Merry Fucking Easter!

[Lobohan]

Just thought I'd check in and mention that Jesus, if he ever existed, wasn't supernatural and his corpse has long since degraded to dust. And like all of us, upon death his consciousness dissolved into oblivion and ended utterly and permanently.

He ain't coming back, you people are wasting your lives in a pathetic delusion.

But please, by all means, keep hanging your "He is Risen" banners on the overpasses of our fair city. I'm sure you got the necessary permits to place them on public property.

[Morgenstern]

Someone had an empty Easter basket this morning, huh?

[antonio107]

He is risen!!!


























Also, go fuck yourself. :D

[Vinyl Turnip]

Just thought I'd check in and mention that Jesus, if he ever existed, wasn't supernatural and his corpse has long since degraded to dust. And like all of us, upon death his consciousness dissolved into oblivion and ended utterly and permanently.


Good point. Jesus was really no different from you.

Well, except that people wept when he died. And he still has a sizable fan base two thousand years later, instead of being immediately forgotten.

[John Mace]

What a dick.

As an atheist, I don't want you on my team.

[Lobohan]

Good point. Jesus was really no different from you.

Well, except that people wept when he died. And he still has a sizable fan base two thousand years later, instead of being immediately forgotten.His fans have no conception of what the actual man was like. They are in love with the idea of Jesus. It's still a delusion, but a happy one.

Not one person on Earth has a mote of emotion for the historical Jesus.

And asides, I'm not dead yet, maybe I'll gain a death-cult full of rubes too.

[Lobohan]

What a dick.

As an atheist, I don't want you on my team.Sadly, it isn't a team. We are only joined by something we don't think. That said, I'm primarily pissed about hanging religious signage on a public overpass. Hang it from your building if you want to.

[FinnAgain]

Ah, the OP is an asshole.

Happy Easter folks, may it be emotionally satisfying and spiritually rewarding.

[Lobohan]

Ah, the OP is an asshole. No one in their right mind will go against your encyclopedic knowledge of assholery.

Happy Easter folks, may it be emotionally satisfying and spiritually rewarding.Or, conversely, enjoy some chocolate eggs.

[Baker]

the lord is risen!!!

he is risen indeed!!!

alleluia!!!

[samclem]

As a related topic, but a bit off-track, I noticed Sai Baba (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/india/8471134/Sathya-Sai-Babas-death-triggers-fight-for-his-5.5-billion-empire.html) died today. My brother believes in him and has for the last 40 years. Did I mention my brother and I aren't speaking much the last 40 years? :)

[Oakminster]

What a dick.

As an atheist, I don't want you on my team.

My reaction as well.

[Lobohan]

As a related topic, but a bit off-track, I noticed Sai Baba (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/india/8471134/Sathya-Sai-Babas-death-triggers-fight-for-his-5.5-billion-empire.html) died today. My brother believes in him and has for the last 40 years. Did I mention my brother and I aren't speaking much the last 40 years? :)Give it three days before you make any judgments about Baba's divinity.

My reaction as well.See post #7.

[John Mace]

Sadly, it isn't a team. We are only joined by something we don't think. That said, I'm primarily pissed about hanging religious signage on a public overpass. Hang it from your building if you want to.

If it gets your panties all in a bunch, then call the cops.

[Lobohan]

If it gets your panties all in a bunch, then call the cops.That is a good point. But I noticed it while driving, I have no idea what street it's on. I'd have to retrace my route and it's far to drizzly to go back outside again.

Instead my panties will unbunch with the gentile thumb-and-forefinger that is The Pit.

[FinnAgain]

If it gets your panties all in a bunch, then call the cops.

It's interesting that the OP is not just an asshole, but a stupid son of a bitch... to the point where Easter decorations on public property don't elicit a comment about the necessity of church and state, but a generalized "Fuck Easter and your silly religious views too!" rant.

Stupid people aren't necessarily so bad, but stupid people who've decided to be assholes are somewhat less ignorable.

[Colibri]

While I do not agree with the sentiments expressed by the OP in general (even though I'm an atheist), I am massively pissed off at some local celebrants this morning. I got to bed at about 3 AM last night after a night out. At 5:30 AM I was awakened by booming hyper-amplified music from a "sunrise service" put on a couple blocks away by what sounded like evangelicals. It wasn't even joyful music, but solemn and dreary. And that gave way to an hour-long ranting sermon, also delivered at full amplified volume. More "music" and shouting went on for two and a half hours. I was finally able to get back to sleep at 8 AM. This is a high-density residental neighborhood of high-rise aparment buildings; I'm sure these assholes woke up thousands of people before daylight.

If you want to have your dawn celebration, fine, but go do it in a non-residential neighborhood. There are city parks well away from houses here where they could have done their thing while showing a little consideration for their neighbors.

:mad::mad::mad:

[Lobohan]

It's interesting that the OP is not just an asshole, but a stupid son of a bitch... to the point where Easter decorations on public property don't elicit a comment about the necessity of church and state, but a generalized "Fuck Easter and your silly religious views too!" rant. Hey Finn old buddy, are you ready to apologize to me for your insane reaction to my mentioning your repeatedly making anti-Semite accusations?

Religious views are silly by the way. In any case, you should consider converting, because I read on an overpass that Jesus is back.

Stupid people aren't necessarily so bad, but stupid people who've decided to be assholes are somewhat less ignorable.I agree utterly.

[elucidator]

With intellect, I can figure out how to make a better world for my brother to live in. With love, I know why I want to.

[Chefguy]

So, did the Pope see his shadow this morning? Is there six more weeks of Lent?

[Frank]

Or, conversely, enjoy some chocolate eggs.
The grocery store is closed today. :(

On the bright side, tomorrow chocolate eggs (and all the other leftover candy) will be on sale.

[The Second Stone]

Hey Lobo! Happy Sunday then. May whatever makes you happy happen lots. The world needs atheists too and needs atheists to contribute good things to humankind. Go forth and be pleasant to someone somewhere.

[Lobohan]

The grocery store is closed today. :(

On the bright side, tomorrow chocolate eggs (and all the other leftover candy) will be on sale.It's a miracle!

[rhubarbarin]

I'm a pretty nice person and usually feel very tolerant and accepting of religious belief, but atheists are allowed to be angry. If someone in the Pit really ruins your holiday because they say they think your faith is wrong and dumb, I don't have it in me to feel sorry for you.

It helps that I thoroughly enjoy the fruits of Christian delusions. Had a great Easter breakfast with the BF's Catholic family this morning, now off to a delicious dinner!

[Morgenstern]

. . .

But please, by all means, keep hanging your "He is Risen" banners on the overpasses of our fair city. . .

. . .because I read on an overpass that Jesus is back.
. . .


So, is he risen, or is he back?

[LilyoftheField]

Ah, the OP is an asshole.

Happy Easter folks, may it be emotionally satisfying and spiritually rewarding.

Whether or not the OP is an asshole is kind of irrelevant, don't you think? I wonder how many of those who are so tolerant of the 'Jesus is Risen!' kind of signage hanging from public property, would feel the same way if the sign read 'There is no God, but Allah!' or some other non-Christian religious slogan.

I would suspect that this kind of display is actually illegal? But I guess it's okay if its in Jesus' name, Amen.

[Lobohan]

So, is he risen, or is he back?Neither, actually. :D

I assume that He is Risen means to suggest that his return is imminent, doesn't it?

[Morgenstern]

Neither, actually. :D

I assume that He is Risen means to suggest that his return is imminent, doesn't it?

No.

[Superdude]

<snip>I'm not dead yet</snip>.

You're not foolin' anyone, you know. You'll be stone dead in a moment.

[The Tao's Revenge]

ITT: OP troll or retard, you decide!

[Lobohan]

You're not foolin' anyone, you know. You'll be stone dead in a moment.I'm getting better!

[Lobohan]

ITT: OP troll or retard, you decide!Technically this isn't an either-or sort of situation. :D



I'm not trying to troll, and hopefully I'm not going full-retard. I just got pissed off by a sign because it said something unsupportable as a fact. Can't the signs say, "We believe, without any evidence, that He is risen."? Is that so much to ask?

[John Mace]

Whether or not the OP is an asshole is kind of irrelevant, don't you think? I wonder how many of those who are so tolerant of the 'Jesus is Risen!' kind of signage hanging from public property, would feel the same way if the sign read 'There is no God, but Allah!' or some other non-Christian religious slogan.

I would suspect that this kind of display is actually illegal? But I guess it's okay if its in Jesus' name, Amen.

Negatory. I couldn't care less either way. It's just a stupid banner.

[FinnAgain]

Whether or not the OP is an asshole is kind of irrelevant, don't you think?

I think it's perfectly relevant, and a fruitful area for analysis as long as we're in the Pit. And I say that as an atheist who'd much rather than even the exemptions for "ceremonial deism" were done away with in the US.

If the issue was simply a case of public property used for religious messages, then presumably that would have been the substance of the OP. Instead, it seems to have touched off some kind of asshole-fugue-state, bitching about people "wasting their lives in a pathetic delusion". It's the difference between "creches shouldn't be setup outside City Hall or the local court house." and "you fucking stupid Christians, don't you know that there is no God?"

It's perfectly possible to be an atheist without being an asshole about it.

[Vinyl Turnip]

Can't the signs say, "We believe, without any evidence, that He is risen."? Is that so much to ask?[/SIZE]

Good luck. My campaign to put "IN GOD SOME OF US OCCASIONALLY LIKE TO PRETEND WE TRUST" on our coins was shot down for some bullshit "lack of space" reason.

[zoid]

While I am a Catholic, I agree that professions of faith, of any kind, do not belong on public property and should not be publicly funded.

Not that anyone gives a fuck what I think
:D

Oh and BTW - the OP could have done w/o the snark, but whatever
:p

[Little Nemo]

What a dick.

As an atheist, I don't want you on my team.My sentiments as well. Just because I don't share someone's religious beliefs doesn't mean I'm going to mock them.

[Lemur866]

In other news, Zeus didn't really turn into a swan and have sex with Leda, after which she laid an egg out of which hatched Helen of Troy. That was completely made up, and I feel strongly that everyone should know it.

[Chefguy]

In other news, Zeus didn't really turn into a swan and have sex with Leda, after which she laid an egg out of which hatched Helen of Troy. That was completely made up, and I feel strongly that everyone should know it.

Hey, everybody who's read a book knows that it was Thor slipping his hammer in the back door while Zeus was off buying lightning bolts.

[The Tao's Revenge]

In other news, Zeus didn't really turn into a swan and have sex with Leda, after which she laid an egg out of which hatched Helen of Troy. That was completely made up, and I feel strongly that everyone should know it.

But it was published in Penthouse! They fact check these things!

[Antinor01]

Hey, everybody who's read a book knows that it was Thor slipping his hammer in the back door while Zeus was off buying lightning bolts.

I was told you couldn't get pregnant that way! Lies I say!

[John Mace]

In other news, Zeus didn't really turn into a swan and have sex with Leda, after which she laid an egg out of which hatched Helen of Troy. That was completely made up, and I feel strongly that everyone should know it.

Sheesh. I better go take down that banner I put up that says "Hail Gods of Olympus!"

[Lord Ashtar]

I just got pissed off by a sign because it said something unsupportable as a fact.

Yeah, I don't buy that.

[FinnAgain]

Yeah, I don't buy that.

Imagine the frenzy that the average billboard drives him to.

"Crown royal is the best whisky, and chicks dig it."
"Lies, lies!!! You're wasting your lives you pathetically delusional fucks!"

[Novelty Bobble]

Pointless trying to reason with people of a religious mindset. The whole point of religion is that it is faith not reason.

Living in the UK I don't have to deal with too much religious imagery. me and the family are up in London for the holiday weekend and the fact that it is Easter has pretty much passed me by (other than the children decorating some chocolate eggs............but is that religious or pagan? I can never remember)

Mind you, it is interesting to note that whenever anyone points out the ridiculousness of someones religious belief it is considered bad form, if they held the same belief about Elvis or Michael Jackson they would be considered fair game.

[Lobohan]

Yeah, I don't buy that.Well, good 'cause I ain't fookin' sellin' it.

Do I think that all religions are a waste of time, sure. Do I think the world would be better without them, probably. Do I think that the arrogance of claiming your unexamined, ignorant beliefs are fact and posting said beliefs on public property is douchbaggery, yes. Yes I do.

As for Finn's point, I don't think that a billboard is able to claim being the best. You need to use weasel language like, "The choice of a new generation" or "Boozo Vodka, a cut above" or "Boozo, the vodka you deserve".

Other than that, Finn is just being Finn. You mad, bro?

[LilyoftheField]

I think it's perfectly relevant, and a fruitful area for analysis as long as we're in the Pit. And I say that as an atheist who'd much rather than even the exemptions for "ceremonial deism" were done away with in the US.

