# Poly, tom~, Zev, Lib, Brick...beagledave gullible? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 20, 2003, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poly-tom-zev-lib-brick-beagledave-gullible/162932 "2003-03-20T23:28:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![t-keela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@t-keela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/t-keela)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poly-tom-zev-lib-brick-beagledave-gullible/162932/1 "2003-03-20T23:28:18Z")
quote: So Polycarp, tomndebb, Libertarian, Bricker, myself yadda yadda yadda (throw in Zev and other believing Jews for your criteria as well) are all gullible? This thread … [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=171145](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=171145) and many others seem to becoming more popular lately at the SDMB. Was this always the case? It seem to me that tolerance here is wearing thin. More and more threads seem to be focusing on name-calling and bigoted POV. Are we succumbing to a terrorist plot to destroy intelligent life by promoting this ignorance? I know many of these threads are in jest…BUT some are simply designed to incite others members. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poly-tom-zev-lib-brick-beagledave-gullible/162932/2 "2003-03-20T23:34:59Z")
Do you have good fajitas down there? Have you ever seen any members of ZZ Top cruisin’ around? * * * Fagjunk Theology: Not just for sodomite propagandists anymore. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poly-tom-zev-lib-brick-beagledave-gullible/162932/3 "2003-03-20T23:36:13Z")
I didn’t bring that up. **BeagleDave** did and the question was settled in the linked thread. There is no need to open a Pit thread. I find it rich that someone who claims to have eclectic beleifs with a strong emphasis on Hinduism has anything to say about bigotry. ---
**Author:** ![yosemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3ab097/32.png) [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poly-tom-zev-lib-brick-beagledave-gullible/162932/4 "2003-03-20T23:41:14Z")
Oh, didn’t you know, t-keela? Christians (and people of faith) are all a bunch of big dummies. We need to have the much smarter and wiser atheists to help keep us out of trouble, lest we be taken in by scam artists. And gobear is so flattering when he says this: > [@](#): > > A large segment of Christians tend to be uncritical thinkers who blindly swallow whatever bit of gossip or urban legend is fed them by their pastor or fellow congregants. Sure, there are many intelligent, thoughtful Christians, but they are a minority in the American Christian population. I, too, tire of this.I also noticed on [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=170518) in GD about the Dixie Chicks that it is OK to call Dixie Chicks fans “retarded” and “white trash” when they decide that they are no longer Dixie Chicks fans and express their disatisfaction by destroying their own copies of DC’s CDs. (Note: I am not a country music fan, and I am not inclined to destroy CDs as a general rule, but if other people want to, maybe it just means that they are expressing the depth of their feelings, rather than just being “retarded” “white trash” who are doing something that is no different than “book-burning”.) I am royally sick of this. As was stated on the Dixie Chicks thread, people like Diogenes seem to get flamed less and called on their bigotry less than someone on the other side of the political spectrum (i.e. december) and it’s getting tiresome. > [@](#): > > gobear wrote: > There is no need to open a Pit thread. Why not? ---
**Author:** ![t-keela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@t-keela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/t-keela)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poly-tom-zev-lib-brick-beagledave-gullible/162932/5 "2003-03-20T23:42:28Z")
Your right **gobear** , I did read your recantation of the use of gullible in the thread. Sorry if this seems like an attack on you. It wasn’t meant that way. It was simply an example of the types of threads that are becoming more frequent lately. You did not even start the thread in question. I put it in the pit because I thought this was where threads about the board and other threads went. There are several threads running presently where it seems bigoted opinions are the norm. BTW sorry if I offended. ---
**Author:** ![t-keela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@t-keela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/t-keela)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poly-tom-zev-lib-brick-beagledave-gullible/162932/6 "2003-03-20T23:45:14Z")
exactly, **yosemitebabe** that’s another thread, two of dozens in the past few days. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poly-tom-zev-lib-brick-beagledave-gullible/162932/7 "2003-03-20T23:46:23Z")
