# Greer gets death threats and kicked out of his church. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 27, 2005, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greer-gets-death-threats-and-kicked-out-of-his-church/296409 "2005-03-27T00:17:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greer-gets-death-threats-and-kicked-out-of-his-church/296409/241 "2005-03-30T09:33:33Z")
Last post on this topic for now. What Baptists supposedly believe from a historical place would be this-[Baptist beliefs](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baptist). I’ve dragged this topic on and on so now I am done. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 10:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greer-gets-death-threats-and-kicked-out-of-his-church/296409/242 "2005-03-30T10:06:35Z")
> [@SolGrundy](#): > > simultaneously acting like some gay Dr. Zaius and admonishing “Fag shall not attack fag!”. I am so afraid that probably exists in porn parody video. Not in Misty Mundae’s PLAYMATE OF THE APES though. > [@SolGrundy](#): > > **duffer** for some reason gets off on seeing the SDMB as a big pink Thunderdome and watching the gays squabbling, but you know, some of us can recognize the whole thing as juvenile and tiresome. “Two men enter, and … well… someone’s bound to leave… eventually.” ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greer-gets-death-threats-and-kicked-out-of-his-church/296409/243 "2005-03-30T12:16:31Z")
> [@Triskadecamus](#): > > So, how’s that “kinder gentler **gobear** ” thing workin’ out? > > 🙂 > > Tris That wasn’t an insult, it was a diagnosis. ---
**Author:** ![Homebrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Homebrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homebrew)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greer-gets-death-threats-and-kicked-out-of-his-church/296409/244 "2005-03-30T13:06:01Z")
> [@SolGrundy](#): > > So at this point I can only assume that you’re trying to use excessive irony to bend the forces of space and time. Saying that homos don’t all march in lockstep, while simultaneously acting like some gay Dr. Zaius and admonishing “Fag shall not attack fag!”. That doesn’t even make stupid sense. I said you don’t have to agree with him. How is it that you can even disingeniously warp that to saying I’m asking for unity of thought? Do you even understand why I’m arguing with **Miller**? It’s not a unity of thought, it’s his asinine accusation that I was insulting and dismissive because I suggested that **Seige** get off her pity pot. Why that comment could engender such vitroil from the two of you puzzles me. Sure she might get in a huff for getting called on her self-pity, but I think she’ll eventually recognize it was the truth. **Miller** on the other hand, seems steadfast in some mission to prove that gay folks can disagree by being disagreeable and arguing with every post homos other than you make. I’m finished with this spat, but know that I no longer consider either of you worth my time. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greer-gets-death-threats-and-kicked-out-of-his-church/296409/245 "2005-03-30T14:05:39Z")
> [@gobear](#): > > But cutting the capital gains tax is _not_ rendering unto Caesar–quite the opposite in fact. Well, that was my poorly made point. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greer-gets-death-threats-and-kicked-out-of-his-church/296409/246 "2005-03-30T14:06:42Z")
> [@gobear](#): > > B.back away by saying I see Jesus as a philosopher That was me. **duffer** apparently does not read the top left corner of posts. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greer-gets-death-threats-and-kicked-out-of-his-church/296409/247 "2005-03-30T16:57:40Z")
> [@Homebrew](#): > > That doesn’t even make stupid sense. I said you don’t have to agree with him. How is it that you can even disingeniously warp that to saying I’m asking for unity of thought? Hey, you’re the one who brought sexual orientation into the discussion. I called you a dick because you’re _acting_ like a dick, not just because you _like_ dick. Nothing I’ve posted in this thread would have been any different if either one of us were straight. > [@](#): > > Do you even understand why I’m arguing with **Miller**? It’s not a unity of thought, it’s his asinine accusation that I was insulting and dismissive because I suggested that **Seige** get off her pity pot. Why that comment could engender such vitroil from the two of you puzzles me. Sure she might get in a huff for getting called on her self-pity, but I think she’ll eventually recognize it was the truth. You really think there was nothing insulting in what you said? Really? Tell ya what: next time you’re at work, and someone is complaining about something, try that line on them. See how they react. Say “Hi” to your Human Resources director for me. > [@](#): > > **Miller** on the other hand, seems steadfast in some mission to prove that gay folks can disagree by being disagreeable and arguing with every post homos other than you make. You got a cite for that, you braying jackass? ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greer-gets-death-threats-and-kicked-out-of-his-church/296409/248 "2005-03-30T17:08:46Z")
> [@](#): > > You really think there was nothing insulting in what you said? Really? Tell ya what: next time you’re at work, and someone is complaining about something, try that line on them. See how they react. Say “Hi” to your Human Resources director for me. But a message board forum devoted to flaming people is not in any way analogous to a work environment. You (and I and a whole lot of people) have made comments to people that would get us fired in a nanosecond if we said them at work. I don’t mean to rile you, but you’re not making any sense in that post. And when you respond to **Homebrew’s** comment that “you’re being disagreeable and arguing with every post homos other than you make” with “You got a cite for that, you braying jackass?” I think the cite has been made. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greer-gets-death-threats-and-kicked-out-of-his-church/296409/249 "2005-03-30T17:18:32Z")