If the issue was simply a case of public property used for religious messages, then presumably that would have been the substance of the OP. Instead, it seems to have touched off some kind of asshole-fugue-state, bitching about people "wasting their lives in a pathetic delusion". It's the difference between "creches shouldn't be setup outside City Hall or the local court house." and "you fucking stupid Christians, don't you know that there is no God?"

It's perfectly possible to be an atheist without being an asshole about it.

So...you're saying it's okay for the OP to oppose the signage, per se - but that you consider him an asshole based on the way he expressed that opposition? I'm asking, not to be argumentative, but only because I want to be sure that I understand you.

IME, people who have this kind of knee jerk reaction to religious declarations are more likely to be the ones who once believed it themselves - and now have become bitter and cynical because those early beliefs seem so hollow now. So now they use the same tactics to oppose the belief that they first learned in how to espouse the belief.

Maybe the OP is an asshole for how he expressed his opposition to the sign. I would say that he's no more of an asshole than the person who hung the sign in the first place. In which case, tit for tat. You don't get a pass for being an asshole, just because you're being an asshole for Christ.

[Little Plastic Ninja]

That's nice, kitten. Here, let me make you some warm milk with honey and cinnamon. That feels better, right? Good!

Also, Jesus loves you. :D

[elucidator]

There's mockery, and then there's mockery. There's the mocker that says "You believe something foolish, and I'm going to rub it in your face, so you don't forget it!" Then there's the mockery that says "We are prone to believe foolish things, and we shouldn't ever forget it."

[Chimera]

He ain't coming back, you people are wasting your lives in a pathetic delusion.

Oh the horror! Your life is ruined, left mired in anger and hatred because other people believe something different than you. Those unconscionable bastards.

:rolleyes:

Try this: Get the fuck over yourself, stop being angry over what other people believe, and get on with your life.

[Lobohan]

That's nice, kitten. Here, let me make you some warm milk with honey and cinnamon. That feels better, right? Good!Yes, that's really nice. Thanks. I've been under a tight deadline with client work and, you know, just seeing that stuff made me...[sips milk]
Also, Jesus loves you. :D[spit-take]Whaaaaat?

[elucidator]

Well, somebody has to.

[Lobohan]

Oh the horror! Your life is ruined, left mired in anger and hatred because other people believe something different than you. Those unconscionable bastards.I didn't say that, did I?

Try this: Get the fuck over yourself, stop being angry over what other people believe, and get on with your life.I will try. Thank you for your insight.

[Novelty Bobble]

Try this: Get the fuck over yourself, stop being angry over what other people believe, and get on with your life.

I'd agree, right up to the point where someone else's belief starts to impact on my life. What I can do and when, what I can eat, who I can sleep with and how....etc....etc..etc..

Bad enough if those beliefs are actually supportable. If they are based on superstition and myth then yes, actually it is quite correct to be angry.
You see it is very easy to say "get on with your life" but what if said beliefs are are a barrier to doing exactly that?

But just to reiterate in case anyone thinks otherwise. If those nonsense beliefs affect no-one but the believer then knock yourself out. I couldn't care less, banners, billboards and all.

[LilyoftheField]

Oh the horror! Your life is ruined, left mired in anger and hatred because other people believe something different than you. Those unconscionable bastards.

:rolleyes:

Try this: Get the fuck over yourself, stop being angry over what other people believe, and get on with your life.

Yeah, I'm totally okay with being neutral to the beliefs of others - people believe what they believe and it is what it is and I don't have a problem with that. Perhaps the OP feels that everyone would be better off if they shared his own belief - in that he is not unlike the people that he is attacking.

I do have a problem with people who, in the name of their particular religion, feel its okay for them to engage in illegal activities (however tame they may seem) to espouse their beliefs. There just seems to be a dichotomy there between what is being said and what is being done that I can't wrap my mind around.

I just can't help but believe that a sign reading 'God is dead', especially on Easter Sunday would not be removed post haste. But a Christian 'Jesus is Risen' sign - eh, whatever..we'll get to it when we get to it...

I could be wrong. It's just so seldom that that happens. :p

[Chefguy]

I didn't say that, did I?

I will try. Thank you for your insight.

I've found through bitter experience that when you've dug yourself a hole, it's best to just walk away from it and let time fill it in for you.

[Cat Whisperer]

The grocery store is closed today. :(

On the bright side, tomorrow chocolate eggs (and all the other leftover candy) will be on sale.Woo Hoo! Cheap chocolate, here I come!

Happy Easter, everybody!

Boy, I sure like exclamation points!

[Sampiro]

Because it can't be linked to enough (http://www.gdargaud.net/Humor/Pics/Christianity.jpg).

[Little Plastic Ninja]

Yes, that's really nice. Thanks. I've been under a tight deadline with client work and, you know, just seeing that stuff made me...[sips milk]

No no, darlin', I understand. I've had almost no free time in weeks, and even now with the end in sight I'm still stressing mightily. Sometimes I even get a little cranky myself.

[spit-take]Whaaaaat?

:p (I live for that. Is schadenfreude un-Christian? I don't expect so.)

[Chimera]

You see it is very easy to say "get on with your life" but what if said beliefs are are a barrier to doing exactly that?

How exactly are they a barrier?

All your life you're going to run up against people whose ethics, morals, beliefs or way of doing things run counter to something you want to do. It is up to you to decide whether or not you're going to allow that to be a barrier, or move on regardless of what they think.

Yes, when their beliefs affect how the law is made, then you have to live within in, or (and this is the important point) work to change it. Frothing rage and insults aren't likely to accomplish that or get others on your side. Otherwise it still comes down to the choice of living within the illusions of the world* or not.

* The world IS an illusion. Everything we do, every culture, morality, religion, way of doing thing is a Construct. Sure, people in the thick of it insist that THIS IS THE WAY THINGS ARE, but they are blind to the underlying fact that it is what it is only because we believe it is that way and participate in the illusion.

So go ahead, rage and scream, froth at the mouth because of 'those damned Christians' wrecking your world. You're wasting your time and energy, and giving them too much ownership over your thoughts.

Rather than being the guy who lives his life in rage because they put a wall in your path, recognize that the wall is an illusion, and walk through it.

[Slithy Tove]

So do we add Arianism to de-clawing cats as SMDB heresies?

[Rushgeekgirl]

My reaction as well.


I guess I've become another atheist bitch because I fully agree with the OP. Wouldn't have ten years ago but he has a point. It's frustrating as hell, doubly trying to explain to my six year old yesterday the reason for the dead man hanging in front of the church around the corner.

I'm sick of it all. I don't want to see that shit but I have to and I have to do it without complaining, otherwise all the super cool atheists won't let me in the club.

[LilyoftheField]

I guess I've become another atheist bitch because I fully agree with the OP. Wouldn't have ten years ago but he has a point. It's frustrating as hell, doubly trying to explain to my six year old yesterday the reason for the dead man hanging in front of the church around the corner.

I'm sick of it all. I don't want to see that shit but I have to and I have to do it without complaining, otherwise all the super cool atheists won't let me in the club.

Well, I would let you join my club, but...I am so not super cool that you probably would not want to. Besides which, it's a club of one, which makes it even less cool and appealing. So, it's kind of not even a club at all - yet!

I need members!

[Chimera]

It's frustrating as hell, doubly trying to explain to my six year old yesterday the reason for the dead man hanging in front of the church around the corner.

:rolleyes:

And conservatives complain about having to explain gay couples to their kids.

Maybe some people shouldn't be parents if their world collapses under the weight of having to explain things to their kids.

[Novelty Bobble]

How exactly are they a barrier?

All your life you're going to run up against people whose ethics, morals, beliefs or way of doing things run counter to something you want to do. It is up to you to decide whether or not you're going to allow that to be a barrier, or move on regardless of what they think.
Not helpful advice when you happen to homosexual or an atheist or in need of an abortion or divorce and the society you are in decides you need to be punished and suffer for your sins.

You seem to be suggesting a shrug of the shoulders, a rueful grin and then skip on down the road to the beat of your on drum.

How does one "move on regardless" when even you gender or sexuality condemns you to a lesser quality of life?

[John Mace]

:rolleyes:

And conservatives complain about having to explain gay couples to their kids.

Maybe some people shouldn't be parents if their world collapses under the weight of having to explain things to their kids.
You beat me to it.

There are things you can control, and things you can't. Stressing over the things you can't control is pointless. Other people's religion or sexual orientation are two of the things you can't control.

[SSgtBaloo]

My only regret is that it will be another year before I can buy Cadbury's Cream Eggs.:(

[Rushgeekgirl]

:rolleyes:

And conservatives complain about having to explain gay couples to their kids.

Maybe some people shouldn't be parents if their world collapses under the weight of having to explain things to their kids.

Yes, I'm just a horrible horrible mother for being at a loss for words as to why a statue of a dead guy hanging on two crossed sticks is something some people celebrate every year.

I'll see your :rolleyes: and raise you two :rolleyes::rolleyes:. With a side of :dubious:

[Rushgeekgirl]

You beat me to it.

There are things you can control, and things you can't. Stressing over the things you can't control is pointless. Other people's religion or sexual orientation are two of the things you can't control.


I'm not trying to CONTROL anything. I'm complaining. GOD FORBID (ha!) an atheist complain about the popular religion.

[John Mace]

Yes, I'm just a horrible horrible mother for being at a loss for words as to why a statue of a dead guy hanging on two crossed sticks is something some people celebrate every year.

Well, it is a unique problem that no one in the history of mankind has ever faced before, and so there is no guide to help you, no precedent to follow. You have that going for you!

[Superdude]

I guess I've become another atheist bitch because I fully agree with the OP. Wouldn't have ten years ago but he has a point. It's frustrating as hell, doubly trying to explain to my six year old yesterday the reason for the dead man hanging in front of the church around the corner.

That church LYNCHES people? :eek::eek:

[Steophan]

n/m

[Novelty Bobble]

:rolleyes:

And conservatives complain about having to explain gay couples to their kids.

Maybe some people shouldn't be parents if their world collapses under the weight of having to explain things to their kids.

Explaining sexuality is trivial.

I was standing on Blackfriars bridge in London today and my 5 year old asked why it was called that.

Me - "I think perhaps some monks used to live around here and they wore black robes"

Inquisitive Daughter - "hahah!....monkeys?"

M - "no, monks"

ID - "what are monks?"

M - "errr, they are religious people who live together in a monastery"

ID - "what does religious mean"

M - "errr, errr, they pray to that Jesus person they told you about at school"

ID - "why?........what does pray mean?"

M - "it means asking for special things from a god"

ID - "like presents?"

M - "no, not like presents. Well, a bit like presents...............ah the bus!"

And to be honest I have no idea how I am going to continue that conversation in the future. All the while her little face was crinkled in confusion and I couldn't think of a suitable analogy that didn't cast religious people as completely hatstand.

How do you explain it without resorting to the standard religious tactic of saying "look, it is just true!"?

Compared to that, explaining homosexuality is a piece of piss.

"you know how mammy and daddy love each other and are boy and girl?"

"yes"

"well sometimes boys love boys and girls love girls"

And though she hasn't asked yet, I have no problems with that when she does.

[Attack from the 3rd dimension]

So do we add Arianism to de-clawing cats as SMDB heresies?

You know who else was an Arianist. :D

[Walmarticus]

OP, you're an edgy dude. Thanks for helping make the pit exceedingly lame.

Next up: pop music. Stupid teenyboppers swallowing whatever prefab superstars the corporations declare fashionable. Whatever happened to talent and creativity?

[Chimera]

Yes, I'm just a horrible horrible mother for being at a loss for words as to why a statue of a dead guy hanging on two crossed sticks is something some people celebrate every year.

Tough Fucking Shit. Your job as a parent is to answer your kids questions.

NO PART OF THAT involves the entire rest of the world changing so that you don't have to feel uncomfortable or at a loss of words.

In this you are no different from the conservative christians who want to hide/destroy/marginalize everything labeled bad by their religion so that they don't have to explain why other people see nothing wrong with their religions sins.

[The Tao's Revenge]

Yes, I'm just a horrible horrible mother for being at a loss for words as to why a statue of a dead guy hanging on two crossed sticks is something some people celebrate every year.

I'll see your :rolleyes: and raise you two :rolleyes::rolleyes:. With a side of :dubious:

Do you eat meat? If so there's vegetarian families out there having to explain macabre scenes at the grocery store to their kids, thanks in part to your culinary patronage.

[elucidator]

....Whatever happened to talent and creativity?

Yoko Ono.

[samclem]

Explaining sexuality is trivial.

I was standing on Blackfriars bridge in London today and my 5 year old asked why it was called that.

Blackfriars Bridge
The first bridge at this spot along the river opened in 1769,
It was meant to be named after William Pitt, but instead gained its moniker from a 13th Century Dominican monastery(long-since dissolved) that had provided a name for a section of London near Ludgate Hill.

The current Blackfriars Bridge was opened by Queen Victoria in 1869; it is both a vehicle and pedestrian bridge.. Tell her, as parent's of old used to, to look it up. These days, tell 'em to use Wikipedia, instead of "the dictionary."

