(December 19, 2011 at 3:10 pm)Strongbad Wrote:

(December 19, 2011 at 1:03 am)Perhaps Wrote: I wouldn't burn a bible simply out of respect for the theists who aren't ignorant fools and for those who do live quality, moral lives helping others.

Please stop with the oxymorons.

Quote: It's often easy to lump a group of people together, but to disrespect those who don't deserve it is wrong - in my opinion. As much as I disagree with the bible and affirm that it is all a myth, I reserve respect for those who devote their lives to an idea which gives them hope of a better tomorrow. We must remember that a large majority of those who consider themselves religious live in horrible life situations and are often times extremely uneducated.

We are no better than anyone else, regardless of what we each believe individually.

The only thing one has to "respect" is another individual's right hold a belief. Neither the individual nor the belief need be respected. Respect is earned, not automatically "deserved".

And we wonder why people hold such disdain towards the atheist community. As you said respect must be earned, how are you to gain any if all you do is disrespect others who hold different beliefs and make assumptions of their character?

Holding a belief does not make the person an ignorant fool. We shouldn't judge people because of their beliefs, but judge them by their actions. They can believe whatever they wish, but as long as they are a moral and just individual we may say nothing against them, only their belief.

Perhaps you've had a different experience with life, but coming from a Christian childhood environment I've seen my fair share of ignorant fools, but I've also seen my fair share of those who call themselves religious and are still quite capable of being good, intelligent human beings.

Not everyone is as you say they are, simply put.

[edit:] In addition, the bible (or even holy books in general) - even though it is a myth and false - has been the inspiration for art, politics, social reform, etc. throughout history. In order to fully understand these events we need reference to the holy books of the past and present. If you were referring to an instance of non extinction of 'holy' books then I return back to my respect opinion.

Personally, I joke a lot, but really only do it here, because I feel like this is a safe haven. People are going to hate atheists whether we're the most respectful people on the earth, or we eat babies. (See my sig) They've hated us for a long time now, and no amount of respect we could give the religious society in this world would redeem us in their eyes. I see where you're coming from, Perhaps. I know that there are good religious people. I never bitch about Hindus, because Hindus never bitch about me, or tell me that I had better worship their gods or I'll be punished for eternity. At least in Hinduism, you have a chance to redeem yourself in another life, and they don't have a long history of slaughtering people for not believing what they believe. I am nice, and respectful to people of all faiths, as long as when they ask me what church I attend, and I reply with the absolute truth, they don't look immediately offended and start treating me differently.

A lot of times, I think, what if I were a brown skinned person? would they even ask if I looked arab, and smelled of incense?. You know they wouldn't, but because I am white, they want to make sure I'm a Christian, and that pisses me off. Their entire nature is disrespectful to the future of human life, and a lot of us are atheists for that reason, among others. This is why we don't sit around and discuss ways in which we could be more respectful toward them, rather than speaking our minds. We've tried both ways, and it turns out, they would still laugh when one of us dies at the thought of us burning in hell. Not all of them, you're right, but no atheist in the world would ever do that to anyone. Yet we're the one's who are the most hated.

We have to get this shit out.

(December 20, 2011 at 1:21 am)aleialoura Wrote: Personally, I joke a lot, but really only do it here, because I feel like this is a safe haven.

We have to get this shit out.

Fair enough, I can understand that aspect of it. It just erks me to think that some people mean what they say literally, yet complain about their treatment.

Quote:and they don't have a long history of slaughtering people for not believing what they believe.

Well, except muslims. And vice versa.

(December 20, 2011 at 1:21 am)aleialoura Wrote: Personally, I joke a lot, but really only do it here, because I feel like this is a safe haven. People are going to hate atheists whether we're the most respectful people on the earth, or we eat babies. (See my sig) They've hated us for a long time now, and no amount of respect we could give the religious society in this world would redeem us in their eyes. I see where you're coming from, Perhaps. I know that there are good religious people. I never bitch about Hindus, because Hindus never bitch about me, or tell me that I had better worship their gods or I'll be punished for eternity. At least in Hinduism, you have a chance to redeem yourself in another life, and they don't have a long history of slaughtering people for not believing what they believe. I am nice, and respectful to people of all faiths, as long as when they ask me what church I attend, and I reply with the absolute truth, they don't look immediately offended and start treating me differently.

