you should be skeptical of science regardless of your religious beliefs. [qoute=] But I do look down on those who have no intellectual curiosity whatsoever, [/QUOTE] and what do you personally gain by doing this?
I'm not sure exactly what the question is, but I personally don't care what they promote their position of faith out of...I DON'T NEED IT PROMOTED TO ME 24/7, wherever I turn. As others have noted in this thread, to the few who are saying they are constantly running into annoying atheists, WHERE? The numbers simply aren't there to back it up, much less simply using your eyes to view the observable world, which in America, in Texas, and in Houston means Jesus everywhere. It seems clear you don't fully understand the scientific process. Ironically, science effectively does the opposite of what you're suggesting. Again, I don't know where you're pulling this personal observation from?? Positions of faith mocked, but scientific hypothesis not? On WHAT PLANET? Are both mocked occasionally? Probably. Definitely. But on the whole, religion dominates in this country. People who are scientific, and not religious, are mocked for lacking a core set of beliefs (untrue), to the point where it's big news when our President has a meeting with them (nevermind the huge role being religious has played in politics for our existence). What you are probably perceiving as "excessive mocking" - which again, COMPLETELY ignores the reality that atheists are the minority, and typically (though less and less so), a silent minority - are atheists responses to those who make statements like, paraphrasing: "The human body is too complex to not believe in a creator" An atheist can logically, scientifically and rationally provide an enormity of responses to the statement...yet the religious creationists can always fall back on "not knowing for sure" and "there has to be a creator" line of thinking. Certainly, especially in that we are all human beings. There is probably little actual middle ground between the two belief systems, though.
The intellectual coward strikes again! I think it was a good trade (I'm not afraid to answer simple questions, you see).
I'm glad you brought that up. Tell me, is slavery a complicated issue? All you have to do is answer "yes" or "no". You could also tell me what you gain by being against gay marriage rights, which was the original question. And if you have a problem answering that question, why would you ask such a similar one of someone else? Is it because you're the Grand Inquisitor? If so, can I get your autograph?
send me an email with your address, I'll leave an autograph on your front porch. in a small brown paper bag. along with a special treat from my dog. just for you.
You ARE the Grand Inquisitor? Ladies and gentleman, we've got Pope Benedict here! This explains so much! But, I sense intense hostility in you... simple questions anger you so. Did your teachers stay behind concrete bunkers while teaching you how to add whole numbers?
That's not science. I liked this interview in which Richard Feynman explains his perspective on mysticism, evidence, and doubt: <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zeCHiUe1et0&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zeCHiUe1et0&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
I didn't read all the responses here but took a sampling. It seems many here think of faith in God as a fear-based belief (as in God-fearing). Personally, and this is just me, I've always found solace in the power of Jesus Christ/God/the Holy Ghost (the most acknowledged faces of God, also known as the Trinity) through His love for us. Man corrupts religion -- not the other way around. It is man who injects fear and hate into various religions. I believe in an afterlife in which we finally learn to embrace God's love.
Your flippant comment does nothing to address my central point: public demonstrations and moments of proselytization by Christians greatly outnumber the same acts by atheists. The simple fact that you knew which guy I was talking about proves that.
I think there is a little bit of difference between a person holding a “God doesn’t exist” sign and a person holding a sign that says something like “God is great”. The former is pretty much saying, “your belief system is a load of crock”. An analogy I would make is if someone were to hold a sign saying “I love my father” and another person came with a sign saying “your father sucks”. A better comparison would be if you saw signs everywhere saying “atheists are going to hell”. Now I’m not saying I agree with people that try to shove God down people’s throats, but I don’t see it as nearly as harmful or combative as if atheists were to try and shove their message down people’s throats.
My flippant comment points out that in order to make your point you have to talk about stuff that happened 25 years ago. I do not see nearly the number of public demonstrations regarding God as I did in years past. Most of the public demonstrations I see are "Honk your horn if you want to end the war" or "honk your horn is you want Bush prosecuted." You know, the jackasses with the dry erase placards for the cause du jour ala PCU. Honestly, I just want to get to work on time. These demonstrations aren't helping the traffic move. If you could point to some real examples of mass demonstration that does not involve some crackpots in Kansas or some guy holding up a sign in a sports stadium during the Reagan administration, that would be lovely.
What's that got to do with this thread? Pull up that thread and ask LL the question. As for this thread, from what I have seen from atheists here there IS a sense of belittlement towards those of faith. But from my experience out in the real world, it's more of a flippant attitude. I get a more live and let live attitude. With much less ire and angst against organized religion. I certainly won't harbor any ill will for someone just being an atheist. Then again, I gather I am not your typical Christian. All that being said, Christians who are fulfilling The Great Commission(telling others about Jesus) need to be aware of the feelings of the person they are talking to. There are proper times to bring up and tell others about your beliefs, and blindly going door to door isn't one of them. How hard is it to understand that no means no?
In my experiences, I've found the exact opposite. Most atheists I know openly mock people who have faith. They rarely (if ever) keep to themselves and have no respect for anyone with any belief in God. Pray in front of them? Say grace? You get mocked. THAT'S been my experience.
