Fundies. Put A Lid On it!

a reply to: Klassified

I've encountered those people before - And gotten the "fire and brimstone" speech before, especially around Christmas. However, my response is something like the following:

Me: "So, you're pretty much saying I'm going to burn in Hell? Why?"

Them: "Because you haven't accepted our specific beliefs Jesus into your heart, you will burn".

Me: "I still don't get it; I don't do drugs, don't engage in demoralizing actions, help people, and in general, live my life the best I can. Isn't that what Jesus wanted? Us to be good people, help others, and live in a way that didn't offend anyone else?"

Them: "That's all fine and good, but yes, you are still condemned".

Me: "Well then, I guess it'll be a hell of a party down there".

Them: "What do you mean?"

Me: "Well, by your logic, even people who haven't been tempted by the Devil, people who don't follow your belief system and yet do no harm to their fellow humans, people who hate war and hurting animals, will also be down there with me. That doesn't sound too bad to me - and at least I won't have to put up with the icy roads in MI anymore, and I get free heat".

In a more general sense - or if I'm feeling nice for that day, I'll remind them that the relationship between my deities and me is, well, between them and me. When I pass on is when I'll be judged.
-fossilera

OMG someone suggesting that people of like mind actually hang out with each other!

what a fool he must be!

insecure much?

Im sure if I asked if Christians hang out together there would have been agreement across the board.

But its not unusual to see atheists take whatever ridiculous stance they have to take to win an argument. no matter the cost to common sense or truth.

a reply to: Klassified

I think the main thing here is this...

We live on a planet full of people. We know that a certain percentage of those people, regardless of what they may or may not believe, behave like a total set of toolbags. It is vital therefore, that people of every walk of life, every gender class and race, and every faith on the spectrum of belief from devout to uninterested, who are capable of honest love for their fellow human beings, find one another in the world and offer each other comfort and love.

I learned many years ago at the hands of an indifferent church, when my family was going through hell and got NO help from anyone I had grown up with, that in fact, you have to rely on people for their individual merits, and upon the strength of their individual principles, not upon what badge they wear out of doors. I am glad that you have found mutual respect and brotherly love Klassified. The world can seem cold and grey without such a connection, and it is good to know that you are not in that monochromatic nightmare!

a reply to: sweord

Well yeah I know there are some Christians that will only hang out with other Christians as I said some people wouldn't stay friends with me once they found out I wasn't of their faith but that is their problem and their loss. So I take it that you really do think that atheists are the same. Wow even after another Christian (TrueBrit) just got through telling you some of his best friends are atheists. Did you catch that part?

I think your world view is a bit sad. There probably are some atheists that are like that (I haven't met them) I would say they are not the norm by any means and because I have Christian friends I know that not all Christians are exclusive as well the exclusive ones are probably not the norm either at least one can hope.

originally posted by: sweord
OMG someone suggesting that people of like mind actually hang out with each other!

what a fool he must be!

insecure much?

Im sure if I asked if Christians hang out together there would have been agreement across the board.

But its not unusual to see atheists take whatever ridiculous stance they have to take to win an argument. no matter the cost to common sense or truth.

I understood your point. We are a tribal species, and will usually gather with those of like mind. Especially if we walk around using no critical thought. However, I have found that hanging out with only those who think like I do gives me much less opportunity to learn from other perspectives. God forbid everyone should think like me! LOL!

That's the beauty of ATS. I get hit between the eyes occasionally, with something I hadn't even considered before, and then I'm amazed at the shear brilliance of some of my fellow members.

a reply to: Grimpachi

you are talking about offline.

Im talking about online...

ya know the place where the original story took place?

As I said its the nature of the beast online.

Its an argumentative place compared to offline and as such like minded faiths/beliefs would naturally group together.

I was mistaken in this case but would be right in most other cases.

really not the dramatic big deal that you are making it out to be.

however, thanks for the sympathy regarding my destructive and damaging world view that people of like mind might actually enjoy each others company!

lets hope these crazy nonsensical ideas of mine don't bring on the apocalypse.

originally posted by: sweord
a reply to: TrueBrit

you have assumed the 'friend' is a genuine pagan celebrating her solstice. If this is true then I am wrong and I agree with you.

however, Klassified has admitted to believing in no god. he said as much in the original post.

Atheists tend to hang out in bunches so I (perhaps incorrectly) assumed the friend was an atheist too.

therefore what you see as a pagan celebrating her religion, I saw as an atheist deliberately baiting Christians with the idea that the holiday they are in fact celebratiing is nothing more than the solstice. Also implying that jesus never existed at all. After all there is no reason for an atheist to worship the sun is there?

Im sure you are aware of the movie zeitgeist and the theory that it supposes that jesus is in fact the sun that 'dies' for 3 days between dec 22nd and dec 25th before rising again. many other coincidences are put forth in the movie but that one pertains to xmas the most from memory because of the timing. The area of study is called astrotheology but you probably know this being a member of ATS.

If the friend in question is a sun worshipper more power to her, and I apologise, in fact we'd probably get along. Makes more sense then worshipping anything else as far as I can see.

But if not the 'happy solstice' is more likely a veiled jab at Christians. Or Xstians as the OP so respectfully referred to them. but hey, im sure he wasn't trying to bait anyone either...

As I said im a cynical prick.

