Warcraft3

QueenofSwords:

Nothing wrong with that in my book.

Well I could give you reasons why you may someday convert, but none of them involve a scheduled meeting to debate issues.

Maybe you sould mention that in your meeting....that you dont wish to be converted are aware thats what the meeting is intended for.

Depends what you mean by "respect". There are many views that I dont respect in the regard that I do not think they are true or correct, but I still do not mock or ridicule them.

I do not mock Atheists, or Hindus, or Buddhists, or Toaists, or Muslims, or Mormons, or liberal arts majors (okay well maybe a little), or etc. I disagree with them and think they are all incorrect, but I do not mock or belittle their beliefs.

I can disagree and still refrain from being rude and offensive (although I do love sarcasm and witty insults). Everyone has reasons for believing and thinking the way they do, even if the reasons arent good ones.



Russ

Warcraft3

Hey there Nowhere357:

Quite correct. There are several posters here and at TWEB that I have simply been ignoring becuase of their rude behavior when posting to me. Anytime I see a post with their name on it I just scroll down and do not read it.

Word to the wise: Rudeness causes some reasonable people to simply end discussion with you, so it pays to be mature and remove the garbage from discussion.



Russ

Biff the unclean

And if they poke you in the eye with a stick and you say "thank you, have a nice day" the chances that they will poke you in the other eye increase.

I'm not saying not to be polite. I'm not saying to return kindness with hostility.
I'm saying not to take any shit from them. I'm saying not to reinforce their poor behavior by kow towing to it.

Rusting Car Bumper

No. Its just calling it like I see it. If it chases cats and barks it a dog, if it grows leaves in the spring snd drops them in fall it might be a tree...

DC

Biff the unclean

Word to the wise: Rudeness causes some reasonable people to simply end discussion with you, so it pays to be mature and remove the garbage from discussion.
Except we aren't talking about reasonable people. The reasonable people aren't causing anyone a problem.
I'm talking about rude Christian people. Such as this guy in the OP with a picture of Jesus in his crapper. "Come over to my house young lady so that I can sit you down and tell you how you are damned to eternal Hell." Queen didn't phone him up to tell him everything he believes is wrong. He wants to change her so that she will no longer exist as an Atheist. That offensive behavior. And I'm using several meaning of the word "offensive" including meaning an attack. He wants "her" to cease to exist. This is rudeness, and you are correct, a reasonable person doesn't have to put up with this sort of behavior. Definitely such behavior should not be furthered by the victim of this rudeness. Walking off in a huff or lecturing him on his lack of social graces could only be expected from her. Not turning the other cheek and saying 'demean me some more, please.'

Biff the unclean

Sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me. Nyah, nyah, a boo boo

Nowhere357

Absolutely. My position is that if there's something I need to learn, I don't need to learn it from a jerk.

Btw it's good to see you here.

Nowhere357

Agreed. And I think this is why at least two people here have pointed out that on this subject, you and dc are both correct!

Notice however how the disagreement between you and dc has devolved into a venom-spitting contest, even though you both are correct! Which puts an exclamation point on Stedele's comments - rudeness gets in the way of communication.

This in no way means we should take guff. But a guffy opponent can often be disarmed by maintaining an even keel, and even if the opponent doesn't notice, maybe the lurkers will.

Doctor X

"Can't we all just get along?"

Anyways, as much as I like the humor of suggesting that QueenofSwords show up with a Marylin Manson t-shirt . . . preferably wet so [GET ON WITH IT!!--Ed.] . . . er . . . yes . . . right so as to "offend" a person who by virtue of his intent is offensive, this does not represent appropriate behavior.

Frankly, I would suggest if the "meeting" is to expose QofS to a religion she simply decline.

I perhaps misread that this was a social meeting that might involve a discussion on religion. This is rather common--politics and religion proving "hot topics."

However, if QofS wishes to go through with this she should start calm and focus on his beliefs rather than her lack of them.

Yes, the Bible is full of contradictions if not outright obscenity--I do consider requirements for child sacrifice obscene . . . unless it is a particularly obnoxious brat. However, a person can, and will, dismiss them as "old" or "you must understand the spirit of blah blah blah."

Hence why I ask a question regarding childhood cancer. It does tend to end the conversation. Biblical quotes do not solve it. It is a real conversation ender, however.

Frankly, QofS I think you have better things to do with your time, but sometimes it is hard to avoid such situations.

--J.D.

Kruzkal

Links you may find useful:
Arguing against Faith - Practical advice for debating with theists.
How to Fight the Religious Right - A guide to defending yourself against Fundamentalist Christians.
Blue Letter Bible - Digital bible for quick references.
Biblical Contradictions - A rediculously lengthy list. Many are crap so pick good ones out yourself.

__________________

I believe that at every level of society - familial, tribal, national and international - the key to a happier and more successful world is the growth of compassion. We do not need to become religious, nor do we need to believe in an ideology. All that is necessary is for each of us to develop our good human qualities.
-Tenzin Gyatso