[ElvisL1ves]

Someone had an empty Easter basket this morning, huh?I got a rock.

[Novelty Bobble]

. Tell her, as parent's of old used to, to look it up. These days, tell 'em to use Wikipedia, instead of "the dictionary."

Yeah, the nosey little sprog, how dare she engage me in conversation.;)

Though nice to see my first guess was correct. (sort of) It did lead on to an interesting conversation on why things get called by particular names, particularly the "Gherkin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/30_St_Mary_Axe)" and "The Shard (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shard_London_Bridge)". And eventually I set them the task of, whenever they saw the Gherkin or the Shard to say "A gherkin, yum! yum!" or "ouch, my finger" respectively.

Bus passengers must have hated us by the end of today.

[magellan01]

Explaining sexuality is trivial.

I was standing on Blackfriars bridge in London today and my 5 year old asked why it was called that.

Me - "I think perhaps some monks used to live around here and they wore black robes"

Inquisitive Daughter - "hahah!....monkeys?"

M - "no, monks"

ID - "what are monks?"

M - "errr, they are religious people who live together in a monastery"

ID - "what does religious mean"

M - "errr, errr, they pray to that Jesus person they told you about at school"

ID - "why?........what does pray mean?"

M - "it means asking for special things from a god"

ID - "like presents?"

M - "no, not like presents. Well, a bit like presents...............ah the bus!"

And to be honest I have no idea how I am going to continue that conversation in the future. All the while her little face was crinkled in confusion and I couldn't think of a suitable analogy that didn't cast religious people as completely hatstand.

How do you explain it without resorting to the standard religious tactic of saying "look, it is just true!"?

Compared to that, explaining homosexuality is a piece of piss.

"you know how mammy and daddy love each other and are boy and girl?"

"yes"

"well sometimes boys love boys and girls love girls"

And though she hasn't asked yet, I have no problems with that when she does.

Have you thought about making things easier by putting your kids up for adoption. Think about. I mean, if this is the best you can do, seems like it would be a win-win.

[magellan01]

Yes, I'm just a horrible horrible mother for being at a loss for words as to why a statue of a dead guy hanging on two crossed sticks is something some people celebrate every year.

I'll see your :rolleyes: and raise you two :rolleyes::rolleyes:. With a side of :dubious:

Actually, if you can't do that, you're really not very good at the mothering thing. You should be able to explain to your children something as popular as religion or Christianity in a way that fills in the blanks. That's what they're asking you to do. You don't have to endorse it. Just explain it. As someone already pointed out, this is not some profound burden that no mother has ever had to deal with. Sheeze.

[Novelty Bobble]

Have you thought about making things easier by putting your kids up for adoption. Think about. I mean, if this is the best you can do, seems like it would be a win-win.

Aren't you a ray of sunshine?

And how would you have explained the concepts of monks to a five year old?

[Sitnam]

Meh, I'm 32 and like painting eggs and hiding them for my little girl.

Holidays can just be about what you like in them.

[Novelty Bobble]

Actually, if you can't do that, you're really not very good at the mothering thing. You should be able to explain to your children something as popular as religion or Christianity in a way that fills in the blanks. That's what they're asking you to do. You don't have to endorse it. Just explain it. As someone already pointed out, this is not some profound burden that no mother has ever had to deal with. Sheeze.

I think this is where you are having a problem.

For those of us who are not religious, there is no way of "filling in the blanks" satisfactorily. None of it actually makes any sense and we are uncomfortable with twisting words to make it seem as though it does.

Children who are allowed to question will continue to ask why? when the answer fails to satisfy. With religion that satisfaction is a long time coming because logic and reason will never come to your rescue. You end up with the ultimate appeal to authority or resorting to a variety of "some people believe strange things and I don't know why"

Those who are religious are often unable to see their delusions for what they are and are unlikely to struggle to the same extent.

[magellan01]

Aren't you a ray of sunshine?

And how would you have explained the concepts of monks to a five year old?

Now you want ME to do your parenting? No. I think you need to think about this long and hard. Seriously, you really should go to a parenting class or read some books about it. Or how about this: go talk to a priest or rabbi or imam if they have any ideas. Or just talk to some other parents who don't share your fear/hate of religion. There are ways to explain these things to a young child without endorsing religion, or even theism. The same way, as someone pointed out, that a vegetarian parent might have to explain that some people eat meat. Or a conservative parent might have to explain gay relationships. Or a religious parent might have to explain Atheism to a kid who hears the word or comes into contact with a hateful adherent to that philosophy, like the OP, you, and a few others in this thread.

Explaining does not equal endorsing. And my own personal bias is that we should just provide the information and try as hard as we can to not indoctrinate kids into our way of thinking. Give them the information they seek (which often can be very simple answers) and allow them to form their own belief system (including being Atheists) when they'er old enough to actually process the concepts.

[magellan01]

I think this is where you are having a problem.

For those of us who are not religious, there is no way of "filling in the blanks" satisfactorily. None of it actually makes any sense and we are uncomfortable with twisting words to make it seem as though it does.

Children who are allowed to question will continue to ask why? when the answer fails to satisfy. With religion that satisfaction is a long time coming because logic and reason will never come to your rescue. You end up with the ultimate appeal to authority or resorting to a variety of "some people believe strange things and I don't know why"

Those who are religious are often unable to see their delusions for what they are and are unlikely to struggle to the same extent.

It seems like you might not have the tools to give your child the information she seeks. You are to committed to your own belief system and believe anything else is stupid. Good for you. You have the world and life all figured out. But here's something you might introduce to your child: the concepts of faith vs reason. I'm a strong theist, but have no problem explaining atheism. And doing so in a non-biased way. It's very easy to couch things as, "Lots of people believe lots of different things...." And then explain what they believe in a way that doesn't show your hate for them. Unless, like a lot of religious evangelists, you see a fresh innocent mind as an easy one to indoctrinate. Which, based on your posts here, is my guess.

But by all means, don't let children suffer the delusions of Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny or the Tooth Fairy. Anything but THAT! Oh, and some people believe that a person existed that was the son of God and thus believing, strive to be giving, kind, and forgiving. Yeah, more horrors, I know.

[Captain Amazing]

For those of us who are not religious, there is no way of "filling in the blanks" satisfactorily. None of it actually makes any sense and we are uncomfortable with twisting words to make it seem as though it does.


Oh, come on. I'm not religious, but it still makes sense to me why a crucifix is a Christian symbol.

[boomerwang]

Yes. Happy Easter indeed. FEEL THE LOVE! ;)

[Novelty Bobble]

Oh, come on. I'm not religious, but it still makes sense to me why a crucifix is a Christian symbol.

I think you have me mixed up with a different poster.

[Captain Amazing]

I think you have me mixed up with a different poster.

Ok, well, monks still make sense to me too.

[Antinor01]

Oh, come on. I'm not religious, but it still makes sense to me why a crucifix is a Christian symbol.

I'm curious how you would explain a crucifix to a child that had no previous exposure to religion.

[Chimera]

resorting to a variety of "some people believe strange things and I don't know why"

So what is wrong with this? You're their parent, not some omniscient GOD who has all the answers. "I don't know" is the very beginning of Wisdom. Teach your kid that you don't know everything, that it is perfectly ok NOT to know everything, and they don't have to make up a lie everytime they don't know something or that there is something wrong with them if they don't know something.

[Peremensoe]

One of the fun things about being a parent to small children is figuring out how to answer questions fairly, honestly and appropriately.

My kids know that Easter is an old celebration of the earth's awakening in the spring, the return of fertility and life, now locally symbolized by eggs and fecund rabbits. I can't recall being called to explain the particular doctrine that Christians have laid atop this, though I'll take it head on when it comes up. Separate discussions have certainly covered other elements of the story of Jesus.

[Cyningablod]

The world IS an illusion. Everything we do, every culture, morality, religion, way of doing thing is a Construct. Sure, people in the thick of it insist that THIS IS THE WAY THINGS ARE, but they are blind to the underlying fact that it is what it is only because we believe it is that way and participate in the illusion. [...]

Rather than being the guy who lives his life in rage because they put a wall in your path, recognize that the wall is an illusion, and walk through it.

Someone has watched The Matrix waaaaaaay too many times.

[tnetennba]

"I don't know" is the very beginning of Wisdom.

You might be right, but I'm going to suspend judgment pending further research and reflection.

[Novelty Bobble]

It seems like you might not have the tools to give your child the information she seeks. You are to committed to your own belief system and believe anything else is stupid. Good for you. You have the world and life all figured out. But here's something you might introduce to your child: the concepts of faith vs reason. I'm a strong theist, but have no problem explaining atheism. And doing so in a non-biased way. It's very easy to couch things as, "Lots of people believe lots of different things...." And then explain what they believe in a way that doesn't show your hate for them. Unless, like a lot of religious evangelists, you see a fresh innocent mind as an easy one to indoctrinate. Which, based on your posts here, is my guess.

Your thinly veiled insults are noted, you've managed to read into my posts words that were never there. Good for you. Indeed you are a fine example of what religion can do for the world.
You are fairly poor at reading comprehension though. You will recall reading my exchange with my daughter, you will also recall my problem
"All the while her little face was crinkled in confusion and I couldn't think of a suitable analogy that didn't cast religious people as completely hatstand."
I was striving to cast religious people in a non-judgemental way. I want her to make up her own mind. It isn't for me to tell her what to think but to help her how to think, to question, to probe, to seek.

But as a religious adherent, what you must grasp is that your worldview makes no objective sense to those of us who are not adherents. As a man of science I cannot reconcile miracles with the physical world as I know it. I can't give equal credence to what is known and what is believed.

And though it may pain you and offend you to hear it. Actually I ascribe exactly the same level probability to the easter bunny and the judeo-christian god. That is not a position I take to insult anyone but it is a logical conclusion from the evidence available for both.
Perhaps you imagine I sit on my daughter's bed every night reading from Christopher Hitchens? telling her to watch out for the strange folk who worship an invisible dead magical jew?
No, if I have a creed at all it is tolerance and love. live and let live, do as I would be done by. None of that comes from religion nor depends on the supernatural. I would no sooner denigrate a religion or its adherents in front of my daughter than I would spit in her face.
I will teach her to treat others well regardless of race, colour, creed, gender or sexuality. Something sadly lacking in the majority of the world's religions.
However, were she to ask me outright what I believe and why I believe it I would certainly tell her the truth.

[Captain Amazing]

I'm curious how you would explain a crucifix to a child that had no previous exposure to religion.

Well, first you expose them to religion? You explain that some people believe in a God or gods, and talk about that and so on.

[Count Blucher]

Because it can't be linked to enough (http://www.gdargaud.net/Humor/Pics/Christianity.jpg).

Easter: a celebration of the impending zombie apocalypse where the only way to keep up with the necessary reload speed for survival is a massive chocolate sugar-rush?
Hey, I'd play that on STEAM. I'd pitch it as Omega Man meets Gordon Freeman.


*Trailer character reads* "...And his Kingdom shall have no end..." *looks up* "We're gonna need more shells...."

"Remember: hands & feet just slow them down. Go center mass or between the eyes."

[Chimera]

Someone has watched The Matrix waaaaaaay too many times.

Nothing to do with The Matrix.

[Lord Ashtar]

All this talk of how to explain religion to your kids is interesting and all, but I think we need to get back to the OP. So what do we do about these terrible Christian lawbreakers who are hanging banners on overpasses with reckless abandon?

[Novelty Bobble]

So what is wrong with this? You're their parent, not some omniscient GOD who has all the answers. "I don't know" is the very beginning of Wisdom. Teach your kid that you don't know everything, that it is perfectly ok NOT to know everything, and they don't have to make up a lie everytime they don't know something or that there is something wrong with them if they don't know something.

Again, I am scientist. The words most sacred to me are "I don't know" I will certainly tell them "I don't know" when a chain of explanation breaks down.

When telling her about the facts of life (I know she is five but she did ask!) that chain extends for some distance. We eventually stopped at the reason for cellular division and what DNA is. I'll take that on at a later date.

How do planes fly? we make aerofoils and blow across them and discuss pressures and angles and whatnot.

Religion? well it all starts from assuming a god. The chain breaks at the first link. We are in Santa Claus, Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy territory straight away. But outside of Terry Pratchett those characters are not a cause for violence and repression.

Incidentally, for anyone wanting to get a good grasp of the humanist worldview I would highly recommend Terry's work. Seriously. He understands more of the human condition than most authors currently writing.

[Lobohan]

All this talk of how to explain religion to your kids is interesting and all, but I think we need to get back to the OP. So what do we do about these terrible Christian lawbreakers who are hanging banners on overpasses with reckless abandon?Uh, whatever is the civic penalty for that. What are you suggesting I'm suggesting?

[Peremensoe]

All this talk of how to explain religion to your kids is interesting and all, but I think we need to get back to the OP. So what do we do about these terrible Christian lawbreakers who are hanging banners on overpasses with reckless abandon?

