Freethought & Rationalism ArchiveThe archives are read only. |
01-22-2002, 06:20 AM | #11 |
Contributor
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Barrayar
Posts: 11,866
|
What's so wrong about having a Christian on this forum who stands by what he believes?
I think it's great. But you have to remember, you are now in a society that is the opposite of the one all of us normally inhabit -- in a society composed almost entirely of people who think Christianity is nonsense. For most atheists that's a welcome relief, for many of us have to hide our atheism in our extremely (85%) Christian society, because discrimination against non-Christians is so pervasive outside of a few cities, and of course universities and other institutions inhabited by educated and tolerant people. We let our hair down here. The inevitable consquence is abuse of ideas you hold dear. The other way this society differs from your own is that people here have read up on the Christian myth-system, are literate in it, and are cognizant of its many problems. Consider the statement you made below:
This is a non-argument in this or any serious forum. Nobody cares about contradicting the Bible here; indeed, we do it every day whether we need to or not, just for the sheer joy of it I have never heard any logical argument that was based on who said what first. Since both you and Rimstalker are making the assertions, the burden of proof rests on you both. You must show why your particular savior is true, and all other saviors are mythic. Recall that your position and Rimstalker's are separated by precisely one savior; you would agree with him that other saviors are all myths. That one savior a razor-thin margin for you to balance an argument on, never mind a whole lifestyle. So educate us. Why should we accept your savior in lieu of any other? Michael |
01-22-2002, 06:26 AM | #12 |
Veteran Member
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Twin Cities, USA
Posts: 3,197
|
Sorry to make a "generalised" statement about Christians, but here goes:
Christians are taught not to question the Bible. The Bible is inerrant. Period. No ifs, ands, or buts. It isn't a question of "proof" to Christians - it's a question of faith. If a Christian starts questioning, looking for "proof" - then his faith is starting to weaken. Since faith is the foundation upon which Christianity stands (since there is no "proof") a questioning mind is a dangerous thing indeed. So - if you are indeed a strong Christian who stands by what he/she believes, stop questioning. If you do - you are in grave danger of becoming one of us. |
01-22-2002, 06:30 AM | #13 | |
Veteran Member
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: southeast
Posts: 2,526
|
Quote:
In a debate, however, the atheist position is (and should be) different, and with a fairly simple reason. The standard quote is "extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." Despite the fact that many people accept the claims made by Christianity, it is an extraordinary claim. Reactor, I welcomed you originally, and I wish to welcome you again. I would apologize for some of the attacks you have received, but that would mean nothing coming from me. I hope you continue to hang around and ask questions and express doubt, and I hope some of the more rabid attackers will get the point and tone it down a bit. If not, well, just ignore the lunkheads and respond only to the reasonable postings. Maybe we (meaning you and I, for once) can show them how to conduct a polite conversation. |
|
01-22-2002, 06:52 AM | #14 | |||||||||||||
Banned
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: a place where i can list whatever location i want
Posts: 4,871
|
Aw, poor Reactor, the fine Xian soldier finds his illogic and presuppositions do not work on a rational crowd, and he lashes out against it. Poor, poor little child.
You should be aware that "cut and quote" is a common style on this board, and I use it because it makes it easier to do point-and-counterpoint debating. Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
"Also, try this logic Reactor. Dune says Paul Atredies is the Messiah of Arrakis. You say he's a mythic hero. I say prove it, because you're contradicting the novel Dune who had any opinion about Paul, first." If you can't grasp the concept of burden of proof by your next post, then I see no reason to waste my time responding to you. I don't care who said anything about Jesus first. We do not have to presuppose someone's mythical, fantastical account of a supposed messiah just because he got here first. Again, you have to apply this standard unilaterally. Do we hold the Oddessy as an accurate account of the King of Ithica's life just because Homer said it first? You prove that Jesus existed, and then prove that the Gospels are an accurate account of his life, then we'll have somehting to talk about. Quote:
Quote:
|
|||||||||||||
01-22-2002, 06:59 AM | #15 | |
Regular Member
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: USA
Posts: 228
|
Quote:
|
|
01-22-2002, 07:06 AM | #16 | |
Veteran Member
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Chicago
Posts: 1,777
|
Quote:
|
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|