auto-da-fe

at this point, and I know I shouldn't but, I would like to point out that I am having a hard time finding one line written about the op in anything that "peripeteia" has written. Its just all ad hominen attacks from what I can see....



To the op though... I think it has been pretty well said here that the reason that continuous debate is needed with theists (xtians mostly) is because they are trying to force their ideal's on me. Either via federal laws, or through schools, they continuously are trying to spread their message to every corner of the world, demanding time and energy, while refusing to give anyone else some. There are currently something like 20,000 religions in the world, and the xtians are the single most oppressive.

Also, as mentioned above, I find it entirely ironic that an xtian comes to this board (it isn't called Internet Infidels for nothing), and complains "Can't we all just get along"? then basically says "All it would take is for you to admit your wrong and we are right".

Biff the unclean

ON may have mentioned the past Xeno but you cannot pretend that the exact same thing isn't happening as we speak. Does the word "evolution" mean anything to you? To me it is a dirty word that I cannot use in any of my papers...even though it is the central gist of my work in inter species communication...for fear of losing funding.
No one is going to burn me at the stake anymore but they will still do me harm

Mageth

Originally posted by Xeno
I assume then you have a past without a single blood stain, your ancestors were never criminals, and no genetic link to you could reveal injustice of any sort?

Irrelevant. We're talking about Christianity, a system for living your life instituted 2000 years ago, outlined in the bible, and supposedly, if followed, allowing one to lead a "good" life whether 1000 years ago or today, not individual people. Genetics has nothing to do with it. And I, and probably Opera Nut, readily admit to having many Christians of ill repute in my past. In criticizing Christianity, I am criticizing the beliefs of my ancestors.

If that is the case then on behalf of the good majority of us I beg you to forgive us, who were given our pasts which we cannot now amend.

Who's asking you to? IMO, the issue is about whether Christianity, a system not passed down genetically, is a reliable system for leading a "good" life. Historical (and present) evidence argues against its reliability.

BTW, your plea is a bit ironic; Xianity is the system that claims that we were all given a "past" that we cannot personally amend.

Xeno

Is that to imply that no one has done anything wrong in the name of love? Is that enough to disassociate yourself from the concept?

By the way, I love that Magellan quote.

Mageth

Is that to imply that no one has done anything wrong in the name of love? Is that enough to disassociate yourself from the concept?

People do wrong in the name of all sorts of things. Christianity is institutionalized wrongdoing, where one can do wrong in the name of "right".

Xeno

If the issue is things happening "as we speak", then the same does not apply. I got the impression from Opera Nut's post about a strong feeling of animosity about the past.

King Rat

Oh, well that makes it okay then. It was for their own good, yes? It was for their eternal salvation, right? They had good intentions, didn't they?

I'd prefer for xtians to 'love' someone else, thank you.

Xeno

Of course not and if you read my post carefully that is not what I was implying.

Xeno

Mageth - I think you mistake me for a Christian apologetic. I am not apologetic for the atrocities done in Christianity's past, nor my countries past, nor any individuals past.

King Rat

I'm reading it very slowly and very carefully and it still comes across the same way.

Please Xeno, enlighten me.