I have no problem with them. I think various sections of the public should be able to use public spaces and structures occasionally. If we must have permits, those permits should be easy to get.

[Cheshire Human]

Someone had an empty Easter basket this morning, huh?

Someone bit the ears off his chocolate bunny and pissed in his jellybeans.

He is risen!!!

Well, once Passover was finished that year, his family could use leavening again.

As for Finn's point, I don't think that a billboard is able to claim being the best. You need to use weasel language like, "The choice of a new generation" or "Boozo Vodka, a cut above" or "Boozo, the vodka you deserve".

"Jesus, a cut above the God-delusion the new generation deserves."

[Lord Ashtar]

Uh, whatever is the civic penalty for that. What are you suggesting I'm suggesting?

I'm suggesting that you unbunch your panties and let slide that which does not matter. Besides, the more you bitch about unimportant stuff like this, the less likely people are to listen to you when it's something that really does matter.

[Lobohan]

"Jesus, a cut above the God-delusion the new generation deserves."You keep that level of game up, you'll wake up Pope one day.

[Steophan]

All this talk of how to explain religion to your kids is interesting and all, but I think we need to get back to the OP. So what do we do about these terrible Christian lawbreakers who are hanging banners on overpasses with reckless abandon?

Crucify them. But make sure it's on private property.

[John Mace]

Crucify them. But make sure it's on private property.

They'll just rise again in 3 days. Better throw them into Mt Doom.

Again, I am scientist. The words most sacred to me are "I don't know" I will certainly tell them "I don't know" when a chain of explanation breaks down.

When telling her about the facts of life (I know she is five but she did ask!) that chain extends for some distance. We eventually stopped at the reason for cellular division and what DNA is. I'll take that on at a later date.

How do planes fly? we make aerofoils and blow across them and discuss pressures and angles and whatnot.

Religion? well it all starts from assuming a god. The chain breaks at the first link. We are in Santa Claus, Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy territory straight away. But outside of Terry Pratchett those characters are not a cause for violence and repression.
How do you explain Santa Claus?

[Guinastasia]

Is it just me, or are some of the resident atheists becoming pissier lately? For fuck's sake, get over yourselves.

The crucifix -- tell your kids that the cross is important to some people because they believe in a man named Jesus who died along time ago. That's it. You don't even have to tell them necessarily that they believed that he was god, just that they believe he was a "nice man who taught a lot of important lessons, and he was killed by mean people for doing it". And some people want to honor him for it. That's all.


And yes, this time, I AM saying you should shut up. Or rather, get over yourselves and quit whining. Oh my god, it's an EASTER BANNER!!!! (You guys are really starting to remind me of fundies who bitch about seeing Janet Jackson's boob)

Christus resurrexit! Resurrexit vere!



;)

[nachtmusick]

All this talk of how to explain religion to your kids is interesting and all, but I think we need to get back to the OP. So what do we do about these terrible Christian lawbreakers who are hanging banners on overpasses with reckless abandon?

Crucify them!

...or maybe, on second thought, just go to the Pit and grumble about it.

[Chimera]

Again, I am scientist. The words most sacred to me are "I don't know" I will certainly tell them "I don't know" when a chain of explanation breaks down.

Then it seems that the failure is with you. You are not willing to tell them that very basic "I don't know".

Religion? well it all starts from assuming a god. The chain breaks at the first link. We are in Santa Claus, Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy territory straight away.

"Honey, I don't know. People believe all sorts of different things about the world, about life and death, about what happens to us after we die, about how the universe was created. Some of it makes sense to me, some of it doesn't. Those people believe that God created the world and gave us a set of rules to live by. Some of those rules, like "don't steal" make a lot of sense. Some of them don't make sense to me.

But anyway, like I said, people believe all sorts of things. As you get older, you're going to be exposed to a lot of different ideas and ways of thinking. All I ask of you is that you always think really hard about what you chose to believe and what you get involved with.... and always be true to yourself first of all. Despite what people will tell you, you don't have to believe what they believe in order to be a good person. When they tell you that, what they're really saying is "If you don't believe what I believe, I won't like you", and that would be wrong."

[ElvisL1ves]

IOW, give them the God of the Gaps (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_of_the_gaps) argument.

[magellan01]

Your thinly veiled insults are noted, you've managed to read into my posts words that were never there. Good for you. Indeed you are a fine example of what religion can do for the world.
You are fairly poor at reading comprehension though. You will recall reading my exchange with my daughter, you will also recall my problem
"All the while her little face was crinkled in confusion and I couldn't think of a suitable analogy that didn't cast religious people as completely hatstand."
I was striving to cast religious people in a non-judgemental way. I want her to make up her own mind. It isn't for me to tell her what to think but to help her how to think, to question, to probe, to seek.

But as a religious adherent, what you must grasp is that your worldview makes no objective sense to those of us who are not adherents. As a man of science I cannot reconcile miracles with the physical world as I know it. I can't give equal credence to what is known and what is believed.

And though it may pain you and offend you to hear it. Actually I ascribe exactly the same level probability to the easter bunny and the judeo-christian god. That is not a position I take to insult anyone but it is a logical conclusion from the evidence available for both.
Perhaps you imagine I sit on my daughter's bed every night reading from Christopher Hitchens? telling her to watch out for the strange folk who worship an invisible dead magical jew?
No, if I have a creed at all it is tolerance and love. live and let live, do as I would be done by. None of that comes from religion nor depends on the supernatural. I would no sooner denigrate a religion or its adherents in front of my daughter than I would spit in her face.
I will teach her to treat others well regardless of race, colour, creed, gender or sexuality. Something sadly lacking in the majority of the world's religions.
However, were she to ask me outright what I believe and why I believe it I would certainly tell her the truth.

Wow. You can't even fathom WHY someone might believe in God or practice a religion? Well, can't say I blame you. You can't find Empathy in a test tube and there's no element on the periodic table called Imagination. Hopefully your child will be able to learn those things and have them nurtured with her time in school or adults other than yourself. But, by golly, you'll learn her some simple machines and quadratic equations. Oh boy did she hit the lottery!

Speaking of reading words not on the page, I never said I practiced a religion. I don't. I said I was a theist. I believe there is a Creator God. Period.

[Miller]

Also, go fuck yourself. :D


This is a violation of the Pit's language rules, as detailed here (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=508858). In the future, please avoid such language.

No warning issued.

[antonio107]

This is a violation of the Pit's language rules, as detailed here (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=508858). In the future, please avoid such language.

No warning issued.


Duly noted. Sorry.

[Miller]

I'd just like to add, as someone who neither believes in God, nor spends much time around children:

"Well, Jenny, lots of people wonder where the world came from. Some people, like your dad, believe it just happened. Other people think somebody must have made it happen. They call this guy 'God.' These people think that God is pretty neat for making this whole world for us, and they spend a lot of time telling him "thank you." Monks are people who like God so much, that they spend all day thanking him."

Honestly, the theistic viewpoint is not remotely difficult to understand. There's a few first principles that you have to take... well, on faith, but after that, everything flows pretty logically.

[tnetennba]

I believe there is a Creator God. Period.

So, what, this goddess menstruated all of us?

[Cheshire Human]

You keep that level of game up, you'll wake up Pope one day.

Pope Cheshire I. Hmmm.... No, I think I'll pass. The celibacy part doesn't sound worth it.

[stpauler]

Easter: a celebration of the impending zombie apocalypse where the only way to keep up with the necessary reload speed for survival is a massive chocolate sugar-rush?
Hey, I'd play that on STEAM. I'd pitch it as Omega Man meets Gordon Freeman.


In celebration of today, i taught my dog a new trick. I say "brainsssssss" and he sticks his paws out in front of him. Good zombie puppy!

[Jack Batty]

Today was Easter?




There. That's an appropriate atheist rant. You're welcome.

[Kozmik]

And like all of us, upon death his consciousness dissolved into oblivion and ended utterly and permanently.Quoted, as they say, for truth.


Nothing to do with The Matrix.
Which is interesting, don't you think.


Today was Easter?




There. That's an appropriate atheist rant. You're welcome.
Today is Sunday, April 24, 2011? Tomorrow is Monday, April 25, 2011?




There. That's an appropriate nihilist rant. You're not welcome.

[Chimera]

Which is interesting, don't you think.

Not really. If you or anyone else thinks I got it from a movie, it only shows your frame of reference is limited to pop culture.

[Monty]

That is a good point. But I noticed it while driving, I have no idea what street it's on. I'd have to retrace my route and it's far to drizzly to go back outside again.

What'll happen if you discover the banner that offended you happened to be on private property? In my area, there are two private overpasses visible from my office window & I'm only on the 2nd floor.

Instead my panties will unbunch with the gentile thumb-and-forefinger that is The Pit.

Gentile? And you're going on about Finn. :D

[FinnAgain]

So...you're saying it's okay for the OP to oppose the signage, per se - but that you consider him an asshole based on the way he expressed that opposition? I'm asking, not to be argumentative, but only because I want to be sure that I understand you.

Yes and no. I think it's more than a little silly to strongly (or even moderately) oppose something like that. I don't see a religious banner being much different from the American flags that festooned virtually every overpass in NY in 2001 or "Jimmy and Suzie 4 evar!" banners, or what have you. But okay, I can understand that someone may object to an unauthorized banner...
The response, though, is assholeish. And to use the pretense of a banner to pick a fight with Christians on Easter is in more than a little bad taste.

And I can see the whole totem-and-taboo/staring-into-the-abyss dynamic where someone who was religious uses the same set of tactics in objecting to religious people's behavior, but that still doesn't make it much more palatable. As for who would rate more point on the Assholeometer, eh... I can't really get behind that sort of equivalence. I have, for example, pretty regularly been visited by missionaries over the last few years, and they've been rather polite (the last ones, actually, even after I told them that I had no interest in their religious views, made a point of asking if there was any other way in which they could help me.) I think that's fairly equivalent to a banner saying "Yay, Easter!!!"

But if I responded "Fuck off you Mormon bastards!" well, then I'd be the asshole, not them.

[mhendo]

Today was Easter?




There. That's an appropriate atheist rant. You're welcome.I would never have noticed the approach of Easter but for the fact that Cadbury Creme Eggs have been available in supermarkets for the past couple of weeks.

I also probably wouldn't have realized that today was Easter Sunday if the guy at the store hadn't asked me how my Easter was going.

[Try2B Comprehensive]

Gee I dunno. I can relate to a certain degree of contempt for a religious group (evangelicals), but I suppose in my case I have quite a few personal grievances to cite, so maybe that mitigates things.

OTOH, I don't like the idea of randomly pissing on things. Say you're homeless. Say you're drunk too- you gotta take a piss. Ok. You could wander into a parking lot and piss on a dumpster, except that if you thought about it at all, you'd realize that the dumpster is some kind of piece of equipment, and that other people are going to have to deal with it. They will have to come into contact with your piss- unpleasant! :(

Or you could piss on a tree. Yah sure someone might still smell it or even sit in it, but that's no longer guaranteed and hey, at least you tried. See what I mean?

Easter itself means well, misguided or not. It's a positive holiday and not out to get anybody. Unless its say Spain in a certain century, but never mind that.



My gf today said to a few people, "Happy zombie Jesus day!". That made me a little uncomfortable, but I didn't say anything, and it was at least part funny too. Heck, I raved about Wagner to a Jew after Easter dinner, either forgetting that he was Jewish or else believing the music by itself is religion-neutral and therefore fair game for appreciation. The host pointed out that Wagner died a full 25 years before the Nazis, seeming to defend me while actually perpetuating debate, when I really didn't want to point out this guy's Jewishness at all :smack:

[foolsguinea]

And asides, I'm not dead yet, maybe I'll gain a death-cult full of rubes too.I don't see how.

[LilyoftheField]

Yes and no. I think it's more than a little silly to strongly (or even moderately) oppose something like that. I don't see a religious banner being much different from the American flags that festooned virtually every overpass in NY in 2001 or "Jimmy and Suzie 4 evar!" banners, or what have you. But okay, I can understand that someone may object to an unauthorized banner...
The response, though, is assholeish. And to use the pretense of a banner to pick a fight with Christians on Easter is in more than a little bad taste.

And I can see the whole totem-and-taboo/staring-into-the-abyss dynamic where someone who was religious uses the same set of tactics in objecting to religious people's behavior, but that still doesn't make it much more palatable. As for who would rate more point on the Assholeometer, eh... I can't really get behind that sort of equivalence. I have, for example, pretty regularly been visited by missionaries over the last few years, and they've been rather polite (the last ones, actually, even after I told them that I had no interest in their religious views, made a point of asking if there was any other way in which they could help me.) I think that's fairly equivalent to a banner saying "Yay, Easter!!!"

But if I responded "Fuck off you Mormon bastards!" well, then I'd be the asshole, not them.

