Drew,
I'm speaking for myself, but I know many other atheists will share my thoughts on the screed that is your last post.
I don't care that you believe in a god. I really don't. I've said a few times on these forums that I can respect a deist's position regarding the cause of the big bang. The difference between me and a deist is that I suspend judgement until more information is acquired. Simple as that.
A theist is entirely different. A theist uses a collection of ancient texts to tell me what characteristics the deity has. This includes a myriad of different things I can and cannot do, which even among the devout vary widely, for fear of punishment now or in the hereafter. Even if I grant you a deity, you cannot connect the dots between a creator of the universe and your special rule book. It simply cannot be done. All creation myths suffer at this point. All you have at this point is your desire for your doctrine to be true. That's it. Why you keep insisting that this is sufficient reason to believe is beyond me. Believe what you want, leave me the fuck alone.
And here is where I wield ridicule as a weopon. I have no problem with people of any religion peacably assembling for ritual and fraternity as long as it doesn't harm others, particularly children. When you harm others for the sake of your rule book, I ridicule. When you try to force your rule book on those that don't accept it, I ricicule. When you promise eternal torment because I think differently, I ridicule. When a theist screams persecution because I disagree, I ridicule. When you lack the ability to understand why I demand evidence, I ridicule. I could go on all night.
I am also not a power hungry asshole wanting increased participation in order to fill a collection plate.
In short, go fuck yourself.
I'm speaking for myself, but I know many other atheists will share my thoughts on the screed that is your last post.
I don't care that you believe in a god. I really don't. I've said a few times on these forums that I can respect a deist's position regarding the cause of the big bang. The difference between me and a deist is that I suspend judgement until more information is acquired. Simple as that.
A theist is entirely different. A theist uses a collection of ancient texts to tell me what characteristics the deity has. This includes a myriad of different things I can and cannot do, which even among the devout vary widely, for fear of punishment now or in the hereafter. Even if I grant you a deity, you cannot connect the dots between a creator of the universe and your special rule book. It simply cannot be done. All creation myths suffer at this point. All you have at this point is your desire for your doctrine to be true. That's it. Why you keep insisting that this is sufficient reason to believe is beyond me. Believe what you want, leave me the fuck alone.
And here is where I wield ridicule as a weopon. I have no problem with people of any religion peacably assembling for ritual and fraternity as long as it doesn't harm others, particularly children. When you harm others for the sake of your rule book, I ridicule. When you try to force your rule book on those that don't accept it, I ricicule. When you promise eternal torment because I think differently, I ridicule. When a theist screams persecution because I disagree, I ridicule. When you lack the ability to understand why I demand evidence, I ridicule. I could go on all night.
I am also not a power hungry asshole wanting increased participation in order to fill a collection plate.
In short, go fuck yourself.
