If this has already been addressed, I offer my apologies

Before I begin, let me state that I follow the principles (don’t kill, don’t steal, etc) of Christianity but not the Fundamentals (Belief in god, Christ, etc)

In America, there is a common misconception that everyone must respect WHAT people believe. That is utterly false (Worshiping a zombie by eating his flesh, drinking his blood and swearing allegiance to him so he can remove an evil force from your body and allow for his invisible father to bring you into his house? I’ll pass.). What must be respected is the RIGHT to believe those things.

And this, I ask of Christians. Where do you get off saying “God is real!” then expecting us to prove it otherwise? Forget that, God is Fake. Prove ME wrong.

Also, why am I automatically evil for being atheist? How can such be assumed? Christianity’s purpose as a citizen’s guide to living has been twisted and convoluted to the point where it’s now a money-making scheme threatening hell and damnation for all eternity from a God that loves you.

My last question to any Christians who might read this: Why are you so hellbent on stopping evolution? Intelligent Design is now the third form of the God snapping us into existence theory to date.

Personally, I think that camps like this should be outlawed, but then I’m stooping to their level. I have encountered many people who claim to be Christian, yet, as just one example of contradictory behavior, have openly ridicule me for my Atheism. I don’t know how many others of you face ridicule as well, but I find it funny how ironic it is.

Thoughts?

Edit:

Doc_Prospect - 15 July 2008 04:00 PM

My last question to any Christians who might read this: Why are you so hellbent on stopping evolution? Intelligent Design is now the third form of the God snapping us into existence theory to date.

They do it because it doesn’t cost them anything. If you could somehow set it up so the only way to deny evolution was to end professional sports they’d all become atheists - and not just Sunday football atheists.

A Voice of Sanity - 15 July 2008 05:29 PM

Doc_Prospect - 15 July 2008 04:00 PM

My last question to any Christians who might read this: Why are you so hellbent on stopping evolution? Intelligent Design is now the third form of the God snapping us into existence theory to date.

They do it because it doesn’t cost them anything. If you could somehow set it up so the only way to deny evolution was to end professional sports they’d all become atheists - and not just Sunday football atheists.

Hmm...No evolution, no NASCAR...I think that’s...well...a trade. XD

A Voice of Sanity - 15 July 2008 05:29 PM

Doc_Prospect - 15 July 2008 04:00 PM

My last question to any Christians who might read this: Why are you so hellbent on stopping evolution? Intelligent Design is now the third form of the God snapping us into existence theory to date.

They do it because it doesn’t cost them anything. If you could somehow set it up so the only way to deny evolution was to end professional sports they’d all become atheists - and not just Sunday football atheists.

Lol about the football, but I disagree with the first part.  I do believe it costs them everything. 

A thought experiment:
If I believe in God, and I believe in eternal happiness for those who follow God’s path vs. eternal damnation for those who don’t (aka atheists), then wouldn’t it be reasonable for me to do everything in my power to see to it that whatever atheistic influences are out there can in no way impact my friends and family?  If even one thought was spoken to them that caused them to doubt God and end up in hell than isn’t it my duty to eradicate any possible sources of disruption?  I mean, my kids are stake!  My friends are at stake!  Even I am at stake!  If teaching evolution in public schools causes my child to go to hell than could I really go to heaven?  Do I even deserve to?  I’m better off either fighting to get ID in or fighting to get my kid out and into a home schooling environment.  I mean, why else would the Bible talk about killing people who worship other Gods or engage in un-Biblical behavior?  This may influence people right into hell.  Heck, my words don’t even need to make sense...if they can convince someone to lead a path towards God then who cares if it makes sense?!  I’m saving their souls right?

This is why I think so many people are loathe to yield to science and rationality, even if on some level they know better.  When you’re a religious nut, everything becomes a possible disruption to God’s divine path, which means everything must be scrutinized; scrutinized for dangerous ideas not irrational ones.  Freedoms go out the window, along with decency.  It’s a very slippery slope and Christians in this country are already very soapy…

Doc_Prospect - 15 July 2008 04:00 PM

In America, there is a common misconception that everyone must respect WHAT people believe. That is utterly false (Worshiping a zombie by eating his flesh, drinking his blood and swearing allegiance to him so he can remove an evil force from your body and allow for his invisible father to bring you into his house? I’ll pass.). What must be respected is the RIGHT to believe those things.