Are you aware that the solstice actually occurs as a matter of fact? It's not some made up event like...well, you get the idea. How is an atheist (if that's what she was) wishing someone a Happy Solstice different from an atheist wishing someone a Merry Christmas which, I'm pretty sure, you would think is just fine?

originally posted by: sweord
a reply to: TrueBrit

I didn't say that atheists only interact with atheists did I?

You've twisted my words even more than your knickers!

And my experience PARTICULATLY on social networking sites, more so than offline, is people of all faiths and beliefs do tend to 'hang out' together.

A natural reaction to the internet seeming to be more argumentative than life offline no doubt. safety in numbers and all.

You might want to wake up to the fact that you (and therefore your friends) would be an exception and possibly aren't the best judge of what is 'normal'. take that as a compliment.

I cant imagine that there are too many Christians that are proud of breaking peoples arms and enjoying satanic themed music...You are hardly a measure of the norm my friend. Once again, take that as a compliment.

You said, "Atheists tend to hang out in bunches...". It would be a rare atheist who even had the ability to hang out with bunches of atheists. If someone's knickers are in a twist it's not TrueBrit's knickers.

a reply to: sweord

So are you saying that there are groups on facebook that hunt people of different faiths? This thread was about something that happened on facebook. Even though I don't use Facebook while in the states I do use it when traveling and I have no idea what most people I contact through that believe in spirituality.


Isn't facebook for people that you know? Like friends in real life or at least people that you have actually met? That is how I use it. Hmmm...I never thought of friending someone or conversing with someone on facebook that I didn't actually know.

So naturally I figured you were talking about hanging out with people you know. I didn't think you were including places like ATS. Do you consider these threads as a place where people hang out. That seems really strange to me. I still think I am misunderstanding you somehow cause none of that sounds right.

originally posted by: sweord
OMG someone suggesting that people of like mind actually hang out with each other!

what a fool he must be!

insecure much?

Im sure if I asked if Christians hang out together there would have been agreement across the board.

But its not unusual to see atheists take whatever ridiculous stance they have to take to win an argument. no matter the cost to common sense or truth.

What common sense or truth regarding what specific topics? Please expand on your claim.

a reply to: infolurker

Actually the X is indicating the Greek letter “Chi”, And when spelling Christ in Greek it starts with an X.

So calling you Xtian, or Christmas xmas isn't juvenile at all.

Getting offended by it is though..also ignorant, especially if you are Xtian.

Hi klass
I haven't really experienced it in real life until moving to the US. I wouldn't get too involved emotionally in another persons underdeveloped emotional state, you will be liberated from religion only when you let them froth and ramble without your care or involvement.

a reply to: Tangerine

I answered how it could be interpreted as a dig in the exact post you quoted. because it implies that jesus never existed.

That his 'birthday' and his whole life is nothing more than the personification of the sun moving through the sky.

a reply to: Tangerine

Ill restate it since the atheists don't like to admit to being like the rest of humanity.

I know how much of a step down that must be for you.

"People of like mind tend to hang out in bunches. especially ONLINE."

I did not say people of like mind ONLY hang out with other people of like mind.

originally posted by: sweord
a reply to: Tangerine

I answered how it could be interpreted as a dig in the exact post you quoted. because it implies that jesus never existed.

That his 'birthday' and his whole life is nothing more than the personification of the sun moving through the sky.

So you assumed that the person who said "Happy Solstice" was thinking about Jesus? Has it occurred to you that not everyone filters their celebrations through your beliefs? WIshing someone a happy solstice does not imply that Jesus never existed although, now that you've brought it up, there isn't 'an iota of contemporaneous documentation (ie. historical evidence) proving that he did exist.

originally posted by: sweord
a reply to: Tangerine

Ill restate it since the atheists don't like to admit to being like the rest of humanity.

I know how much of a step down that must be for you.

"People of like mind tend hang out in bunches. especially ONLINE."

I did not say people of like mind ONLY hang out with other people of like mind.

In what specific way do atheists not like to admit being like the rest of humanity? You could be a bit more clear.

What is a step down for me? Hanging out with atheists? Nope, that's fine. I hang out with all sorts of people.

You're right Zazzy. A very good point to remember.

I was really irritated this woman attacked my friend on her own page. She was supposed to be a "friend". Obviously she wasn't.

a reply to: Grimpachi

I incorrectly assumed that because he was an atheist that his friend was too because it was clear she wasn't a Christian.

Its really not that hard.

Perhaps the OP could explain it to you because he has had no problem understanding it at all.

Pagan whilst being a growing belief system isn't really that popular and as such I assumed incorrectly that is all.

There are lot more atheists than there are practicing pagans as far as I know.(happy to be corrected). online arguments between Christians and atheists are a regular occurrence whereas arguments between Christians and pagans aren't.

lets leave it at that because we are derailing the thread and im quite sure if you haven't understood it by now you aren't going to.

The bottom line is I was mistaken, have admitted it, and even apologised

so what does it matter?

a reply to: sweord

Regardless if you thought his friend was atheist or not. As far as I know facebook is a tool for people you actually know not for those who only know people from this digital world. So going by that you were saying exactly what everyone thought you said.

Unless as I asked you. Do you consider the people on places like ATS as groups of friends that hang out.

FB is a tool for real life relationships be it friends or aquaintances(as far as I know). I feel like you are trying to dodge some bad assumptions on your part about people.

"It would be a rare atheist who even had the ability to hang out with bunches of atheists."

nah its not hard at all. you just got to an atheist forum and say hello.

You could gather a whole bunch of atheists right here on ATS if you like by starting a thread call "atheism is a religion"

if you're having trouble meeting people that is.