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Philosophy/religion

Join our Philosophy forum to discuss religion and spirituality.

insulting religions

989 replies

IneedAgoldenNickname · 07/01/2013 00:39

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. Grin

OP posts:
amillionyears · 19/01/2013 15:42

Ellie 15.29 I must be more careful of the word Christian.
The actual word I think was sinners. But I didnt want to use that word!

EllieArroway · 19/01/2013 15:43

What can you do, Amillion by praying that Dad can't do by thinking?

EllieArroway · 19/01/2013 15:44

Oh I see - anyone who is not a Christian is a "sinner"?

Then I'm a proud sinner. Good for me.

amillionyears · 19/01/2013 15:45

DadOnIce, please be careful about placing too much emphasis on your own ability to solve problems.
As you dont believe, there is not much more I can say about that that I havent already said.

amillionyears · 19/01/2013 15:46

Ellie, Chrisitians are sinners too.
We are all sinners.

amillionyears · 19/01/2013 15:48

Himalaya, he very much does care about everyone.
He would like all of us to be saved.

DadOnIce · 19/01/2013 15:48

Christians like amillion still seem intent on framing any discussions with atheists by using as their starting point the notion that there is only one God and you either believe in him or you don't. That may be the truth for them, but as I have tried to say again and again, you can't try and understand how atheists think (if this is what you are trying to do) by starting this way.

You have to rethink all your assumptions, and remember that to us ALL gods are simply vastly unlikely, imaginary beings of legend and myth for whom there is no actual real evidence. There would be as much point in our praying to them as there would be in our praying to Gandalf, or Superman.

DioneTheDiabolist · 19/01/2013 15:50

I do not think that you are advocating alcoholism Ellie. I think that you are equating alcohol consumption and faith/religiosity.

amillionyears · 19/01/2013 15:50

Ellie post 15.32 pm
Psalm 147.
Glad to see you are now using the bible and quoting the bible as well.

His understanding is beyond measure. I am sure you and I could not measure it.

amillionyears · 19/01/2013 15:51

DadOnIce, I take your point.
But I am just responding to questions I am being asked.

EllieArroway · 19/01/2013 15:53

The the word "sin" is meaningless. And I would agree that it is anyway.

EllieArroway · 19/01/2013 15:55

I think that you are equating alcohol consumption and faith/religiosity

Then you are wrong and need to try and understand if you can what an analogy is.

amillionyears · 19/01/2013 15:55

Job 37. The whole Psalm is about nature. God is all knowing about nature.

headinhands · 19/01/2013 15:59

Country with lowest life expectancy in the world

Swazliand - 82.7% Christianity

Country with longest life expectancy in the world

Japan - 2% Christianity

I appreciate that statistics can be a blunt tool but had to make the point in response to amillion's claim that christians live longer. I understand that there are some statistics that show longer life spans for people of all religions within a country but think these have been explained in terms of the likelihood of a stronger social network and healthier lifestyle choices.

EllieArroway · 19/01/2013 15:59

We're part of nature, Amillion.

Himalaya · 19/01/2013 16:07

Saved from what amillion? He is all powerful - why is he playing games with himself in this way. If he would very much like something then what is stopping him?

MadHairDay · 19/01/2013 16:13

I don't think Christians live longer.

Many would say that they are more content - perhaps a better word than happiness, as it can apply in adverse circumstances - and cope in different ways.

This is not always evident in the local church Grin

To be honest I couldn't care less whether it makes me any 'happier' to be Christian. What should count is how I live my life. However, as many of you correctly point out, many of you live your lives well. One of my best friends is not a Christian but is one of the most good people I know, giving of her time in the community, epitomising all that a person with a high sense of morality could. I still maintain this is the image of God in her but for myself, having faith in Jesus means that I should be attempting to reflect this image as much as I can. Even when it's hard, it hurts and I just can't be arsed. It's not the easiest of choices in life, but so very fulfilling.

God does know everything though

headinhands · 19/01/2013 16:13

amillion if your car had a problem what would you do differently to Dadonice? You would maybe visit the garage, ask around in case a friend knows enough about cars to sort it. Maybe google the problem. Then fret a bit about finding the money for it etc. The only difference is that you would probably pray a bit. But you'd still have to do the same things. You wouldn't just call a prayer meeting, you would use your thinking skills to get it sorted. I'd still like you to give me one situation where you would be in a better situation because you could pray.

Feelingood · 19/01/2013 16:18

I don't believe in a deity but fine for others too.

I suppose I appreciate basic Christian values that woven into the subtext of legal and social aspects of British culture such as thou shalt not kill.

What I just can't get my head round is all the conflicts and killing that has happend and occurs in the name of a religion. It completely undermines the integrity of whichever religion it is and I have little respect when I look at it from that POV.

I am not narrow enough in my thinking to know that there are shades of grey in all this which is what I find hard to reconcile. I can't confess to know enough about a wide range religions either, actions reported in the media by some disgust me.

This is my first post on this board.

Feelingood · 19/01/2013 16:19

Sorry for that random post it got me thinking!

jjkm · 19/01/2013 16:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

EllieArroway · 19/01/2013 16:26

Hi, Feeling

Agreed. Except I wouldn't regard "Thou Shalt Not Kill" as a particularly Christian value - since it's been a rule in virtually every human civilization and culture that's ever existed. I'm pretty sure thatChristians can claim it as their own if they like, but they're wrong to.

That's a bit like me saying, "Well, in my house we have a rule that we don't punch each other in the head". Everyone would say "Yeah. So?"

:)

EllieArroway · 19/01/2013 16:27

Dunno where that I'm pretty sure that came from. Trying to do 2 things at once. Sorry.

EllieArroway · 19/01/2013 16:29

A more meaningful comparison would be to compare Japanese Christians with Japanese non-Christians.

Yes. And then compare Japanese Muslims & Hindus with Japanese Christians.

Wallison · 19/01/2013 16:30

Why does it matter how long you live if you've got all of eternity largeing it up in heaven compared to us heathens?

Feelingood, as I understand it, the 'thou shalt not kill' was originally 'thou shalt not murder'; killing is fine, for eg in war situations, especially killing of the heathens.