Yeah, okay - I can agree with that. But then again, someone who was interested in expressing their arguments in a calm and rational manner would probably have posted in GD or IMHO and not the pit! :D

[FinnAgain]

Well, it's not the lack of calm-and-rational that I'm responding to. "Those bastards and their banners, it's like littering plus graffiti and I hate them!" is one thing. "Those bastards and their religious views, and a bunch of you here probably share those religious views, and you're stupid people. I hate you! Also, as this is one of your more important holy days, you should know that you're idiots for commemorating it." is another.

[Inner Stickler]

I got no less than 11 Happy Easter Christ is Risen texts today. It's not that I'm morally opposed to Jesus, it's just that I'm morally opposed to pretty much all the things people do in his name like attempt to deny me human rights, control women via reproductive choices and squelch scientific thought like a flea at a picnic. Added to the fact that I was dragged to mass this morning to make my mother happy despite successfully avoiding services for Thursday, Friday, or Saturday means that I pretty much couldn't care less if the OP offends you. Christianity is dumb and if you believe in it, you're dumb. Not that you'd realize this because if you did, you wouldn't be a christian. (Tomorrow, I will be more tolerant. Probably.)

Given the furor over the bus signs saying "There's probably no god" in Britain, I would not be surprised if a lynch mob formed for hanging a sign saying god is dead on easter.

edit: I say christian but I really mean any religious philosophy that relies on faith.

[FinnAgain]

it's just that I'm morally opposed to pretty much all the things people do in his name like attempt to deny me human rights, control women via reproductive choices and squelch scientific thought like a flea at a picnic.

Those things all suck, but of course they don't typify all religious folks let alone all Christians. It'd be pretty stupid to broadbrush religion to the point where the Westboro Baptist bunch are mixed in with Martin Luther King Jr. just because they're both religious.

Christianity is dumb and if you believe in it, you're dumb. Not that you'd realize this because if you did, you wouldn't be a christian.

I'm not a Christian and never will be, but that's still silly. There are plenty of smart people who are Christians, and Christianity has motivated some people to do truly amazing, praiseworthy things. Throwing the baby out with the bathwater isn't the brightest thing to do, especially in the service of fighting stupidity.

[BigT]

Yeah, okay - I can agree with that. But then again, someone who was interested in expressing their arguments in a calm and rational manner would probably have posted in GD or IMHO and not the pit! :D

You apparently read a different GD than I do. :D

[Wendell Wagner]

You sound depressed, Lobohan. I guess you agree with Woody Allen: "Not only is there no God, but try finding a plumber on a [Easter] Sunday."

[Novelty Bobble]

How do you explain Santa Claus?

By taking the "some people think" route. The kids don't care. they get presents regardless.

[Novelty Bobble]

I'd just like to add, as someone who neither believes in God, nor spends much time around children:

"Well, Jenny, lots of people wonder where the world came from. Some people, like your dad, believe it just happened. Other people think somebody must have made it happen. They call this guy 'God.' These people think that God is pretty neat for making this whole world for us, and they spend a lot of time telling him "thank you." Monks are people who like God so much, that they spend all day thanking him."

Honestly, the theistic viewpoint is not remotely difficult to understand. There's a few first principles that you have to take... well, on faith, but after that, everything flows pretty logically.

As you say, you don't spend much time around children.

That, admittedly neat explanation works if you start from a question about where the world comes from. In my case it came from a discussion on the name of a bridge and segued into the motivations of monks. it is more difficult to follow a consistent line of reasoning that satisfies the child without making you think "this sounds absolutely ridiculous"

[Novelty Bobble]

Wow. You can't even fathom WHY someone might believe in God or practice a religion? Well, can't say I blame you. You can't find Empathy in a test tube and there's no element on the periodic table called Imagination. Hopefully your child will be able to learn those things and have them nurtured with her time in school or adults other than yourself. But, by golly, you'll learn her some simple machines and quadratic equations. Oh boy did she hit the lottery!


You reveal a lot of your own worldview with this post, religious or not. You are assuming that I don't teach my children empathy or imagination.
Do you automatically associate that with atheists?

Anyhow. I have no lessons to learn from you regarding the raising of children. You have proved that your are unable to read and understand what a person has written rather than what you think they have written. You are also ascribing the most negative qualities to people who simply disagree with you. Not a good example.

[saje]

What a dick.

As an atheist, I don't want you on my team.

Well said.

[John Mace]

By taking the "some people think" route. The kids don't care. they get presents regardless.

Well, there you go. "Some people think... " That's what other people have been telling you to say.

[fachverwirrt]

The grocery store is closed today. :(

On the bright side, tomorrow chocolate eggs (and all the other leftover candy) will be on sale.

I'm a little late to the game, but just so you know, Trader Joe's is open on Easter.

[Bryan Ekers]

As an incidental note, what's the deal with all those Cadbury Creme Eggs commercials in which the egg eagerly seeks some gruesome way to spill its gooey guts (i.e. jumping on top of a popping champagne cork to get smushed against the ceiling, jumping beside a typewriter in time to get crushed between the returning carriage and the wall, or standing in front of a hair dryer to ecstatically melt)? Isn't suicide an odd theme going into what is largely a Catholic holiday?

[stpauler]

Isn't suicide an odd theme going into what is largely a Catholic holiday?

As opposed to deicide which is what the religion revolves around?

[heatmiserfl]

:rolleyes:

And conservatives complain about having to explain gay couples to their kids.



Conservatives: "Well little Johnny, gays are very bad people who have embraced the devil as well as each other. Don't worry, they're going straight to hell when they die and you will too if you become gay. BTW, stay away from them because it's contagious."

Atheists: "Well little Johnny, it's not too hard to explain why people used to believe in the supernatural. It has to do with anthropomorphizing natural but invisible forces. In order to survive, humans have to predict outcomes. Social animals like humans typically use their own desires and behaviors to make these predictions. Also, early in childhood development, humans learn that just because mommy isn't in sight, she didn't disappear. This becomes extended to the death of loved ones. Finally, strong, stimulation of the senses or, conversely, prolonged sense deprivation results in a diminishing of activity of the right front of the brain. This part of the brain is strongly correlated with the sense of "self" that needs to interact with but be protected from the outside environment. As you would guess, this strong sense of "self" is also a source of great anxiety. Therefore, diminishing this feeling of self results in euphoria in which the person feels great universal love and awe. They become one with a god(s) or the universe. They're no longer afraid of death. Of course these feelings are short-lived and once they're gone the person starts to rationalize what they have felt.

Now this brings me to the harder question. Why do people still believe these things in the modern age? Well, speaking of death, fear of one's own death and the pain of losing loved ones is the strongest motivator for religion. This is why people still cling to religion (and guns ;) ) long after a lack of evidence for the supernatural has been shown. Most importantly, as tribes became larger and more complicated, tribal leaders use these strong fears and emotions to control the population and create social norms. So what originally evolved as survival mechanisms for social animals in small groups became hijacked for survival within more complex societies.

What, Johnny? What does the crucified man have to do with all this? Well, it's a great example of everything I've been telling you. You see..." :p

[Count Blucher]

Isn't suicide an odd theme going into what is largely a Catholic holiday?

It wasn't my first choice either (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fr44lIzC03k/S7nFq2MmFlI/AAAAAAAAB3M/eRrLLQJmnC4/s400/evicerated+easter+bunny.jpg), but I blame Hallmark.

[Vinyl Turnip]

Is it just me, or are some of the resident atheists becoming pissier lately?

No. Let's not make a couple of overstuffed douchebags into a bouncy castle.

[purplehorseshoe]

In celebration of today, i taught my dog a new trick. I say "brainsssssss" and he sticks his paws out in front of him. Good zombie puppy!

I have got to remember this for down the road when we get a dog... :D

[Zeriel]

And like all of us, upon death his consciousness dissolved into oblivion and ended utterly and permanently.

I'm presuming you're going to show some evidence for that remark aaaaany second now.

Granted, I'm Zen Buddhist, so I'm religiously obligated to not give a shit in general. Or is that give all the shit? I'm sure it'll come to me.

[magellan01]

You reveal a lot of your own worldview with this post, religious or not. You are assuming that I don't teach my children empathy or imagination.
Do you automatically associate that with atheists?

Absolutely not. I didn't come to that conclusion because you are an atheist, I came to that conclusion based on what you wrote. And if you can't put yourself in someone's shoes who is religious in order to entertain my someone might believe in God and practice a religion, then I think it's a pretty safe bet to say that you lack both empathy and imagination. So while an atheist generally may have as much empathy and imagination as a religious person, you evidently don't.

Anyhow. I have no lessons to learn from you regarding the raising of children. You have proved that your are unable to read and understand what a person has written rather than what you think they have written. You are also ascribing the most negative qualities to people who simply disagree with you. Not a good example.

Wrong again. I have no problem with atheists, or agnostics. I do have a problem with evangelical types, whether they're pushing Catholicism, Calvinism, or Atheism. Like you. Anyone who actually thinks through these things should have a healthy dose of "...but, I may be wrong." as part of their belief. So although it might make you feel better to think that I'm ascribing some negative qualities to you based on you being an atheist, you'd be wrong. And the critical thinking you find so important to you should reveal that to be the case. I have respect for people who respect others, like the many Atheists in this very thread who have made a point to distance themselves from the likes of the trollish, idiotic OP and others who someone think their detestation of religion gives them license to be rude cocks. So, like I said, nice try, but your wrong. My opinion of you and my comments to you were not sparked by you being an Atheist, but by the words you wrote. And by the fact that you seem to think that your righteousness gives you license to be insulting in your writing. That and the fact that you seem to not even be aware of it.

But I do hope that you have found here ways to explain things to your daughter. Though you seem to bristle at the advice. You, like any other self-sure evangelical need a little humility in your belief that there is no God. Because the fact of the matter is, just like anything one cannot prove, you may be wrong.

[magellan01]

No. Let's not make a couple of overstuffed douchebags into a bouncy castle.

Now, that was funny. I never heard that one before. Well done.

[Kozmik]

Not really. If you or anyone else thinks I got it from a movie, it only shows your frame of reference is limited to pop culture. Intereresting because it has everything to do with Simulacra and Simulation. One example, the recently released stamps of The Statue of Liberty - "distinguish real from copy" (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/25/opinion/l25liberty.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper). What is the frame of reference for The Statue of Liberty? Pop culture? The "real" or the "copy"?

[Novelty Bobble]

magellan01

Be honest, the internet is the worst possible place to try and discern a person's character.

I don't know you, you don't know me. I am fully aware that the written word in a forum is not the best medium for a going back and forth and exploring the nuances of an argument.
The OP was unnecessarily confrontational to religion, I don't agree with them.
I do think religions and your own theistic position are unnecessarily complicated and not supported by evidence so I can't go along with you on that. I know why people do hold these beliefs but I think they are wrong at best and nonsensical and dangerous at worst.

Note, the beliefs are nonsensical and wrong. I make no judgement of the people. Should you care to scour my posts with this in mind I'm sure you realise this.

I don't claim perfect knowledge. I may be wrong and indeed my day job depends on me exploring the many ways in which I am wrong. I am professionally interested in the fallibility of human perception and belief and I know I am not immune.

I have never said that I can't, won't or don't tell my daughter that "I don't know". I do so regularly.

As for empathy? did you miss the part about me trying to avoid painting religious people as crazy?
It seems like you did.

Look, maybe you don't come into contact with too many who share my views, perhaps you have been upset by the OP and are unconsciously painting anyone not obviously on your side as being with them. That isn't the case.
Nothing I have said is particularly insulting or offensive in my culture. Fact is, In real life I have never been called upon to explain what I believe or why. It simply never comes up. Similarly I have never felt the need to challenge a religious person directly on their beliefs.
I think they are nonsense, I don't say it. Why would I? I do have respect and concern for people's feelings and I have nothing to gain by being confrontational on that subject.
In any case, no-one religious ever asks and the majority of people who I interact with shrug it all off in the same way I do. Welcome to the UK.
Of course part of the benefit of such a forum is the chance to air to an audience who might actually be interested. I find it surprising that the mild things I have said have irked you so much and caused to react with such hostility. I am not the OP, remember that.
And finally, I do not "push" atheism. What an odd thing to say. I don't have to. It is a default position. It is for those who propose a religious viewpoint to make their case and as yet I've still to find any coherent argument to be made.

I'm sure if you try hard enough and really want to be offended you will find something in this post to suit, but then I think so far you have very much read what you wanted to read.

Feel free to quote me any attacks I have made or insults on the person. Other than my criticisms of your approach you won't be able to because I neither wrote it nor think it.

[magellan01]

Be honest, the internet is the worst possible place to try and discern a person's character.

That's mostly true. And I'd would like to say thanks for the thoughtful response. That said...


I'm sure if you try hard enough and really want to be offended you will find something in this post to suit, but then I think so far you have very much read what you wanted to read.

I wouldn't say that I was offended as much as much of what you wrote is offensive to Christians. The fact that all this was presented on a holy day magnifies it.

Feel free to quote me any attacks I have made or insults on the person.

