I have been on this forum about a year. I usually log in about once a week for about an hour and have a read through of the topics that catch my eye. I also watch a few youtube videos a week, both of Christian and atheist posters.
I have to say though that my stance has really very much hardened over the time. I used to be quite Ok with religious people deluding themselves and thought it did no great harm.  After all, I used to be one of them. But more and more now I see that religion is very insidious especially when deliberately applied to children.
I work with a lot of muslims and sometimes get into discussions with them. The most recent one concerned the spacecraft doing the flyby of Pluto and sending back all the data.  One of them was saying that none of this is even true. He refused to believe it or look at any images or evidence.  I found that attitude incredible and pathetic.

That is really strange that the Muslims that don't believe that we have a spaceship sending photos back from Pluto. Did they give a reason for their disbelief?

I usually go by Live and let live. My parents were church goers, had all their friends there, including the priest. They're all vvery nice and open people, including the priest, who often opposed what Rome told him to be dogma.

So, if they don't try invade my private or social space, I don't invade theirs. But I get what you mean, since if there's anything I loathe it's proud and arrogant ignorance delivered from the high horse.

(August 8, 2015 at 8:48 am)Nope Wrote: That is really strange that the Muslims that don't believe that we have a spaceship sending photos back from Pluto. Did they give a reason for their disbelief?

They're fucking stupid?

Yea, pretty much live and let live.

But I guess it depends on how much of a person is their religious identity.

I know plenty Christians, though I admit some are in name only, that don't bother me one bit. My friend lost her father when she was young, couple years later she went full on born again. It was bringing her comfort. But despite being a devout, deep believer, she has a lot more to her than just that. It's not her entire identity, she doesn't make everything about god and is a great person overall. She's the only person I trust enough to let them know I'm an atheist. I love her, and her faith doesn't matter to me.

But I also know some people who bring god into everything, and let religion become everything they are, so much that I would call it an obsession. They freak me out, and are hard to talk to. My gut reaction to that level of identifying oneself with anything is antipathy. It doesn't seem healthy, and makes it hard to find common ground. Same goes for atheists who bring religion and god into every conversation. It just doesn't sit well with me.

But as long as they don't bother me, I just ignore them.

I honestly don't understand how people are willing to believe anything supernatural so easily, yet refuse to see evidences of science right in front of their eyes.

It is my firm belief that anyone who denies the obvious is in active delusion, whether they are Muslim or not.

(August 8, 2015 at 1:14 pm)Dystopia Wrote: It is my firm belief that anyone who denies the obvious is in active delusion, whether they are Muslim or not.

I agree with your position that they are delusional. However some don't think about an issue enough, or don't have the capacity to think critically, to know that they are deluded. It's easier to just accept/not accept and be blissfully ignorant. I see people demonstrating this behavior in religion, science, response to news casts, psychics, talking to the dead, and on and on. I don't consider them bad people. If they are happy being that way and don't insist I walk their path I'm good.

I don't mind my pet conspiracy theories, as I usually try to analyse the motives behind them.
But what on earth has anyone to gain from faking photos of pluto?

This is where it's just a simple case of blatant ignorant stupidity. Ignore, smile and move along.

Okay, you are right, religion is not benign, and is an evil pestilence on humanity.  I realized that almost immediately when I deconverted from that vile superstition known as "Christianity."  It had really fucked up my thinking on several things, and ridding my mind of as much of it as possible was a top priority.  I almost wish I were gay so I could piss on Christianity more completely.

But I have an important question.  What is your favorite vodka, and how do you like drinking it?  Do you have different preferences for different types of drinks?  I find I like Ketel One for making screwdrivers (which, by the way, can be part of a healthy breakfast, and is a great way to start the day), but I like a potato vodka for drinking straight.  What about you?