Religious zealots on the rise?
The Vuhifellian States
06-07-2005, 23:18
Well, as you can probably tell from the title, it seems like people who hate other people just because they don't share their religion, are on the rise. Unless you are their religion, it is completely impossible to have a good, type-fast conversation with them. While I don't mind people who are polite to try and get their religious point across, I do mind people who insult people like me who do not believe in God, or Allah, or Shiva, or any other god out there.
Ex. (real conversation)
Me: Though I am atheist, I do believe that Jesus, indeed existed
Random Person: Of course there is a God!, How can you not believe in him, some people can be such idiots!
Me: So if someone like Isaac Newton, or Galileo Galilei, or Albert Einstein were atheist, they would be idiots as well
Random Christian dude (I respect him for being so calm and not resorting to insults): Even though, if they all believed in God, how can they be wrong
Me: Ah, but neither I nor you can prove God exists or he doesn't exist
Random Christian dude: That just adds to the mystery of it
============
Now which one of those Christians would you respect, the one who resorted to insults because I told him I was atheist, or the one who was polite and actually had a conversation?
I am not stating that all Christians or other theist people are like this, obviously, I am just stating that the ones who call you a pain in Gods ass because you don't believe in him/her/whatever are.
Well, there you have it, my rant on how people like this aren't too great, and how, unless you believe in what they believe in, you don't really want to get in a conversation with.
Keruvalia
06-07-2005, 23:21
I just ... I just hate you so damn much ...
Anyway, shrug, I dunno. Christians seem to think they're persecuted, so I guess the louder and more obnoxious ones are being allowed to come to the front and step up to the mic. It's a good enough explanation for me.
Neo Rogolia
06-07-2005, 23:26
Zeal is a good thing, I think you need another word to describe those who resort to using insults instead of teaching and admonishing.
Harmonyca
06-07-2005, 23:30
Your point about religious intolerance is a good one, but for the record, none of the three scientists you cited was atheist. All three of them believed in God.
Swimmingpool
06-07-2005, 23:31
Zeal is a good thing, I think you need another word to describe those who resort to using insults instead of teaching and admonishing.
Well, Muslim fundamentalism has reached insane levels in the Middle East, Protestant fundamentalism is on the rise in America again, and only last May the Catholic Church fell into line with the trend.
The Vuhifellian States
06-07-2005, 23:33
Your point about religious intolerance is a good one, but for the record, none of the three scientists you cited was atheist. All three of them believed in God.
I said if they were atheist, would he consider them idiots.
Keruvalia
06-07-2005, 23:33
Well, Muslim fundamentalism has reached insane levels in the Middle East, Protestant fundamentalism is on the rise in America again, and only last May the Catholic Church fell into line with the trend.
It's a great time to be alive, eh?
Well, Muslim fundamentalism has reached insane levels in the Middle East, Protestant fundamentalism is on the rise in America again, and only last May the Catholic Church fell into line with the trend.
Not so much on the American front. I don't see religion being pushed at all compared to the Middle East.
Here, we have a little thing called the first amendment.
There, Islamic law is their law.
Sure, you do get some idiots, but there are idiots in every bunch.
The Vuhifellian States
06-07-2005, 23:36
It's a great time to be alive, eh?
Well, yeah man, I mean c'mon, nukes aimed at every point on the earth, terrorists all over the place, religious extremism, Bush! Man, dead people are really missing out.
Keruvalia
06-07-2005, 23:38
There, Islamic law is their law.
Not all Middle Eastern countries cling to shariah. Iraq was quite secular under Saddam, Israel is pretty free, etc etc.
Oh ... and they all pretty much own firearms. 2nd amendment or not.
Swimmingpool
06-07-2005, 23:39
Not so much on the American front. I don't see religion being pushed at all compared to the Middle East.
I'm not saying that America is about to become a theocracy, but in the past 4 years, the Christian Right has been making more and more noise. Which I mean, they have come into their own more as a political (mostly Republican) voting block.
Keruvalia
06-07-2005, 23:39
Well, yeah man, I mean c'mon, nukes aimed at every point on the earth, terrorists all over the place, religious extremism, Bush! Man, dead people are really missing out.
No kiddin' ... time for the zombie apocalypse ... let's bring 'em back!
Not all Middle Eastern countries cling to shariah. Iraq was quite secular under Saddam, Israel is pretty free, etc etc.
Oh ... and they all pretty much own firearms. 2nd amendment or not.
LOL...I was talking to my friend about baseball....I hit a triple yesterday and I was saying something about rounding second and somehow second got stuck in my head.
