(July 19, 2012 at 10:47 am)Skepsis Wrote:

(July 19, 2012 at 3:35 am)Selliedjoup Wrote: I can see no reason to be an active atheist(e.g. posting here) if religion has had no impact in your life.

Why?
That doesn't make any sense to me at all. I haven't had any severe impact from religion throughout my life in any form, other than digust at the occasional church proclivity that involves hatred of gays, veterans, or protects child rapists.

I'm disgusted at those things as well, as are the religious people I know. So why focus on what a very small minority think and believe it absolves the condemnation of religion?

Did I say religion has had no impact in - or on - my life? Read my words again. Then compare my sentiment to your own words, viz: "I was brought up secularly, and am from one of the most secular countries in the world. So religion played no role in my past" and enlighten us to your reason to be an active theist (e.g. posting here) if religion has had no impact in your life.

The reason I do post here and elsewhere is purely out of interest in the subject. However if my doing so despite the lack of direct first-hand experience during my formative years doesn't make sense to you, I will gladly cease posting and rescind my membership just to please you. Does that meet with sir's approval?

It certainly seems that from what you wrote that religion played very little, or had no impact in your life. I can only guess you're of delicate disposition.

You haven't read anything I've written if you think I'm an active theist. Read and post here all you like, just seems strange to be so critical of something you claim to have minimal exposure to. But then if you're just looking for fresh prey to bedazzle them with...

Biblen)
An ancient novel full of murder, corruption, homosexuality, bestiality, incest and cruelty. It is often read to children on Sunday.

It's as if you're trolling.

Yeah, I'm trolling. Well spotted. You're the one who jumped up my arse despite others - including you - sharing almost identical experiences in response to your query, not to mention also passing judgement on my emotional state (which is none of your damned business) yet I'm the one who's trolling.

Out of respect for any ladies present who may chance upon this I won't actually express in words the course of action I envisage that you go and do to yourself (sideways); I merely take satisfaction in the prospect.

There's no point getting all snotty about it. You wrote ". Until of course the internet provided me with a steady supply of live prey." This does seem to indicate sir's enjoyment for debate, or trolling (depending which sideyou're on)

I still have no idea why someone would an active atheist unless they felt aggrieved by religion in some way.

Probably the same way people would feel aggrieved by people lobbying to have homeopathy introduced as the only true medicine.

That's a good analogy for the strength of your conviction. I have not encountered these religious types.

There's a distinction between the impact of religion on a social level and whether a god exists or not on a philosophical level. Personally i think they becomes too intertwined as these are not linked. Only associative links we create are present.

(July 20, 2012 at 6:23 am)Selliedjoup Wrote: I still have no idea why someone would an active atheist unless they felt aggrieved by religion in some way.

I am aggrieved by this sort of shit....

http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&...sS5fJ9z3RQ

Frankly, I don't care what sort of fairytale you want to believe in, but when arseholes like Ham and Hovind etc try to offer up this crap as a viable alternative to fucking reality, that's when I get upset.

Oh, and the fact that religion enjoys a privileged tax free position in society even though it does fuck all pisses me off too.

If an "active atheist" is one who takes an active role on the front lines and, say, participates in demonstrations and meetings etc, then I am not an active atheist. If on the other hand an "active atheist" is one who posts on a forum such as this, sharing thoughts and opinions on whatever topics come up, then I am an active atheist. We mustn't fall into the trap of equating "activism" with "interest", however. The same sort of pigeonholing could be made of someone who participates in a forum of any kind. I used to post on a sci-fi forum, but I only wear my Tom Baker scarf when the weather calls for it.

As to the allegation that I identify as atheist because I am aggrieved by religion in some way, if the 'damaged goods' stereotype is the only way to make it work for you then by all means go for it. Just be aware that the assertion is in your head, not mine.

For the record, I hold no personal grievance against religion; I have no axe to grind. I have never been hurt, slighted, or even mildly put out by religion or its adherents. I may find the actions outlined by Zen and others anything from reprehensible to repulsive, the rest of the subject I just find ridiculous.

(July 20, 2012 at 3:39 am)Selliedjoup Wrote:

(July 19, 2012 at 10:47 am)Skepsis Wrote: Why?
That doesn't make any sense to me at all. I haven't had any severe impact from religion throughout my life in any form, other than digust at the occasional church proclivity that involves hatred of gays, veterans, or protects child rapists.

I'm disgusted at those things as well, as are the religious people I know. So why focus on what a very small minority think and believe it absolves the condemnation of religion?

I forgot to include the condemnation of skepticism and science, as well as church dogma's infestation of political affairs.
I post because I don't see the religious taking care of the problems caused by their camp.
Also, it's fun. I don't really need much reason other than that.