A Christian and an atheist walk into a bar... (Full Version)

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Fightdirecto -> A Christian and an atheist walk into a bar... (1/9/2013 7:35:14 AM)

A Christian and an atheist walked into a bar.

They proceeded to have a few drinks and enjoyed each other's company because neither of them were pretentious asses.



RacerJim -> RE: A Christian and an atheist walk into a bar... (1/9/2013 8:09:06 AM)

And then a progressive walked into the bar and desparaged the Christian and the atheist because they were a pretentious ass.



meatcleaver -> RE: A Christian and an atheist walk into a bar... (1/9/2013 8:20:07 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Fightdirecto

A Christian and an atheist walked into a bar.

They proceeded to have a few drinks and enjoyed each other's company because neither of them were pretentious asses.


They obviously didn't get round to discussing religion then.



Toysinbabeland -> RE: A Christian and an atheist walk into a bar... (1/9/2013 8:43:49 AM)

Didn't the bar hurt when they walked into it?



fucktoyprincess -> RE: A Christian and an atheist walk into a bar... (1/9/2013 9:17:39 AM)

Okay. This did make me smile.

But then I thought, I regularly meet and socialize with people from a wide variety of faiths, or lack thereof, and always have a nice time. Our differences do not prevent me from forming friendships, or being able to socialize with people regardless of the source of the differences.

So why did I smile?

Sometimes the philosophical debate masks the facts that most atheists have to deal with religious people in almost every context of their lives, often even family. And most of us do it very successfully. And we do it by simply not making a huge issue about it. I only engage people on this topic when I know one can. I feel some people need religion, and I feel everyone should keep their faith personal to themselves and not allow their own personal faith to dictate how others in society lead their lives. And I have friends who know my position on this, and who are deeply religious themselves, and we simply just don't talk about religion. Although I do wonder as to why they choose to keep me as a friend. If I am such a lost soul. Evil. Doomed to purgatory, hell, damnation, etc. Somehow the importance of the friendship seems to matter to them more than trying to convert me or change me. Too bad the world didn't operate that way in general. The world should be like a nice neighborhood pub where we can all share a pint. [sm=2cents.gif]



Louve00 -> RE: A Christian and an atheist walk into a bar... (1/9/2013 10:41:14 AM)

FT Princess above, actually this whole thread, reminds me of something I read......

In Florida, an atheist became incensed over the preparation for Easter and Passover holidays and decided to contact his lawyer about the discrimination inflicted on atheists by the constant celebrations afforded to Christians and Jews with all their holidays while the atheists had no holiday to celebrate.

The case was brought before a wise judge who after listening to the long, passionate presentation of his lawyer, promptly banged his gavel and declared, "Case dismissed!"

The lawyer immediately stood and objected to the ruling and said, "Your honor, how can you possibly dismiss this case? Surely the Christians have Christmas, Easter and many other observances. And the Jews -- why in addition to Passover they have Yom Kippur and Hanukkah... and yet my client and all other atheists have no such holiday!"

The judge leaned forward in his chair and simply said "Obviously your client is too confused to know about or to celebrate the atheists' holiday!"

The lawyer pompously said "We are aware of no such holiday for atheists, just when might that be, your honor?"

The judge said "Well it comes every year on exactly the same date-- April 1st!"

"The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'"
Psalm 14:1, Psalm 53:1

DISCLAIMER**

I did not write this. I just found it funny and this thread reminded me of it. I mean no one any harm or ill feelings, at all [sm=smile.gif]



cordeliasub -> RE: A Christian and an atheist walk into a bar... (1/9/2013 2:41:22 PM)

very well said, ft princess, and I am a Christian.

It's like so many other things. I can decide, for example, which direction to mow my law and what kind of grass to have. My neighbor might do something different. Each of us might swear that our way works best. The problem comes when I go to his house (or he goes to mine) starts to IMPOSE the yard view. I used that example because my Dad is a BIG "yard guy," and this actually happened with a neighbor once, lol.

The first amendment says gov't shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. That measn that no one can keep me from practicing my religion......and I can't force someone else to.



DesideriScuri -> RE: A Christian and an atheist walk into a bar... (1/9/2013 2:52:42 PM)

FR,

A priest, a minister and a rabbi walk into a bar. The bartender looks, shakes his head, and asks, "Is this some kind of joke?!?"

