No one is an atheist

[Minimalist]

You're annoying. No subjectivism there......simple fact!

[Cinjin]

He may have been here to preach, but then, when did preaching become a bad thing I wonder?

hmmmm. I can answer that with ease.
You see, if someone goes to church on a Sunday to hear preaching than preaching is not a bad thing ... because those idiots attending have decided for themselves that they would like to hear a preacher. However when someone shows up outside a rock concert venue or at a discussion forum and starts trying to indoctrinate people with their lunacy - this is the exact moment that preaching becomes a very annoying - BAD thing. The action of preaching to people who do NOT want to be preached to is the arrogance of Christianity. Somehow EVERYONE should have to believe the way you do - so you all go annoying the hell out of people by shoving your religion down our throats and than justify your rudeness by calling it preaching and "saving souls". Come to think of it - I don't think ANY other religion has ever confronted me with their idiocy on the street. Have you EVER been accosted by a Buddhist??? Nope. Nobody does arrogance like Christianity.

Christianity is a cancer on this planet and we need to do everything we can to irradicate the disease.

[Watson]

You see, if someone goes to church on a Sunday to hear preaching than preaching is not a bad thing ... because those idiots attending have decided for themselves that they would like to hear a preacher.

I disagree with the term idiots being used for those who attend church or want to hear preaching. First because those who attend church may not have shown up to hear a preacher; there are a multitude of possibilities as to why they are there. Vice-versa, those who wish to hear someone preach may not necessarily go to church. Second, because what's wrong with being an idiot?

However when someone shows up outside a rock concert venue or at a discussion forum and starts trying to indoctrinate people with their lunacy

You have made the assumption that all preachers are lunatics. Please back this up with evidence and provide a reason why I should not believe there are exceptions to this newfound rule that all preachers are lunatics.

Also, a discussion forum is an open, public place for exactly that; discussion. A discussion forum should be a place in which one brings their beliefs to the table and expresses them as openly as possible, then listens to and critiques or debates with others' thoughts on the matter being discussed. The first part sounds like preaching to me.

preach (prch)
v. preached, preach·ing, preach·es
v.tr.
1. To proclaim or put forth in a sermon: preached the gospel.
2. To advocate, especially to urge acceptance of or compliance with: preached tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
3. To deliver (a sermon).

The action of preaching to people who do NOT want to be preached to is the arrogance of Christianity.

I draw your attention to the above definition of preaching. Do you see Christianity mentioned anywhere in any of those definitions? I don't. Christians are not the only ones who can preach. Buddhists can preach, Scientologists can preach, Humanists can preach, politicians can preach, and atheists can preach. Anyone on Earth can preach about anything. To attribute the act of preaching solely to Christianity is silly, arrogant, and biased.

Somehow EVERYONE should have to believe the way you do -

This is not at all implied by the act of preaching. Preaching implies a strong conviction in one's ideas or beliefs, such that the preachers decides to take their idea public and openly discuss or display it in some way.

so you all go annoying the hell out of people by shoving your religion down our throats and than justify your rudeness by calling it preaching and "saving souls".

Good job generalizing an entire group of people based on the actions of comparatively very few. For the record, I have met very few Christian 'preachers', and even fewer that I have met have acted in the manner you describe here. I have discussed openly on many occasions my views with people of other faiths, and even with those who lack faith such as yourself. That is preaching. I am preaching my beliefs to another person pubic-ly.

Come to think of it - I don't think ANY other religion has ever confronted me with their idiocy on the street.

I've got a question for you at this point. Have you ever been confronted with any Christians on the street about their so-called 'idiocy'? And how do you justify basing your entire opinion of the Christian demographic on those few individuals?

Have you EVER been accosted by a Buddhist??? Nope.

And I can explain that with ease. I have met very few Buddhists in my life. In fact, I have met almost none. So I've never had the chance to meet a rude or accosting Buddhist. I'm sure one exists out there somewhere.

Nobody does arrogance like Christianity.

I beg to differ, and I would like to make an addendum; nobody does arrogance like the human race.

Christianity is a cancer on this planet and we need to do everything we can to irradicate the disease.

You know, that's cool. I thought I was a pretty nice guy, honestly. I don't hit my girlfriend, I treat my friends well and they all like me, and I don't have many enemies. But thanks for informing me that my so-called 'idiocy' makes me part of a disease which must be eliminated no matter the cost. I wonder, if I hold fast to my beliefs to the finest degree, what will you do to 'irradicate' what you have so unjustly deemed a disease in me?

