From: "John D. Giorgis" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Can somebody help me out here? > > It seems that there are two basic types of people, albeit with some > gradations, and hence, two types of Brin-L'ers. These people are > essentially those who believe in God, and those who do not. > > Yet, it seems that people who believe in God, at least on Brin-L, seem > perfectly capable of discussing non-belief in God in a calm and civilized > manner. > > In contrast, the people who do not believe in God, or at least a number of > those people on Brin-L, seem to be utterly incapable of discussing belief > in God without being petulant, insulting, petty, and ultimately > uncivilized. I mean, this has now happened how many times in the last six > months? And always from people in what is roughly the same belief-set. > > Why is this? > > Is it some inherent correlation with non-belief in God that causes one to > react like a Neanderthal against those who profess a belief in God? Or is > it just that Brin-L is a small sample, and our resident anti-religionists > who are speaking out on that subject as of late are just doing a poor job > of representing the larger group of people that hold their viewpoint?
None of the above. It is possible that there are some athiests who are on the list that simply haven't spoken up about the topic of religion simply because they are not interested in discussing the topic, especially with the flames shooting as high as they tend to in such discussion. I think a smart athiest would avoid such inflaming topics, afterall, if you don't believe in an afterlife what's the point of making your own life a living hell by getting in arguments constantly. :-)
As for religious people willing to discuss non-belief in God, I would argue that is an anomoly due to insufficient sample. I have met zealots in my lifetime who think that if someone is an athiest it is a deep personal insult and the athiest must be given a good education about religion, especially fire and brimstone stuff.
Michael Harney
I'd have to agree here. I said this before and I say it again, I don't care one iota for any religion. For me there is no god, if a person has to have 'faith' to act moral, then I must be immoral. (What I mean is: it is within ourselves to be moral persons: I don't need a god to tell me not to kill, I can see that on my own.) And the other side, praying won't make my life easier. If I'm sick, I'd rather believe in the positive power of laughter than any saint or god.I don't pray for guidance in life, that comes from within.
But I argue for religious tolerance, which most anti-religious people lack. A plaque on a wall isn't going to hurt me. A manger scene on the town square doesn't send me into fits. I don't care. Heck, it brings happiness to people, then let it be. This world can use more happiness. Those tightass atheists who see danger in any religious expressions are 100% as bad as bible thumpers.
Kevin T. - VRWC Please ignore anything wild, mildly drunk
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