**Disclaimer: I did not write this. My jokes are nowhere near as good.



fucktoyprincess -> RE: A Christian and an atheist walk into a bar... (1/9/2013 4:06:59 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: cordeliasub

very well said, ft princess, and I am a Christian.

It's like so many other things. I can decide, for example, which direction to mow my law and what kind of grass to have. My neighbor might do something different. Each of us might swear that our way works best. The problem comes when I go to his house (or he goes to mine) starts to IMPOSE the yard view. I used that example because my Dad is a BIG "yard guy," and this actually happened with a neighbor once, lol.

The first amendment says gov't shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. That measn that no one can keep me from practicing my religion......and I can't force someone else to.


Funny. My dad is a lawn guy, too. So I totally get that analogy.

I really feel the only time I get belligerent about religion on these threads is when I feel someone is trying to define things that I feel are political in religious terms. And again, I feel that needs to just be a personal thing. On certain political matters I just feel we are better off allowing people to follow their personal conscience as defined by their own religious perspective rather than trying to impose one perspective on everyone. The fact is, we just won't get everyone to agree. And sometimes I feel there is too much effort to gain consensus when what is required is just some practicality.

And sadly, the few things that divide tend to make one forget the many, many things that people have in common (across religions, ethnicities, race, etc.) In many ways, most people across the planet care about many of the same things.

I really do believe that if you put me in a pub with 90% of people I would be able to get them to smile or laugh with me at least once. And I don't think I'm the only one. And even that one bit of connection is enough, I truly believe, to mutual respect. [:)]



dcnovice -> RE: A Christian and an atheist walk into a bar... (1/9/2013 6:07:32 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: meatcleaver

quote:

ORIGINAL: Fightdirecto

A Christian and an atheist walked into a bar.

They proceeded to have a few drinks and enjoyed each other's company because neither of them were pretentious asses.


They obviously didn't get round to discussing religion then.

They may have. One of my dearest friends is an atheist, and our conversational topics include religion. We handle it just fine.



dcnovice -> RE: A Christian and an atheist walk into a bar... (1/9/2013 6:12:26 PM)

quote:

And we do it by simply not making a huge issue about it.


The atheists I know in real life tend to follow that approach. So do most of the theists, for that matter.

That's why I'm often intrigued by many of our CM atheists, some of whom are far more dogmatic than anyone I've met in half a century of churchgoing.



dcnovice -> RE: A Christian and an atheist walk into a bar... (1/9/2013 6:20:40 PM)

quote:

I feel everyone should keep their faith personal to themselves and not allow their own personal faith to dictate how others in society lead their lives.


This is a tricky one for me. In general, I agree, particularly in the face of folks who want me to mold my sexuality according to the tribal prejudices of the ancient Hebrews.

On the other hand, religion played a huge role in the antislavery and civil rights movements, which totally aimed to "dictate how others in society should lead their lives" (by freeing their slaves and abandoning segregation).



Powergamz1 -> RE: A Christian and an atheist walk into a bar... (1/9/2013 6:25:55 PM)

And exactly what atheist dogma gets one excommunicated?


quote:

ORIGINAL: dcnovice

quote:

And we do it by simply not making a huge issue about it.


The atheists I know in real life tend to follow that approach. So do most of the theists, for that matter.

That's why I'm often intrigued by many of our CM atheists, some of whom are far more dogmatic than anyone I've met in half a century of churchgoing.




dcnovice -> RE: A Christian and an atheist walk into a bar... (1/9/2013 6:46:23 PM)

quote:

And exactly what atheist dogma gets one excommunicated?

Thanks for reminding me of the tendency of some of our online atheists to be pugnacious (wielding sarcasm in lieu of insight) as well as evangelical. I can't think how I overlooked that, but then it's been a long day. [:)]

Let's see how long you keep your CM Atheist card after saying . . .

-- that morality requires a willingness to accept certain axioms (such as "justice is good" or "people deserve to be treated with dignity") that are all but impossible to prove empirically--in other, more provocative, words to take things on faith.

-- that atheistic regimes (Stalin's USSR, Mao's China) have killed people on a scale that Torquemada could only dream of.

