I came out of the atheist closet

[leftyguitarjoe]

at a family reunion XD

Someone brought up death and could and spirits and stuff, and I politely and respectfully interjected my beliefs, and an intelligent conversation ensued. I explained how duality causes people to feel like they have a soul in them, but that it is actually just our own intelligence being misinterpreted. I also successfully defended several arguments that I've heard many times before, such as the earth's placement in the "Goldilocks" zone and liquid water being a rare compound in the solar system. Nobody got angry, and nobody damned me to hell!! All the family members that were present have no less respect for me as they did before the conversation.

I consider it a success!!

[Kylyssa]

Congratulations.  I'm glad it went so well for you.  I literally got spat on one of the times I came out to someone and got the snot beat out of me the first time someone outed me.

[leftyguitarjoe]

Congratulations.  I'm glad it went so well for you.  I literally got spat on one of the times I came out to someone and got the snot beat out of me the first time someone outed me.

wow. thats a shame. :eek:  :upset:

love thy neighbor, eh?

[susangail]

Great for you Joe!!

wow. thats a shame. :eek:  :upset:

love thy neighbor, eh?

Love thy neighbor, of course! "Love thy neighbor... if thy neighbor doth believeth in Him. If not, BURN, BURN, BURN!!!"
I can't believe they did that Kylyssa, that's horrible.

[MariaEvri]

Congratulations.  I'm glad it went so well for you.  I literally got spat on one of the times I came out to someone and got the snot beat out of me the first time someone outed me.

wow. thats a shame. :eek:  :upset:

love thy neighbor, eh?

I think that part actually meant "love thy christian neigbour" and Im not being sarcastic. I really believe thats how it was meant!

[curiosityandthecat]

I consider it a success!!

Huzzah and hurrah!  

[susangail]

I think that part actually meant "love thy christian neigbour" and Im not being sarcastic. I really believe thats how it was meant!

You know what's so sad? It isn't that. In church, I was taught it as "love thy neighbor" meaning anyone, Christian and non-Christian alike. But it seems exclusively for Christians, I know.

[leftyguitarjoe]

I think that part actually meant "love thy christian neigbour" and Im not being sarcastic. I really believe thats how it was meant!

You know what's so sad? It isn't that. In church, I was taught it as "love thy neighbor" meaning anyone, Christian and non-Christian alike. But it seems exclusively for Christians, I know.

Actually, in "The God Delusion", Dawkins comments that the old testament commandments only pretained to Jews. "Thou shall not kill---a jew", ect....

[susangail]

I think that part actually meant "love thy christian neigbour" and Im not being sarcastic. I really believe thats how it was meant!

You know what's so sad? It isn't that. In church, I was taught it as "love thy neighbor" meaning anyone, Christian and non-Christian alike. But it seems exclusively for Christians, I know.

Actually, in "The God Delusion", Dawkins comments that the old testament commandments only pretained to Jews. "Thou shall not kill---a jew", ect....

Really? Wow, interesting.
But that's how it was taught in my church... they also said that the verses condoning slavery and saying that women are less than men aren't relevant to today, but the ones condemning homosexuality most certainly are.

[leftyguitarjoe]

You know what's so sad? It isn't that. In church, I was taught it as "love thy neighbor" meaning anyone, Christian and non-Christian alike. But it seems exclusively for Christians, I know.

Actually, in "The God Delusion", Dawkins comments that the old testament commandments only pretained to Jews. "Thou shall not kill---a jew", ect....

Really? Wow, interesting.
But that's how it was taught in my church... they also said that the verses condoning slavery and saying that women are less than men aren't relevant to today, but the ones condemning homosexuality most certainly are.

the bible puts women down constantly. Hell, its probably the worst moral standard I've ever seen. In the words of Dawkins (once again): "...scriptural routes, if followed through religiously, encourage a system of morals which any civilized modern person, religious or not, would find ---- I can put no more gently ---- obnoxious"

You can find that one in the first paragraph of chapter 7 in "The God Delusion"

[susangail]

the bible puts women down constantly. Hell, its probably the worst moral standard I've ever seen. In the words of Dawkins (once again): "...scriptural routes, if followed through religiously, encourage a system of morals which any civilized modern person, religious or not, would find ---- I can put no more gently ---- obnoxious"

You can find that one in the first paragraph of chapter 7 in "The God Delusion"

I've got to get that book.

[leftyguitarjoe]

the bible puts women down constantly. Hell, its probably the worst moral standard I've ever seen. In the words of Dawkins (once again): "...scriptural routes, if followed through religiously, encourage a system of morals which any civilized modern person, religious or not, would find ---- I can put no more gently ---- obnoxious"

You can find that one in the first paragraph of chapter 7 in "The God Delusion"

I've got to get that book.

http://www.amazon.com/God-Delusion-Rich ... 628&sr=1-1

you can get them used for REALLY cheap.

[susangail]

http://www.amazon.com/God-Delusion-Richard-Dawkins/dp/0618918248/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1214944628&sr=1-1

you can get them used for REALLY cheap.

Thank you! I want to order one cheap, but I'd have to use my parents' credit. They'd see what book it is. Not good....
Nope, I'm gonna have to dig 20 bucks out of my pockets and go to good old B & N. But thank you anyway!

[leftyguitarjoe]

http://www.amazon.com/God-Delusion-Richard-Dawkins/dp/0618918248/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1214944628&sr=1-1

you can get them used for REALLY cheap.

Thank you! I want to order one cheap, but I'd have to use my parents' credit. They'd see what book it is. Not good....
Nope, I'm gonna have to dig 20 bucks out of my pockets and go to good old B & N. But thank you anyway!

It is a fantastic book. The copy I have is from my local library, but I am going to buy myself a copy as well.

[susangail]

It is a fantastic book. The copy I have is from my local library, but I am going to buy myself a copy as well.

Oohh, never thought of the library, hmm... But yeah, heard tons about it, can't wait!