Stupid me. :D
Holyawesomeness
06-07-2005, 23:40
How dare you say that God does not exist!! He will with his mighty smitiness, smite you for thinking you are mighty and not bowing before his glory!!! :D
Anyway, I do like religious people that can be sane about their religion(there are zealots on both sides of the fence). Although I prefer relgious people, a good sane atheist is better than Mr. Holier than thou.
I'm not saying that America is about to become a theocracy, but in the past 4 years, the Christian Right has been making more and more noise. Which I mean, they have come into their own more as a political (mostly Republican) voting block.
True. The reason they're doing it is becasue they're in power.
Keruvalia
06-07-2005, 23:41
LOL...I was talking to my friend about baseball....I hit a triple yesterday and I was saying something about rounding second and somehow second got stuck in my head.
Stupid me. :D
Ahahaha! That's great :D
The Similized world
06-07-2005, 23:42
Funny. Last time I read any statistical data about this, Iran had about as many religious people as USA, but the USA had a much much higher number of people who wanted to do away with the secular state. I admit though, I think those statistics are 10 years old or so, so they're hardly accurate.
Anyone feel like googling for some fresh data?
The Vuhifellian States
06-07-2005, 23:43
How dare you say that God does not exist!! He will with his mighty smitiness, smite you for thinking you are mighty and not bowing before his glory!!! :D
Anyway, I do like religious people that can be sane about their religion(there are zealots on both sides of the fence). Although I prefer relgious people, a good sane atheist is better than Mr. Holier than thou.
Oh, for a second there I thought you were gonna blow my brains out, then I read past the smiley
The Vuhifellian States
06-07-2005, 23:44
Funny. Last time I read any statistical data about this, Iran had about as many religious people as USA, but the USA had a much much higher number of people who wanted to do away with the secular state. I admit though, I think those statistics are 10 years old or so, so they're hardly accurate.
Anyone feel like googling for some fresh data?
If only you posted sooner, I was on google 3 minutes ago, now I'm too lazy.... :(
New Exeter
06-07-2005, 23:44
I'm not saying that America is about to become a theocracy, but in the past 4 years, the Christian Right has been making more and more noise. Which I mean, they have come into their own more as a political (mostly Republican) voting block.
And in the 8 years prior the athiests/anti-Christians were also on the rise.
The Vuhifellian States
06-07-2005, 23:47
I just ... I just hate you so damn much ...
Anyway, shrug, I dunno. Christians seem to think they're persecuted, so I guess the louder and more obnoxious ones are being allowed to come to the front and step up to the mic. It's a good enough explanation for me.
Maybe its because they preach it, none of the people in my church know I'm atheist and my pastor, and this is a direct quote.
"We will be persecuted, we will be tortured, we will be insulted for our religion, but we shall not give up hope in Christ"
Erm.....I think that explains a lot?
Neo Rogolia
06-07-2005, 23:47
And in the 8 years prior the athiests/anti-Christians were also on the rise.
It's a political pendulum. It swings between libertine secularists and conservative religious individuals. The left is just mad that it's swinging in our direction now :D
Not so much on the American front. I don't see religion being pushed at all compared to the Middle East.
Here, we have a little thing called the first amendment.
There, Islamic law is their law.
Sure, you do get some idiots, but there are idiots in every bunch.
Yeah...and if the fundies over here had THEIR way about it, Christian Law (as interpreted by THEM) would be the law here.
Of course, wwe'd have to take out the things that inconvenience those folks who would be imposing the law on other people!
Example, we leave out the part about not eating shellfish or ham, or the wearing of mixed fibers, but we sure as hell leave in the part about stoning people we just plain don't like!!
Yeah, the fundies would have it that way if they could!
Don't kid yourselves for a minute, that is their ultimate goal...the overthrow of our Representative Republic, and replacing it with a thoecracy.
The Vuhifellian States
06-07-2005, 23:49
It's a political pendulum. It swings between libertine secularists and conservative religious individuals. The left is just mad that it's swinging in our direction now :D
Well, that sums up America in one sentence ;)
Neo Rogolia
06-07-2005, 23:52
Yeah...and if the fundies over here had THEIR way about it, Christian Law (as interpreted by THEM) would be the law here.
Of course, wwe'd have to take out the things that inconvenience those folks who would be imposing the law on other people!
Example, we leave out the part about not eating shellfish or ham, or the wearing of mixed fibers, but we sure as hell leave in the part about stoning people we just plain don't like!!
Yeah, the fundies would have it that way if they could!
