GakuseiDon

How about her comments on "the characteristics of the sun of God"?:

* The sun "dies" for three days on December 22nd, the winter solstice, when it stops in its movement south, to be born again or resurrected on December 25th, when it resumes its movement north.
* In some areas, the calendar originally began in the constellation of Virgo, and the sun would therefore be "born of a Virgin."
* The sun is the "Light of the World."
* The sun "cometh on clouds, and every eye shall see him."
* The sun rising in the morning is the "Savior of mankind."
* The sun wears a corona, "crown of thorns" or halo.
* The sun "walks on water."
* The sun's "followers," "helpers" or "disciples" are the 12 months and the 12 signs of the zodiac or constellations, through which the sun must pass.
* The sun at 12 noon is in the house or temple of the "Most High"; thus, "he" begins "his Father's work" at "age" 12.
* The sun enters into each sign of the zodiac at 30°; hence, the "Sun of God" begins his ministry at "age" 30.
* The sun is hung on a cross or "crucified," which represents its passing through the equinoxes, the vernal equinox being Easter, at which time it is then resurrected."

Are there any early writings by Pythagoreans, Platonists or others to verify that these specific items somehow influenced earliest Christianity?

Acharya S

As the subject of this vicious <edit> diatribe, I am appalled and disgusted to see this type of behavior on a forum that pretends to represent the more "rational" aspect of society. Imagine my shock to find here an unending barrage of disparaging and libelous remarks and heinous insults. How very disappointing.

Now that I a member here, I assume that I will no longer be thus viciously attacked personally with all manner of falsehoods, in line with one of the rules of this forum: "Comments about other users, insults and flames are not acceptable." I find it disturbing that this low and disrespectful behavior has been allowed to go on regardless of whether or not I am a member. Does this type of egregious behavior with individuals who have never read the author's work making all sorts of disparaging comments and personal attacks truly constitute the level and tenor of the Internet Infidel Forum? Is this low mentality and behavior really reflective of constructive discussion? In this regard, IIDB has proved itself to be right down there with the rest of the internet forums with their hateful carping by individuals who evidently have nothing else to do. And those who run this forum are apparently biased and not particularly impressive in their perspective of what constitutes credible and respectable dialogue.

The statement of purpose for this forum goes as follows:

"The Internet Infidels Discussion Forum is operated by the Internet Infidels Inc., a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to defending and promoting a naturalistic worldview on the Internet. The Discussion Forum supports this goal.

"A goal of equal importance is to foster a sense of community among nontheists and to explore any common ground that we might share with theists, whether political, social or philosophical in nature. We also aim to provide helpful references, ideas, and moral support for those struggling with particularly weighty questions or problems in their daily lives."

As I observe, there is NOTHING about this thread in particular that does anything to "defend and promote a naturalistic worldview." Since my entire life's work is to defend and promote a naturalistic worldview, I see absolutely no abidance by this statement of purpose in this thread. What I do see is a bunch of malevolent harpies making personal attacks on me and nitpicking my work - and "mods" who could care less about their appearance and the reputation of this forum, as well as the upholding of its statement of purpose.

Another goal is to "foster a sense of community among nontheists?" Well, I happen to be a "nontheist," and I feel NO community with the nasty and self-serving bigots on this forum. There is certainly NO MORAL SUPPORT, either for me or my friends, who are being censored, threatened and banned for defending me and my good name against incredibly hateful individuals. Again, IIDB is extremely disappointing in falling down on the job of upholding its own statement of purpose.

"...a forum that values fairness, civility, tolerance and objectivity in debate" - are you kidding? I see nothing of the sort here. Nor do I see "impartial and fair management" going on by the moderators. How is banning my defenders "impartial and fair?"

"You agree not to be disruptive." Such remarks as are the basis of this thread - insinuating that I am a "cult leader" - would seem to me to be highly disruptive on a forum that attempts to demonstrate "moderation" and "rationality," as well as fostering "support" and "community." And these vicious and hateful personal attacks are coming from people so lacking in honesty and integrity that they haven't even read my work but pretend to be experts on it! (Or, once they have begun to read my work, they have already established themselves as so biased and bigoted that their perspective must be considered utterly untrustworthy, as well as merely reflective of the same, continuing malicious and untruthful agenda.)

"The Internet Infidels discussion forum tries to be an intellectually-stimulating environment" - I hardly see it as such when one cannot even come here and discuss one's work without being viciously attacked and driven off.

"Poisoning that environment with acrimony is highly discouraged. Please exercise tact and refrain from insulting others or disrupting ongoing discussions with inflammatory speech." Consider IIDB highly poisoned! I see no restraint here in the bad behavior of those who are personally attacking me with all manner of LIBEL and assaults on my credibility, honesty and integrity.

"Off-topic posting or hijacking of threads is inappropriate." As I understand it, this rabid individual named "Malachi/Rational Revolution/R.G. Price has been hijacking threads with all sorts of unbalanced and unfettered vicious, personal attacks on me. And so on, and so forth, ad nauseam.

Very disappointing - and disgraceful. It is an incredible shame that the supposedly most "rational" segment of society cannot even discuss the wonderful and fascinating research that I and others work very hard to bring to light. Fortunately, there are many others who do not let IRRATIONAL and JEALOUS bigotry and prejudice get in their way and who ARE enjoying this material. They will simply stay away from such forums where anything BUT "community" for such observations of the natural world is encouraged.

Talk about an embarassment to the freethinker community.

In the meantime, I will continue to do the work that has brought value to the lives of many thousands of people, regardless of low-level sniping and mindless ad homs tossed about out of apparent jealousy.

Acharya S

P.S. Is Richard Carrier aware of this petty and undignified behavior, and does he condone it? Are these sorts of <edit> characters really those whom he wishes to see populating his forums?

P.P.S. Even though I myself am being personally attacked here with all sorts of calumny, I expect that my defense will be severely edited. You see the original here:

My Response to IIDB

John W. Loftus

I wrote a brief review of one of her books and she wasn't happy about it at all:

http://debunkingchristianity.blogspo...acharya-s.html

But I was also being generous in my review!

Go figure.

Jeffrey Gibson

I note with interest that your message lacks any documentation whatsoever of your charges. Which remarks in particular do you see as libelous? What specific line(s) in which particular message(s) do you view as insulting? What specifically makes it "heinous"?

Macbeth Act 5 scene 5?

Jeffrey

Clivedurdle

Welcome Acharya S!

I just posted this in the thread about is heaven boring?

http://www.iidb.org/vbb/showthread.php?t=232428&page=2

We also have the myriad references to fish and the sign on many xian's car that may or may not be related to female genitalia.

I have always been puzzled by the knee jerk reaction to asking questions about astrology, especially when there are places like this.

http://www.knowth.com/newgrange.htm

Probably the Puritans' fault.

Toto

Hi Acharya - welcome to the fray.

IIDB tries to balance free speech and enough civility to encourage conversation. We are not always successful, but that is our aim.

Notice that we do not ban insulting someone else's ideas - only insults to the person.

Your "friends" were not "censored, threatened and banned for defending" you and your "good name against incredibly hateful individuals". They were banned for refusing to agree to simple rules against personal insults.

I had hoped that someone would defend your theories here, but instead of a defense, your so called friends simply insulted anyone who wrote anything critical of you.

I hope that you are willing to enter the discussion and actually discuss your ideas.

Toto

The title of this thread would not have passed muster if Acharya had been on the boards at the time.

All things considered, this thread will be closed, and a new thread started to get off on the right foot.