I don’t see any particular reason why **gobear** should apologize for his atheism. Most atheists arrive at that decision as a rejection of religious faith. Personally, I have immense respect for brilliant and articulate posters like **Polycarp** and **zev** , but that doesn’t mean I’m not allowed to also think they’re deluded. ---
**Author:** ![yosemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3ab097/32.png) [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poly-tom-zev-lib-brick-beagledave-gullible/162932/8 "2003-03-20T23:47:37Z")
> [@](#): > > _gobear wrote this in response to beagledave’s questions:_ > > They are certainly more susceptible to believing in miracles or supernatural manifestations than are Joe or Jane Atheist, and it is their good natures driven by their religious beliefs that, IMO, makes them vulnerable to being hurt by the greedy and the wicked. A con man with a competent sob story could wheedle money and property from a good, caring Christian more easily than he could from a suspicious atheist SOB like me. And beagledave responded: > [@](#): > > So tomndebb (or Poly or Bricker or Zev or yadda yadda) (by virtue of his theism) is at a significantly higher risk from con men than an atheist off the street whom you know nothing else about? > > Wow. > > The mind boggles. > > That explains it all I guess. ---
**Author:** ![yosemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3ab097/32.png) [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poly-tom-zev-lib-brick-beagledave-gullible/162932/9 "2003-03-20T23:49:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by friedo \* > I don’t see any particular reason why **gobear** should apologize for his atheism. Most atheists arrive at that decision as a rejection of religious faith. Personally, I have immense respect for brilliant and articulate posters like **Polycarp** and **zev** , but that doesn’t mean I’m not allowed to also think they’re deluded. Do you also think that Poly and zev are more apt to be taken in by con-men? ---
**Author:** ![t-keela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@t-keela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/t-keela)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poly-tom-zev-lib-brick-beagledave-gullible/162932/10 "2003-03-20T23:58:45Z")
I suppose any of us who donate money to the Church are being conned. (or any charity for that matter, or taxes) because someone is making $$$ on the side. and gobear owes no apology to anyone for his belief…nor do I Yet, I’m not sure why I have no right to say anything about the bigotry of others based on the idea that GOD is the whole universe and all that is in it. Never said I practiced or believed in a caste system or reincarnation for that matter. The idea of “the One” is what I was referring to. Another bigoted idea this time about Hindus I suppose. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poly-tom-zev-lib-brick-beagledave-gullible/162932/11 "2003-03-20T23:59:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by yosemitebabe \* > \*\*Do you also think that Poly and zev are more apt to be taken in by con-men? \*\* What’s the difference between a con-man and a preacher? ---
**Author:** ![t-keela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@t-keela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/t-keela)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poly-tom-zev-lib-brick-beagledave-gullible/162932/12 "2003-03-21T00:01:42Z")
I heard that stereotype/slur coming from afar. None if the preacher is an atheist and still preaching the word. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poly-tom-zev-lib-brick-beagledave-gullible/162932/13 "2003-03-21T00:05:53Z")
> [@](#): > > Yet, I’m not sure why I have no right to say anything about the bigotry of others based on the idea that GOD is the whole universe and all that is in it. Never said I practiced or believed in a caste system or reincarnation for that matter. The idea of “the One” is what I was referring to. That makes you a pantheist, not a Hindu. You need to do more reading on the history of India, particularly of the Vedic age. ---
**Author:** ![yosemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3ab097/32.png) [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poly-tom-zev-lib-brick-beagledave-gullible/162932/14 "2003-03-21T00:11:47Z")
friedo: No one is asking gobear or you or anyone else to apologize for being atheist, or for not sharing the beliefs of theists. We don’t share your beliefs, you don’t share ours, no big deal. But if you make statements that some of us take as bigoted or insulting, then you will be called on it. That’s the way it works. Or do you somehow think that insulting or condescending statements should not be challenged, merely because the person who uttered them is atheist? ---