Don't kid yourselves for a minute, that is their ultimate goal...the overthrow of our Representative Republic, and replacing it with a thoecracy.
san·i·ty ( P ) Pronunciation Key (sn-t)
n.
The quality or condition of being sane; soundness of mind.
Soundness of judgment or reason.
Keruvalia
06-07-2005, 23:52
Maybe its because they preach it, none of the people in my church know I'm atheist and my pastor, and this is a direct quote.
"We will be persecuted, we will be tortured, we will be insulted for our religion, but we shall not give up hope in Christ"
Erm.....I think that explains a lot?
I'm thinkin' if your religion teaches that you will be persecuted, tortured, and insulted for it, that you should find a new religion. ;)
The Vuhifellian States
06-07-2005, 23:55
I'm thinkin' if your religion teaches that you will be persecuted, tortured, and insulted for it, that you should find a new religion. ;)
Well good thing I'm atheist :D Now I won't be tortured by anyone but the America-Hating terrorists....or the North Koreans.....or the Colombian Drug Cartels......*list goes on and on folks*
The Vuhifellian States
06-07-2005, 23:56
san·i·ty ( P ) Pronunciation Key (sn-t)
n.
The quality or condition of being sane; soundness of mind.
Soundness of judgment or reason.
Oh yeah, lyric, he was the dude flaming you for proving your point?
On the other thread, I mean?
Neo Rogolia
06-07-2005, 23:58
Oh yeah, lyric, he was the dude flaming you for proving your point?
On the other thread, I mean?
Yeah, she probably would have killed me IRL by now :D
The Devout People
06-07-2005, 23:58
Religion is going to be the downfall of civilization. With the recent middle-east conflicts and the "Bible-Bangers" preaching on a street corner near you, tension is high. There are some good things about religion that nobody seems to care about any more: Dont steal, kill other people, or fight. Wow. Nobody cares about the basis of religion, just the crazed rantings so common today. So, boycott religion.
Lets start a following: BOYCOTT RELIGION UNTIL PEACE IS ACHIEVED
Oh yeah, lyric, he was the dude flaming you for proving your point?
On the other thread, I mean?
Please do not address me when quoting Neo. I am trying very, very hard not to see anything she has to say, because she angers me beyond my ability to tolerate.
I am not able to have rational, civil discourse with Neo, thus I wish to see nothing she has to say, okay?
Thanks.
Neo Rogolia
07-07-2005, 00:00
Religion is going to be the downfall of civilization. With the recent middle-east conflicts and the "Bible-Bangers" preaching on a street corner near you, tension is high. There are some good things about religion that nobody seems to care about any more: Dont steal, kill other people, or fight. Wow. Nobody cares about the basis of religion, just the crazed rantings so common today. So, boycott religion.
Lets start a following: BOYCOTT RELIGION UNTIL PEACE IS ACHIEVED
Umm...I'm pretty sure atheists and other non-religious people are already "boycotting" religion anyway....
Keruvalia
07-07-2005, 00:04
Well good thing I'm atheist :D Now I won't be tortured by anyone but the America-Hating terrorists....or the North Koreans.....or the Colombian Drug Cartels......*list goes on and on folks*
Don't forget self-righteous Canadians. ;)
The Similized world
07-07-2005, 00:06
Please do not address me when quoting Neo. I am trying very, very hard not to see anything she has to say, because she angers me beyond my ability to tolerate.
I am not able to have rational, civil discourse with Neo, thus I wish to see nothing she has to say, okay?
Thanks.
Mate, chill. I know exactly why you're pissed, but you accomplish nothing. You just give people the impression you're a troll. Just ignore her. That's what I try to anyway.
The Vuhifellian States
07-07-2005, 00:06
Don't forget self-righteous Canadians. ;)
Bah, Canada, nothing up there but hockey and lumberjacks....*sees army of Canadians over Hudson River*
Oh crap, gotta go, by
*Heads for Hawaii*
Jung-Tah
07-07-2005, 00:09
I said if they were atheist, would he consider them idiots.
had it not occured to you that had they not had a belief in god they may not have done what they did, and had infact been idiots?
The Vuhifellian States
07-07-2005, 00:12
had it not occured to you that had they not had a belief in god they may not have done what they did, and had infact been idiots?
So, if someone doesn't accomplish something in life, they're an idiot?
Personally me, I haven't accomplished anything in my life and yet all my teachers recommended me to the best High School in the county, am I an idiot?
