Why do debates about religion get so negative?

Discussion in 'Religion & Philosophy' started by Defender of Freedom, Dec 5, 2014.

  1. crank

    crank Well-Known Member

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    I couldn't care less, actually. But I do think it's hilarious when we're likened to satan :p

    Meantime, I've met few Christians who don't feel their faith should be automatically 'respected'. How many do you know who believe their own faith isn't necessarily deserving of respect?
     
  2. Incorporeal

    Incorporeal Well-Known Member

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    And you KNOW the thoughts of those "2 million" people? Wow! You are quite the psychic.
     
  3. Dood

    Dood New Member

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    Both sides have their extremists. Unfortunately the extremists have a tendency to draw the attention of the other side and wrongfully adopted to represent the "norm" for the other side. But this isn't unique to religion.

    ... to add...

    It's difficult from my side to constantly have to remind myself to disregard the mockery and blatant disrespect. Both of which are even bundled in screen names.
     
  4. Dood

    Dood New Member

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    He can't help it, some people are just consumed with conspiracies, such as the people banning Green Eggs and Ham for these references...

     
  5. FreedomSeeker

    FreedomSeeker Well-Known Member

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    Answer: as with my thread asking people to simply condemn (the most immoral crime imaginable) dashing babies against rocks, religious people can't bring themselves to say that it was immoral! They seem so incredibly immoral that atheists, justifiably in my opinion, blow up at them. Their immorality is inexcusable. Indirectly, their fear of death leads them to do/say incredibly immoral things.
    But there is a better way.
     
  6. FreedomSeeker

    FreedomSeeker Well-Known Member

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    Speaking of Satan, crank, has Satan ever asked YOU to help him plant "fossils" around the world (to "test" the "faith" of the moral god-fearing Christians regarding "evolution") because he needs a breather? It's obviously a huge undertaking. When he's asked me, I tell him that if I had god's powers I'd get rid of him! But he just laughs at me, and says "obviously god isn't real or, if he was moral, he'd have gotten rid of me years and years ago, you fool!" I can't argue with that, so I just humbly pick up a "T-rex" vertebrae from his backpack and bury it....

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    No more psychic than the magic mind-reading psychic zombie from Nazareth.
     
  7. FreedomSeeker

    FreedomSeeker Well-Known Member

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    Moreso than talking donkeys, talking snakes, giants, unicorns, dragons, people living in someone's nose (Islamic "Jinns"), a flying horse with wings and a man's head (Islam, again), etc.

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    I for one do indeed want the "other" side to express their opinion, and I do listen to it.
     
  8. kgeiger002

    kgeiger002 Active Member Past Donor

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    The OP was clear. The topic was about why religious threads turn negative. Let's all stay focused on subject matter please. No need to throw personal emotions/ridicule in. If not then start a new thread as to why the Bible is considered a "Fairy Tail" to Athiests!
     
  9. kgeiger002

    kgeiger002 Active Member Past Donor

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    Respect (imo) is earned. So with that said it depends on the integrity of the person I am referring to. Example: the Pastor of my Church has earned my respect. On the other hand someone who attends weekly Mas thinks they are cleansed though they are still dirty will have a hard time gaining my respect ....and that person is a hypocrite plain and simple. With that said - the person who recognizes their shortcomings and trys to improve is at least honest with themselves and less of a hypocrite.
     
  10. kgeiger002

    kgeiger002 Active Member Past Donor

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    Though a bit off topic from th OP. I do want to say that (IMO) we are all hypocrites. Being a Christian does not give you a pass. For me pesonally its about recognizing it and trying to change. Many people think that Christians think they "walk on water"....far from it. We are humans just like everybody else.
     
  11. FreedomSeeker

    FreedomSeeker Well-Known Member

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    If you look in the dictionary under "Fairy Tale" it probably says something like: "Anything with unicorns and dragons in it". So therefore...........

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    He can earn my respect too. Please come back to the forum and tell us that he has, after you suggested it, risen to a high enough moral level to remove the 2 parts that say to kill gays from the Bible version that your church uses. Thanks.
     
  12. FreedomSeeker

    FreedomSeeker Well-Known Member

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    Can you follow your own advice and recognize your belief system's shortcomings (mine is not perfect, either) and "try to improve" by removing the part that says it makes him happy seeing babies dashed against rocks? Thanks.
     
  13. kgeiger002

    kgeiger002 Active Member Past Donor

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    Why are you so angry? I'm sorry (I really do mean it) for whatever it is which is causing you so much pain.
     
  14. FreedomSeeker

    FreedomSeeker Well-Known Member

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    My "anger" is nothing compared to the insane anger one would have to feel to be happy seeing babies dashed against rocks, like your hero is in Psalm 137:9. Can you summon the moral courage to remove that verse from your Bible?
     
  15. kgeiger002

    kgeiger002 Active Member Past Donor

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    Now tell me how would I go about doing that? Maybe you should stay away from any and all religious conversations. It appears (from my vantage point) to bring out the worst in you. Your hatred for Christians is noted. You seem like a very sad/depressed/ANGRY individual. It may benefit you from staying away from these types of topics.
    The problem I see with you is that you only see negativity associated with Christianity. You most likely have nothing positve (or nice) to say about anybody who is Christian...hell you probably think all Christians are your enemy. To me your way of thinking only stews in side and you simply have a hard time being even close to accepting to anyone who does not share your way of thinking. Stop being so damn hateful...you might make a few more friends :)
     
  16. kgeiger002

    kgeiger002 Active Member Past Donor

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    What has become obvious to me from this thread is that it is difficult to have a civil conversation about religion (specifically Christianity). I am even starting to get a bit perturbed with many of the comments. I'm doing my best to not fly off the handle! But see thats what I mean (as mentioned earlier) I am as much of a hypocrite as everyone else.

