doms

quote:

ORIGINAL: Kirata

quote:

ORIGINAL: fucktoyprincess

This is so heartbreaking to read. And now this pastor is simply going to be contributing to more runaway children, more psychologically messed-up young adults, more broken families? And how exactly is this good for us as a society, regardless of whether one is theist, atheist, or whateverist?

I suppose any homophobic flake might say as much. What's heartbreaking to me is that this guy is accepted as a freaking pastor. But I guess that's the state of affairs you end up with when your definition of religion is any set of beliefs "generally agreed upon by a number of persons."

K.

generally imo when God reflects a believers prejudices they may have great faith but it's in a God they created in their own image. There just isnt enough hate in any of the majot religous texts main themes to justify the image of God zealots create. ialways liek the jeffersonian bible when looking at broad theme the books a a moral roadmap

quote:

ORIGINAL: Kirata

quote:

ORIGINAL: tweakabelle

While you may very well be correct in your assessment of how the flakes are regarded by mainline Christians, the case you advance to rationalise 'mainline Christians' reluctance to publicly criticise the 'flakes' fails to hold water.

If I were a Christian I would have strong and public objections to a group of 'flakes' appropriating my belief system and using it to promote an agenda that clashed with my Christian beliefs. I would be making it very clear very publicly that the 'flakes' were not Christians (IMHO), were not entitled to use the term or to describe themselves as such. I would be pointing out how their dogmatism, intolerance and bigotry were not Christian values, how the political agenda of the Religious Right was incompatible with Christian beliefs. Any failure by me to clarify this position would devalue my beliefs by surrendering the name to a group of 'flakes'.

They have done exactly that. Repeatedly. So I haven't a clue what you're going on about.

I linked one rather unsubtle example. Here's another.

Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism

K.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Kirata

quote:

ORIGINAL: tweakabelle

Judging by the media reports that come to my attention, the overwhelming response of mainline Christianity to the 'flakes' is silence.

Perhaps that's because, unlike you, they realize that these assholes feed on publicity. Fortunately for all concerned, Terry Jones' recent burning of another Koran drew little to no press, and was promptly followed by a citation for violating Gainesville's fire ordinances.

K.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Dom4subssub4doms

quote:

ORIGINAL: Anaxagoras
Actually all or most speaking up for Christians on here labelled him a fool or a bigot but even if they didn't, the words "false" and "equivalence" spring to mind. If you need me to explain that I will but here is an example as a taster: Prolific Islamist violence is an issue in almost every serious religious conflict in the world, and it is done ostensibly in the name of Islam. It has the explicit support of very many Islamic leaders. Take the violent purge of Christians - last month the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, an individual who holds a position that is a close equivalent to the Pope due to the immense import of the location of his office to the faith, stated there should be no more Churches in the Arabian Peninsula.

Actually I think Bosnian Muslims might think you off blaming them for serbian christian genocidal actions. Lets not forget Ultur the last 100 yrs either or the Holocuast and the pogrom traditon of christian europe. the issue isnt islam its zealots who twist a faith. There is no equivalent of pop in Islam PERIOD and the shia hold the man in no regard at all

quote:

ORIGINAL: Moonhead

quote:

ORIGINAL: GotSteel

quote:

ORIGINAL: thishereboi
I always assumed it was because they seem to think that their actions and thoughts of some idiots reflect that of all christians.

No we've just gotten tired of being oppressed while the rest of the Christians fail to stand up to those idiots.

It's particularly intriguing that the bulk of sane Christians refuse to condemn these people. I remember the mooslim failure to do that being part of the proof that every living koran reader is part of the jihad against the west, after all...

quote:

ORIGINAL: GotSteel

What's really funny is how many people here "explained" my position for me.


The fucking narrative crafting that atheists get subjected to

quote:

ORIGINAL: Dom4subssub4doms

quote:

ORIGINAL: GotSteel

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mupainurpleasure

quote:

ORIGINAL: GotSteel
When has faith ever been a private matter?

Till about 40 yrs ago actually. hell, 3 of the first 4 predidents would be elected dog catcher today based on relious standards. Can you imagine a president winning who didnt belief in the ressurection, one who didnt believe in any bible miracle or one who didnt believe in Jesus divinity? They just werent asked

That doesn't seem like an accurate depiction of history to me.

quote:

ORIGINAL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Jefferson_and_religion#Accusations_of_being_an_infidel
During the 1800 presidential campaign, the New England Palladium wrote, "Should the infidel Jefferson be elected to the Presidency, the seal of death is that moment set on our holy religion, our churches will be prostrated, and some infamous 'prostitute', under the title of goddess of reason, will preside in the sanctuaries now devoted to the worship of the most High."[24] Federalists attacked Jefferson as a "howling atheist" and infidel, claiming that his attraction to the religious and political extremism of the French Revolution disqualified him from public office.[25][26] At that time, calling a person an infidel could mean a number of things, including that they did not believe in God.

and he was elected wasnt he? Today it would of disqualified him. Today those beliefs would doom them. think mabiut it Washiungton could even get the nomination today..... Wont go for mcimmunion and put in writing he doesnt believe in ressurection..... yea he's carry NY and ct and Ca and MA cuz we are godless secularists

quote:

ORIGINAL: thishereboi
Aside from stating that they are ignorant bigots, what exactly do you think the posters on this board should be doing?

quote:

ORIGINAL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faith_healing
Thirty-one states have child-abuse religious exemptions. These are Alabama, Alaska, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, and Wyoming.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Kirata

quote:

ORIGINAL: tweakabelle

A far more intelligent explanation for the silence of mainline Churches is that most of the mainline Christian Churches share the same agenda as the 'flakes'

Ah, yes, I follow you. That's very perceptive. Tell me, if these flakes are only the leading edge of a mainline Christian anti-gay, anti-woman, anti-democratic agenda, do you think the mainline churches might themselves be only a front for a deeper conspiracy? I saw an article recently about alien Reptilians.

K.