Christian recall notice

[robvalue]

This doesn't add up to me. Ether has been pushing for "objective morality". This means even god is ruled by it, and god did not decide it. If god did decide it in the first place, then it would be subjective to him.

So if we're going by this "objective morality" then what god likes and dislikes is irrelevant, isn't it? Or must we abide by both this objective morality, and the whims of god as well? How do we tell the difference? All we have is the bible. If god is judging us by anything other than this objective morality, then he is judging us on subjective morality, so the whole thing is a contradiction. The only argument left is that by some amazing coincidence, god's opinions just happen to line up exactly with this objective morality. Which is entirely ridiculous, why would this be the case? And god would be bound to never be able to change his mind, even if this were so. And in the bible he does change his mind, and even barters with people on occasion as to what is acceptable.

So... ignoring this contradiction, there are two possibilities it seems to me, when someone makes a religious argument why homosexuality is wrong (whatever the hell that's meant to mean !?)

1) The person thinks homosexuality is wrong themselves. In this case, if the only argument they can put forward is a religious one, then they are admitting it is an irrational prejudice and are using religion as a righteous shield to avoid explaining themselves.

2) The person doesn't think homosexuality is wrong themselves. But their religion has forced them to take the stance that it is wrong.

3) The person has no opinions of their own about anything being right or wrong and blindly follows everything god tells them to do.

Can anyone think of another scenario? Each of these are shocking, in my opinion.

And since we're going by what god says is okay and nokay, I assume slavery is fine? I assume stoning unruly kids to death is fine? Or is it only the parts of the bible which happen to agree with your own morality which apply, and the rest have a series of excuses why they can safely be ignored (I know better than god)? If not all of the bible is being followed, then that rules out option 3 above.

All 3 options represent different ways in which religion rots morality. In option 1, prejudice is being facilitated without any honest discussion. In option 2, prejudices are being thrust onto people who wouldn't otherwise have them. Option 3 represents someone who has given themselves over entirely to a dictator.

[JesusHChrist]

I hope you'll reconsider leaving, as you are in desperate need of some rational discourse.

Ain't that the truth. I suspect we won't be seeing much of ether any longer. Having your cult's beliefs squished and smooshed like yesterday's garbage can't feel very good.

And woo-ists are all about the feeling. Joseph Smith caught red-handed in a lie? Check! DNA evidence disproves Mormon Jews-in-american-around 600BC? Check! And we were just getting started. Hadn't even got into the translation errors Smith made, or the subsequent plate hoax (yes, another!), and of course the money-digging con-man conviction. Ouch, ouch and ouch! All lies from Satan intended to sway believers from the One True Church!

On some level, I was thinking he wanted to hear a little dose of reality rather than just have a platform for exhorting Mormon woo.

But there is only so much they can handle. Also, notice that no matter how water-tight the case against the claim, and the Book of Abraham hoax is pretty damn water-tight, it still isn't enough to sway the committed believer's mind. Truly sad to observe.

[Crossless2.0]

Talking of Christian recalls, atheists will be just as happy as the Christians if the "rapture" ever happened.

So much prime real estate up for grabs.... *drool*

I have dibs on the Crystal Cathedral. It would make my SO happy because her mother lives a short distance from there. Besides, So-Cal weather would be a nice change from Louisiana. True, Orange County is GOP Central, but at least they are the country-club-asshole variety of GOP, not the backwoods shit-kicker brand they have in the deep South.

Naturally, I would throw a large party in the CC and invite all AF members to help me tear that fucker right to the ground (after a suitably long Bacchanalia).

[KevinM1]

Sooooooo,

Who's up for hearing more about the Mormon religion? Sounds just peachy.

Come for the gay hate.

Stay for the batshit crazy cult bullshit.

On one level it is a good thing for these loons to speak their minds

One of my best friends from grade and middle school became a Mormon. It's disappointing to know that a generally cool guy is batshit insane under that exterior. Especially since he's now a meteorologist for the National Weather Service. You'd think that all of the science he's had to learn and employ would inoculate him from the crazy.

I think he converted because his high school girlfriend was Mormon. He apparently bought into it pretty hard, because even after they broke up he went to Utah during his university days. Let this be a lesson, kids: don't stick your dick in crazy.

It's sad. I don't talk to him much any more. I see his posts on Facebook. Most are harmless, but occasionally he'll post something utterly idiotic about climate change (yes, despite his profession) or gay marriage that makes me wonder where my friend actually went.