"You can't debate about religion without being rude"

[Jacquemar]

You didn't hear? According to one, it was to prove kallipolis right.

You can't be serious...

 

[FirmaFan]

You can't be serious...

Serious in that it was stated that the word count is there to prove kalli right (according to kalli). Not serious in that I actually believe that to be the reason (or the result) of the word count.

 

[TX-Beau]

I've decided that you can't debate religion without the perception of being rude. I find that religious people in general (really religious people not the great majority of them that never go to church and never practice and call themselves religious anyway) have far too much personal stake in religion to be able to distinguish between a discussion, and an attack.

Christians at least are also primed to martyr themselves as if that's somehow a good thing.

 

[Jacquemar]

I've decided that you can't debate religion without the perception of being rude. I find that religious people in general (really religious people not the great majority of them that never go to church and never practice and call themselves religious anyway) have far too much personal stake in religion to be able to distinguish between a discussion, and an attack.

Christians at least are also primed to martyr themselves as if that's somehow a good thing.

In some class I took, sometime WAAAAAYYY back when, it was proposed by the professor (who got it from some psychologist) that the reason religious people act in this way is because any questions or opinions posed to them that question the validity of their beliefs, in effect challenge their ideas and certainty about the afterlife; where it is, what it is, if it is. And such a challenge is too much for some people to handle.

One of the main reasons that I stay away from the pious.

 

[FirmaFan]

I've decided that you can't debate religion without the perception of being rude. I find that religious people in general (really religious people not the great majority of them that never go to church and never practice and call themselves religious anyway) have far too much personal stake in religion to be able to distinguish between a discussion, and an attack.

Christians at least are also primed to martyr themselves as if that's somehow a good thing.

I remember a few years back where an atheist group put up a highway billboard saying "Don't believe in god? You're not alone." Several local residents that were interviewed described the billboard as "offensive", despite it being completely innocuous. To an even greater extreme, a sign simply saying "atheist" was found to be offensive by some.

 

[zoltanspawn]

Have you paid your way into Dawkins' inner circle?

http://www.spectator.co.uk/features/9286682/the-bizarre-and-costly-cult-of-richard-dawkins/

 

[Jacquemar]

Wow... it is a little cultish.

But still cheaper than donating an abbey or commissioning a golden crucifix.

 

[FirmaFan]

Wow... it is a little cultish.

But still cheaper than donating an abbey or commissioning a golden crucifix.

If membership fees are "cultish", then I should really worry about the motives of my local gym.

 

[zoltanspawn]

If membership fees are "cultish", then I should really worry about the motives of my local gym.

Do you get to have breakfast with the gym owner for $500,000?

 

[TX-Beau]

I'm sure you can!

 

[zoltanspawn]

Sam Harris is only charging $219 for his expert advice on meditation.

His audience is made up of many Americans who now call themselves “spiritual and not religious” and are interested in a larger cosmic experience not confined to one’s faith. He’s also embarking on a multicity lecture tour this month, where—for $219—participants can learn the mindfulness techniques that Harris claims to have released from their religious bondage.

More.

 

[TX-Beau]

If I'm paying for lunches and associations, I want some philosophical certitude dammit! I'd want some fucking CONFIRMATION my money has made me better than someone!

 

[zoltanspawn]

Poor little Daniel Dennett appears to have missed the boat.

 

[TX-Beau]

At least these atheists give me some face time for the cash. Religionists just shake you down every Sunday for nothing whatsoever at all. I wonder how much money the Catholic Church has taken from it's members over the last two thousand years or so? How much do the "mega-churches" take in, Mormons take 10% gross of your entire income, for what? I suspect Dawkins et al aren't doing nearly so well.

Christians certainly didn't miss the boat. Strange for a religion whose namesake told his apostles to give all their possessions to the poor.