(December 28, 2015 at 1:38 pm)excitedpenguin Wrote: But we could very well blame religion for the fall of the Roman Empire, as well. I'm not saying religion is the only thing behind all of these changes, but it sure as hell is one of them.

I'd blame an overextended empire, the splintering of East and West, a series of weak leaders, internal political and dynastic turmoil, "barbarian" incursions, declining revenue and its attendant decline in investment leading to a degraded infrastructure for the fall before I'd blame religion. If anything, state-endorsed Christianity may have provided some social cohesion across vast distances and between people who otherwise might have had little in common and might arguably have forestalled, for a short time, a fall that was already in motion.

(December 28, 2015 at 1:40 pm)robvalue Wrote: As for Frodo, I couldn't fathom what his beliefs actually were. He didn't seem to know himself, or else was being very coy.

He was always like that. He just wasn't always capable of behavior to get him banned. He always used to be harmless. And nice. And he had a sense of humor.

Let me put it this way. Christianity turned the Romans into pussies and thus they lost all their might. And now we suffer for it.

(December 28, 2015 at 1:50 pm)excitedpenguin Wrote: Let me put it this way. Christianity turned the Romans into pussies and thus they lost all their might. And now we suffer for it.

I have heard this argument. I think there is more to the fall of rome than that, but it certainly played its part. When the route to power stops being through the military the best and brightest don't go into the military as much.

I think Friedrich Nietzsche would strongly agree with EP on that regard. He certainly thought the Christians were pussies who celebrated pity as the ultimate virtue. The Romans definitely originally celebrated the strong.

Not that I agree with Nietzsche to that extent... I think that Christianity sucks (but I don't think all Christians suck) but I don't think caring for the weak is a weakness... I think empathy is our greatest strength as a species. I kind of disagree with both viewpoints.

There is weak and then there is lazy and stupid.

I have empathy for those who need it. I don't have empathy for lazy fucks who don't want to think and expect everyone else to think for them. You're one of them.

I have empathy for everyone.

Yes I am somewhat lazy, I struggle with getting motivated. I am happy to admit that.

I do not however remotely expect everyone else to think for me. That is completely incorrect. I think for myself.

(December 28, 2015 at 5:47 am)Nestor Wrote:

(December 28, 2015 at 5:34 am)Delicate Wrote: The word salad charge just makes atheists look so ignorant and anti-intellectual that it confirms one's faith in God.

I find it odd that you would require faith given the airtight logic by which you think demonstration should lead all to the same knowledge you claim.

I don't think I ever said that. But that's hardly your fault. Blame the hive.

(December 28, 2015 at 5:43 am)Stimbo Wrote: What happened to your truce, bud?

Still on. Can't throw all atheists under the bus because of a retarded few right?