DISSIDENT AGGRESSOR

AND WHAT GOOD DOES THIS ACTUALLY DO FOR THEM?

Donjared

I admit I was flaming a little (strictly in the hetero way ofcourse) it makes for interesting reading. And thank you Revdahlia for addressing my post. I appreciate your time. Straighthate (tell me thats not flaming?!?) I also appreciate you for addressing somewhat the meat of the post. What do you guys DO other than bitch about Christians? If I am wrong about the Father and Christ and everything else, I at least have done some good down here. Am I motivated by Christ to do so? Ofcourse! Not from fear of Hell, but rather from the love He himself showed by going all the way for me (and you! Whether you care or not.) As for the question, Why do you hate us so much? I didn't mean to pose a riddle. If you don't, then say you don't. But I think a lot of you do. RevDahlia explained why and I appreciate it. But I think its dumb. I don't hate you and neither does God. I think He laughs and says,"I got some brainiac children who need a whoopin." And He loves you just the same.

Donjared

Dissident Aggressor I suggest you {deleted} for the answer to such a stupid question. If it were YOU who had nothing to eat and no place to live, I believe you would understand the good we do.

RevDahlia

Since you asked, donjared, I'll tell you about my own altruistic history. I've volunteered in public libraries for many a year, and I've worked for Project Angel Food, a charity that makes free meals for AIDS patients. (Including on one memorable Christmas Day, when I juiced bushels of carrots all day long. Festive, in an odd way, even if I was orange head-to-foot when I left.) I did these things because they are good, helpful things to do. I know that all humans have an innate desire to do good, because altruism is a big part of what makes our society work, and it's good for us.

I won't speak for my fellow infidels by name, but here you'll find educators, scientists and physicians, among many others, whose life's work revolves around discovering things and teaching people for the betterment of humanity. That's nothing to sneeze at.

Charity aside, many of us feel that Christianity as practiced actually increases human misery, through bigotry and a lack of respect for intellectual progress. That, as a belief system, it does harm to individuals and to the world. Pointing out its flaws is, for many, a moral imperative. I agree that that isn't the same thing as feeding the hungry or tending the sick, but they're all parts of a whole.

Straight Hate

I think it needs to be noted that II is often held as a safe-haven for the non-religious they cannot otherwise find in 'real life. To a certain extent, it certainly serves that purpose in my life. That said, our personalities on here may not totally reflect who we are in real life. I will not deny I meet Christians every day who piss me off, but they're usually the type who would piss me off regardless of whatever little visions dance in their head.

If you would like, I'm sure the members of this board would gladly detail their selfless humanistic efforts in creating a better world, but to me that would seem a little too self-congratulatory. Of course, we could just be a bunch of bitchy, hypocritical, selfish bastards. In that respect, though, you can hardly fault our godless, heathen ways - at worst we'd resemble a large portion of the Christian demographic.

Further still, any character flaws we might possess has little effect on the larger issues at hand - abstract ethics, morality, existence of gods, etc. ...At least, that's what the Christians say about their atrocities.

Donjared

RevDahlia I cant abide the "Christianity increases human misery" comment. Where do you suppose people go when they are broken and hurting? To their local Atheists club or whatever you guys have? No way man! They come to the Church. Everyone likes to bring up Homo's (as if this one group invalidates all the rest) but my pastor is always helping these guys. We don't hate them, we go out our way to help them. Whenever there are times of trouble, Church membership goes up. Why do suppose thats true. Its because people feel vulnerable and helpless and are looking for God to make it all better. You may mock them, us, as weak but that doesn't make any difference. The Church is THERE for us to EASE our misery. I hope I don't sound pissed, because I'm not at all. And why do think Christianity impedes progress. Wheres that the case? 13th or 14th century Italy? Certainly not the good ol Christian US of A. And does Atheism facilitate progress? Like in 21st century China? Or in 21st century Cuba where they still drive 54 Chevys because they have to. I don't think you're right about that stuff at all.

Straight Hate

Woah, simmer down there, Johnny McAngerManagement.

If I'm not mistaken, many aspects 21st Century would be considered 'progressive'. Maybe you should bring that up in PD.

That aside, Christianity is well-known for its technological and scientific progress - like how electricity was discovered by Moses (*bzarp* on the mount) and how Yahweh approves of stem cell research when he dicks around and creates the XX standard from the XY variable. It's all there in the bible, my friend.

(Why do I get the feeling I'm sending this more and more to 'Elsewhere' with each successive post?)

Donjared

I agree Straighthate. Your right on about Christians excusing bad behavior. But (and you knew this was coming) I think Atheism has natural ramifications that go beyond [insult removed]
If we are not created in the image of a loving God, than we are simply beasts. As such, we certainly could be expected to act as such. But we humans are down on this idea. Why? Because at creation God put a little of Himself in us. We call it a conscience. Some choose to listen to it a lot and others ignore it all together. Those that ignore it are the monsters. I think that the natural ramification of Atheism is that we all surrender to to the monster in us. We stop believing that we have anything Godlike within us and just ignore the voice that says,"Hey man that isn't RIGHT." I know that Christians do bad things. But Christian is just a label. People that listen to their conscience (or God speaking to them) don't do bad things.

Donjared

Sorry Straighthate, but I missed point entirely with the second post. Was it just pure mockery of me and my faith or something substantive?

Johny mcangermanagement is pretty funny though

Straight Hate

I personally cannot continue this discussion because I simply see no reason to apply a supernatural force of questionable character to an explanatory natural occurrence.

--

1 part seriousness, 2 parts mockery, and a pitch of guilty conscience. Ethical? No. Funny? It's two in the morning, and I do crack myself up sometimes (if no one else).