> [@This Year's Model](#): > > There does seem to be a strong belief that agnostics/atheists do not believe in these messages. That it is impossible to believe in these messages without a belief in God. That without a belief in God there is no reason to exist. That without a reason to exist, there could be no reason to live these messages. I never said that at all. Some people however do need to be told how to act, by a god, or the local police, by somebody. There are also others who will not listen to anyone at all. There’s the Hammurabic law, Napoleanic code, English common law, take any set of laws and rules you can think of. If everyone was a good, honest, upstanding person, wouldn’t most of these laws be totally unnecessary? If there was no stealing, we’d need no laws against theft. If there were no murders, there’d be no need for laws against it. Some people just won’t behave unless a god or king or sheriff tells them to and is willing to force compliance. > [@This Year's Model](#): > > It would be nice if some (and you know who you are, and you know who you aren’t) would accept that it is possible to be a decent human being without a belief in God, that it is possible to live rightly without a punishment suspended over ones head. That it is possible to attempt to live a life that is right solely for the purpose of living a life that is right, not for the purpose of avoiding the threat of hell. I do accept that. I’ve known christians, atheists, agnostics, and non christians who are excellent human beings. I’ve also known christians, atheists, agnostics, and non christians who were vile. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greer-gets-death-threats-and-kicked-out-of-his-church/296409/250 "2005-03-30T17:20:34Z")
> [@gobear](#): > > But a message board forum devoted to flaming people is not in any way analogous to a work environment. You (and I and a whole lot of people) have made comments to people that would get us fired in a nanosecond if we said them at work. I don’t mean to rile you, but you’re not making any sense in that post. Well, of course. And I think that “Get off your pity pot and don’t forget to flush” would be one of them, because that’s pretty insulting. It’s certainly more insulting than “doofus,” which **Homebrew** seems to think is some sort of devastating put-down. Yeah, I know, this is the Pit, and he can call anyone any name he wants. And I can call him an asshole for doing so, if I think the attack was unwarranted. Further, I can also call him an idiot if he insults someone, and not only insist that he didn’t say anything insulting, but that the person he insulted actually agrees with him. > [@](#): > > And when you respond to **Homebrew’s** comment that “you’re being disagreeable and arguing with every post homos other than you make” with “You got a cite for that, you braying jackass?” I think the cite has been made. So, you and **Homebrew** constitute every other homo on the board? That must be very tiring for the two of you. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greer-gets-death-threats-and-kicked-out-of-his-church/296409/251 "2005-03-30T17:30:47Z")
> [@](#): > > Further, I can also call him an idiot if he insults someone, and not only insist that he didn’t say anything insulting, but that the person he insulted actually agrees with him. Absolutely, you have every right to flame whoever you like in any way you like–I was just commenting that the “would you say that at work” comment made no sense, because the two environments are not even remotely similar. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greer-gets-death-threats-and-kicked-out-of-his-church/296409/252 "2005-03-30T17:53:58Z")
> [@gobear](#): > > Absolutely, you have every right to flame whoever you like in any way you like–I was just commenting that the “would you say that at work” comment made no sense, because the two environments are not even remotely similar. Of course they’re dissimilar. That’s the whole point of the comparison. You can get away with insults in the Pit, because they’re are allowed here. You can’t get away with insults at work, because they aren’t allowed there. **Homebrew** is trying to claim that what he said wasn’t insulting. I’m saying, if it wasn’t insulting, then he should try using it at work. If he wasn’t being insulting, then he shouldn’t get in any trouble for it, right? ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greer-gets-death-threats-and-kicked-out-of-his-church/296409/253 "2005-03-30T17:57:27Z")
> [@Kolak of Twilo](#): > > …and the way I was instructed, _ **downright unBaptist.** _ I know Baptist is a kinda dirty word, but what I was always taught we stood for as opposed to what _they_ are now are two very different things. You don’t have to go back to Roger Williams. Look at Jimmy Carter. Whatever you think of him as a President, he is a person I respect totally. As far as I remember, he never once let his religious convictions get in the way of his duty as president to all the people. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greer-gets-death-threats-and-kicked-out-of-his-church/296409/254 "2005-03-30T18:07:22Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Of course they’re dissimilar. That’s the whole point of the comparison. You can get away with insults in the Pit, because they’re are allowed here. You can’t get away with insults at work, because they aren’t allowed there. **Homebrew** is trying to claim that what he said wasn’t insulting. I’m saying, if it wasn’t insulting, then he should try using it at work. If he wasn’t being insulting, then he shouldn’t get in any trouble for it, right? (The lightbulb goes on) I see what you mean. If it’s an innocuous statement, then saying it at work should be no problem. Got it. ---
