(June 15, 2012 at 3:37 am)Godschild Wrote: @ Brian37 you are wrong about Christians being offended by the word atheist or any of the other things you mentioned. We for the most part are offended by language that we see that is in direct moral odds with us. I do try to over look it till it is directed at me, it disagrees with me, especially when one really knows little about me. I do on occasion return an insult when insulted or at least I feel I've been insulted, it's not what I should do, it's the human response that comes out as a defense, I do not like it when I do, but I'm not perfect and never will be. I enjoy sensible debate with many on this site and hope to for awhile. I do not know about others here, when I'm told to shut up that's offensive, saying I do not have a right to express my thoughts here seems senseless to me.
You get stuck on the word Christian. I deal with Christians because I am surrounded by them. I never said ALL Christians. But there are always going to be many, not all, that your mere presence is an offense. And since you have not lived my life, you have no clue whom I've run into.
Our species has ALWAYS produced a degree of "fear of the outsider", people who are offended by your mere existence. And the more people recognize evolution for what it is and not get stuck on labels the less that has the opportunity to happen.
Now as far as being told to shut up, that to is in context. I don't believe I have ever personally told anyone to shut up on this website. I have wished people would shut up. The people I want the most to shut up are the bigots and fear mongers. Simply saying something that makes me want to pull my hair doesn't make me think that.
But as far as this website, no one but the owner has rights. I have no right to demand to post here, neither do you. This is private property and only the owner gets to decide what the rules are and who posts here. Free speech only applies to the government. The government cannot have you arrested for merely saying something unpopular or offensive.
As far as people not knowing you personally, why do you think I make it clear that there is a HUGE difference between a person, and what a person claims. I judge the claim, not the person. I do not like any claim in human history that postulates invisible friends. But not just that, ANYTHING that makes claims that has no lab tested independent verification.
I am an equal opportunity offender. If you make an absurd claim, god or not, I am going to jump on it. It is nothing personal to me, nor should it be for the person I am jumping on.
