Comments on: Kicking the Last Snow http://atheists.org/blog/2010/03/12/kicking-the-last-snow A Blog of Atheist Thought Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:40:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: sgrill http://atheists.org/blog/2010/03/12/kicking-the-last-snow/comment-page-1#comment-114399 sgrill Mon, 22 Mar 2010 00:50:35 +0000 http://atheists.org/blog/?p=2303#comment-114399 I am an infrequent poster here but I think it is great to have theists here as long as the discussion stays respectable. It is great to gain a better understanding of each other. I think the book "Good without God" by Greg Epstein is a nice attempt to try to bring reasonable theists and atheists to better understanding of each other. I am involved in a an intense discussion with a very conservative catholic on another board. We have sparred for a few years. Now, I am reading the New Testament (there is actually a lot of good stuff in it which approaches humanistic ethics - probably what Jefferson kept in his Bible). I had never read it before. Lots I disagree with but we are finally having a cordial discussion and he is to read Epstein's book. Better to try to understand each other and try to reach some common ground rather than to fight. We should seek out theists who are interested in having a good conversation even though we wont agree on a lot of things. I am an infrequent poster here but I think it is great to have theists here as long as the discussion stays respectable. It is great to gain a better understanding of each other. I think the book “Good without God” by Greg Epstein is a nice attempt to try to bring reasonable theists and atheists to better understanding of each other. I am involved in a an intense discussion with a very conservative catholic on another board. We have sparred for a few years. Now, I am reading the New Testament (there is actually a lot of good stuff in it which approaches humanistic ethics – probably what Jefferson kept in his Bible). I had never read it before. Lots I disagree with but we are finally having a cordial discussion and he is to read Epstein’s book. Better to try to understand each other and try to reach some common ground rather than to fight. We should seek out theists who are interested in having a good conversation even though we wont agree on a lot of things.

]]> By: conformnolonger http://atheists.org/blog/2010/03/12/kicking-the-last-snow/comment-page-1#comment-114270 conformnolonger Tue, 16 Mar 2010 05:47:05 +0000 http://atheists.org/blog/?p=2303#comment-114270 Thanks everyone. Glad I've been invited to stay for a bit. I didn't intend on ripping off the topic, but I just wanted to make sure that I was as trasparent as possible. Back on topic: Superstitions are alright if they don't run amuck (- the perception that my entire life is being spent perpetuating one). However if they're not addressed with reality things can get out of hand quite quick. Take Christmas for example. Even without the divinity issues of Christ it's a backwards way of doing things. 1. No where near the historical birth 2. It really doesn't have anything to do with even the historical Jesus. It's more like the celebration of the birth of capitalism. When I went through this with my kids they were a little freaked at first, but they appreciated knowing the truth. Plus it gave my son validation for us going trick or treating. We've caught some flak in the past for taking the kids, and he figures Halloween ain't got nothin' on the celebration of pagan holiday's now. hehe Thanks everyone. Glad I’ve been invited to stay for a bit. I didn’t intend on ripping off the topic, but I just wanted to make sure that I was as trasparent as possible.

Back on topic: Superstitions are alright if they don’t run amuck (- the perception that my entire life is being spent perpetuating one). However if they’re not addressed with reality things can get out of hand quite quick. Take Christmas for example. Even without the divinity issues of Christ it’s a backwards way of doing things. 1. No where near the historical birth 2. It really doesn’t have anything to do with even the historical Jesus. It’s more like the celebration of the birth of capitalism.

When I went through this with my kids they were a little freaked at first, but they appreciated knowing the truth. Plus it gave my son validation for us going trick or treating. We’ve caught some flak in the past for taking the kids, and he figures Halloween ain’t got nothin’ on the celebration of pagan holiday’s now. hehe