And I once more ask the question, what's wrong with being an idiot?

[Oldandeasilyconfused]

He may have been here to preach, but then, when did preaching become a bad thing I wonder?

Preaching is not necessarily a bad thing,in a church,where it's expected and welcome.Generally though, people tend to REALLY resent being preached at uninvited, especially by the kind of arrogant and dogmatic semi-literates we often get here..

This is privately owned internet forum not a small country; it is not a democracy. Rules are set arbitrarily and may be changed without notice and without justification. There are no rights of expectation. Getting all petulant and stomping your little foot will get you nowhere.


'No preaching" is a basic rule on most atheist forums. Yes it's arbitrary, and not subject to argument.Don't like our rules? Leave.

[reverendjeremiah]

And I once more ask the question, what's wrong with being an idiot?

I asked my wife that same question. She answered: "nothing at all. In fact, I married one."

What can I say? She's always right.

[Watson]

Preaching is not necessarily a bad thing,in a church,where it's expected and welcome.Generally though, people tend to REALLY resent being preached at uninvited, especially by the kind of arrogant and dogmatic semi-literates we often get here..

This is privately owned internet forum not a small country; it is not a democracy. Rules are set arbitrarily and may be changed without notice and without justification. There are no rights of expectation. Getting all petulant and stomping your little foot will get you nowhere.


'No preaching" is a basic rule on most atheist forums. Yes it's arbitrary, and not subject to argument.Don't like our rules? Leave.

And I quote[myself]:

Also, a discussion forum is an open, public place for exactly that; discussion. A discussion forum should be a place in which one brings their beliefs to the table and expresses them as openly as possible, then listens to and critiques or debates with others' thoughts on the matter being discussed. The first part sounds like preaching to me.

I understand perfectly that this is a privately owned forum. But I do believe that this place is for the purpose of open, honest, and civil discussion. It stands to reason that those who hold differing opinions from the norm should get just as much respect as those who do hold the norm/dominant opinion. You may not respect what I say, but will you not at least respect my right to say it?

But this is getting slightly off-topic anyway. Nice one, Rev. Jeremiah! xD

[tackattack]

Ignorance is a cancer on this planet and we need to do everything we can to eradicate the disease.
Stupidity is a cancer on this planet and we need to do everything we can to eradicate the disease.
Irrational sweeping generalizations are a cancer on this planet and we need to do everything we can to eradicate the disease.
Bigotry is a cancer on this planet and we need to do everything we can to eradicate the disease.
Like any good vaccine tolerable doses are a good start, not knee jerk reactions and polarization

[Cinjin]

You see, if someone goes to church on a Sunday to hear preaching than preaching is not a bad thing ... because those idiots attending have decided for themselves that they would like to hear a preacher.

I disagree with the term idiots being used for those who attend church or want to hear preaching. First because those who attend church may not have shown up to hear a preacher; there are a multitude of possibilities as to why they are there. Vice-versa, those who wish to hear someone preach may not necessarily go to church. Second, because what's wrong with being an idiot?

What the hell difference does it make to my point of WHY they showed up to church??? The point is they KNOW they are possibly subjecting themselves to a preacher. Nice splitting hairs. Oh and if you prefer to not be called an idiot. ok. I know you like to call yourselves sheep ... is that better? Sheep.

However when someone shows up outside a rock concert venue or at a discussion forum and starts trying to indoctrinate people with their lunacy
You have made the assumption that all preachers are lunatics. Please back this up with evidence and provide a reason why I should not believe there are exceptions to this newfound rule that all preachers are lunatics.

provide evidence. LMAO ... I was born and raised in the christian system. By age 18, I had attended 19 different churches regularly (not including visiting churches). I'm a goddamn expert at spotting lunatics. And fundies are LUNATICS!!

Also, a discussion forum is an open, public place for exactly that; discussion. A discussion forum should be a place in which one brings their beliefs to the table and expresses them as openly as possible, then listens to and critiques or debates with others' thoughts on the matter being discussed. The first part sounds like preaching to me.

preach (prch)
v. preached, preach·ing, preach·es
v.tr.
1. To proclaim or put forth in a sermon: preached the gospel.
2. To advocate, especially to urge acceptance of or compliance of that preacher's agenda
3. To deliver (a sermon).

The action of preaching to people who do NOT want to be preached to is the arrogance of Christianity.