**Author:** ![Homebrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Homebrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homebrew)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greer-gets-death-threats-and-kicked-out-of-his-church/296409/255 "2005-03-30T18:49:36Z")
It’s an innocuous statement. I would use that phrase at work without hesitation. How is it any more insulting than “quit yer whining” “stop bellyaching” “suck it up” or any other idiomatic expression meant to alert someone they need to stop feeling sorry for themselves or whining? It may be impolite or brusque. But it does not rise to the level of showing contempt nor is it a gross indignity. It asinine to suggest otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greer-gets-death-threats-and-kicked-out-of-his-church/296409/256 "2005-03-30T20:26:07Z")
Yeah, I’d say all four of those terms are, depending on tone and context, more or less equally insulting. I might give a bit of an edge to the pity pot for the scatalogical inference. Certainly, if said to me, either on the boards or in real life, they’d rate a “Fuck you, you patronizing asshole.” Obviously, your mileage varies. I will make a note of that for future reference. Still waiting on the cite for me attacking “every post homos other than [**Sol**] make,” by the way. ---
**Author:** ![Homebrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Homebrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homebrew)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greer-gets-death-threats-and-kicked-out-of-his-church/296409/257 "2005-03-30T20:36:01Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Yeah, I’d say all four of those terms are, depending on tone and context, more or less equally insulting. I might give a bit of an edge to the pity pot for the scatalogical inference. Certainly, if said to me, either on the boards or in real life, they’d rate a “Fuck you, you patronizing asshole.” Then clearly you are a delicate hothouse flower. I’ll keep in mind that you need to be dealt with using kid gloves from now on. Are you really so weak minded that getting called on your bullshit whining causes you to wilt? (see _that_ was condescending) ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greer-gets-death-threats-and-kicked-out-of-his-church/296409/258 "2005-03-30T21:10:39Z")
All right, fine. What you said was not in the least bit insulting, by any rational standard. None the less, the person you were adressing was _plainly insulted_ by what you said. Does that mean nothing to you? Or do you just not give a shit about the feelings of anyone else? And are you coming up with that cite any time soon? ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greer-gets-death-threats-and-kicked-out-of-his-church/296409/259 "2005-03-30T21:30:53Z")
> [@SteveG1](#): > > I’ve known christians, atheists, agnostics, and non christians who are excellent human beings. I’ve also known christians, atheists, agnostics, and non christians who were vile. Agreed. And the only logical conclusion that can be drawn from that fact is that faith – or lack of it – has precious little to do with the quality of a human being. ---
**Author:** ![Homebrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Homebrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homebrew)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greer-gets-death-threats-and-kicked-out-of-his-church/296409/260 "2005-03-30T21:56:00Z")
No I’m not coming up with a cite (well maybe a one or two[sup]1[/sup]) because it was clearly hyperbole. And to avoid further escalations of hostility, I’m not going to respond with my thoughts about your missing that point. You may in fact be pissy towards everyone lately. It’s that I’ve only noticed it because you and **SolGrundy** have gone after **gobear** with such abandon in several threads, and possibly I’m conflating the two of you. Then you attacked me with no provocation and with such vitroil that I can only presume that the reason is a desire to seperate yourselves from the likes of us. Whatever floats your boat, I’ll lose no sleep over it. However, because I _do_ care about **Seige** and **Polycarp** , I’ll apologize to them if they find my Pity Pot comment insulting, even after their emotions have stopped running so high. I did not intend to offend, only to point out that they seem to be internalizing the criticism of the mostly silent liberal Christianity too much. They are working to offset the Religious Right. But their cohorts aren’t making enough noise and this thread and others was calling them to do so. There is no need for those two to take the message as a criticism of them personally. [sup]1[/sup]Okay I’ll give you a cite where it seems to me that you’re trying to set yourself up as “not like those other fags”. In **spectrum** ’s [lament,](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=294380) you describe the OP as containing “hatred”. I trust I don’t have to give you links to your wailing on me and **gobear**. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greer-gets-death-threats-and-kicked-out-of-his-church/296409.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greer-gets-death-threats-and-kicked-out-of-his-church/296409.md?page=14)