Haran

Johnny has nothing useful to contribute, especially since his stated goal is to "destroy Christianity". If he is able to lose this bigotry, then he may come around and present some useful information and perhaps be open to critique of his wrong-headed ideas.

I do not prize one over the other. Any bigot should be reproached, whether Christian or not. Johnny deserves the "ragging".

I would think that they would not tolerate bigots who spout hate either...

LOL....well...I certainly don't know what he looks like. He claims he's nice and that he has Christian friends. However, if he told them he was out to "destroy Christianity", he might find that his friends would become a bit more wary of him.

I'm a much more nice guy than I come across on here to because I tend to mirror the attitudes of those who attack me in an effort to reflect that attitude. They never seem to get it.

Oh, yeah! I agree, fully. I've been here for a long time and have learned alot and have both alternately faltered and strengthened in my faith because of my time spent here. I don't have a problem with the place and many of the people, just some....

Well, you can have that one. I'd personally rather not see that. I always laugh that I get reprimanded for saying "moron" when someone else says "f**k". These people would not make good TV "button-pushers".

Funnily enough, so do I. I have always had more atheist friends that Christians. Should I feel bad about that? LOL They are not bigots, though, and we are able to rationally discuss our beliefs. I enjoy talking with them and at least they say they enjoy talking with me.

I can have a pretty over-the-top sense of humor, myself. Unfortunately, it doesn't always come across well because it is so dry. People think I am really being overly mad when I am actually laughing my head off because it is usually so ridiculous.

I haven't found a Christian board that suits me either... I'm actually pretty frustrated by that, but I think most Christians are satisfied with their beliefs and their knowledge. Since it is all based on faith anyways, I suppose that is find by me.

Haran

There are really very few people I have true problems with. I joust verbally with people, but Johnny is a different sort. He spams boards. He spams threads. And he holds quite biggoted views. I, personally, think he should rethink his views and tactics. He and I have been in something of a battle since he attacked my beliefs, off-topic, in a BC&H thread. Then, I had some others jump in and totally derail the thread simply because I stated that I subjectively believe certain biblical accounts. Rather than rationally and calmly debating, they through every percieved contradition plus the kitchen sink at me rather than focusing on the content in the thread. Anyway...much longer story. Johnny should go or shape up and tone it down.

Toto

I was going to remark that this strategy does not work in general. It's much more effective to act reasonably in the face of bad behavior. "A soft answer turneth away wrath" and all that.

May I also remark that your labeling people who disagree with you as "bigots" is getting a little old.

Haran

Atheists really shouldn't tell theists what to believe about their own faith.

Aside from that, it seems there are truly few strategies that work. I've been nice and I've been a reflection. Apparently, some people refuse to be any different.

As long as it is getting pounded into your head...that is the intention. Bigots should not be tolerated. And, if you see fit to preach at me, you really shouldn't tolerate bigots as a moderator.

If you don't happen to see "destroying Christianity" as as biggoted, then you probably should not be a moderator...doh...well, think on it anyways. :Cheeky:

Toto

The intent of this board is to promote a naturalistic worldview. If it is 100% successful, fundamentalist Christianity will be destroyed and Christianity transformed, probably beyond recognition. I don't think of that as bigotry.

Bigotry would be saying that all Christians are mentally deficient, which we know is not true.

I think that you have just picked up a word with bad connotations to fling at people. I don't think you have a clear definition of bigotry.

Haran

Bigot: One who is strongly partial to one's own group, religion, race, or politics and is intolerant of those who differ.

That most certainly describes these views. Besides, he stated it in a much more obvious way. You have toned yours down a little bit so that you are not the one doing the "destroying", the supposed "naturalistic worldview" is.

Thoughts and comments about "destroying" anyone's beliefs is unethical and bigotted and should not be permitted in places of rational discourse. Maybe that's the problem...

Toto

You are not your belief. Destroying you or your ethnic group is real bigotry. Changing your mind about your belief is part of what life is about.

Buck Laser

Growing up as I did in a moderately religious home, I've always been intrigued by questions about religion. And I've never been a fundamentalist. Never in my fairly long life have I been presented with demands that I acknowledge the literal truth of a scripture passage, doctrine, or affirmation of faith. When I signed up here, I called myself a christian humanist, but I suppose you could turn that around as well.

It's never been my understanding that "faith" is a matter of believing impossible things, but rather an orientation toward the universe that leads me to believe that I am a legitimate part of it. The mythology of the Xn faith is one way of expressing that belief that a great many people find comforting. Others turn to a more mystical experience, as described in Rudolf Otto's The Idea of The Holy My personal approach to faith is that one encounters God in the neighbor..which means, of course, that God can sometimes be pretty hard to get along with!

"Conversion" has never been a part of my faith, perhaps making me a heretic in the eyes of some Xns. Similarly I've never found much comfort in the idea of "heaven." I am a complete agnostic about what will happen at the end of my life, but my basic faith that I have a place in the universe seems hope enough.

I've been fortunate in that I've never experienced the loss of a family member younger than me, because I do believe that loss could try someone's faith severely. My mother lost her own mother and brother when she was ten years old, and I don't think she ever came to terms with it.

Finally, I am as uncomfortable with an atheist trying to prove me worthless as I am with the most fervent bible thumper.