This is just the thing, you don't even realize it. You're so cock-sure of your position and think so little of the intellect of those who are religious that you see the following as benign. It's not:

Pointless trying to reason with people of a religious mindset.

Mind you, it is interesting to note that whenever anyone points out the ridiculousness of someones religious belief it is considered bad form, if they held the same belief about Elvis or Michael Jackson they would be considered fair game.

If those nonsense beliefs affect no-one but the believer then knock yourself out.

Not helpful advice when you happen to homosexual or an atheist or in need of an abortion or divorce and the society you are in decides you need to be punished and suffer for your sins.

(This one doesn't go to you be insulting, but ignorant of Christianity's stance on sin and sinners and the distinction made between the two. You also leave out the fact that Christianity believes that we are all sinners and that we can all be saved, the groups you mention included.)

You end up with the ultimate appeal to authority or resorting to a variety of "some people believe strange things and I don't know why"

Those who are religious are often unable to see their delusions for what they are and are unlikely to struggle to the same extent.

Indeed you are a fine example of what religion can do for the world.

But as a religious adherent, what you must grasp is that your worldview makes no objective sense to those of us who are not adherents. As a man of science I cannot reconcile miracles with the physical world as I know it. I can't give equal credence to what is known and what is believed.

So, you have no opinion on the beginnings of the world, the cosmos? And as a Theistic adherent (Creator god, sans religion), I think that my position makes more sense than a no Creator God reality. But that's another discussion for another time. To continue:

Actually I ascribe exactly the same level probability to the easter bunny and the judeo-christian god. That is not a position I take to insult anyone but it is a logical conclusion from the evidence available for both.

telling her to watch out for the strange folk who worship an invisible dead magical jew?

How nice. Happy Easter.

Religion? well it all starts from assuming a god. The chain breaks at the first link. We are in Santa Claus, Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy territory straight away.

If you could prove that their is not a Creator God then this would make sense. But since you can't, another opportunity for you to blindly trumpet your disdain for weak-minded religionists from you high horse.

it is more difficult to follow a consistent line of reasoning that satisfies the child without making you think "this sounds absolutely ridiculous"

Here's where the lack of empathy and imagination come in. Can you not put yourself in the shoes of a good and intelligent man who might be a Christian—or imagine such a being—and offer an explanation in which the man still might be good and intelligent. If not, as you claim, you are mighty short on the empathy and imagination attributes. Or just to deeply entrenched in the religion is stupid camp. Or both.

I know why people do hold these beliefs but I think they are wrong at best and nonsensical and dangerous at worst.

So, the BEST explanation is nonsensical. It must be nice to think you're more intelligent than every person of faith on earth. Make sure to give yourself a nice pat on the back. :rolleyes:

Note, the beliefs are nonsensical and wrong. I make no judgement of the people. Should you care to scour my posts with this in mind I'm sure you realise this.

Oh, well that makes it just dandy, doesn't it. :rolleyes:

You know, I don't think you're as good at this critical thinking thing—that you hold in such high esteem—as you think you might be.

Nothing I have said is particularly insulting or offensive in my culture.

Well, I guess if you define your culture as the space between your ears or the sphere you share with other high-and-mighty atheists, you might be right.

Now I am gratified to hear that you object to that trollish, assholish OP. But what I don't think you see is that you seem to be of the same mind. Yes, you have the class to not to want to flagrantly, or even intentionally, insult people, but the insults are there just the same.

Hopefully, these quotes you asked for help you realize that your posts are laced with insults, even if unintentionally.

[Guinastasia]

No. Let's not make a couple of overstuffed douchebags into a bouncy castle.

But I LIKE bouncy castles! They're so much fun! :D (The ball pits suck -- you have to worry about all the little kids who've probably pissed their pants)

[Novelty Bobble]

So, you have no opinion on the beginnings of the world, the cosmos? And as a Theistic adherent (Creator god, sans religion), I think that my position makes more sense than a no Creator God reality. But that's another discussion for another time. To continue:

I am happy to consider that the universe came from nothing whereas you think the universe came from a creator god which presumably came from nothing. Your explanation includes an additional, substantial, complicated step......but as you say, another time.

Now I am gratified to hear that you object to that trollish, assholish OP. But what I don't think you see is that you seem to be of the same mind. Yes, you have the class to not to want to flagrantly, or even intentionally, insult people, but the insults are there just the same.

Hopefully, these quotes you asked for help you realize that your posts are laced with insults, even if unintentionally.
No, I don't accept that at all. If someone said that any element of my political views was nonsense, I would not see that as an insult. It is an opinion. And a political opinion carries no more and no less status than a religious one.
Someone may well feel insulted or offended by something not offered as an insult.

[scotsman41]

Guys like you are so tired. But you never seem to weary of spewing your BS. Just another provocateur.

Merry Christ-mas! & Happy Easter (for next year)

[heavyarms553]

Meh, I'm atheist so I just refer to easter as "choco-bunny day"

[elucidator]

At long last! The burning question can be addressed! Do you, in fact, put sugar on your porridge?

[Lord Ashtar]

If you could prove that their is not a Creator God then this would make sense. But since you can't, another opportunity for you to blindly trumpet your disdain for weak-minded religionists from you high horse.

This...isn't helping.

[Shirley Ujest]

Meh, I'm atheist so I just refer to easter as "choco-bunny day"

that sounds suspiciously racist and delicious.


I explained to my children ( one had decided he's an atheist, but I've told him to keep his options open and no mocking others.) that Easter is the day that a Dead Jewish Carpenter rises from the grave and is a zombie and goes looking for brains.

[Lobohan]

I'm presuming you're going to show some evidence for that remark aaaaany second now.Seriously? There is a ton of evidence that consciousness resides in the brain. For instance, you can drive a railroad spike through a brain, and alter or eliminate the consciousness in it. You can shoot a congressperson at close range through the brain and massively alter her ability to think, reason and communicate. You can take drugs that effect the brain and alter consciousness.

If you think that consciousness doesn't reside in the brain, it is up to you to provide evidence of it existing beyond the bony confines of the skull.

If consciousness is created by the brain, then when the brain rots, as it does when we die, the consciousness obviously ceases. Again, it is up to you to provide evidence to the contrary. And I and the rest of humanity eagerly wait.

Granted, I'm Zen Buddhist, so I'm religiously obligated to not give a shit in general. Or is that give all the shit? I'm sure it'll come to me.Is Zen Buddhist a fancy way of saying not willing to think about shit?

[Frank]

(The ball pits suck -- you have to worry about all the little kids who've probably pissed their pants)
There are no atheists in a ball pit.

[Mr. Duality]

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://files.sharenator.com/lol_jesus_brb_Teh_Laffing_Game-s550x674-156110-580.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.sharenator.com/Laughing_Game/&usg=__dZOEgSrqAvlVmZb-oW0x76FQy7U=&h=674&w=550&sz=33&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=A06dY0vynfVJKM:&tbnh=138&tbnw=113&ei=Oyi2TaiiIOmV0QHasITYDw&prev=/search%3Fq%3Djesus%2Bbrb%2Blol%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DG%26biw%3D1600%26bih%3D733%26gbv%3D2%26 tbm%3Disch&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=319&vpy=67&dur=4032&hovh=249&hovw=203&tx=129&ty=102&page=1&ndsp=40&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0

[Shirley Ujest]

There are no atheists in a ball pit.

but there is flu and staph infections.






/try the veal

[Clothahump]

So, did the Pope see his shadow this morning? Is there six more weeks of Lent?

No, you got it wrong. Easter is the celebration of Jesus rolling the stone out of the way, going out of the cave and seeing his shadow. They had six more weeks of winter.

[Zeriel]

Again, it is up to you to provide evidence to the contrary. And I and the rest of humanity eagerly wait.

It's not up to me to prove shit to your whiny ass. :cool: I haven't asserted any belief or lack thereof--and in point of fact, Zen Buddhism is one of many religious traditions that's completely compatible with atheism.

Is Zen Buddhist a fancy way of saying not willing to think about shit?

More like, it's a fancy way to say "religiously and morally obligated to think about shit". For instance, right now, I'm thinking you're causing yourself a hell of a blood pressure spike because of two words on a banner that are doing jack and shit to harm your day. For your own sake, save your time and energy on people who are ACTUALLY causing harm in the name of religion, instead of just doing their thing.

[Lobohan]

It's not up to me to prove shit to your whiny ass. :cool: I haven't asserted any belief or lack thereof--and in point of fact, Zen Buddhism is one of many religious traditions that's completely compatible with atheism.You demanded that I substantiate my claim. And my claim is supported by science. The people who believe in shit like afterlives and personal Gods have the burden to provide evidence for them.

More like, it's a fancy way to say "religiously and morally obligated to think about shit". For instance, right now, I'm thinking you're causing yourself a hell of a blood pressure spike because of two words on a banner that are doing jack and shit to harm your day. For your own sake, save your time and energy on people who are ACTUALLY causing harm in the name of religion, instead of just doing their thing.Who me? I got so upset I created a pit thread. I don't think that requires much in the way of blood-pressure increases.

[elucidator]

And its not like its going to offend anyone, except for morons and idiots with beliefs worthy only of your contempt.

[Cheshire Human]

Conservatives: "Well little Johnny, gays are very bad people who have embraced the devil as well as each other. Don't worry, they're going straight to hell when they die and you will too if you become gay. BTW, stay away from them because it's contagious."


Conservatives? I'm a conservative. Show me where what you wrote, here, has any relationship to my political opinions, whatsoever, shitstain.

Nowhere does conservatism as a political philosophy require belief in "the devil", nor does it require belief that "gays are very bad people". In fact, nothing you wrote in that paragraph has anything at all to do with "conservative". It is entirely and exclusively a religious view of a subset of Christians.

If you want to slam Christians for those beliefs, feel free. I don't share them. But don't attribute their stupidity to me, fuckwit.

[Bryan Ekers]

Well, some Jews and Muslims believe it, too, and even that's not a complete list.

[Try2B Comprehensive]

I would like to know what Easter did to the OP.

For comparison with the chip on my shoulder about evangelicals, let's see, I was hospitalized with a head wound after a case of aggravated assault and battery at the hands of evangelicals (an action they've vehemently defended, making them less reasonable than even Rand Rover, see here (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=13727884&postcount=7)), after spending years being harassed by them and basically made a pariah for not joining them, being fired from a good job for not joining their church, enduring a slew of false accusations and generally seeing my career path (science field, go figure) disrupted through their interference.

But Easter in general? You don't believe in it, fine, but what did it do to you?

[magellan01]

No, I don't accept that at all. If someone said that any element of my political views was nonsense, I would not see that as an insult. It is an opinion. And a political opinion carries no more and no less status than a religious one.
Someone may well feel insulted or offended by something not offered as an insult.

You can accept or not accept whatever your little heart desires. It doesn't change the fact that you are insulting to Christians and other religionists. And even when it is pointed out to you—with your own quotes (as you requested)—you think you are the one to decide if it was insulting to others or not. (There's that lack of empathy thing, again, raising it's sad head.) Now, either your critical thinking skills are just not where you think they are, or you are so entrenched and invested in looking down on those who are religious that you reflexively give yourself a pass for being a cock. You seem to adhere to the notion that, "Well, if I believed something so stupid, I wouldn't be offended if someone called it stupid." Well, you just keep on rockin' on with your bad self. In the meantime, I'll take solace in the fact that try as you may, there will be other people in your daughter's life that will get her to see religion in a light that is brighter and less ignorant.

[stpauler]

Now, either your critical thinking skills are just not where you think they are, or you are so entrenched and invested in looking down on those who are religious that you reflexively give yourself a pass for being a cock. You seem to adhere to the notion that, "Well, if I believed something so stupid, I wouldn't be offended if someone called it stupid." Well, you just keep on rockin' on with your bad self. In the meantime, I'll take solace in the fact that try as you may, there will be other people in your daughter's life that will get her to see religion in a light that is brighter and less ignorant.

It's a special day when a religious person accuses someone else of lacking critical thinking skills.

[Zeriel]

It's a special day when a religious person accuses someone else of lacking critical thinking skills.

That's just stupid--you think that being an atheist makes you unable to have stupid, unsupportable ideas? Just look at Bill Maher (or Lobohan, for that matter).

[stpauler]

That's just stupid--you think that being an atheist makes you unable to have stupid, unsupportable ideas? Just look at Bill Maher (or Lobohan, for that matter).

Nope and I didn't say that either. But it's also obvious that those who chose to take things on faith as opposed to facts are relinquishing their critical thinking skills when it comes to that topic. AKA, casting the first stone if you will.

[Novelty Bobble]

magellan01
I can't help the fact that some people will take any implied criticism of a belief, or any expression of alternate opinions to be an insult. Even when that criticism can be proved to be demonstrably true, Merely expressing it is taken as an insult even when none is intended. That puts religious criticism in a no-go area of its own creation. Treatment not demanded by other world views.

