Cipher Girl

Well fundies are certainly much less of a minority that atheists are.

Bumble Bee Tuna

I second Goliath's request for actual evidence of this claim you make in 50% of your posts here at II.

Otherwise, Stop making the assertion. Unfounded assertions are just fine in faith-and-ignorance theistville, but for the rest of us, we like facts.

Also, I might add that your bringing it up was a derailment of the thread, as not a single person in the thread tried to make the claim that fundies are the majority.

-B

Rational BAC

Well Bumble Bee---

I didn't think it was that much of a derailment. It was included along with what I thought were very practical ways to get a Fundy off your back when he/she is trying to either "convert" you (if you are an atheist) or to "improve" your Christianity (if you are a Christian).---------------not really much difference for a fundy whether you are an atheist or an "improperly thinking" Christian. So right on target for this thread in that sense.

Is the definition of a Muffinstuffer also a gross derailment?

Rational BAC

Darn it all to heck ----Bumble Bee and Goliath---

Now I will have to actually go and look things up. And you know how lazy I am.

Whoops----sorry.

I probably just irreversably derailed the thread again.

Ronin

Well, to compassionately attempt to re-rail this thread ~

"How do I get them to listen to me?"

By listening to them...assessing their claims...refute that which is nonsensical...and provide the rational alternative when possible.

That they respond at all...is a direct indication that they are listening.

Oh...and don't fly any aircraft into their churches or burn their homes down...not that you would.

Sabine Grant

I guess that question and the answer you provide Ronin applies to circumstances where the only mode of communication is " to talk" and " to listen". It may be valid in terms of critical arguments brought up against any kind of theology from a non theist... but on points such as " atheists are immoral" or " they cannot be good people"... those prejudicial ideas can only be corrected not by talk but by demonstrating morality and qualities related to compassion and decent treatment of others. How the messenger interacts with the rest of the planet is IMO what may lead a christian who has prejudicial thoughts against non theists ( mostly led by his or her own doctrinal beliefs) to revise those thoughts and be a listener......
I should actualy use the term humanism rather that atheism.. it has become obvious to me that an atheist does not necessarly apply humanism as a foundation to treat other human beings. The same as a christian who does not necessarly apply Christ's teachings to treat another human being.
What personaly leads mo te " listen" to a non theist's arguments is his or her application of humanist claims in his or her daily dwellings with mankind. Cold rationalism which leads to treat another person without any respect and consequently to discriminate the choice of personal actions is never appealing to me. I like to see an application of humanist claims.
I have recently commented to a member of this forum how his or her train of thoughts have influenced my own rationale because of his or her obvious demonstration of humanistic qualities in his or her behavior thru communication.

Ronin

Ah...but relying mostly still on the very 'doctrinal' beliefs that divinely instruct that atheists are 'immoral' and 'not good people' deserving of the most tortuous treatment of all despite their example of goodness and compassion...is mostly still where we find you and I talking.

Despite your full knowledge, over these lovely past few months we have known together, that I am not immoral or a bad person ~ where does your doctrine have me at the end of songs?

Be honest and we will all have enlightenment.

I am an atheist...and I would not have Yahweh or Jesus or their fan club reign over me and my family because they are tyrannical and corrupt by their own fable.

Then it all just simply boils down to consistency with principle applied to doctrine.

Until you can categorically reconcile notions of what you and I know of real human goodness and compassion with the concept of punishing offspring for the innocent transgressions of parents and punishing unbelievers forever in Hell, Sabine, then your doctrine fails.

That is truly nothing personal, because I find that you are a good person in spite of the known dogma of Christ.

Now, that said, can you please work on your paragraph structure?

Nothing drastic...just a few more line breaks for this weary nightcrawler.

Thanks for listening.