I draw your attention to the above definition of preaching. Do you see Christianity mentioned anywhere in any of those definitions? I don't. Christians are not the only ones who can preach. Buddhists can preach, Scientologists can preach, Humanists can preach, politicians can preach, and atheists can preach. Anyone on Earth can preach about anything. To attribute the act of preaching solely to Christianity is silly, arrogant, and biased.

I draw YOUR attention to your own definition. What about your #2 has ANYTHING to do with discussion. I can't argue with someone who simply says that two COMPLETELY different words mean the same thing. Maybe YOU'RE the lunatic. Preaching (even according your definition) is not discussing and it is NOT welcome in this DISCUSSION forum.

Somehow EVERYONE should have to believe the way you do -

This is not at all implied by the act of preaching. Preaching implies a strong conviction in one's ideas or beliefs, such that the preachers decides to take their idea public and openly discuss or display it in some way.

so you all go annoying the hell out of people by shoving your religion down our throats and than justify your rudeness by calling it preaching and "saving souls".

Good job generalizing an entire group of people based on the actions of comparatively very few. For the record, I have met very few Christian 'preachers', and even fewer that I have met have acted in the manner you describe here. I have discussed openly on many occasions my views with people of other faiths, and even with those who lack faith such as yourself. That is preaching. I am preaching my beliefs to another person pubic-ly.

Oh I see ... I got it. All that "harmless" door to door witnessing and and handing out salvation tracks and trying to get children to go to bible camp ... that's all just for fun. You don't actually want to change anybody's faith or make anyone see your own precious "light". That's all just for something to do. Bull Shit. You preach because you want it out there, you want to change people and you WANT to jam it down our throats.

Come to think of it - I don't think ANY other religion has ever confronted me with their idiocy on the street.

I've got a question for you at this point. Have you ever been confronted with any Christians on the street about their so-called 'idiocy'? And how do you justify basing your entire opinion of the Christian demographic on those few individuals?

Yes, multiple times I have been accosted by Christians and so have my friends and several times it actually was outside a rock concert. I justify basing my entire opinion of the christian demographic because I went to churches that contained 100s and 100s of those exact same people. I was one of your dirty little flock of sheep.

Have you EVER been accosted by a Buddhist??? Nope.

And I can explain that with ease. I have met very few Buddhists in my life. In fact, I have met almost none. So I've never had the chance to meet a rude or accosting Buddhist. I'm sure one exists out there somewhere.

Hey, you ever think that the very reason you've met very few Buddhists is BECAUSE they aren't out pushing their religion down everyones throat. They respect other people's rights not to be PREACHED at. Actually you made my point for me. Thankyou.

Nobody does arrogance like Christianity.

I beg to differ, and I would like to make an addendum; nobody does arrogance like the human race.
That's just side-stepping. It's also like saying the human race is violent. Common, that's just stupid.

Christianity is a cancer on this planet and we need to do everything we can to irradicate the disease.

You know, that's cool. I thought I was a pretty nice guy, honestly. I don't hit my girlfriend, I treat my friends well and they all like me, and I don't have many enemies. But thanks for informing me that my so-called 'idiocy' makes me part of a disease which must be eliminated no matter the cost. I wonder, if I hold fast to my beliefs to the finest degree, what will you do to 'irradicate' what you have so unjustly deemed a disease in me?

You thanked me for pointing out your idiocy ... you are welcome.

And I once more ask the question, what's wrong with being an idiot?
Apparently for everyone in your religion ... absolutely nothing. I can't argue with a man who admits that he's an idiot. You and your religion are a plague and maybe 1000 years from now people will look back on it as they look back on Zeus and Apollo. A funny fairy tale to laugh about.

Ignorance is a cancer on this planet and we need to do everything we can to eradicate the disease.
Stupidity is a cancer on this planet and we need to do everything we can to eradicate the disease.
Irrational sweeping generalizations are a cancer on this planet and we need to do everything we can to eradicate the disease.
Bigotry is a cancer on this planet and we need to do everything we can to eradicate the disease.

My point exactly. All of those things are summed up in Christianity perfectly ....

[Zen Badger]

He may have been here to preach, but then, when did preaching become a bad thing I wonder?

Usually about 8am on a Sunday when I'm about to engage in a Sunday morning Glory with Kichi

[KichigaiNeko]

[quote='Watson' pid='128514' dateline='1303058395']

He may have been here to preach, but then, when did preaching become a bad thing I wonder?

Preach??? Why???

Usually about 8am on a Sunday when I'm about to engage in a Sunday morning Glory with Kichi

mmmm Sunday morning massages...YUM!