Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Johnny Skeptic · 07-09-2006, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

Perhaps the moderators are in a different time zone and/or got up late, and/or hit a board glitch when they tried to log on just now, and/or do not like to take precipitous actions.

Hold on while I call for reinforcements.

But I should point out that 1) not all self-described Christians think that those who disagree with them are going to hell 2) the aim of the founder of the Jesus Seminar, a Christian, was also to combat fundamentalist Christianity 3) We have had Christian posters who clearly had an apologetic motive, to defend their faith, and they have mostly left in disappointment, and 4) the aims of this forum are spelled out pretty clearly. Whatever your ultimate motivation, the forum is meant for the discussion of issues relating to the Bible, not for preaching or conversion.

Thanks, Toto. There is no need for reinforcements. I am content that I have found out what I wanted to find out in this thread, so I have no problem with taking future discussions about fundamentalist Christianity to other forums. I do look forward to debating Haran and having a subsequent peanut gallery. I assume that Haran will decline my challenge for a one on one moderated debate. He has already read and replied to a lot of my posts at the GRD forum, that is, the posts that he was not afraid to reply to. I would like to thank Haran for comparing me to Sauron. I consider that to be a compliment.

Haran · 07-09-2006, 01:18 PM

Actually, Johnny, what I would prefer is for bigots to wake up and realize their bigotry. What I would like is for militant atheists to grow half a brain and realize that they are acting exactly like fundamentalist Christians. What I would like is for you to understand that I have been immitating you and for you to actually get it.... Read over my past conversations, Johnny, the people I've been rude to are those who are rude to me and my faith as you have been from the beginning.

You think I am a chicken? As Toto said, many Christians have come here and left. I'm still here. You, sir, are the chicken who merely preaches to the choir where you can have your cheerleaders.... Expand your mind and drop your intolerance and bigotry.

Haran · 07-09-2006, 01:30 PM

By the way, super-intellect...

You just praised Toto for moving your thread to elsewhere. :rolling:

What big spin you have, Grandma....

Bodhimalik · 07-09-2006, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Skeptic

Are such threads a search for truth or a search for trivia?

I have noticed only one searcher on all the threads. From my life's experience "out there" and on other boards and in chat rooms, one in five thousand is a pretty good ratio.

Haran · 07-09-2006, 01:37 PM

And Johnny is certainly not of those searchers...he's got it all figured out.

WishboneDawn · 07-09-2006, 01:41 PM

Johnny expresses a certain viewpoint that's valuable to hear. Maybe he's intolerant but I think there's a large faction of Christianity and a lot of fellow christians who directly contribute to his 'intolerant' view. I think it's a lot more important that we worry about the intolerant, hateful bigots in our faith rather then ragging on Johnny. First and foremost this IS an atheist board after all and we are their guests.

Besides, I have this image of him with slicked back hair, cigarettes stuffed under the arm of his wifebeater and a fuck-all snarl. Sorta cute you know.

I came here originally for reasons like 'challenging my faith' and all that but I stayed because the people here are generally better informed about the bible, science and philosophy then people on most christian boards and I learn a lot. What other board would have helped me understand the Monty Hall effect?

I also stay because the people are generous and informed debaters, great people and generous with their knowledge. They don't post arguments consisting of scipture quotes, all-caps rants or flowery metaphors that get a lot of 'Amen' and smilies for responses.

And because you can say fuck instead of f**k.

And because I have more in common with most of the people here then I do with most christians online.

And because people here often have an over the top sense of humour. You can joke about eating babies and kittens without horrifying people.

I'm here basically because I like the people here so much. I'd be on more christian boards but most of them are conservative or fundy or both and I just don't like the people there much. It's just that simple.

Bodhimalik · 07-09-2006, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dongiovanni1976x

...do you think it is not possible to simply "enjoy" discussing/learning things as a end unto itself (in the sense that happiness/pleasure/joy etc is the result of this desired end)?

That's why I'm here. I don't expect to learn anything profound, nor do I expect any of my profundity to rub off on anyone.
And please, could you tell me what that red Y is at the left outside of your post? What does it mean?