As for the quotes you used. You were happy to strip them of context weren't you? It was to be expected.

You seem desperate to paint me as lacking empathy, even when I've explained several times that I moderate what I say about religion, precisely because people take offence. I do not want to hurt anyone's feelings unnecessarily.
That said. If someone wants to ask me a direct question such as "do I think religious people are deluded" I would answer "yes" That is honest and not intended as an insult. What would you expect me to say?
Honest opinion expressed in web forum does not translate into behaviour in the street. You are desperate to apply a caricature that doesn't fit.

And how illuminating is the phrase
I'll take solace in the fact that try as you may, there will be other people in your daughter's life that will get her to see religion in a light that is brighter and less ignorant.
Do you mean that you want only the positive aspects of religion to be discussed? Or are people allowed to talk about the negatives as well.......or will any mention of the demonstrably sexist and homophobic tendencies of, say, the catholic church mark me down as one who sets out to insult and offend. I do hope you are not suggesting special treatment and protection for religious views

If you are expecting me to mention both sides, positive and negative then have no fear, I do, and will continue to do so. Why would you assume I wouldn't?

[magellan01]

Nope and I didn't say that either. But it's also obvious that those who chose to take things on faith as opposed to facts are relinquishing their critical thinking skills when it comes to that topic. AKA, casting the first stone if you will.

In essence you did. I had specific criticisms of what Bobble posted. You came in and thought that made for a "special day", because I was religious (which I'm not, by the way, so you're wrong there, too). You were using a mile-wide broad brush as opposed to pointing to where the flaw in my logic was. Oh, but of course every theist can ever measure up to an atheist when it comes to critical thinking, right. Hmmm. It appears another atheist's critical thinking skills ain't all he thinks them to be. Thanks for the demonstration.

[heatmiserfl]

Conservatives? I'm a conservative. Show me where what you wrote, here, has any relationship to my political opinions, whatsoever, shitstain.

Nowhere does conservatism as a political philosophy require belief in "the devil", nor does it require belief that "gays are very bad people". In fact, nothing you wrote in that paragraph has anything at all to do with "conservative". It is entirely and exclusively a religious view of a subset of Christians.

If you want to slam Christians for those beliefs, feel free. I don't share them. But don't attribute their stupidity to me, fuckwit.

Look back at my post. See where I was quoting someone else who used the term conservative and specified the type of conservative who gets freaked out having to explain teh gay to their kids? Yeah, it was a parody of that type of conservative. Being born prior to yesterday, I'm aware that there's more than one type of conservative. :dubious:

You probably didn't get the parody of the egghead atheist either. Gee, I hope an atheist doesn't fly in and browbeat me for implying that all atheists are a bunch of verbose, pompous science nerds. :(

[stpauler]

You came in and thought that made for a "special day", because I was religious (which I'm not, by the way, so you're wrong there, too).
My apologies, I was wrong there.

.
You were using a mile-wide broad brush as opposed to pointing to where the flaw in my logic was. Oh, but of course every theist can ever measure up to an atheist when it comes to critical thinking, right. Hmmm. It appears another atheist's critical thinking skills ain't all he thinks them to be. Thanks for the demonstration.
Yeah, that brush is thick because it is applicable in that arena when it comes to putting faith in religious ideas as factual.

[Lobohan]

That's just stupid--you think that being an atheist makes you unable to have stupid, unsupportable ideas? Just look at Bill Maher (or Lobohan, for that matter).My ideas were supportable. In fact, I explained very politely how you were wrong. Consciousness is a property of the brain, if you think different, present evidence.

And to put it plainly: Atheists are not necessarily any smarter or reasonable than theists. Although, all theists, every single one, has accepted a belief system with no evidence to back it up.

I understand that as someone who believes Zen is worth a shit, you probably feel kinship with religious people who believe something without evidence, but c'mon shitbird, at least have the integrity to remove the mote in your own eye.

[Lobohan]

I would like to know what Easter did to the OP.Easter raped my cat. :(

For comparison with the chip on my shoulder about evangelicals, let's see, I was hospitalized with a head wound after a case of aggravated assault and battery at the hands of evangelicals (an action they've vehemently defended, making them less reasonable than even Rand Rover, see here (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=13727884&postcount=7)), after spending years being harassed by them and basically made a pariah for not joining them, being fired from a good job for not joining their church, enduring a slew of false accusations and generally seeing my career path (science field, go figure) disrupted through their interference.

But Easter in general? You don't believe in it, fine, but what did it do to you?I have no problem with Easter. Pet all the fluffy bunnies you want, and go to all the torture-porn assemblies you can stomach. I just don't like when theists present their ignorant and untested beliefs as fact on public property. Honestly, a Happy Easter sign would have been less objectionable than the sign that was there.

[Darth Panda]

Whether or not the OP is an asshole is kind of irrelevant, don't you think? I wonder how many of those who are so tolerant of the 'Jesus is Risen!' kind of signage hanging from public property, would feel the same way if the sign read 'There is no God, but Allah!' or some other non-Christian religious slogan.



I wouldn't give a shit about that, but unless the Muslims are packing some chocolate bunnies, I know what phony-bologna religion I'll be backing :D

[magellan01]

magellan01
I can't help the fact that some people will take any implied criticism of a belief, or any expression of alternate opinions to be an insult. Even when that criticism can be proved to be demonstrably true, Merely expressing it is taken as an insult even when none is intended. That puts religious criticism in a no-go area of its own creation. Treatment not demanded by other world views.

Oh, please. You're being an ass now. Either that or your simply an idiot, which I don't think to be the case. But if you don't see from the quotes I provided how that is insulting, then there's really no point to any further conversation. Try (and I guess this is particularly difficult for you), reading it from the standponit of someone who IS religious. (That troublesome empathy thing, again.)

As for the quotes you used. You were happy to strip them of context weren't you? It was to be expected.

Oh, I guess I should have quoted every word you wrote in the thread and posted it within that very thread. :rolleyes:

You seem desperate to paint me as lacking empathy, even when I've explained several times that I moderate what I say about religion, precisely because people take offence. I do not want to hurt anyone's feelings unnecessarily.

I'll just simply call bullshit on this, as your actions are counter to your claim. Fact: you were insulting. Fact: you didn't have to be, as is evidenced by other atheists posting in the same thread who were not insulting.

That said. If someone wants to ask me a direct question such as "do I think religious people are deluded" I would answer "yes" That is honest and not intended as an insult. What would you expect me to say?

First, no one asked you that. Second, you've made it so nice for you in your little make believe example, didn't you. I mean, you just uttered the little word "yes". You'd be so honest. and the question is already on the table. Yeah, you're a prince. Third, you are stupendously unaware of your bias; you utter insulting stuff matter-of-factly without taking into account that not everyone shares your opinions of religion. (On one of Christianity's most holy days,mind you.) Fourth, this isn't a GD discussion about atheism vs theism. No one is trying to convert the other here, not even in our exchanges. The point is that you find it oh-so-impossible to explain something to your daughter just because it offends your sensibilities. Something that millions of people have managed to do. But to do so means putting actual information above personal bias, and you are unable to do that.

Honest opinion expressed in web forum does not translate into behaviour in the street. You are desperate to apply a caricature that doesn't fit.

I don't know you and have no idea what you're like in real life. I see somethings that lead me to believe you might be a nice person. But you have a chip on your shoulder concerning religion. That is clear. Look at the other atheists who have posted in this thread. Look at the range. Now, I wouldn't put you in the same camp as the idiot OP or a couple of other posters, but you're much closer to him than you are say, Miller, or John Mace, and others. The fact that you asked for examples of you being insulted—as you were UNAWARE of them—and then once supllied to you you whine about them being taken out of context (:rolleyes:) is incontrovertible evidence that you are tone deaf to the feelings of the majority of the population. The inability to explain religion to your daughter is not a flaw of religion, but a flaw generated in you by your bias.

Do you mean that you want only the positive aspects of religion to be discussed?

No. I don't. That wouldn't be much of a discussion. You may want to search for such discussions that have been had in these boards. But if someone does honestly want to discuss the topic, I expect them to not be insulting about it. Regardless of the topic. But the flaw is not with me. I can give a convincing argument for religion, or certainly explain it to a child in a way that satisfies them. (As others in this thread have done.) You are the one who as admitted to not being able to do that. You are the one who thinks there is only one side. Need I repost the insulting ways you've referred to religion or religionists in this very thread?

Or are people allowed to talk about the negatives as well.......or will any mention of the demonstrably sexist and homophobic tendencies of, say, the catholic church mark me down as one who sets out to insult and offend.

And here is the crux of it. Your bias revealed. Never mind you don't even understand the very thing you hold in such opposition. But no matter, the church has done bad things therefore the church, en toto, is bad. How nice and simple. And because of these bad things you are the Righteous Crusader who will wield a mighty sword of disdain and hurl insults willy-nilly because, well, those religionits deserve it. Never mind that you ride a malformed steed of ignorance and the critical thinking you perceive to be your armor is cotton netting with moth holes. But you got your, ideas, by golly, and your little daughter will hear them and nothing else.

If you are expecting me to mention both sides, positive and negative then have no fear, I do, and will continue to do so. Why would you assume I wouldn't?

Ha. Because of your posts in this thread, obviously. Look what I just responded to. You are just as dangerous to a young mind as an evangelical Baptist. Not only are you sure you are right, your right is Righteous. Even when not making a specific point your language exudes disdain and ridicule. And by your own admission, you can't even swallow it enough for the benefit of your daughter. To give her a simple, unbiased explanation. And when Miller pretty much wrote the speech for you, you bristled that it assumes the existence of God. No fucking shit, Sherlock. That's the point! And that's the funny thing about monks, they tend to be monks because..........wait for it.........they believe in God. But you can't give any weight to that reality, even if it's someone else's. No. Religion bad. Religion stupid. God. Just like the Tooth Fairy. Religious people. Deluded. Abandoners of critical thought.

[Zeriel]

My ideas were supportable. In fact, I explained very politely how you were wrong.

Actually, I was referring to your behavior in general (like, say, electing to flip your shit over an Easter banner), not specifically the fact I was needling you for making unfalsifiable pronouncements.

[Novelty Bobble]

Oh, I guess I should have quoted every word you wrote in the thread and posted it within that very thread. :rolleyes:

Now come on. I posted this
Novelty Bobble -
Perhaps you imagine I sit on my daughter's bed every night reading from Christopher Hitchens? telling her to watch out for the strange folk who worship an invisible dead magical jew?
No, if I have a creed at all it is tolerance and love. live and let live, do as I would be done by. None of that comes from religion nor depends on the supernatural. I would no sooner denigrate a religion or its adherents in front of my daughter than I would spit in her face.

which bit did you quote? Let's see, ah yes.
telling her to watch out for the strange folk who worship an invisible dead magical jew?

For that alone, you lost your credibility. You snipped very carefully to make it seem like that was what I tell her. From the full quote you can see that I do not subscribe to that school of thought. I was telling you precisely the sort of language I would not use.
Shame on you.

The point is that you find it oh-so-impossible to explain something to your daughter just because it offends your sensibilities. Something that millions of people have managed to do. But to do so means putting actual information above personal bias, and you are unable to do that.

For the final time. I have not said that I am unable to, or unwilling to explain religion. Merely that for those who do not share a religious mindset it is difficult to do without resorting to meaningless generalities that are not very illuminating and not very satisfying. And for the last time. I avoid language that denigrates and insults the religious.



I don't know you and have no idea what you're like in real life. I see somethings that lead me to believe you might be a nice person. But you have a chip on your shoulder concerning religion. That is clear. Look at the other atheists who have posted in this thread. Look at the range. Now, I wouldn't put you in the same camp as the idiot OP or a couple of other posters, but you're much closer to him than you are say, Miller, or John Mace,

But John Mace called "Jesus is risen" a "stupid banner" by your standards that is far more insulting than anything I have written
(note - I have just quoted out of context to make a point)

you are tone deaf to the feelings of the majority of the population. The inability to explain religion to your daughter is not a flaw of religion, but a flaw generated in you by your bias.
which population? the one in which I exist? As I told you. The majority of the UK are not religious and are fairly apathetic towards adherents. If it doesn't affect us we don't care which may explain why the fairly innocuous, non-insulting language I have used seems shocking to your ears. You are perhaps unable to put yourself in my shoes.

Need I repost the insulting ways you've referred to religion or religionists in this very thread?
Why don't we just assume that you'll find a way to make them appear so and then I waste too much of my life correcting you on your comprehension and contextual understanding. Apart from my factual points on the catholic church, throughout I have avoided specific criticisms of religious people or specific religions. That should give you a clearer understanding of my position and a better indication of how I conduct myself.


