Hostile to atheists

by d 281 Replies latest members politics

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  Qcmbr

  (thanks NC )

  d I always like to traduce things down to my personal value test - is this meme more practically useful than the one it will replace - this allows me to accept that in many ways various beliefs are of worth when viewed as a family bond, cultural glue and critically a source of hope when people feel overwhelmed by influences outside their control however, the death of such ideas can lead to new better ones (or worse if someone ends up depressed and alone) such as humanism replacing bronze age patriarchal morality.

  No one builds prayer and miracle hospitals which shows that deep down most people know faith healing is less effective than drugs, drips and doctors even if they swear by it in discussion. Atheism has no greater power itself but acts as a freeing agent that allows other ideas to function better imo.
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  NewChapter

  So I was trying this internet dating thing, because EVERYBODY around me is doing so, and they are quite happy with the results. My brother is marrying someone he found this way. I had an uncomfortable moment when someone that was actually interesting got all biblical one night (and not in the fun way, but in the preachy way). So even though I clearly identifed myself as an atheist in my profile, I revised it.

  I said two things to remove all doubt. My first was that I was looking for someone that led an evidence based life, and if they would rather sit and talk with Dawkins than the pope, then we'd probably have something to talk about. My second was, that if you are a religious person, we are NOT a good match. he he

  IT WORKED! My profile caught someone's eye, and he sent me a message.

  "Better change your ways or you'll burn in hell!!! Believe in God!!!!!"

  Note, it's three excalmation points after hell, and five exclamation points after god. Cuz he means it, and is under the impression that the more exclamation points the more emphatic the message. I'm guilty of it too. Sometimes on this forum, I play with exclamation points. It's fun. But it is technically inaccurate. You see, the exclamation point (one) is already as strong an emotion as can be conveyed. Doubling and tripling does not change the urgency behind the idea. It's like saying their is something stronger than BEST. Like BESTEST. Best is already best, and there is nothing better. Similar with the exclamation point.

  Now I am tempted to be drawn by the love that is shown in this message. I really want to involve myself in a belief system that would embolden me to threaten total strangers with eternal pain and suffering. It makes me feel warm and squishy inside. But I can't get past the exclamation point faux pas. Although I too have given into temptation, I am completely self-aware when I do so, and only use it when others have already seen that my punctuation skills are up to par.

  *sigh* So now I will have to update my profile and insist that anyone interested must have good grammar and punctuation skills. Anything else would be a disaster.

  NC
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  d
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  d

  This is so true I have shed on belief to follow another. The difference is that nobody truly influnced me. I so came to be an atheist by studying evolution and really looking into the bible and seeing how the religous structure works . I just wish that people were open minded to see how they are being controlled. I think that the people high in positions of religous power. May not so much believe in God but may actually enjoy the power they excert over others. religion and God is about mass control of a population.I think if knew the truth, the churches would be emptied out.
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  NewChapter

  d, I wasn't influenced by people either. As a matter of fact, my epiphany came in the middle of what I thought was a faith strengthening activity. I had never read Dawkins. I had never talked to an apostate. I was working on a writing project, and there it was in front of my face. The only question was, would I ignore it again. It pretty much happened in less than one second, but I realized later there was a build up that my mind refused to acknowledge.

  I am working on my reply to the latest love interest. So many things to say. So much snark requesting freedom. Suggestions are welcome. He simply must be informed of his misuse of exclamation points, for his own good. Wouldn't want him to appear ignorant if it can be avoided.

  NC
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  d
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  tec

  People who believe follow evidence as well. Not everyone believes is following a person or a group. I think only fundamentalists must decide "evolution or God".

  Peace,

  tammy
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  d
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  NewChapter

  So Tec, is belief in a god a requirement for entry into heaven?
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  tec

  I am neither judge nor rulemaker.

  Christ may invite into the kingdom, anyone he chooses. God may have mercy upon anyone he chooses. I do think the kingdom and the spiritual go hand-in-hand, then I think you can no longer deny the spiritual or God if you are invited into and enter the Kingdom. So you're certainly no longer an atheist.

  Christ said that any who do good to those who are the least of those who belong to Him will be invited into the kingdom that is prepared for them since the creation of the world. He also said that he who does the will of His father in heaven is his brother, sister, mother. Some have the law written upon their hearts, and do all the things required by the law naturally.

  All of the people above are God's concern. It is not for me to make judgment, or to close off the kingdom for them... I simply listed things Christ himself said concerning people who are not among his brothers (not knowingly), but who are still known by Him because of their deeds.

  Peace,

  tammy