RE: Rant against anti-atheist agnostics.
September 21, 2014 at 11:00 am
(This post was last modified: September 21, 2014 at 11:14 am by The Grand Nudger.)
(September 21, 2014 at 7:36 am)whateverist Wrote: You lost me, Rhythm.Only giving you some insight on why I don't require some absolute scale of what people should find important or worthwhile. You made a field leveling comment,
Quote:People believe extravagant things. I do. I think you do too. What's more, aside from empirical fact, none of us is privy to any absolute scale of values from which to judge what is or should be important to people.
On this count (IMO), the field -is not- level (but feel free to give me your own opinion on how clear a line of sight over level terrain I may or may not have between my range markers). I'm not of the opinion that scapegoating is "extravagant" - my opinion is that it is abhorrent. If a believer can competently argue against whipping someone else to clear his parking tickets then he is also perfectly capable of arguing against that tenet of his faith. In fact, he is arguing against it - it's not a disagreement over what is or should be important, we've agreed.
Ah, but then, when I invoke the name of the lord he falls to his knees. It becomes not only virtue, but it's highest expression. It is to be wished for and sought out and it's praises are to be sung. Spiritual gaslighting. Am I to be tolerant of a position that we are both (the believer and I) perfectly capable of demolishing at every level? Is this something that can even exist in a world of peers? What about the peer that's getting the scourge? You say you'd rather not live in a solipsistic nightmare but here, on this - even though I can bring the believer to agreement with me on principle (a shared truth, not one solely in my possession) - I can go no further?
I've gotta ask, now that I'm thinking about it. You don't have a dog in this fight? Scapegoating, no scapegoating, vice or virtue - you've no stake in that? I humbly suggest that you do. That you're a decent person who would stand up for the man tied to the post, and stand against anyone who thinks it's a good idea to tie a man to a post- whether it's to do with parking tickets or the washing of "sin". Does any of this strike you as a willful misrepresentation or overstatement? That I've somehow reached this position through a dearth of empathy (though, granted, I proudly and publicly lack empathy for the -position-)?
I am the Infantry. I am my country’s strength in war, her deterrent in peace. I am the heart of the fight… wherever, whenever. I carry America’s faith and honor against her enemies. I am the Queen of Battle. I am what my country expects me to be, the best trained Soldier in the world. In the race for victory, I am swift, determined, and courageous, armed with a fierce will to win. Never will I fail my country’s trust. Always I fight on…through the foe, to the objective, to triumph overall. If necessary, I will fight to my death. By my steadfast courage, I have won more than 200 years of freedom. I yield not to weakness, to hunger, to cowardice, to fatigue, to superior odds, For I am mentally tough, physically strong, and morally straight. I forsake not, my country, my mission, my comrades, my sacred duty. I am relentless. I am always there, now and forever. I AM THE INFANTRY! FOLLOW ME!
