beyelzu

I thought we were all talking about marriage or the like as well I do have xian friends, generally they arent very devout for much of the same reasons. but it is to a lesser degree. I dont have to consider what I will teach the hypothetical children that I and my firends are going to have after all. I really think that that is a huge stumbling block. I also think that to be fair the decision is going to have to be made prior to the relationship, otherwise the relationship can just go to shit.

beyelzu

I dont think that anyone was suggesting that open dialog between xians and atheists is bad, marriage is not the same as a friendship.

beyelzu

Amos,

I have been told that I was going to burn in hell by many other people. In the 8th grade, I was agnostic and agreed with evolution, most of the kids called me a satatanist for most of the year. I have had a really shitty life, not including religion, which I have ovecome. I despise xianity and think that it is a blight on humankind. I veiw xians as being one of two kinds. either misquided and kind of sad like the kid that still believes in santa, or stupid and willfully ignorant and holding back mankind like the yec and other fundy's


so how the hell am I not a hard core atheist???????

HelenM

Thanks!

They have known for a long time that he's an atheist.

They haven't had any deep discussions with him about it to my knowledge - but then, I don't know what they talk about when I'm not around. I don't think they talk about religious beliefs, though, because to my knowledge he doesn't talk about his atheism much with anyone. He talks about other things. I've never asked my husband not to talk about it with them, nor would I - I don't think that would be reasonable.

I try to give people the benefit of the doubt .

take care
Helen

agapeo

Without the benefit (or time) of reading through all the responses in this thread I decided to "jump" in from the OP.
If I offered to end their suffering and they refused that offer what would you suggest?

I think what you're asking though is: Should billions of people be held guilty for the act of two?

Let's suppose that the actions of just two resulted in a mutation of their genetics -- cancer for instance. If these cancerous genes were passed down with consistent regularity from one generation to the next who's fault was it for the mutation of the genetic pool?

Let's further suppose that the original two were warned that if they ate a particular fruit it would cause cancer and that cancer would be passed down to their children children. If they ignore that warning whose fault would it be? Whom should the children blame for being inflicted with cancer?

Oh but I see where it can be said that the one warning the two should never of given them the opportunity to eat the fruit which would cause cancer. But what if the fruit served a different purpose than what the two decided to make use of it for?

Now since you've insisted that no biblical passages can be used in responding to your question I think it only fair that you likewise leave God out of responding to my questions and instead consider your response from the perspective of you being that person who warned the other two of the dangers of eating the fruit that would cause cancer. Are you to blame? If you had the cure for the cancer of all these billions of people and they refused that cure could you do anything other than to allow them the choice to continue suffering? If not, how would you go about ending their suffering? (Remember to leave God and any attributes associated with said God out your answers. Forget about omniscience, omnipotence, and omnibenevolent. The questions are put to you. You can't assume such attributes being part of your nature when answering the question you posed.

Radorth

That sounds great Kally, but you never ask them if they think non-Catholics go to hell, or if they agree with the Pope about the future of Protestants, now do you? Catholics have specific doctrines about who goes to heaven, and it ain't you, if they are practicing. Why don't you ask her some hard questions and "be honest" with her? Would she like it if you started laughing and joking about what she believes?

You're mom is a fundy, and thiinks you're going to hell, so anyone you suspect might be like her goes in the same box, and then you crap in it. Right?

Rad

Hedwig

*sniff* I'm being ignored.

Mad Kally

Thanks Amos, I know you know.

To Agapeo: ROFL! Want to do the polka?

You have no idea what the hell you're talking about. It's almost all we've talked and joked about over the years. My other best friend is an atheist who was never brainwashed by her parents. I envy her. I SAID THEY ARE MY FRIENDS FOR LIFE NO MATTER WHAT AND I MEANT IT!!! Who are you to say what my friendships are like, you ignorant brainwashed cult member? If they turned into fundies (and that would be a cold day in your hell) I would feel very sorry for them, but I would tolerate it because as I said before "WE ARE FRIENDS FOR LIFE!

WTF are you talking about? Sober up!

Dr Rick

It would be nice if you would try and help them any way you can.



I think the answer to that is no.

Let's suppose someone put two toddlers and several barrels of gasoline with a matchbook in a basement of a pediatric hospital and warned the tykes that they could start a fire if they didn't stay still and the fire would burn other children. If they ignore that warning, whose fault would it be? Whom should the children blame for being inflicted with 3rd degree burns?

What if the gasoline served a different purpose than what the two decided to make use of it for?

Amos

Fuck off shitty life. If it was really shitty you would not brag about it now. You despise religion because of what you see and I can agree with you there. But you don't really know first hand.

There is nothing wrong with your point of view but there is a difference between what you see and what some people were exposed to and that is the only point I wanted to make.