Sam Harris - On the Freedom to Offend an Imaginary God

by cofty 93 Replies latest social current

  • NewChapter
    NewChapter

    Regarding EP---I really don't care what the history is. It was inappropriate---and who could even argue with it? The lord had spoken. It was an ignorant and abusive way to use this voice, and that is where the problem is. The lord said so! So regardless of history or whatever, a portion of the people will simply believe it because the lord had spoken. It's an incredibly manipulative tool, and the temptation to use it the way it was used must be great.

    And even if she believed the trash she spewed, it was very evident that such talk was offensive to many of us. EP repeatedly challenged it, and your friend dug in. This was not motivated by love. Let's just say it was true for a moment. If love were the motivator, then calling someone an alcoholic on a public forum is not the end result. Now let's say it is not true (because although you will believe anything the lord says to this person, some of us need a bit more evidence anyway) then that certainly was not motivated by some Christian love.

    In the end, what business was it of everyone here anyway? So you can pretend that the believers here are not as offensive, but I have seen and heard some pretty startling stuff. And perhaps the reason you are on the defense more is because you go into victim mode. None of you have ever been wrong, but you certainly yell about the wounds you have suffered, all the while doling out your own damage and supporting each other.

    As to commenting on a group rather than individuals, well whatever. I see commonalities in all beleivers and that is what I comment on. I have watched a group of believers on this board become more and more extreme and support each other in it. Where it ends? I don't know. But it is not only fundies that are extreme.

  • FlyingHighNow
    FlyingHighNow

    There are factions. Emphasis on the S.

  • tec
    tec

    I no longer have any doubt that Christians will publicly say they don't agree with killing...............until one of their own does it.

    People DO kill in the name of Christ, and that is publicly spoken against all the time.

    Of course there will be others who agree.

    I think this is the point that i have tried to make this entire thread. You cannot judge an entire group of people by the actions of some. You can't lump anyone together like that... and see only the faith and therefore judge by that, rather than the individual person behind it.

    Peace,

    tammy

  • palmtree67
    palmtree67
    You cannot judge an entire group of people by the actions of some. You can't lump anyone together like that...

    Yes, I can. When they all band together to support wrong and not one of them has the balls to stand up and say it's wrong.

    You bet I can.

  • NewChapter
    NewChapter

    Hi, Palm! Are you back from your trip?

  • tec
    tec

    We're not actually going to have a trash Aguest thread after she has been gone for months and months and will remain gone, are we? I could argue with you, but I'm just not getting into that.

    As to commenting on a group rather than individuals, well whatever.

    Well, that was my whole point.. the danger in doing that. If you don't see that, then there is nothing more I can say on the matter. But THAT you and others don't see that is what weighs me down. Though I will remind myself that there are also a great many people who DO see that, and who DON'T do it.

    I see commonalities in all beleivers and that is what I comment on. I have watched a group of believers on this board become more and more extreme and support each other in it. Where it ends? I

    don't know. But it is not only fundies that are extreme.

    Nor only theists, it would seem.

    Peace,

    tammy

  • tec
    tec

    When they all band together to support wrong and not one of them has the balls to stand up and say it's wrong

    Then that would not be judging an entire group of people by the actions of some. That would be judging a few for their own actions (or at least what you see as their actions). And that is not what i am speaking out against on this thread. Now if you were to take the actions of those people, and then judge all others of that belief system by the actions of those few people... then THAT would be what i am speaking out against.

    Peace,

    tammy

  • palmtree67
    palmtree67

    Yes, I'm back for a little bit.

    Came here to check on Mrs. J and some others and got distracted by the old "Believers are perfect" arguement again

    ......where is she tonight?

  • tec
    tec

    Came here to check on Mrs. J and some others and got distracted by the old "Believers are perfect" arguement again

    There was no such argument going on.

    Peace,

    tammy

  • palmtree67
    palmtree67
    Then that would not be judging an entire group of people by the actions of some. That would be judging a few for their own actions (or at least what you see as their actions). And that is not what i am speaking out against on this thread. Now if you were to take the actions of those people, and then judge all others of that belief system by the actions of those few people... then THAT would be what i am speaking out against.

    As the saying goes,

    "I've got nothing against God. It's his fan club I can't stand."

Share this

Google+
Pinterest
Reddit