Freethought & Rationalism Archive

ex-idaho · 05-06-2003, 09:29 AM

This is a thread that I have meant to start for many months now. Personnally I have always had a great deal of respect for Dr King and for Ghandi. Of course many would argue they were more political figures than religous.

Anyone else out there have any religous icons they respect?

hezekiah jones · 05-06-2003, 09:32 AM

The Spongmeister.

KnightWhoSaysNi · 05-06-2003, 09:33 AM

Gandhi is a religious figure who I respect the most. I also admire some of the members (who were Catholics) of the German White Rose resistance movement that opposed Nazi ideology during WWII.

Korihor (formerly, 'Nightshade')

Ojuice5001 · 05-06-2003, 09:42 AM

I respect Peter, even though in some sense he was a rival of my gods' followers. I just like the idea that he went out into the world with a religious message that he believed in, took on whatever forces opposed his new religion, and did so with his whole will subordinate to Yahweh. And he did it with only eleven people on his side. I've always wished I could be as great a spiritual warrior for Roman paganism as he was against Roman paganism.

Mageth · 05-06-2003, 09:48 AM

Depends on what you mean by "religious figures." I may include some that push the envelope.

And note that I can respect a religious figure without agreeing with everything they did, believed or taught, or believing the myths that have grown around them.

MLK and Gandhi, certainly.

Lao Tzu

Thomas Merton (for, among other things, seeking the link between Eastern and Western religious thought)

Joseph Campbell (for showing us the underlying, universal and very human themes beneath and within the world's religions and myths)

And for some reason, David (a mythical icon, even if based on a real person) has always been my favorite Biblical character, and Psalms my favorite book in the Bible. David is the archetypal flawed hero, able through a great depth of spirit to overcome his flaws, his mistakes, his problems, his very humanity, and to reach a transcendant state of rapture, to experience the true nature of humanity, the beauty of nature, and the universal. Of all the Biblical characters, David is the one I identify with the most.

And yes, an atheist can find inspiration in the Bible. It contains many truths of the human condition, though not some of the truths most theists thinks it does.

ex-idaho · 05-06-2003, 09:55 AM

I would also have to include Martin Luther for his courage in defying religious conventions of the time. I admire some of the positions of John Paul but have no real respect for the Pope himself.

Magus55 · 05-06-2003, 09:59 AM

Jesus Christ, but you already knew i was gonna say that

Mageth · 05-06-2003, 10:05 AM

Yes, the Christ, another mythical "hero" icon. David is much more human and reachable.

bocajeff · 05-06-2003, 10:13 AM

Satan

He's fighting the good fight. Never hear any stories of him wiping out millions in floods, plagues and ordered massacres

Goliath · 05-06-2003, 10:18 AM

I respect no religious figures whatsoever. However, if I were to find a proof that the xian god exists, I would have the utmost respect and admiration for Satan.

Sincerely,

Goliath

05-06-2003, 09:29 AM	#1
ex-idaho Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Spudtopia, ID Posts: 5,315	What if any religious figures do you respect This is a thread that I have meant to start for many months now. Personnally I have always had a great deal of respect for Dr King and for Ghandi. Of course many would argue they were more political figures than religous. Anyone else out there have any religous icons they respect?

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05-06-2003, 09:32 AM	#2
hezekiah jones Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: WI Posts: 4,357	The Spongmeister.

05-06-2003, 09:33 AM	#3
KnightWhoSaysNi Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Edmonton, Canada Posts: 2,767	Gandhi is a religious figure who I respect the most. I also admire some of the members (who were Catholics) of the German White Rose resistance movement that opposed Nazi ideology during WWII. Korihor (formerly, 'Nightshade')

05-06-2003, 09:42 AM	#4
Ojuice5001 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: A city in Florida that I love Posts: 3,416	I respect Peter, even though in some sense he was a rival of my gods' followers. I just like the idea that he went out into the world with a religious message that he believed in, took on whatever forces opposed his new religion, and did so with his whole will subordinate to Yahweh. And he did it with only eleven people on his side. I've always wished I could be as great a spiritual warrior for Roman paganism as he was against Roman paganism.

05-06-2003, 09:48 AM	#5
Mageth Contributor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Deep in the heart of mother-lovin' Texas Posts: 29,689	Depends on what you mean by "religious figures." I may include some that push the envelope. And note that I can respect a religious figure without agreeing with everything they did, believed or taught, or believing the myths that have grown around them. MLK and Gandhi, certainly. Lao Tzu Thomas Merton (for, among other things, seeking the link between Eastern and Western religious thought) Joseph Campbell (for showing us the underlying, universal and very human themes beneath and within the world's religions and myths) And for some reason, David (a mythical icon, even if based on a real person) has always been my favorite Biblical character, and Psalms my favorite book in the Bible. David is the archetypal flawed hero, able through a great depth of spirit to overcome his flaws, his mistakes, his problems, his very humanity, and to reach a transcendant state of rapture, to experience the true nature of humanity, the beauty of nature, and the universal. Of all the Biblical characters, David is the one I identify with the most. And yes, an atheist can find inspiration in the Bible. It contains many truths of the human condition, though not some of the truths most theists thinks it does.

05-06-2003, 09:55 AM	#6
ex-idaho Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Spudtopia, ID Posts: 5,315	I would also have to include Martin Luther for his courage in defying religious conventions of the time. I admire some of the positions of John Paul but have no real respect for the Pope himself.

05-06-2003, 09:59 AM	#7
Magus55 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: USA Posts: 7,204	Jesus Christ, but you already knew i was gonna say that

05-06-2003, 10:05 AM	#8
Mageth Contributor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Deep in the heart of mother-lovin' Texas Posts: 29,689	Yes, the Christ, another mythical "hero" icon. David is much more human and reachable.

05-06-2003, 10:13 AM	#9
bocajeff Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: HelL.A. Posts: 1,157	Satan He's fighting the good fight. Never hear any stories of him wiping out millions in floods, plagues and ordered massacres

05-06-2003, 10:18 AM	#10
Goliath Banned Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Fargo, ND, USA Posts: 1,849	I respect no religious figures whatsoever. However, if I were to find a proof that the xian god exists, I would have the utmost respect and admiration for Satan. Sincerely, Goliath

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