(November 19, 2013 at 7:44 pm)Brakeman Wrote:(November 19, 2013 at 12:25 am)Deidre32 Wrote: My name is not Desiree, and you are funny.I said nothing of the kind.
The slippery slope is what happens when atheists/agnostics who are fed up with religion, don't properly channel their energies in order to create a more positive world, that invites people to wish to learn more about rational thinking and reason. Religion for many is not folly. It brings them peace.
That is my point. Your message will not resonate (with anyone), so long as you deliver it with an attacking, condescending, and self righteous tone.
Sorry Deidre32, I don't know where the Desiree came from..
Can you explain where your slippery slope slips to? I'm guessing that you are now meaning it to be angst and stress for the atheist??
As for your comment about religion for many not being folly, I totally disagree:
fol·ly
noun: folly; plural noun: Follies
1. lack of good sense; foolishness.
It will always be folly, it will never use good reason or logic. The claim that some people are happier being stupidly wrong is totally unsupported. {I think it has been asked on this board before, "are we happier as atheists than when we were christians" and the general consensus was yes, but I will have to search for it to be sure} Anyway, see this blog post.
http://religionvirus.blogspot.com/2012/0...e-not.html
I posted a new poll because I couldn't find the old one.
So if you have any evidence that believing in a lie is better than the magic of learning the truth through reason and seeing the wonder of reality, then by all means present it. Peace at all costs is not happiness. If it were then Marijuana should be mandatory for everyone.
Your last point, that I won't be as effective explaining my reason and logic to idiot theists if I do it in a disrespectful manner is very true, but the vicious way I treat Lion RC or Jacob, or Drich, or GC, is not how I would typically address a christian or muslim. It is simply how I address theists on here that I have witnessed blatant dishonesty in the discussions. Once they act like a crusader instead of inquisitive discussion partners, I no longer give them respect. Any respect.
To your last paragraph, first. I somewhat agree with you there. I don't believe forums like this should be considered a ''host'' for Christian (or any religious) evangelists. I haven't been here long enough to see any of that, though, so I'll assume that is what you are referring to by saying 'crusader.' (I give the benefit of the doubt sometimes, Brakeman.)
To you other points. I agree that religion is folly, but a religious person doesn't see it that way, until they decide for themselves to look further into their faith, and start asking questions. Like I once did. I'm not sure what prompted me to finally start questioning my faith, but it takes a person willing to look at his or her faith objectively, to do so. Freedom to me, is reason and truth, and once a religous person realizes that, then hald the battle is won.
When it comes to the slippery slope, it is this...hatred, and exclusion. I get concerned sometimes that non religious people, atheists and agnostics will seek to begin a 'movement,' that at first starts with a good idea, awareness and education, but then leads to exclusion of religious people, and maybe even borders hatred. I see how some atheists view Christianity, and there is a bitterness there. It's important to not let ourselves get so caught up in dismantling religion, that we forget about the true 'mission,' and that is to educate people about the real truths of life.
I'm a firm believer that once people taste truth, they won't settle for the imitation, and that is -- religion. I hope this helps you to see my point, better.