A lot of times, I think, what if I were a brown skinned person? would they even ask if I looked arab, and smelled of incense?. You know they wouldn't, but because I am white, they want to make sure I'm a Christian, and that pisses me off. Their entire nature is disrespectful to the future of human life, and a lot of us are atheists for that reason, among others. This is why we don't sit around and discuss ways in which we could be more respectful toward them, rather than speaking our minds. We've tried both ways, and it turns out, they would still laugh when one of us dies at the thought of us burning in hell. Not all of them, you're right, but no atheist in the world would ever do that to anyone. Yet we're the one's who are the most hated.

We have to get this shit out.

Just when I began to wonder if myself and like-minded people who share my worldview are just bitter and mean spirited toward their "lesser" counterparts, you summed it up beautifully, aleialoura, great post.

We need to get this shit out with like minded individuals to keep from going insane when dealt with the everyday crap you have to deal with to be a non-believer. I tend to be very negative in thoughts and attitude toward the faithful, but I'm very anti-confrontation when dealt with real-life insanity and more than willing to humor anyone who wants to get into a religious conversation, usually trying to get a handle on why they think the way they do.

Has anyone seen The Book of Eli? This thread makes me think of that movie.

(December 20, 2011 at 2:07 am)aleialoura Wrote: Has anyone seen The Book of Eli? This thread makes me think of that movie.

I'm interested, please continue.

It's hard to explain, and I haven't found a synopsis that really does without giving it all away.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1037705/

Here is a link to the actual movie, which can be watched free and streaming in decent quality:

http://www.1channel.ch/external.php?titl...loggedin=0

Definitely worth a watch.

(December 20, 2011 at 1:21 am)aleialoura Wrote: Personally, I joke a lot, but really only do it here, because I feel like this is a safe haven. People are going to hate atheists whether we're the most respectful people on the earth, or we eat babies. (See my sig) They've hated us for a long time now, and no amount of respect we could give the religious society in this world would redeem us in their eyes. I see where you're coming from, Perhaps. I know that there are good religious people. I never bitch about Hindus, because Hindus never bitch about me, or tell me that I had better worship their gods or I'll be punished for eternity. At least in Hinduism, you have a chance to redeem yourself in another life, and they don't have a long history of slaughtering people for not believing what they believe. I am nice, and respectful to people of all faiths, as long as when they ask me what church I attend, and I reply with the absolute truth, they don't look immediately offended and start treating me differently.

A lot of times, I think, what if I were a brown skinned person? would they even ask if I looked arab, and smelled of incense?. You know they wouldn't, but because I am white, they want to make sure I'm a Christian, and that pisses me off. Their entire nature is disrespectful to the future of human life, and a lot of us are atheists for that reason, among others. This is why we don't sit around and discuss ways in which we could be more respectful toward them, rather than speaking our minds. We've tried both ways, and it turns out, they would still laugh when one of us dies at the thought of us burning in hell. Not all of them, you're right, but no atheist in the world would ever do that to anyone. Yet we're the one's who are the most hated.

We have to get this shit out.

Very well put. I can definitely see how the whole, "You're going to hell and I'm going to laugh" thing might merit some sass in return. It just seems like a stupid way to talk to people that don't even believe in hell. I am personally a universalist, so don't worry, you can come to heaven with me! Hmmm... right after I wrote that I thought, "A. you don't even believe in heaven, B. it sounds like a weird way of hitting on you." Oh well, I'm feeling tired and friendly tonight.

If heaven were real, and full of friendly folks like you... provided that there was marijuana and sex, of course, I would be delighted to attend.