insulting religions

[IneedAgoldenNickname]

Hi, I've never posted on this topic before, I tend to hang out in aibu, but don't want to start a bun fight!

So, I am a liberal Christian. I firmly believe that everyone had to right to believe (or not) whatever they want, provided that belief doesn't hurt anyone else.

Earlier today I posted a lighthearted status on Facebook, which had led to me being called mindless, stupid, stuck up, thinking I'm better than everyone else. I've been told God is a c**t (sorry I hate that word so much I won't type it) and that the Bible is only God for loo roll!

I'm just really angry that people think its ok to insult me/my religion like that, when I haven't once preached or insulted others.

Obviously the easy solution would be to delete them off of Facebook, but they are people I get on with other wise.

Don't really know the point of my post, just hoping id feel better writing it down.

"When you see something, hear something or think about something - anything, including 'spiritual reflection' something really happens in your brain."

Yes, and?

Of course, stuff happens in your brain when your brain works.

I'm not sure I understand what you are trying to say.

"If I imagine a unicorn....the unicorn does not exist, but the thought does. Something actually went on in my head when I did that"

Again, yes, and? I agree, the thought exists but the unicorn doesn't. So?

Your thought doesn't change the fact that unicorns don't exist. Are you claiming it does?

'He' may well be small like an electron-all I'm trying to say is that we don't understand everything yet. Why can't you believe in science and the spiritual? I don't have a religion but neither am I an atheist.

Crumbs Cote - I didn't say anything of those things you attribute to me. At the risk of being personally insulting to you ( which appears to be quite easy unless one is v careful) you present as someone who is v dull in your thinking and intellectual capacity, quite narrow, and prosaic.

It's prob. best if we don't exchange further on this thread? It wouldn't end well and in a deletion. Agree?

A God is so insignificant and vulnerable that even a photon can push him around doesn't sound like the deity that all these people are worshipping.

I don't "believe in science" and neither should anyone else.

If one day I see evidence that God exists, I might believe. Until then, I will continue to be mystified at the mass delusion that has so many people behaving in such strange ways.

Cote - 'Your thought doesn't change the fact that unicorns don't exist. Are you claiming it does? '

good grief, no!
I'm sure what I said was entirely obvious to you - but other posters on this thread seemed to be implying that thoughts and perceptions were somehow 'other' than part of physical reality.

And some people think that because they 'experience' god that has some bearing on whether god exists. It doesn't. The thought has physical reality - that's all.

"At the risk of being personally insulting to you ( which appears to be quite easy unless one is v careful) you present as someone who is v dull in your thinking and intellectual capacity, quite narrow, and prosaic."

LOL. Actually it's not easy at all. You just need to actually insult me, like you are doing above.

If I called you dull, stupid, and narrow-minded, you would be up in arms. But you see it fit to call me those things.

But hey ho. Insults are the last refuge of the out-argued, and I hope you find comfort in yours

Grimma - Sorry I wasn't clear about what you meant. I agree with all you said in that last post.

Holo - I think most community schools and non-exclusive faith schools seek to teach and model a basic "golden rule" approach to ethics and values - treat others the way you would like to be treated.

Beyond that they try to find a balance between fostering community/belonging and children being able to be true to themselves and plough their own furrow.

I'm not sure where spirituality comes into it. I'm not quite sure what it means.

Why can't you believe in science and the spiritual? I don't have a religion but neither am I an atheist.

I'm a scientist. I used to be a christian - you can do both with a bit of cognitive dissonance. In general you can be a scientist and be 'spiritual' - that term can mean almost anything. You can be a scientist and a theist. I'm an atheist because I stopped believing there was a god - not sure it was exactly because I was a scientist, though maybe that helped. Lots of people who aren't scientists are atheists. The two things are not as related as tends to be assumed by people on this sort of thread.

Hmmm Cote- the cheap groundless insults were your domain originally. Though I'll happily end it here. g'night to yourself.

I suppose unicorns could physically exist somewhere in this massive universe
yes, but they would/wouldn't whether or not I had/hadn't thought about them so it doesn't really matter. Anyway, I was thinking about invisible pink unicorns

A very close friend of mine (next door as well) is a big noise in computer sciences. As sharp as a whip and by far the 'cleverest' person I've ever met. He is also incredibly spiritual and v concerned about the health of his soul - not a 'god believer' but sees well beyond the strictures of his 'profession'

We have lots of talks in my kitchen. And oh how we laugh at it all sometimes.

You see, persoannly for me, I do wonder what sort of person I would be if I wasnt a Christian and didnt think God existed. What would keep me on the straight and narrow so to speak.
I actually think I might not be on the straight and narrow in some instances.

You are wrong again, Pan. Yes, you really should leave now and consider not coming back before you look up straw man and ad hominem and understand why they are logical fallacies. Sweet dreams

Chemistry. The one that never gets hot debates - its physics and biology that have the exciting controversial stuff.

But chemistry is what we think with so maybe not that boring.

amillionyears - Do you think you would be a "bad" person if you didn't believe in God?

oh Cote! Give it up. Purrlease!!

Chemistry gets hot debates. Pop over next time you see a homeopathy thread

I am not really sure Cote. Not bad bad I dont think.
But I do think I would let loose in some ways.
I am not sure what would keep me reined in.

Amillion - well, I went from believing to not believing and it didn't turn me into an immoral hedonist. Two things - one is thinking through ethical issues for oneself; the other is common sense ... for instance, I wouldn't be tempted to do drugs because its obvious that the downsides are immense. I wouldn't have an affair because it would hurt DH, DD and myself.

You'd probably find your moral compass was more a part of yourself than due to your religion.

no homeopathy threads are gud. Seriously. My other neighbour is a practicising homeopath and Buhddist . Cote, you really should meet him.. We live on Woo Alley.

Chemistry gets hot debates. Pop over next time you see a homeopathy thread

I mean actual chemistry with, y'know, some actual chemical other than water there after the dilutions.

I can think of some things I would do!
But cant write them here, as I keep having to remind myself that this is a public forum!
They probably wouldnt do any harm to anybody else.
Dont know about other things. Perhaps it is best if my thoughts dont go there.