(June 22, 2014 at 4:14 pm)Pickup_shonuff Wrote: So after my latest shameful confrontation with my brother (outlined here: http://atheistforums.org/thread-26883.html), which I still feel bad about, I decided I wanted to make a concerted effort to connect with people more, specifically of the religious variety (most of the population, so probably a good place to start). My brother accused me of intolerance and I take that charge seriously since I think intolerance is one of the poisons of the faith. Anyway, I joined worthychristianforums.com to try and understand Christians better, to foster more civilized discussion in myself (knowing I could get banned for "cussing" is a good way to keep my ass in line), and to perhaps form a common ground by which we can work together for the betterment of the world.
Holy fuck, your future Paradise Garden Graduates© make my brother look like Einstein. Not only that, they're ridiculously condescending and arrogant. This doesn't apply to all of them, of course, but a great many whom I've already interacted with.
Here's some posts, seriously. This one is titled "Absolute PROOF Jesus is God by knowing helicopters exactly described i" (sic). Apparently, the imagery in the Book of Revelation is meant to be understood as military helicopters. No. SERIOUSLY.
Another, titled "TROLLS," brought forth this little nugget of wisdom from a member: "If I may add? ...
Trolls are also people who need Jesus. We should pray for them too."
To which another replied: "They probably need prayer even MORE than most. I totally agree."
Jesus, I can see why Christians come here. In my thread, "Children and Religion," in which I am trying to understand if Christians encourage their children to seek opposing views, my worst suspicions of the pernicious close-mindedness wrought by religion are repeatedly confirmed:
"Teaching a child about hell having effects? I was taught about hell when I was about four years old from my grandfather preaching in a church. It has had no effects that are negative on me, therefore I must say the whole claim that teaching developing children about hell has effects.... well, that claim is pretty bogus. In fact, it soumds to me as another plot to persecute the faith."
!!!
"are we able to question scripture? i've never met anyone who didn't question scripture. most feel guilty about it. i don't... but i do want you to understand that even when i question scripture, i've never doubted God."
!!!
"Pickup shonuff, I cannot replyby quote sometimes due to limited software capabilities.
first of all I have never doubted my faith. I have heard The Almighty speak, more than once. And no, I was not on any drugs."
Holy fuck, I could go on but you catch my drift, I'm sure. Christians, are your fellow congregants at church generally this credulous? How the fuck could a person maintain their sanity around that!? (On a side note, a few have been very pleasant and appear to possess some intelligence. A few.)
There are actually people who expect you to believe that an almighty forever invincible god - became TOTALLY human (which is nonsense based on the rest of the story) - was crucified by Romans (Although there is NO evidence that happened in the historical record) - and DIED (So much for forever) - and then came back to life - and rose up above the clouds to a "heaven" - seen by MULTITUDES - not one of which ever wrote anything about ANY of this down.
The next thing they will tell you is if you pray hard enough - their god will cure diseases too!
