What's the difference between God and Bill Gates?

[CHHAS]

Originally posted by agallag
I've been thinking of printing up a bumper/cubicle sticker that reads: "I will respect your religion if, and only if, you respect my lack of one".

Amen to that.

[Dr Mordrid]

First; lets not forget that the "G" word is implicit in the subject of the thread, even if humorously.

Soapbox ON

This PC attitude that one can't mention "G" in a positive context for fear of irritating someone is nothing more than an attempt at social censorship. You sure didn't seem to mind mentioning "G" in the negative context, thereby trying to "educate" others in your non-belief. I think that amounts the the "H" word....

IMHO: if you don't like mention of "G" in a positive context, grow thicker skin.

Soapbox OFF

Dr. Mordrid

[The Rock]

George Carlin said it best: "religion is like lifts in your shoes. If they fit you, fine, but don't ask me to wear your shoes." (may not be the exact quote; I'm going from memory)

Bart

[Rags]

IMHO: if you don't like mention of "G" in a positive context, grow thicker skin.

I have no problem with that, but if you have convulsions when you hear someone say "God Damn it" or "God doesn't exist", then you need thicker skin

Rags

[Dr Mordrid]

GDI is not that objectionable, even to religious types. It's a disapproval, yes...it's rough, yes...but it's not blasphemy, which is what they would object to.

"God doesn't exist" is a declaration of (supposed) fact, which should be open to challenge in forums like The Soap Box.

Dr. Mordrid

[Rags]

Originally posted by Dr Mordrid
GDI is not that objectionable, even to religious types. It's a disapproval, yes...it's rough, yes...but it's not blasphemy, which is what they would object to.

"God doesn't exist" is a declaration of (supposed) fact, which should be open to challenge in forums like The Soap Box.

Dr. Mordrid

I just find it so funny that the only one who reacted with objection to a post (in a JOKE thread, in which the post obviously a JOKE), is you. I am just suggesting that maybe you need to grow a little more thick skin when reading JOKES.

You don't know my faith because I don't advertise it for all to hear and read. I don't preach my beliefs on anyone unless they ask, and I don't want their beliefs shoved onto me unless I ask. Is it really that tough?

The mere statement of "God doesn't exist" is not a declaration of fact, it's a declaration of opinion/belief/faith.

Why is it so objectionable that someone in a joke thread jests with the notion that there is no 'god'?

Rags

[CHHAS]

Besides, discussions about religion leads nowhere, noone is going to change their faith (or lack of) on basis of a discussion on a forum.

[Rags]

Oh, and I cannot believe I failed to notice this:

This PC attitude that one can't mention "G" in a positive context for fear of irritating someone is nothing more than an attempt at social censorship.

I don't think I have seen the PC crowd here.

You sure didn't seem to mind mentioning "G" in the negative context, thereby trying to "educate" others in your non-belief.

Hmmmm no one used god in a negative context. I find it humorous that some get upset over the notion that someone may believe there isn't a god like the general religous fanatics hold to be truth, yet someone attacks a human being to their very thread of living being and it's just peachy

I think that amounts the the "H" word....

Honorable? Heavenly? Happy? Humping? Hogwash? Come on let me in on this

Rags

[Jammrock]

hehehehehe...someone mentions god in a MURC thread and the war begins anew...

The mere statement of "God doesn't exist" is not a declaration of fact, it's a declaration of opinion/belief/faith.

"God doesn't exist" is a declaration of fact. If it was an opinion/belief/faith, it should be worded like, "I don't believe in God," or similar. Just my opinion.

Niether religious nor agnostic/atheist can point fingers at the other and say, "you are ramming your beliefs down my throat." Both sides do it and with equal ferver. And it seems it gets on each others skin just as bad. If the world had thicker skin and more tolerence of each others beliefs, then this would be a pretty boring world

Rags, Dr. Mordrid,

From personal experience, making fun of someone's religious beliefs or lack thereof, even if in a joking context, is never a wise thing. Unless you know that person well and know what the 'line' is, it is impolite to cross it.

I don't mind religious debate, but bashing is not in harmony with the ideals of this forum or within the bounds of most theological ideals. Being PC is stupid, being polite is ideal.

Jammrock

[Rags]

No, actually stating god exists or god doesn't exist is a declaration of opinion, as it is a faith issue, where it really cannot be established as fact. To put it this way, there is a reason why they call religion a faith. Faith is the ability to hold true things that which cannot be proven at the point, which is not fact. So when someone challenges either way, it's a matter of opinion not fact. This has been held up across the world in many courts (including the US courts) and in numerous texts.

Rags

[Jammrock]

Like I said Rags, in my opinion it is a declaration of fact. In my experience when people verbally say, "God doesn't exist," their tone and expression is designed to make it sound factual. In addition, people who generally do not believe in the existence of a god or a supreme being (once agin in my opinion and experience) normally view themselves as scientific and logical, so in their minds they view their statements as factual based on their logical conclusions.

This is of course does not apply to all situations and people. I'm merely stating my observations

Jammrock

[Wombat]

Like I said Rags, in my opinion it is a declaration of fact.

I don't take it as any more of a statement of fact than all the times some soul-saving person of Christian-faction X tells me that I am doomed to Hell unless I convert, repent(repent what?), and accept Christ.

[Dr Mordrid]

Rags;

Hypocracy....

I find this all rather interesting;

It seems some of the same people who don't want to have theological opinions thrust on them are at the same time are more than willing to thrust their dis-belief on those who do believe.

In other words: you can say what you want about "G", in jest or not, but people with the opposite view are supposed to just shut up and not comment even if it's to suggest some interesting reading in the science vs. theology debate.

What ever happened to free speech? Open discourse of opposing views? Is it reserved just for non-believers and ACLU card holders?

Also...who mentioned Christ or Christians? I sure didn't, and won't. My studies have been much broader.

Dr. Mordrid

[Rags]

Rags;

Hypocracy....

Yes, I agree. Hypocrisy is a large factor in many religions.

I find this all rather interesting;

Me too;

It seems some of the same people who don't want to have theological opinions thrust on them are at the same time are more than willing to thrust their dis-belief on those who debate.

I hope you aren't referring to me, I haven't thrust any of my beliefs upon anyone. Show me one time where I have.

In other words: you can say what you want about "G", in jest or not, but people with the opposite view are supposed to just shut up and not comment even if it's to suggest some interesting reading in the science vs. theology debate.

You see it's very simple. A joke is made, and you get on your bandwagon of trying to teach the joke is technically wrong. It's funny how you are trying to make this into a PC thing, when it is YOU who is taking the part of the PC crowd in all this. Stay with me here, A joke is made. You see it and it gets your panties in a twist, so you just have to make a deal of it, even though it was so obviously jesting. By golly, don't make jest of something you hold dear to your heart, but nevermind the times you use demagoguery to show the PC crowd they are so stiff and uptight about their beliefs.

That is hypocrisy at its peak.

What ever happened to free speech? Open discourse of opposing views? Is it reserved just for non-believers and ACLU card holders?

I never suggested anything happen to free speech. I am as just at liberty to disclose my views on your preaching to me, and your 'suggestions' to me as you are to respond to my views. The thing is I never disclosed my beliefs and never laid them on the table. You did. Now, if I were to lay my beliefs in the open, fine let's have it out. I attempted to stop the debate of religion where you were trying to get it into discussion. It's rather amusing that anyone who doesn't conform to someone's view of religion, they have a name for them. Whether it's a 'bible thumpers' or 'heathens', we always have to label someone who is different from ourselves.

Rags

[Jammrock]

baka baka!

Jammrock