And here is the crux of it. Your bias revealed. Never mind you don't even understand the very thing you hold in such opposition. But no matter, the church has done bad things therefore the church, en toto, is bad.
No, my bias is not revealed at all. I chose the example of the Catholic church because the negative aspects of it are well understood and not in contest. The Catholic church discriminates against homosexuals and women. I'm sorry if that is an uncomfortable fact for you. But fact it is. Note I said nothing about whether I would dwell on these facts but merely whether I should tell my daughter about them, shouldn't I give her the facts even when they are, I'm sure you agree, objectionable? you do agree with that don't you?


Ha. Because of your posts in this thread, obviously. Look what I just responded to. You are just as dangerous to a young mind as an evangelical Baptist. Not only are you sure you are right, your right is Righteous. Even when not making a specific point your language exudes disdain and ridicule.


No, no, no. Sure shouldn't come into it. I'm not sure that religions are wrong.
And I have never told my daughter nor anyone else that they are wrong or that there is definitely no god.

Religion bad.
I never said that
Religion stupid.
I never said that
God. Just like the Tooth Fairy.
In terms of the emotional investment people put in it? no. In terms of the amount of evidence? yes.
Religious people. Deluded. Abandoners of critical thought.
yes, that is what I think. But I'm sure I'm deluded in my belief that Leeds United are the finest football team in the world. People out there think I'm deluded about that but does knowing that insult me? of course not.
And abandoners of critical thought? well of course. By the internal definitions of many religions this is clear. Faith is the opposite of critical thinking.
This is not controversial. Many religious people agree with this. They believe without evidence. Fine. If they are comfortable with that good for them but lets not pretend that they have arrived at their positions by a coherent critical exploration of the facts.

magellan01, look back to your first response to me. You assumed my hostility to religion right off. And yet I was trying to respectfully explain monks to my daughter in a way that didn't paint them in a bad light.....the very opposite of what you accuse me of.
I really don't know what else to tell you.

[Cort]

In fairness, magellan01 is a massive fucking prick, and he doesn't seem to give a shit who knows it. I wouldn't take anything he says too personally.

[Cheshire Human]

Look back at my post. See where I was quoting someone else who used the term conservative and specified the type of conservative who gets freaked out having to explain teh gay to their kids? Yeah, it was a parody of that type of conservative. Being born prior to yesterday, I'm aware that there's more than one type of conservative. :dubious:

You probably didn't get the parody of the egghead atheist either. Gee, I hope an atheist doesn't fly in and browbeat me for implying that all atheists are a bunch of verbose, pompous science nerds. :(

Nevertheless, you adopted, and apparently accepted, the stereotype. You are responsible for the stereotypes you portray. If you didn't accept the stereotype, why did you project it on people like me (I don't believe you intended to shoot me with it, so I don't take it personally)? The fact that you did means I am quite right to ream you for it. Don't like it? Then stop projecting that stereotype on random people you don't know. Get it right. Aim your vitriol on those who deserve it. If your shots result in collateral damage, don't be surprised if us "collateral"s shoot back.

Given that, I accept your explanation, I probably overreacted to what you wrote. I might have been a bit extreme in my reaction. If so, sorry.

[Lord Ashtar]

I just don't like when theists present their ignorant and untested beliefs as fact on public property. Honestly, a Happy Easter sign would have been less objectionable than the sign that was there.

I thought it was all about the fact that they were broke the law and had nothing to do with the message.

[Lobohan]

I thought it was all about the fact that they were broke the law and had nothing to do with the message.That seems like a stupid thing to take away from this thread. Are you a stupid person in general, or is this a momentary lapse?

I don't like religious messages on public property. I'm more upset (to the extent that I am upset) by silly assertions. Happy Easter isn't an assertion. Jesus rose from the dead and is coming to cast the homos into a lake of fire is an assertion.

I would have disapproved of Happy Easter but I probably wouldn't have bothered to make a pit thread. Herp-Derp?

[Guinastasia]

I don't like religious messages on public property. I'm more upset (to the extent that I am upset) by silly assertions. Happy Easter isn't an assertion. Jesus rose from the dead and is coming to cast the homos into a lake of fire is an assertion.


You do realize that not all Christians believe that, right?

[Lobohan]

You do realize that not all Christians believe that, right?Of course. Christians make all sorts of rationalizations so they can stomach the overall repugnance and stupidity of the bible.

I know Catholics who have had abortions. The nice thing about a belief system that is based on no evidence is you can clip it to fit your biases.

[Guinastasia]

Of course. Christians make all sorts of rationalizations so they can stomach the overall repugnance and stupidity of the bible.

I know Catholics who have had abortions. The nice thing about a belief system that is based on no evidence is you can clip it to fit your biases.

You are fucking insane, you know that? It's a wonder you can see your screen from all the spittle flying.


Note: Jesus didn't say jackshit about homosexuality.

[Lobohan]

You are fucking insane, you know that? It's a wonder you can see your screen from all the spittle flying. You're the one with the spittle flying. Which is normal, since you obviously can't stand the idea that someone would question the utter stupidity of your beliefs. If you lash out hysterically when someone points out that your beliefs are based on nothing but wishful thinking it doesn't say much for the validity of those beliefs.

Note: Jesus didn't say jackshit about homosexuality.I know. This doesn't stop a lot of Christians from thinking gays are icky. Because Christianity isn't based on intelligence, it's based on wishful thinking.

[Kozmik]

That seems like a stupid thing to take away from this thread. Are you a stupid person in general, or is this a momentary lapse?

I don't like religious messages on public property. I'm more upset (to the extent that I am upset) by silly assertions. Happy Easter isn't an assertion. Jesus rose from the dead and is coming to cast the homos into a lake of fire is an assertion.

I would have disapproved of Happy Easter but I probably wouldn't have bothered to make a pit thread. Herp-Derp?How would you feel about Merry CHRISTmas?

[elucidator]

Every year, he roots for the Grinch.

[Lobohan]

How would you feel about Merry CHRISTmas?I'd allow it. Since I celebrate the related holiday of Giftmas.

That said, I don't think a public overpass is anyplace for a religious message.

[Lobohan]

Every year, he roots for the Grinch.Until the one year my heart grew two sizes too big!

Turns out it was just pericardial effusion.

[Monty]

How would you feel about Merry CHRISTmas?

For some reason, that brings to mind this comic (http://comics.com/pickles/2011-04-24/).

Lobohan: How do you know the overpass is public property? You don't even remember where it was, right?

[martu]

In fairness, magellan01 is a massive fucking prick, and he doesn't seem to give a shit who knows it. I wouldn't take anything he says too personally.

Now, now let's be accurate here, he's a massive homophobic prick.

My daughter (6) asked me about Jesus the night before Easter and I said something along the lines of:

Some people think Jesus died and then came alive again a few days later. Some of us, me and Mummy included, think it's just a story. You have to make up your own mind what you think but I would wait until you are a bit older and just enjoy your eggs tomorrow.

Next morning she tells me she thinks it's a story because no one comes alive again after they are dead. I very much doubt this conversation is over.

[heatmiserfl]

Nevertheless, you adopted, and apparently accepted, the stereotype. You are responsible for the stereotypes you portray. If you didn't accept the stereotype, why did you project it on people like me (I don't believe you intended to shoot me with it, so I don't take it personally)? The fact that you did means I am quite right to ream you for it. Don't like it? Then stop projecting that stereotype on random people you don't know. Get it right. Aim your vitriol on those who deserve it. If your shots result in collateral damage, don't be surprised if us "collateral"s shoot back.

Given that, I accept your explanation, I probably overreacted to what you wrote. I might have been a bit extreme in my reaction. If so, sorry.

WTF kind of apology is that? I did aim the shots at those who deserve it. I can't help it if you can't read what was pretty clear in my post.

A proper apology would be, "Oh shit, I lost track of the whole conversation. And, gee, you're right, your post was in reply to a statement specifically about anti-gay conservatives in a thread about religion. Boy do I feel like a jerk for calling you a shitstain and a fuckwit. I guess I'm the fuckwit. Sorry!"

So, no, you're not quite right to ream me for your mistake. Apology not accepted. Hmmph!

[Cheshire Human]

WTF kind of apology is that? I did aim the shots at those who deserve it. I can't help it if you can't read what was pretty clear in my post.

A proper apology would be, "Oh shit, I lost track of the whole conversation. And, gee, you're right, your post was in reply to a statement specifically about anti-gay conservatives in a thread about religion. Boy do I feel like a jerk for calling you a shitstain and a fuckwit. I guess I'm the fuckwit. Sorry!"

So, no, you're not quite right to ream me for your mistake. Apology not accepted. Hmmph!

Fuck off. You overshot, and hit people you didn't intend. You're a fuckwit, and a shitstain. Don't like it? Aim your shots better at the people you intend, next time. Then you won't hit people you didn't intend. The apology was for apparently going off a bit too hastily, but your reply indicates that I, in fact, didn't. My original was appropriate, after all. You're a shitstain.

[Guinastasia]

You're the one with the spittle flying. Which is normal, since you obviously can't stand the idea that someone would question the utter stupidity of your beliefs. If you lash out hysterically when someone points out that your beliefs are based on nothing but wishful thinking it doesn't say much for the validity of those beliefs.

I know. This doesn't stop a lot of Christians from thinking gays are icky. Because Christianity isn't based on intelligence, it's based on wishful thinking.


When did I say I was a Christian, dumbass? You don't even know WHAT my beliefs are, so I find it funny that you can say anything about them.

And if you want to talk about "lashing out hysterically", I'm not the one freaking out over a goddamned banner hanging over an overpass.



Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go and throw eggs at my gay neighbors next door and spray paint "GO TO HELL YOU WICKED HOMOS!!!" on their garage door.* ;)







*Just kidding. They don't actually have a garage.

[Malacandra]

Now, now let's be accurate here, he's a massive homophobic prick.

My daughter (6) asked me about Jesus the night before Easter and I said something along the lines of:

Some people think Jesus died and then came alive again a few days later. Some of us, me and Mummy included, think it's just a story. You have to make up your own mind what you think but I would wait until you are a bit older and just enjoy your eggs tomorrow.

Next morning she tells me she thinks it's a story because no one comes alive again after they are dead. I very much doubt this conversation is over.

Next up, you say "I know, dear. The Christians know that too. After all, if people normally came alive again after they were dead, no-one would be thinking it was worth making a fuss about, now would they?".

[Lobohan]

When did I say I was a Christian, dumbass? You don't even know WHAT my beliefs are, so I find it funny that you can say anything about them.I do not. But I do know you're a strong defender of Christians as not all bad.

I will grant that not all Christians are negative drains on society. But Christianity is. This is obvious if you aren't deluded into believing that Christianity is the path to eternal no-calorie cookies and handjobs.

And if you want to talk about "lashing out hysterically", I'm not the one freaking out over a goddamned banner hanging over an overpass. You are the one sputtering about an affront to Christianity.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go and throw eggs at my gay neighbors next door and spray paint "GO TO HELL YOU WICKED HOMOS!!!" on their garage door.* ;)So you are a Christian? :D


*Just kidding. They don't actually have a garage.Tell them that it's worth converting their existing carport if they can afford it. The storage space alone justifies the expense.

[John Mace]

Let's keep this thread alive at least until Christmas. I'm sure there will be another offensive banner put up.

[Lobohan]

Let's keep this thread alive at least until Christmas. I'm sure there will be another offensive banner put up.High five!

[heatmiserfl]

Fuck off. You overshot, and hit people you didn't intend. You're a fuckwit, and a shitstain. Don't like it? Aim your shots better at the people you intend, next time. Then you won't hit people you didn't intend. The apology was for apparently going off a bit too hastily, but your reply indicates that I, in fact, didn't. My original was appropriate, after all. You're a shitstain.

W.T.F.? :confused:

[Frank]

I'd like to mention here that the post-Easter candy sale at Schnuck's was extremely disappointing. They must have ordered just the right amount, and didn't have much to get rid of, and didn't have to lower the price very much.

The buyers at Schnuck's are jerks for not over ordering, and I hope they trip over a fallen "He is risen" banner on their way to lunch this week. :mad:

[Try2B Comprehensive]

I have no problem with Easter. Pet all the fluffy bunnies you want, and go to all the torture-porn assemblies you can stomach. I just don't like when theists present their ignorant and untested beliefs as fact on public property. Honestly, a Happy Easter sign would have been less objectionable than the sign that was there.

I can dig it. Especially when these messages start showing up all over the place, all the time (I lived in a town where people set up billboards with one-liners followed by the attribution, "-God". Very annoying) Except.... well, we live in a rampantly capitalistic society. How do you feel about the bombardment of messages that tell you "Obscene wealth will make you happy and solve all your problems!" That's kind of an article of faith too if you think about it.

Anyway, I'm not a churchgoer myself. Sorry about your cat.

[Count Blucher]

I'd like to mention here that the post-Easter candy sale at Schnuck's was extremely disappointing. They must have ordered just the right amount, and didn't have much to get rid of, and didn't have to lower the price very much.

The buyers at Schnuck's are jerks for not over ordering, and I hope they trip over a fallen "He is risen" banner on their way to lunch this week. :mad:

He Has Risen!*


*...and He took the prices with Him!