This is a central thesis in Austin Dacey’s book The Secular Conscience, which you will find discussed in at least one forum here at CFI. I highly recommend it.

Chocotacoi8 - 16 July 2008 02:38 AM

A Voice of Sanity - 15 July 2008 05:29 PM

Doc_Prospect - 15 July 2008 04:00 PM

My last question to any Christians who might read this: Why are you so hellbent on stopping evolution? Intelligent Design is now the third form of the God snapping us into existence theory to date.

They do it because it doesn’t cost them anything. If you could somehow set it up so the only way to deny evolution was to end professional sports they’d all become atheists - and not just Sunday football atheists.

Lol about the football, but I disagree with the first part.  I do believe it costs them everything. 

A thought experiment:
If I believe in God, and I believe in eternal happiness for those who follow God’s path vs. eternal damnation for those who don’t (aka atheists), then wouldn’t it be reasonable for me to do everything in my power to see to it that whatever atheistic influences are out there can in no way impact my friends and family?  If even one thought was spoken to them that caused them to doubt God and end up in hell than isn’t it my duty to eradicate any possible sources of disruption?  I mean, my kids are stake!  My friends are at stake!  Even I am at stake!  If teaching evolution in public schools causes my child to go to hell than could I really go to heaven?  Do I even deserve to?  I’m better off either fighting to get ID in or fighting to get my kid out and into a home schooling environment.  I mean, why else would the Bible talk about killing people who worship other Gods or engage in un-Biblical behavior?  This may influence people right into hell.  Heck, my words don’t even need to make sense...if they can convince someone to lead a path towards God then who cares if it makes sense?!  I’m saving their souls right?

This is why I think so many people are loathe to yield to science and rationality, even if on some level they know better.  When you’re a religious nut, everything becomes a possible disruption to God’s divine path, which means everything must be scrutinized; scrutinized for dangerous ideas not irrational ones.  Freedoms go out the window, along with decency.  It’s a very slippery slope and Christians in this country are already very soapy…

Actually, I think we’re on a slip n’ slide coated in oil on the side of a mountain, but that’s just me.

But ask yourselves this, If God created Satan, then God intended for Satan to betray him and torture people. Therefore, if Satan tortures people, he is following God’s plan. And if Satan is the Anti-God, then he does not torture people in accordance to God’s plan. Instead, Hell is one big party because Satan does not do as God intended.

I wanted to add this because I felt it exemplifies the problems.

Well Doc.....another LOVELY place I won’t be visiting soon!

asanta - 17 July 2008 01:49 PM

Well Doc.....another LOVELY place I won’t be visiting soon!

They booed Bill Nye in Wako, Texas for stating that sunlight reflects off the moon.

Doc_Prospect - 17 July 2008 01:52 PM

asanta - 17 July 2008 01:49 PM

Well Doc.....another LOVELY place I won’t be visiting soon!

They booed Bill Nye in Wako, Texas for stating that sunlight reflects off the moon.

Well there goes MY albedo, I thought all light reflected off of me!

In all seriousness, that is scary!

asanta - 17 July 2008 01:58 PM

Doc_Prospect - 17 July 2008 01:52 PM

asanta - 17 July 2008 01:49 PM

Well Doc.....another LOVELY place I won’t be visiting soon!

They booed Bill Nye in Wako, Texas for stating that sunlight reflects off the moon.

Well there goes MY albedo, I thought all light reflected off of me!

In all seriousness, that is scary!

“...that Galileo turned to God...”
-10 year old evangelist

“...Einstein was a christian”
-18 year old woman that I know personally *cringe*

“God destroyed the twin towers because Americans don’t go to church”
--14 year old girl (again, that I know personally)

“Katrina was God punishing black people for their sins”
--Some woman on a Christian TV show

“He’s evil because he’s atheist”
--My girlfriend’s father

Christians say the darndest things

Doc_Prospect - 17 July 2008 01:52 PM

asanta - 17 July 2008 01:49 PM

Well Doc.....another LOVELY place I won’t be visiting soon!

They booed Bill Nye in Wako, Texas for stating that sunlight reflects off the moon.

I love living in the south (I would hate buying winter clothes)...but the percentage of woohoos here is scary.  Once you sell your rationality for the prospect of Heaven, it’s very difficult to find it again.

Another horror story:

(Feel free to post your own, I mean, that is the point XD)