I've been traveling a lot so i haven't been on HAF in a long time :) So my first post since my absence is a positive one.
the one commenting is my little cousin who is about to enter college. as I've mentioned before - my family, in general, are pretty devout catholics. curiosity, at least in my experience, hasn't been the best. and for her, i hope to make that journey easier. this made my day.
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F24.media.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_m7siibIE0y1qzlhflo1_r1_500.png&hash=c445f53954fead0830d2383fc9905dfee7c41c54)
Looks like she's on the right track. :)
I would chalk that one up as a win...
I looked at the video out of interest. No one will be shocked to learn that I found it an embarrassment. Crude biblical literalism is as nugatory in the hands of atheists as it is of theists. It is an impenetrable book , riddled with inconsistencies and obscurities and conflicting theologies, but one thing it is not is capable of a single simplistic interpretation. Why people can't just accept it is a garbled and incoherent product of primitive times subsequently doctored to serve the ends of various factions and power- blocs and leave it at that, I often wonder.
Who the fuck writes know with a bunch of w-s? How are you supposed to pronounce that? I kno[make a howling sound]?
Those people would likely stretch an n in boring too... Borinnnnnng in stead of boooring. Oh, yes they would. >:(
...
...
... ... >:(
...
*The Asmo makes a muttering exit*
Good to see you, musicality. And bully for your little cousin.
Nice to have you back. And good for your cousin.
Quote from: Asmodean on July 27, 2012, 02:22:34 PM
Who the fuck writes know with a bunch of w-s? How are you supposed to pronounce that? I kno[make a howling sound]?
Those people would likely stretch an n in boring too... Borinnnnnng in stead of boooring. Oh, yes they would. >:(
...
...
... ... >:(
...
*The Asmo makes a muttering exit*
Brought to you by Asmo, the grey god of grammar and grumbler of gratuitous grandeur
Quote from: En_Route on July 27, 2012, 12:04:58 PM
I looked at the video out of interest. No one will be shocked to learn that I found it an embarrassment. Crude biblical literalism is as nugatory in the hands of atheists as it is of theists. It is an impenetrable book , riddled with inconsistencies and obscurities and conflicting theologies, but one thing it is not is capable of a single simplistic interpretation. Why people can't just accept it is a garbled and incoherent product of primitive times subsequently doctored to serve the ends of various factions and power- blocs and leave it at that, I often wonder.
Christians interpret the book at us for reasons to believe or not believe certain things. Why is it wrong to interpret it back at them?
Quote from: Ali on July 27, 2012, 07:55:55 PM
Quote from: En_Route on July 27, 2012, 12:04:58 PM
I looked at the video out of interest. No one will be shocked to learn that I found it an embarrassment. Crude biblical literalism is as nugatory in the hands of atheists as it is of theists. It is an impenetrable book , riddled with inconsistencies and obscurities and conflicting theologies, but one thing it is not is capable of a single simplistic interpretation. Why people can't just accept it is a garbled and incoherent product of primitive times subsequently doctored to serve the ends of various factions and power- blocs and leave it at that, I often wonder.
Christians interpret the book at us for reasons to believe or not believe certain things. Why is it wrong to interpret it back at them?
Because you're giving it credence/credibility when in fact it's a pile of poop and best ignored?
Ok, I'm now a fan of Jackson Pearce, that speech was awesome.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JprRWKQys7A
Quote from: Stevil on July 27, 2012, 09:06:11 PM
Ok, I'm now a fan of Jackson Pearce, that speech was awesome.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JprRWKQys7A
You think so.? She struck me as a shrill- voiced half- wit.
Quote from: Tank on July 27, 2012, 08:46:33 PM
Quote from: Ali on July 27, 2012, 07:55:55 PM
Quote from: En_Route on July 27, 2012, 12:04:58 PM
I looked at the video out of interest. No one will be shocked to learn that I found it an embarrassment. Crude biblical literalism is as nugatory in the hands of atheists as it is of theists. It is an impenetrable book , riddled with inconsistencies and obscurities and conflicting theologies, but one thing it is not is capable of a single simplistic interpretation. Why people can't just accept it is a garbled and incoherent product of primitive times subsequently doctored to serve the ends of various factions and power- blocs and leave it at that, I often wonder.
Christians interpret the book at us for reasons to believe or not believe certain things. Why is it wrong to interpret it back at them?
Because you're giving it credence/credibility when in fact it's a pile of poop and best ignored?
Precisely so. And also it's a game you can't win. Furthermore why focus so much explicitly on Christianity? The siimple fact is that there is not one shred of evidence to support the existence of any supernatural being and therefore absolutely no rational basis for believing in any of the alternative versions of same. If you do want to attend specifically to Christianity, there are strong arguments to demonstrate that their concept of God is self- contradictory and untenable. Why then get involved in debate over the finer points of a baseless theology? Once you start arguing over the nuances of biblical exegesis , you are in a quagmire- and our friend on the video is adopting a pretty obtuse sledgehammer approach as it happens. Why shift the argument on to the opposition's home territory?
The video I posted might not be something most of you don't like...but
The purpose of this topic was just to share that I was excited to spark an interest in my little cousin who, that night, confessed to me that she has been having doubts about religion and the existence of god. We spent hours talking and sharing our experiences. The last words she told me before I went to sleep was, "I'm excited to learn more."
but the point of it is, I shared my thoughts and it was given positive notice by a family member who was brought up in an even stricter household than I was.
This is Happy Atheist Forum right? I'm just happy I reached out to someone. :)
Right. Well, as you say, you wanted to show us what your cousin had done, and quite right, too. The video is a move in the right direction and personally, I prefer to focus on that rather than to criticise details.
I think we should indeed be Happy to react to a valued member returning after a spell away. Please stay with us, musicality.
Quote from: Firebird on July 27, 2012, 03:49:37 PM
Brought to you by Asmo, the grey god of grammar and grumbler of gratuitous grandeur
The Tome! Remember to advertise The Gray Tome! :D
Quote from: OldGit on July 28, 2012, 09:13:29 AM
Please stay with us, musicality.
this place is an amazing place to learn. I'm not going anywhere :)
Quote from: musicality on July 28, 2012, 09:42:12 AM
Quote from: OldGit on July 28, 2012, 09:13:29 AM
Please stay with us, musicality.
this place is an amazing place to learn. I'm not going anywhere :)
Well that's good to hear because you do bring a refreshing energy ,curiosity and charm to the proceedings here. I think you'll find that some atheists will uncritically endorse any form of theist- bashing. My personal view is what I perceive to be bad arguments for atheism are likely to be counter- productive and in any event I' m not a fan of what I regard as misinformation. I don't find the attempt however flawed to be rigorous and honest incompatible with being happy, in so far as that condition is attainable. I don't want to rain on your parade but part of learning is being open to disconfirming propositions, even if you ultimately reject them.