-- that religion played a key role in combating two of the greatest evils in American history: slavery and segregation.

-- that religious folks tend to live longer.

-- that religion has had positive as well as negative effects on society. (Don't take my word for it. Check out Religon for Atheists.)

-- that there's something a bit petty about folks who threaten expensive litigation against some village that wants to keep its decades-old tradition of having a creche on the town green.




DarkSteven -> RE: A Christian and an atheist walk into a bar... (1/9/2013 7:06:08 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Fightdirecto

A Christian and an atheist walked into a bar.

They proceeded to have a few drinks and enjoyed each other's company because neither of them were pretentious asses.


Note that the Mormon refused to go there...



Aylee -> RE: A Christian and an atheist walk into a bar... (1/9/2013 7:26:59 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: DarkSteven


quote:

ORIGINAL: Fightdirecto

A Christian and an atheist walked into a bar.

They proceeded to have a few drinks and enjoyed each other's company because neither of them were pretentious asses.


Note that the Mormon refused to go there...


Umm.. . it IS a bar. 



Powergamz1 -> RE: A Christian and an atheist walk into a bar... (1/9/2013 7:31:51 PM)

Atheism requires nothing more than deciding to not accept theism... there is no requirement to accept any other dogma in its place.

No doubt some atheists do, but it isn't in the rulebook... [;)]

quote:

ORIGINAL: dcnovice

quote:

And exactly what atheist dogma gets one excommunicated?

Thanks for reminding me of the tendency of some of our online atheists to be pugnacious (wielding sarcasm in lieu of insight) as well as evangelical. I can't think how I overlooked that, but then it's been a long day. [:)]

Let's see how long you keep your CM Atheist card after saying . . .

-- that morality requires a willingness to accept certain axioms (such as "justice is good" or "people deserve to be treated with dignity") that are all but impossible to prove empirically--in other, more provocative, words to take things on faith.

-- that atheistic regimes (Stalin's USSR, Mao's China) have killed people on a scale that Torquemada could only dream of.

-- that religion played a key role in combating two of the greatest evils in American history: slavery and segregation.

-- that religious folks tend to live longer.

-- that religion has had positive as well as negative effects on society. (Don't take my word for it. Check out Religon for Atheists.)

-- that there's something a bit petty about folks who threaten expensive litigation against some village that wants to keep its decades-old tradition of having a creche on the town green.






dcnovice -> RE: A Christian and an atheist walk into a bar... (1/9/2013 9:02:11 PM)

quote:

Atheism requires nothing more than deciding to not accept theism... there is no requirement to accept any other dogma in its place.

I know. [:)]

That said, some of our CM atheists (please note my careful phrasing) have struck me by the fervor with which they seem to advance certain points.

A few examples from over the years:

-- Religious people are stupid/weak/delusional (This is sometimes phrased more gently as "Some people [read: the poor dears] need religion.")

-- Religion has been a largely, even totally, negative force in human history and culture.

-- Religion and science are completely incompatible.

-- Religious people are moral only because they fear hell.

-- Religious people burn to tell others how to live.

-- Religions prey on children.

-- Religious texts must be taken literally.

-- Any member of a religion must agree entirely with every page of its scriptures and every syllable in its creeds.

-- And my personal favorite: Marxism is "really" a religion (a view that might have startled Marx), so the crimes of Stalin, Mao et al. don't really reflect atheism.



Powergamz1 -> RE: A Christian and an atheist walk into a bar... (1/9/2013 9:10:24 PM)

Careful wording noted.



GotSteel -> RE: A Christian and an atheist walk into a bar... (1/9/2013 9:11:07 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: dcnovice
The atheists I know in real life tend to follow that approach. So do most of the theists, for that matter.

That's why I'm often intrigued by many of our CM atheists, some of whom are far more dogmatic than anyone I've met in half a century of churchgoing.


*Shrug* they very well might not be if you met them in person. Maybe the people you're talking about randomly scream stuff about Christians throughout their real lives, it wouldn't be the first time someone on the internet wasn't functional.

But alternatively, it may have a lot to do with this being a politics and religion forum. When one walks into a debate on politics or religion one should probably expect strong positions and discourse to occur.



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