06 Feb 07
Originally posted by arrakisYes, most of mankind IS doomed.
Yes, it would appear that your attempt to show some humor has indeed sparked a huge debate over posting one's opinion about religious issues. *sigh*
Is it no wonder that there are so many wars? So much hatred? When people are so insecure about their beliefs that they feel the need to project HATE to those that might dispute it? Is this all in the defense of their God? Do they seriously think that this is what their God wants?
Mankind is doomed.
But not because they believe in God. Quite the opposite.
06 Feb 07
Originally posted by SuzianneNow you're just being ridiculous. Many of us have a set of beliefs that we use to make sense of the world (life, death...etc.) and to make decisions about how to behave toward others. Call it a belief system or call it religion. I don't really see the difference.
That's my point. I don't have a "belief system". I have a religion, and he doesn't, so he would not know what it is like to have his religion insulted.
If I'd meant "belief system", I'd have said "belief system". I said religion because I meant religion.
I might "believe" it'll rain tomorrow, but that's not a measure of who I am, and it is not a fundamental part of me.
06 Feb 07
Originally posted by rbmorrisAnd that's why you can't understand why insulting my religion might upset me.
Now you're just being ridiculous. Many of us have a set of beliefs that we use to make sense of the world (life, death...etc.) and to make decisions about how to behave toward others. Call it a belief system or call it religion. I don't really see the difference.
06 Feb 07
Originally posted by SuzianneYour religion insults me, your view that I deserve endless punishment in hell insults me.
No. You don't have a religion. All you have is yourself. This belief is shared by quite a few humans on the planet at the moment. No wonder people are afraid to die. They think this is all there is. My belief that there is a God shouldn't bother you in the slightest. Your religion is not being insulted by my belief in God, because you do not have a r ...[text shortened]... 's ass what I think? You probably don't, so there's not much left to say.
By trying to suggest that your religion deserves special considerations over my own belief system in a public arena is ridiculous. Your claim that having no belief in god causing me not to care about anyone else or their opinions is also ridiculous. I give a rat's ass what you think because it annoys me to think how incredibly twisted your view is. You rate people Christians higher than others, you think the belief system you have deserves special consideration and should not be contravened or opposed and I'd guess that if you had a whit more mental prowess, you'd be a very dangerous person.
06 Feb 07
Originally posted by SuzianneSo why bother labelling those in the forums 'trolls'? It's redundant, right?
You have a good point. So good, in fact, that I agree.
But if you'd been paying attention, I've been saying this exact thing for some time now.
Remember my post a while back about the monkeys, cold water and the banana?
The forums here are a breeding ground for trolls, since very few posts (in comparison to the total) come through that are not inf ...[text shortened]... ng* my religion rubbish. Tolerance starts before you open your mouth, not after.
Actually, that is one of my favorite things about the internet - the fact that controversial arguments can be heard, and everyone is forced to deal with them with words; one cannot resort to anything so crude and cave(wo)man like as slugging them.
And speaking of slugging, your example shows that it doesn't take an internet to breed trolls. There are plenty of in-person arguments that get out of hand (and this goes all the way up to fistfights in the houses of congress in various countries).
I disagree with the "within reason" qualifier. Too subjective. Free speech must necessarily include that which can and will offend others, from the ability to criticize the government to the ability to freely choose a religion, eschewing all other beliefs incompatible with that faith. There is a widespread misunderstanding of free speech rights these days. Too many people think it means the right to say what you will without facing any criticism.
06 Feb 07
Originally posted by adramforallNo. I believe that avoiding doom actually requires that you accept God's son as your savior (whatever name you choose to give him), so just a belief in God is not enough.
So now you are saying that those who believe in god are not doomed !!
The point I was trying to make is: Man is not doomed just because he believes in God. He's doomed because he does *not* believe in God.
In my opinion.
06 Feb 07
Originally posted by SuzianneSo, you believe EVERYONE who is not Christian will burn in Hell.
No. I believe that avoiding doom actually requires that you accept God's son as your savior (whatever name you choose to give him), so just a belief in God is not enough.
The point I was trying to make is: Man is not doomed just because he believes in God. He's doomed because he does *not* believe in God.
In my opinion.
I've never been so insulted in my life.
P-
06 Feb 07
Originally posted by BigDoggProblem"There is a widespread misunderstanding of free speech rights these days. Too many people think it means the right to say what you will without facing any criticism."
So why bother labelling those in the forums 'trolls'? It's redundant, right?
Actually, that is one of my favorite things about the internet - the fact that controversial arguments can be heard, and everyone is forced to deal with them with words; one cannot resort to anything so crude and cave(wo)man like as slugging them.
And speaking of sluggi ...[text shortened]... oo many people think it means the right to say what you will without facing any criticism.
Right-o.
That was my point.
While freedom of speech, freedom of the press and other freedoms are, and should be, fairly absolute, there is also the matter of personal restriction on your own freedoms as an act of personal choice because of the consequences (your word was criticism). Most civilized peoples see this as necessary and therefore create a societal "norm". You don't scream "Fire!" in a crowded movie theater because you would be arrested, and people might die. You give up your "right" to scream "Fire!" because it is inappropriate. Much like the old saying "Your right to swing your arm ends at the tip of my nose."
That's why I included "within reason"... "Reason" being your societal "norm".
06 Feb 07
Originally posted by SuzianneLooks like I am doomed then. 🙄 Wonder how bad it will be?
No. I believe that avoiding doom actually requires that you accept God's son as your savior (whatever name you choose to give him), so just a belief in God is not enough.
The point I was trying to make is: Man is not doomed just because he believes in God. He's doomed because he does *not* believe in God.
In my opinion.