Goddamn Sheeple.

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Eh...

the dr. laura thing. It's nothing more than email spam type fodder. It isn't a serious piece, it's crap. I don't support Dr. Laura, but I don't support the slammers either. It's hyperbole which I hate in discussions.
 


Well, that's why I said we shouldn't copy and paste articles in a personal discussion. I think Dr. Laura is a qucak, so I wouldn't be surprised if someone did put her in her place, but the post above is very far from putting anyone in there place, or proving a point.
 
xecutech said:
How so? That is old testament and we do not have the power to smite anyone, as we are taught to love one another.
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Because it was in response to someone else using the Bible to justify homophobia... and it was funny!

Ok, so some Christians view the new testament as the word of God and the Old testament as what? Are the ten commandments and the story of Genesis just as irrelevant as Leviticus?

Wasn't it the new testament though that was selectively complied from numerous books in such a way to promote the fledgling Christian church? How are the stories and teachings in there more reliable than those in the older texts? How do you decide which bits to take literally and which as metaphors?

Thou shalt not kill ... literal (for most people anyway)
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbours oxon.... gotta be a metaphor, right?

Created in his own image... do you guys take that literally? God is a humanoid?
What about the virgin birth... would it be going too far to say that wasn't literally true? The only way I can think to tie that in with biology is if say the 'angel' that visited Mary used some form of artificial insemination or something.
 
turbolapp said:
This is where you lost me. Most of the bible is filled with violence, child abuse, oppression, misogyny, pedophilia, and hate. How would following a text like this ever lead this world to a better place?
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The world we live in now is filled with those same things. I'm not advising to follow what the people did, but to what Jesus taught. Every single word in the Bible isn't literally the word to follow...once again many people take some of the things too literally.
 
Guess I will go ahead and follow the flock and try to conduct myself according to the new testement. At the very least I will die someday knowing that I lived my life in a decent and caring manner.
 
SUP3RNOVA said:
The world we live in now is filled with those same things. I'm not advising to follow what the people did, but to what Jesus taught. Every single word in the Bible isn't literally the word to follow...once again many people take some of the things too literally.
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But which bits to you follow? If you just follow Jesus's teachings and leave out all the rest then do you have any need for Christianity? How do you know which accounts of his teachings are accurate and which are not? Even within the bible the books differ, not to mention other texts and accounts of his life not included.
 
Well not agreeing with homosexuality is not always homophobia, but that's a different discussion.

I believe the entire bible is the word of God, but not everything applies to everyone. I am not sure how to explain all of it, but some things are metaphors, poetry and songs and some are prophecy. There are a list of rules too, but they are common sense to me.

I would hardly consider the Christian church to be fedgling, as it has grown from day one. It has grown even against threats of death, torture and ridicule. We talk abut those who have killed in the name of religion, but how many have died for their beliefs?

In his own image, may be the spirit that dwells inside us or it could mean his idea, but again I don't think we have the mindset to think like God, so some things are not always going to be known to us.

Even science has proven that you don't have to have a male and female to procreate, with frogs I believe, so why couldn't it happen to Mary. Also, God can do anyting he wants, as it's really all his plan. Plus it wouldn't be a miracle if it made since. Plus, in order for us to go to God is in spirit form after death, so if God was going to come into our world he would have to be born into flesh.

I can't explain everything and i don't claim to really know anything other than what I feel. I have faith, so thats the only way I can explain it really. I guess the main reason this thread started was to just point out to consider other peoples feelings when discussing their faith, or lack of it.
 
Yuck.

Man, I hate religious idiots, but religious idiots who preach AND pick the cherries out of their religion of choice just give me the urge to vomit.

::emp::
 
emp said:
Yuck.

Man, I hate religious idiots, but religious idiots who preach AND pick the cherries out of their religion of choice just give me the urge to vomit.