The Similized world
07-07-2005, 00:14
Religion is going to be the downfall of civilization. With the recent middle-east conflicts and the "Bible-Bangers" preaching on a street corner near you, tension is high. There are some good things about religion that nobody seems to care about any more: Dont steal, kill other people, or fight. Wow. Nobody cares about the basis of religion, just the crazed rantings so common today. So, boycott religion.
Lets start a following: BOYCOTT RELIGION UNTIL PEACE IS ACHIEVED
Careful. The fundies think their religion invented ethics. If you reject their teachings you'll be branded as a deranged loon, capable of the worst atrocities.
Should they ever rise to power, they'll prolly jail you preemptively or perhaps put you to death. Convert now of feel their fury tomorrow ;)
Jung-Tah
07-07-2005, 00:18
So, if someone doesn't accomplish something in life, they're an idiot?
Personally me, I haven't accomplished anything in my life and yet all my teachers recommended me to the best High School in the county, am I an idiot?
no, i am not saying that at all. although from that quote the things you have assumed, i now presume you to be an idiot.... you dont have to have top grades to achieve or produce something for the world
on topic, had they not had a belief in god they maywell not have done the work they did. or even lived through their time. non believers were persecuted more than those with belief
Harmonyca
07-07-2005, 00:21
So, if someone doesn't accomplish something in life, they're an idiot?
Idiocy is not the issue here. In fact, it is exactly the opposite. The fact that people as Einstein, Newton and Galileo were fabulously clever is beyond dispute --- yet they believed in God. Thus, faith itself has no bearing on intelligence.
What Jung-Tah asks is whether or not their religious beliefs were the reason that these people actually bothered to do anything with themselves?
This should in no way be taken as an attempt to justify or deride religious beliefs or those who have them. It is merely to say that if people need inspiration to appreciate the world around them, then one's faith is as good a resource as any.
Neo Rogolia
07-07-2005, 00:21
no, i am not saying that at all. although from that quote the things you have assumed, i now presume you to be an idiot.... you dont have to have top grades to achieve or produce something for the world
on topic, had they not had a belief in god they maywell not have done the work they did. or even lived through their time. non believers were persecuted more than those with belief
Another point is that sometimes faith and the desire to fulfill Christ's will by assisting others in need has spurred great minds on to invent and discover things that were beneficial to humanity.
The Vuhifellian States
07-07-2005, 00:23
no, i am not saying that at all. although from that quote the things you have assumed, i now presume you to be an idiot.... you dont have to have top grades to achieve or produce something for the world
on topic, had they not had a belief in god they maywell not have done the work they did. or even lived through their time. non believers were persecuted more than those with belief
Because Europe was almost completely Christian, any denomination, Catholic, Lutheran, Protestant, still Christian, still believe in God and Jesus, not to mention that religion was part of their everyday lives, taxes from the church, mass, indulgences. To not believe in god back then was to go up against a huge believing, no free speech majority, so either agree or die.
Sarkasis
07-07-2005, 00:23
Einstein was very mystical, as were most of the great mathematicians. To see the true beauty of the universe, makes you think about a Creator...
The Vuhifellian States
07-07-2005, 00:28
Einstein was very mystical, as were most of the great mathematicians. To see the true beauty of the universe, makes you think about a Creator...
Or a huge explosion?
Jung-Tah
07-07-2005, 00:41
Or a huge explosion?
what was the ultimate cause of the explosion? its said that darwins theory of evolution contradicts the bible theory, and existance of god, but it could be said that it was gods hand that guides it, or god that began everything with a bang.
Non Aligned States
07-07-2005, 00:50
This is going to turn into one of those evolution/creation threads. I can just feel it.
But back on topic, can we agree that zealots who go about giving death threats (and actually carrying them out) are just plain bad news for everyone?
Mate, chill. I know exactly why you're pissed, but you accomplish nothing. You just give people the impression you're a troll. Just ignore her. That's what I try to anyway.
Let people think what they want. I'm just stating, very clearly, and for the record...that I am no longer able to have rational, civilized discourse with another poster, and, thus, I seek to avoid having such discourse forced upon me. If someone wants to think I am a troll for that, then let them think it.
I am stating that another poster has so angered me that I am no longer able to have any rational debate with that person. I am acknowledging that I, apparently have a shortcoming...that I am unable to control my anger in the face of repeated provokation. Especially when the provoker doesn't get warned and I do.
Remember which one of us cast the first stone, accusing someone of advocating something they didn't. Yet, where's the warning for the other party? None. So I want no further contact with that individual. I will not be punished because I'm being provoked by another party.
I have merely asked, politely, civilly, and reasonably...to please not call my attention to postings that come from one who angers me as badly as that one does.