**Author:** ![t-keela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@t-keela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/t-keela)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poly-tom-zev-lib-brick-beagledave-gullible/162932/15 "2003-03-21T00:15:28Z")
I have read the Vedas and much more…I didn’t figure on having to explain my beliefs (NOT the distortion by society) in order to make a point regarding threads which appear to be trollish in nature. I have found that in most belief systems, there is almost always something which has an element of truth in it. In pursuit of my own idea/belief system, something that works for me, The basic concept described in the Vedas is a foundation upon which I can build. I was at one time a devout atheist and could argue any preacher to tears. Sorry, if I saw the light and you didn’t/haven’t. Doesn’t mean I think any less of ya, perhaps more in fact. You didn’t just bend over and spread’em. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poly-tom-zev-lib-brick-beagledave-gullible/162932/16 "2003-03-21T00:22:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by yosemitebabe \* > \*\*friedo: No one is asking gobear or you or anyone else to apologize for being atheist, or for not sharing the beliefs of theists. We don’t share your beliefs, you don’t share ours, no big deal. > > But if you make statements that some of us take as bigoted or insulting, then you will be called on it. That’s the way it works. > > Or do you somehow think that insulting or condescending statements should not be challenged, merely because the person who uttered them is atheist? \*\* So basically what you’re saying is that we may not post statements about elements of Christianity without your approval. Duly noted. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poly-tom-zev-lib-brick-beagledave-gullible/162932/17 "2003-03-21T00:27:13Z")
Moreover, in this [thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=171300), I pointed out the positive contributions of evangelical Christians to fighting slavery and child labor, but you always skip over anything positive I say about religion and point only to the negative. Typical. ---
**Author:** ![t-keela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@t-keela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/t-keela)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poly-tom-zev-lib-brick-beagledave-gullible/162932/18 "2003-03-21T00:29:49Z")
I think the question is, Why are there so many ignorant positions being supported by seemingly intelligent people at the Dope lately? Are we reacting to the current situation in Iraq and at home or has it always been this way? When someone pops off with an obvious bigotted comment, I would expect (at the very least) the veterans of this board to respond with an intelligent comment. NOT agree with the ignorance in question. I realize age does not imply intelligence. BUT and perhaps I am mistaken, but we seem to be losing the battle here at the SDMB. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poly-tom-zev-lib-brick-beagledave-gullible/162932/19 "2003-03-21T00:36:12Z")
> [@](#): > > Why are there so many ignorant positions being supported by seemingly intelligent people at the Dope lately? > Are we reacting to the current situation in Iraq and at home or has it always been this way? It seems to me more and more that ignorance is being defined as “beliefs that contradict mine” (and I’m well aware of the irony in that so you needn’t point it out.) ---
**Author:** ![yosemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3ab097/32.png) [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poly-tom-zev-lib-brick-beagledave-gullible/162932/20 "2003-03-21T00:37:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gobear \* > So basically what you’re saying is that we may not post statements about elements of Christianity without your approval. Duly noted. I am so sick of this kind of melodrama crap. **PLEASE COPY AND PASTE WHERE I WROTE THAT.** Don’t just spew it out as if that’s what I said, because it’s nothing even remotely close to what I said. I will try to be as clear as I can about this: _EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US WILL BE CALLED ON ANY BIGOTED OR CONDESCENDING STATEMENTS WE MAKE._ Each. And. Every. One. Of. Us. Including you. Yes, you. Sorry to break the news to you, but no, you don’t get a free pass. You are not exempt any more than any of the rest of us. Did you think you were? Yes? No? > [@](#): > > I pointed out the positive contributions of evangelical Christians to fighting slavery and child labor, but you always skip over anything positive I say about religion and point only to the negative. Yes, thank you for that. And I have commended you in the past when you have done that. Seriously. But that doesn’t mean you get a free pass for the condescending or insulting stuff. Or do you think that because you do say nice things sometimes that this wipes out the bigoted or condescending things you say? Yes or no? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poly-tom-zev-lib-brick-beagledave-gullible/162932.md?page=2)