::emp::
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On that note, I am now bowing out of the debate as I have suddenly found an addiction to the Bubbles game. But I did want to note that the top 3 previous posts are : <TABLE class=tborder id=threadslist cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=6 width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=alt1 id=td_threadtitle_18727 title=http://russellsteapot.com/images/comics/2007/Image089.jpg>One for the christians. (
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Today 11:26 AM
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</TD><TD class=alt1 align=middle>55</TD><TD class=alt2 align=middle>327</TD><TD class=alt1>And Now For Something Completely Different...</TD></TR><TR><TD class=alt1 id=td_threadstatusicon_18543>
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</TD><TD class=alt1 id=td_threadtitle_18543 title="So I get this email that a Marcia Johnson (whom I don't know) has posted something in my inbox from facebook:

If you said I don't believe in..."> Goddamn Sheeple. (
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turbolapp
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Today 11:23 AM
by emp ​
</TD><TD class=alt1 align=middle>89</TD><TD class=alt2 align=middle>721</TD><TD class=alt1>And Now For Something Completely Different...</TD></TR><TR><TD class=alt1 id=td_threadstatusicon_18747>
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</TD><TD class=alt1 id=td_threadtitle_18747 title="ABC News: Outing Gives Potter Passages New Meaning

JK Rowlings announced that Dumbledore is gay. *yawn* :sleep:"> Dumbledore is gay
SEO_Mike
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Man I love this forum!!!!
 
emp said:
Yuck.

Man, I hate religious idiots, but religious idiots who preach AND pick the cherries out of their religion of choice just give me the urge to vomit.

::emp::
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Am I being guilty of this? I thought I was being quite fair in answering the posts in this thread.

I will point out though, that people can pick out bits from the Bible to make it sound good, just as atheists can pick out parts to make it sound bad. So, unless you read the Bible, it's hard to really have an argument on what's in the bible, and no one should tell people what the Bible is. Everyone who chooses to read it should do so for personal evaluation and insight. If they think it's bs, then that's their opinion, as it changes nothing for those who do believe in it.

Seriously, why does it matter or give reason to attack those who do believe in God? If you don't believe, that's between you and God. If I live my life believing and living how I feel is good, and then die and I am wrong, I will either not know I was wrong, but lived a good life. If I am right I win a big prize! :)

I think you should eveluate why you don't believe in God, but not base it on what you heard or read, but really search within yourself. I see so many people follow what others do and say about atheism, and atheists call Christians sheep???
 
emp said:
Yuck.

Man, I hate religious idiots, but religious idiots who preach AND pick the cherries out of their religion of choice just give me the urge to vomit.

::emp::
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Say what?

There are no cherries. Religion, and especially the bible is based mainly on interpretation. If you and I read the same book, even if we both loved it, we'd come up with different interpretations of at least some parts.

Now if you're saying that people try to convert others by portraying their own view as the cherry (like those who blow up other people in the name of a religion) then I have to say I agree with you. They're rationalizing their bad actions in the name of religion.
 
Know what else?

Why is it that Christians that don't force their religion on people can defend their reason for faith without calling athiests and agnotics things like "hellboy" or "doomed to burn" (ok, they're lame but I can't come up with anything else on such short notice), and yet Christians are supposed to be ok with being called idiots and sheeple and stupid followers and ignorant and so on?
 
BlondeTM said:
Know what else?

Why is it that Christians that don't force their religion on people can defend their reason for faith without calling athiests and agnotics things like "hellboy" or "doomed to burn" (ok, they're lame but I can't come up with anything else on such short notice), and yet Christians are supposed to be ok with being called idiots and sheeple and stupid followers and ignorant and so on?
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If you are not an idiot or a blindly-following sheep, you don't need to take offense. There are many that fall under those descriptions, however.
 
I've got a question. How many of the religious folks in here have actually read the Bible? I mean cover to cover. The entire thing. The response I hear nine times out of ten is "Uh, well, you know...most of it. Like parts and stuff."

I'd at least consider reading something in it's entirety before proselytizing, let alone basing my life around it's teachings.

I am a firm atheist, but I've read the Bible - not just the parts that are disgusting and barbaric - all of it. I am honestly curious how many "believers" can say they have done the same?

I'll request ahead of time that no, I am not attempting to flex my "intellectual" muscle to prove how much smarter I am and therefore how much smarter atheists are because I read a book. This is not a matter of intellectualism or individual worth, I only find it interesting.

Just to take it a step further, if you have read the Bible completely, how many other religious texts have you read? Have you balanced your research with nonreligious or scientific literature?