    I've grown tired of this thread.

    I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas! ...and/or a Joyous Holiday!
     
  17. The Wyrd of Gawd

    The Wyrd of Gawd Well-Known Member

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    The reason why religious threads turn negative is that no one really believes in the favorite ethnocentric religious fairy tale being discussed. Atheists don't believe in it because all gods are imaginary and they consider the fairy tales silly. So-called believers don't believe in them either but they hate to be reminded that they don't believe in them so they get upset when their false faith is exposed. Their overall knowledge is next to zero. They like the fiction that Jesus "loves them" and will cart them off to heaven where they will cavort together in happiness forever. The fairy tale doesn't say that.

    They are like Peter. The guy had followed Jesus like a lap dog for years. He had a little faith and even took a step or two on water. Then it vanished like a chicken on the Sun. In Matthew 16:15-19 Jesus asked Peter who did he think Jesus was.
    https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew 16:15-19&version=CEB;ESV;NASB;NKJV;NCV

    Peter replied that Jesus was the Christ, the son of the living God. Now think about that.

    In Matthew 26:35 (CEB) Peter told a world class lie = "35 Peter said, “Even if I must die alongside you, I won’t deny you.” All the disciples said the same thing."

    Two seconds later they were running like scared sheep. Matthew 26:56 (CEB) = "
    56 But all this has happened so that what the prophets said in the scriptures might be fulfilled.”Then all the disciples left Jesus and ran away."

    In Matthew 26:69-75 Peter cursed and swore that he didn't know Jesus. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew 26:69-75&version=CEB;ESV;NASB;NKJV;NCV

    So Peter, one of Jesus' best buddies, who had been following him for years and claiming that he was the son of the living God, tossed that belief as soon as his butt was on the line. This is the same guy who saw all of Jesus' "miracles" and heard all of his sermons first hand. This is the guy who was told that he would sit on a throne and judge the twelve tribes of Israel and receive a hundredfold what he had given to pal around with Jesus.

    Now consider the typical believer to Peter. The typical believer never saw Jesus, never heard his voice, most likely never read his words but like Peter, he will claim that he will stick by Jesus. Wouldn't a rational person who actually believes that Jesus is the Christ and the son of God be the first to obey his commandments? But as soon as the typical believer's false faith is called into question they start to curse and swear just like Peter did. And that is why religious threads turn negative.
     
  18. crank

    crank Well-Known Member

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    Clear evidence that they believe none of it is the fact that they'd behave better if a lowly human watched them 24/7, than they do when an all-powerful, supernatural creator god watches them. eg, how many would masturbate in front of, say, the neighbours?
     
  19. Dood

    Dood New Member

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    Nope. Much of the problem is you. Your inability to post in a respectful manner derails every thread you touch. You are a cancer to the forum.
     
  20. Defender of Freedom

    Defender of Freedom Member

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    I do not seek veneration, I seek tolerance. Most Christians do not prevent others from worshiping as they please, nor are all atheist tolerant of the beliefs of others. Your reason for saying 'atheists tolerate all faiths' holds the same weight as 'respecting others beliefs.' Tolerance involves respect, without praising them.
     
  21. robini123

    robini123 Well-Known Member

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    Bravo! Seriously... I like the humility and honesty. Thank you.
     
  22. Defender of Freedom

    Defender of Freedom Member

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    God's book does teach tolerance, however, I doubt your incapability to be reasonable has been able to see it. But I digress.

    Often enough it seems that you and others of your thinking become upset with those whom believe there is a God and when they point out flaws in your own line of thinking. There is tolerance and universal principles. We accept the beliefs of others but if they break these principles, all hands are off. You are one of the problems I speak of, it is your kind of thinking that has led to genocide. Your rational of thinking is no different than that of ISIS or the Nazis. That is not to say all atheists have that line of thinking, but people like yourself do.

    I do believe in God, and I am not ashamed of that. I know he has done me good. I have no concern over what you believe or not believe, nor do I think you are ignorant because of those beliefs. You are ignorant because you are hateful to those who think differently to yourself. I will pray that one day your thinking will change, and that you may find love to replace this hate of yours.
     
  23. Defender of Freedom

    Defender of Freedom Member

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    I was asking for tolerance from both sides of the debate. I agree that the wording should have been changed, however if you only seek to be hateful to the other side without any form of respect, then yes I would rather spend my time talking to someone who is willing to. I do appreciate you pointing this out.
     
  24. Defender of Freedom

    Defender of Freedom Member

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    Many Christians and those of faith hold their religious views personally and any attack of their faith is an attack on them. I think most Christians will respond to criticism well and are more than happy to discuss and debate the issues. However, there are times where the events you speak of occur, and there are times where atheists attack the religion instead of discussing its criticisms with those of that faith. Statements like yours saying that Christians "inherently be less than accepting of the reality most others live in." is often one of those trigger statements. I (a christian) am fully aware of what reality is, who are you to say I am not. Is it possible I am more aware than you are? From here is where we get conflict, not debate. I understand that you may not have meant that statement to be harmful but judging peoples sanity based on the fact that they are religious is not very nice no matter how you put it.

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    Are you referring this to both sides or just one?
     
  25. Defender of Freedom

    Defender of Freedom Member

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    No doubt about that. Some people go to church their whole lives and are still not guaranteed. It is what we do in the time that is given to us and if we do it in God's name and for our fellow man, then better people we can be.
     

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