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(May 16, 2011 at 11:47 am)Rhizomorph13 Wrote: The same goes for the word "skeptic" there is no word that atheists use that is exclusive to thier position. So any idea that can be crafted like this, "If only theists would just ask skeptic/intelligent/atheistic/green/deep/open-minded/well seasoned questions, they would see that God probably does not exist." Can be crafted by theists to impugn the idiocy of atheism. For me, I've realized that I am an atheist because my life experiences leave me with an inability to believe in God. I think it would be great to believe and I've spent most of my life earnestly seeking reasons to believe, and yet I don't.
On a different note, I wonder when Ashendent is going to post a link to the overwhelming evidence to support the idea that sexuality is so loose weave that people will pretty much just fuck whomever is nearest them... I doubt very much that it will be forthcoming and imagine that his "source" is http://www.imagination.com/intuition.his ass
Now, I'm not sure I understand your point...
My point was that a skeptical or critical question.. - the kind which challenges one's faith -are not usually asked by the faithful.. I don't see how one can draw from that that any skeptical, critical question means one MUST be atheist..
I used the word atheistic to suggest the naturalness of such a query from that position.. not to equate skepticism/critical analysis solely with atheists.. or to suggest that believers are not capable of critical analysis of their faith.. only that it is less likely.. the nature of faith usually requires suspension of critical analysis.. hence why it is called "faith"..
Having faith does not prevent critical analysis, it just prevents objective analysis.
I'm not sure what flavor or theism you're referencing, But in every chuch I've been in and spoken with the pastor, except 2 southern baptist churches, do allow questioning and critical thinking. Some more apologetic (read evangelical) denominations actually outwardly promote it.
If you know of some that don't feel free show them Luke 2:46-47 as a good example to follow, 1 Thes 5:20-21 as a clear command to test prophecies and prophets or Pr 14:15 for a good word of wisdom about it. If the denomination cherry picks the Bible, they're obviously making up the rules as they go. Most modern denominations (including non-denominational) have an all bible approach though, in my experience.
"There ought to be a term that would designate those who actually follow the teachings of Jesus, since the word 'Christian' has been largely divorced from those teachings, and so polluted by fundamentalists that it has come to connote their polar opposite: intolerance, vindictive hatred, and bigotry." -- Philip Stater, Huffington Post
always working on cleaning my windows- me regarding Johari