]]> By: CPT_BRUMBL3Z http://atheists.org/blog/2010/03/12/kicking-the-last-snow/comment-page-1#comment-114268 CPT_BRUMBL3Z Tue, 16 Mar 2010 04:35:27 +0000 http://atheists.org/blog/?p=2303#comment-114268 The problem, conformnolonger, is that you're a minority in the religious spectrum. That you are willing to offer mutual respect and allow dialogue that forces you to question your own believes is a very rare trait among those in religion. I don't think any of us have disrespected you and we have no reason to tell you to shove off, but if anyone has been less than receptive when you've made it clear you're a theist it's because of people such as jcc and phreedm wearing our patience thin with believers. Of course, our arguments are also out there for those like you because we know Tweedledee and Tweedledum over here and others like them wouldn't listen to our arguments if Jesus himself made them. People of faith, as opposed to those of religion, are the ones we know can be our friends and allies. I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself here. And as an aside to your abortion thing, I HATE the Pro-choice VS Pro-Life labeling because we are ALL prolife, it's just some of us don't have religious conviction to think for us (just who would actually WANT to kill the unborn?). Abortion is a lose-lose situation since it infringes on the rights on the mother and the unborn no matter which way the pendulum swings and how many compromises are made and that is how the debate should be painted as opposed to how it is now. Until medical technologies advance to such a point that abortion is made a non-issue, this all-shades-of-grey issue needs to be looked at maturely and rationally. The problem, conformnolonger, is that you’re a minority in the religious spectrum. That you are willing to offer mutual respect and allow dialogue that forces you to question your own believes is a very rare trait among those in religion. I don’t think any of us have disrespected you and we have no reason to tell you to shove off, but if anyone has been less than receptive when you’ve made it clear you’re a theist it’s because of people such as jcc and phreedm wearing our patience thin with believers. Of course, our arguments are also out there for those like you because we know Tweedledee and Tweedledum over here and others like them wouldn’t listen to our arguments if Jesus himself made them. People of faith, as opposed to those of religion, are the ones we know can be our friends and allies. I’m sure you’ll enjoy yourself here.

And as an aside to your abortion thing, I HATE the Pro-choice VS Pro-Life labeling because we are ALL prolife, it’s just some of us don’t have religious conviction to think for us (just who would actually WANT to kill the unborn?). Abortion is a lose-lose situation since it infringes on the rights on the mother and the unborn no matter which way the pendulum swings and how many compromises are made and that is how the debate should be painted as opposed to how it is now. Until medical technologies advance to such a point that abortion is made a non-issue, this all-shades-of-grey issue needs to be looked at maturely and rationally.

]]> By: reason http://atheists.org/blog/2010/03/12/kicking-the-last-snow/comment-page-1#comment-114265 reason Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:40:40 +0000 http://atheists.org/blog/?p=2303#comment-114265 Conformnolonger I hope you stay the more viewpoints the better hopefully we can all learn from eachother and make this a better world.It does get heated in here once and a while but if enjoy watching people wrestle in the mud this is the place to be. Conformnolonger
I hope you stay the more viewpoints the better hopefully we can all learn from eachother and make this a better world.It does get heated in here once and a while but if enjoy watching people wrestle in the mud this is the place to be.

]]> By: conformnolonger http://atheists.org/blog/2010/03/12/kicking-the-last-snow/comment-page-1#comment-114264 conformnolonger Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:03:34 +0000 http://atheists.org/blog/?p=2303#comment-114264 Thanks 3E8. When I said I wouldn't be "evangelizing" I meant it from the most common contemporary understanding. Being argumentative at every turn with those of dissenting views. To dig a little deeper than the surface, my whole life is evangelistic. I try however to make sure that my actions and ablitiy to "turn the other cheek" are a part of my walk, not just my theology. What you said is very true. If I believe that I have the cure for cancer and don't share it; it makes me a monster. However; if I am unable to communicate that I'm a physician do to language barriers, cultural not linguistic, than it's neither here nor there. If I can't by my actions prove that I'm different than any of the other shaman then my ranting is pointless. So I agree 3E8. When I spoke of evangelism I meant it in the most broadly understood context. I hope this has clarified any misunderstanding. Thank you for your post. Thanks 3E8. When I said I wouldn’t be “evangelizing” I meant it from the most common contemporary understanding. Being argumentative at every turn with those of dissenting views. To dig a little deeper than the surface, my whole life is evangelistic. I try however to make sure that my actions and ablitiy to “turn the other cheek” are a part of my walk, not just my theology.

What you said is very true. If I believe that I have the cure for cancer and don’t share it; it makes me a monster. However; if I am unable to communicate that I’m a physician do to language barriers, cultural not linguistic, than it’s neither here nor there. If I can’t by my actions prove that I’m different than any of the other shaman then my ranting is pointless.

So I agree 3E8. When I spoke of evangelism I meant it in the most broadly understood context. I hope this has clarified any misunderstanding. Thank you for your post.

]]>