The last religious book I read was the Bhagavad Gita, of the Hindu faith. I'm currently working my way through The Ancestor's Tale, an interesting method of presenting Evolution by - gasp, not that horrible man - Richard Dawkins.

xecutech said:
Seriously, why does it matter or give reason to attack those who do believe in God? If you don't believe, that's between you and God. If I live my life believing and living how I feel is good, and then die and I am wrong, I will either not know I was wrong, but lived a good life. If I am right I win a big prize! :)
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I'm pretty sure this is the vomiting Emp was referring to, since I taste something a little uncomfortable in the back of my throat.

Seriously, it's my opinion. You feel very entitled to yours, why do you not show others the same respect? Because I disagree with you on many subjects and find your method of spirituality distasteful, it is not an attack. I personally find that kind of response a cop-out.

Since this post has possibly taken an abrasive tone depending on the reader, I'd just like to say that even though we're in different worlds when it comes to opinions on religion, philosophy, etc. I have absolutely no beef with you whatsoever, Xecutech. I'm sure in other conversations we'd get along fine - but in this one you sure make me want to pull my hair out.
:angel:
 
I honestly do see why, I have been more than fair in my discussion. If I have offended you, I apologize as it is not my intention to do so. I was just following the discussion of why I have faith. I was never making this a debate, nor have I said anything negative about atheists. I even admitted I was one at one time.

I am here more for the info on wp and not as a religious forum. There are plenty of place to go to speak on faith. I was just adding to the thread. I do not dislike you nor any of you. Everyone is entitled to their beliefs and opinions and all I was asking for was the same. Thanks for your time.
 
I think the biggest problem is our topic has veered off into a lot of tangents. So, if anyone would like to debate a specific, narrow topic in a new thread, I'd love to participate, but we've really rambled, and I'm one of the guilty parties.

Thanks for participating. :)
 
Everyone is entitled to their beliefs and opinions and all I was asking for was the same.
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I appreciate your opinion and defend your right to express it... as well as the opinions and rights of everyone else reading or posting here.

I was raised in a baptist home and it was those same baptists that talked me out of the ability to have any type of religious belief, whatsoever. Their dogma is what ruined it.

First, there was the bible. They told me the bible was the eternal and unchanging word of god. Then they said there was a "new" testament; Bible 2.0, and THAT was the eternal, unchanging word of god. So, god changed his mind?

They wanted me to believe god was loving and caring and compassionate and would always forgive me and take care of me, no matter what. But, if I ever so much as questioned my faith, god would let me burn in hell. So much for that loving, caring, compassionate stuff.

Then they told me god couldn't cast me into hell but he cast lucifer there for being a bad angel. Hmmmm, I'm starting to see a pattern here and it's not just christianity I have a problem with. All religions seem to have similar opposite battles going on within their teachings.

I believe there must have been a beginning somewhere, I just don't know where or how it all began. Do I believe in some old guy in a white robe in the clouds playing people like marrionettes? NO! Is there some "power" in the universe? There must be something like a universal energy we all share and whatever it is that makes us who we are... spirit or whatever, floats around there until it finds a place to land.

Do I believe I was created in the likeness of some god? Nope. I was created because my fathers sperm invaded my mothers egg and a rapid division of cells occurred, causing me to develop. I wasn't "alive" until I got out of there and started sucking air and a little of that universal energy got on me.

I live by 2 "commandments" and they are my own:
1. Give a little, take a little.
2. Keep yourself clean.

If you think about them, you can make your own interpretations. I won't be pretentious enough to try to dictate what they SHOULD mean to you.
 
elime, I have read the bible cover to cover. No, not recently.

I haven't read other religious text.

However, I recently read Atlas Shrugged and was profoundly affected by the philosophy of it all. Ayn Rand was an athiest I believe. I didn't blow it off because it didn't follow into the tidy little world of the dogmatic Christians. The ones like springer described.


I also didn't take your post as abrasive, I read it as passionate. Passionate response is the way to live life to the fullest. Nothing wrong with that. :)
 
Supergeek said:
I think the biggest problem is our topic has veered off into a lot of tangents. So, if anyone would like to debate a specific, narrow topic in a new thread, I'd love to participate, but we've really rambled, and I'm one of the guilty parties.

Thanks for participating. :)
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Nothing to be guilty over. It's a great topic and the rambling is what makes it so interesting.
 
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