Bodhimalik · 07-09-2006, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liviu

I came here to have my Christian beliefs challenged in order to see how strong they are. I realized that hearing the other side from my pastor wasn't going to cut it and since I don't have any non-Christian friends that are remotely interested in discussing these issues, here I am. I also read books against Christianity/God but discussing issues on this forum is far more interesting.

I dunno, Liviu. That's pretty weird to me. It's like you're testing yourself like Ghandi was suposedly testing his powers of denial by sleeping with young girls. Is it like that? You are so sure (and proud, if I may) of your faith that you wish to be tested as to just how strong it is? Like Jesus was supposedly tested by Satan or Job by God?
I really am curious. I am not condemning you in any manner.

Bodhimalik · 07-09-2006, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Skeptic

Quite frankly, my only purpose in being here at the Secular Web is to help destroy fundamentalist Christianity. It is the effects of religion that is my chief interest, and the chief interest of millions of other skeptics as well.

Do you not think that fundamentalist Christianity might be only the symptom of a certain kind of mind-set and that it might be more profitable to try to change that mindset? It would be a shame if you destroyed fundamentalist Christianity only to find the beast that caused it popping its head up in some other venue.

Bodhimalik · 07-09-2006, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haran

I certainly hope the moderators will step up and stop irrelevant militant, warrier atheist (and theist) posts and do their job to make this a better, more rational place for discussions.

Ouch! I am of the opinion that he who rules least rules best. I also have faith that people who tend to be disruptive eventually give up or are driven off by people leaving them alone or by other "democratic" means.
I have been on boards where moderators were so dictitorial that the only people left to post with were silly cliche spouting twits or poetry quoting nerds.
If I were to choose between Skeptic and more intense scrutiny by the moderators, it's a no-brainer for me. Please re-think your views on this.

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07-09-2006, 01:18 PM	#32
Haran Banned Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Dallas, Tx Posts: 1,490	Actually, Johnny, what I would prefer is for bigots to wake up and realize their bigotry. What I would like is for militant atheists to grow half a brain and realize that they are acting exactly like fundamentalist Christians. What I would like is for you to understand that I have been immitating you and for you to actually get it.... Read over my past conversations, Johnny, the people I've been rude to are those who are rude to me and my faith as you have been from the beginning. You think I am a chicken? As Toto said, many Christians have come here and left. I'm still here. You, sir, are the chicken who merely preaches to the choir where you can have your cheerleaders.... Expand your mind and drop your intolerance and bigotry.

07-09-2006, 01:30 PM	#33
Haran Banned Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Dallas, Tx Posts: 1,490	By the way, super-intellect... You just praised Toto for moving your thread to elsewhere. :rolling: What big spin you have, Grandma....

07-09-2006, 01:37 PM	#35
Haran Banned Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Dallas, Tx Posts: 1,490	And Johnny is certainly not of those searchers...he's got it all figured out.

07-09-2006, 01:41 PM	#36
WishboneDawn Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Nova Scotia, Canada Posts: 4,287	Johnny expresses a certain viewpoint that's valuable to hear. Maybe he's intolerant but I think there's a large faction of Christianity and a lot of fellow christians who directly contribute to his 'intolerant' view. I think it's a lot more important that we worry about the intolerant, hateful bigots in our faith rather then ragging on Johnny. First and foremost this IS an atheist board after all and we are their guests. Besides, I have this image of him with slicked back hair, cigarettes stuffed under the arm of his wifebeater and a fuck-all snarl. Sorta cute you know. I came here originally for reasons like 'challenging my faith' and all that but I stayed because the people here are generally better informed about the bible, science and philosophy then people on most christian boards and I learn a lot. What other board would have helped me understand the Monty Hall effect? I also stay because the people are generous and informed debaters, great people and generous with their knowledge. They don't post arguments consisting of scipture quotes, all-caps rants or flowery metaphors that get a lot of 'Amen' and smilies for responses. And because you can say fuck instead of f**k. And because I have more in common with most of the people here then I do with most christians online. And because people here often have an over the top sense of humour. You can joke about eating babies and kittens without horrifying people. I'm here basically because I like the people here so much. I'd be on more christian boards but most of them are conservative or fundy or both and I just don't like the people there much. It's just that simple.

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