Egoinos

I know, Kosh, but its so depressing! Damn those Greeks! always discovering things that obviously I should have discovered!

The Other Michael

Hi Egoinos,

I can't say I search out small children to talk with, but for a long time I've found it annoying when adults "babytalk" to children.

First, it seems a stupid thing to do if you are trying to instill good language skills in them, second, it sounds stupid coming from an adult, and third it is pretty patronizing.

If you're going to bother talking with a child, talk to it like you would anyone else. That isn't to say you can't simplify things to account for the child's comprehension level, but treat it like a sentient creature.

cheers,
Michael

Kosh

Exactly what I always keep mind when I wonder:

If it's taken us about 200 years for this great
technological revolution, and if the human mind
has been the same for about 35,000 years, why do
we assume we're the first civilation to have reached this level?

Then again, I'm a sucker for a good conspiracy
theory....

Mad Kally

When I was 8 years old and asking questions about the bible I was smarter than my psycho fundie mom and I still am!

Wisdom doesn't always come with age, sometimes age happens all by itself.

Kosh

Kosh's new bumper sticker:

AGE HAPPENS

sullster

Kathall, No condescension from me towards you for being young. Age brings some benefits but you can't beat being your age in other ways.

Drink in your youth, it will pass in a blink of your eye. Us older folks are stepping on the brake of time but the brake doesn't work.

As for your worry about being patronized by older folks, well it happens. Don't forget that you youngsters patronize the olders too. That is life. Don't forget, there was a reason determined by natural selection for why us oldies last as long as we do.

Sephiroth

I don't patronize older people so I have a right to be annoyed when people call me "son" (god, I hate that) or otherwise act superior to me.

wildernesse

I have been reading this topic with some interest--mainly because I actually found out how young some of you are! IMO, this is a very good forum because you are taken at screen-value, and there are no judgements against your case because of your age.

As a Christian, I wanted to ask for your patience with young-ish fundies. Reading Tricia's posts and others reminds me of myself in high school. I was raised fundy, and although I attended public schools I never really met anyone at all different from me. My world existed of family, school, and church--and as such my worldview wasn't much challenged.

Enter state public university! Add very vocal arguments about faith with Southern Baptists (I'm Pentecostal)and falling madly in love with my atheist now-fiance, and my worldview broadened dramatically. Plus I grew up.

I'm a different person now, and when I look at what my family believes and my home community believes--well, I'm amazed. Interacting with people who are different from you causes real growth, and mental growth should be a goal of freethinkers. So consider yourselves as agents of change in young believers' lives--maybe not to non-belief, but to a better understanding of themselves. Who knows where that will lead.

Forgive any typos, please--I'm new to typing my thoughts for the world to see.
--tiba

Pseudonymph

Part of the reason my profile is so vague, is becuase I am not too keen on the fact that many people judge you based on a number of factors that you cannot control.

And for as much time as I spend on this board, I have never been truly offended....untill now.

The fact that many open minded people such as yourselves would discredit something an individual says based on their age is pathetic...VERY pathetic.

Anyone who feels this way, has truly forgotten what it was like to be a child, or teenager.

Oh and by the way I am 19... moved out for 2 years, worked two full time jobs and one part time job at the same time for 6 months. Have been in a stable committed relationship for 2 years(light years at this age) was a few points shy of valedictorian of my class, had all honors/AP classes(except for math) all the way through high school. Am currently working a job where I am the only person who does not have a college degree, because I was able to display applicable and pertinent knowledge relating to my job, made it through a tough probationary period, where all eyes were on me to do well, and I have.

Am I inexperienced and stupid? Unworthy of your attention and regard becuase I was born later than you? I consider myself to have accomplished a lot in my short time here, and I have no intention of slowing down.

And it really bothers me that in this day and age, people STILL hold any type of bias at ALL.

I realize that many younger people are patronizing to their elders. Are you not supposed to be above that and not respond in kind? Have you learned nothing in all your time here? What about all this business that older people are supposed to be more mature and not stoop to "our level?"

I apologize for this rant, but preconceptions drive me nuts and this one is no different than asking "how seriously do you take the arguments of black people?"

sullster

Sirenspeak, Sirenspeak! Calm down! Read all my posts, I for one do not put down someone who is young. None of the other oldies on this thread have done that.

What you feel is natural. I felt the same way, even more so when I was your age. I was around during the time when the clowns of the counter-culture said:"Don't trust anyone over 30". Over 30! Ha, I would like to be 30 again, damn it.

You know what, I don't take religious arguments seriously from anyone no matter how old they are. I am not biased against age on this issue. This Fastfalcon's drivel is the same as the drivel coming out of the mouth of any 50 year old.