Just Curious

[Just-A-Curious-Girl]

The thing I really resent about Christians, particularly a lot of fundamentalists within the faith, is the fact that parents in the faith raise their kids Christian. It makes perfect sense for them to want that for their kids, but as someone who was raised that way, I wish parents would let their kids grow old enough to make an educated decision first. (Like Richard Dawkins, I wish parents wouldn't refer to their kids as their "Christian children" when the kids are too young to decide whether they're theists or atheists or not.) I recoil in horror to see how many fundamentalist Christian parents I know are purposefully raising their children to be isolated from the wider world: homeschooling (including teaching them that evolution is silly and creation science is legit), no interacting with anyone outside the church, and heavily monitored media exposure for the child even when the child gets to be in his/her teens. Fostering ignorance and limiting a child like that... well, I'm so glad my Christian parents weren't QUITE that fundamentalist. I'm so glad that the majority of Christians aren't like that, but in certain communities it's (unfortunately) a different story. Anyway, yep, that's my biggest complaint about Christianity.

Ok I have just one question for you...Do you believe that the Christian parents are stopping their children from making a choice on who they will serve when they are 18? I have never met any family who locks up their children how you explained but I am not saying there are not people out there like that.

---

I think the problem though with most Christians is they want to tell everyone else how to live but they don't want to live it themselves. They don't even truly understand what the 'religion' is all about. But I guess if you choose to believe science you have people like that to. I mean does every atheist even understand the Evolution theory or the Big Bang theory. And another question, What if God and science are both right. Now don't misunderstand me, this is a major what if...

In the bible it tells us that God said let there be light.Well it doesn't say he created the sun.-So maybe God created the Big Bang when he spoke it. It could have taken billions of years because it also tells us in the bible that his time runs different from us. So 6 days to him is like 6 billion years to us?

I don't know guys its just a thought.

[Captain Colostomy]

The thing I really resent about Christians, particularly a lot of fundamentalists within the faith, is the fact that parents in the faith raise their kids Christian. It makes perfect sense for them to want that for their kids, but as someone who was raised that way, I wish parents would let their kids grow old enough to make an educated decision first. (Like Richard Dawkins, I wish parents wouldn't refer to their kids as their "Christian children" when the kids are too young to decide whether they're theists or atheists or not.) I recoil in horror to see how many fundamentalist Christian parents I know are purposefully raising their children to be isolated from the wider world: homeschooling (including teaching them that evolution is silly and creation science is legit), no interacting with anyone outside the church, and heavily monitored media exposure for the child even when the child gets to be in his/her teens. Fostering ignorance and limiting a child like that... well, I'm so glad my Christian parents weren't QUITE that fundamentalist. I'm so glad that the majority of Christians aren't like that, but in certain communities it's (unfortunately) a different story. Anyway, yep, that's my biggest complaint about Christianity.

Ok I have just one question for you...Do you believe that the Christian parents are stopping their children from making a choice on who they will serve when they are 18? I have never met any family who locks up their children how you explained but I am not saying there are not people out there like that.

In the quote you cite, no mention of locking up children is mentioned.

Who they will serve??? Hoo boy.

[pineapplebunnybounce]

I think the problem though with most Christians is they want to tell everyone else how to live but they don't want to live it themselves. They don't even truly understand what the 'religion' is all about.

I think the worst are those who live the way the religion is about. Moderates are barely even religious in my book.

But I guess if you choose to believe science

Science is not about belief. It's about knowing.

you have people like that to. I mean does every atheist even understand the Evolution theory or the Big Bang theory.

I'm not sure what point you're trying to make here. If an atheist rejects the theory of evolution without knowing what it is, they don't have my respect either. If they accept it because it's the consensus of the scientists, I think they made a rational call. Rejecting evolution without a good reason, at this point in time, is equivalent to being a conspiracy theorist.

And another question, What if God and science are both right.

With evolution on the table, mutually exclusive.

Now don't misunderstand me, this is a major what if...

In the bible it tells us that God said let there be light.Well it doesn't say he created the sun.-So maybe God created the Big Bang when he spoke it. It could have taken billions of years because it also tells us in the bible that his time runs different from us. So 6 days to him is like 6 billion years to us?

I don't know guys its just a thought.

What about all the other religions that also created the universe? Are they all right at the same time as well?

Universe is 14 billion years old, not 6. I also always find this amusing. Christians are willing to twist the words of the bible and switch 7 days to any length of time BUT 7 days with all these fancy ideas about how god counts time differently, I mean. We're talking about the guy who supposedly made the earth rotate once every 24 hours and made the earth go around the sun once every year. You'd think he knows what he means when he says "7 days". If your bible is true, your god came up with our system of telling time with the stars and the sun. And he can't say 14 billion years? That's just pushing it, I feel like if Christians are willing to compromise this much, why not go all the way and say genesis actually meant evolution.

That's exactly it, all religion ever has is "what if", it doesn't alter reality. You want to prove yourself right, you don't just propose something, you go out and prove what you proposed is right. Otherwise ... it makes no difference at all, I really don't understand what you're trying to get at.

[Just-A-Curious-Girl]

I think when you know something, you believe it. So therefore I don't understand the point you are trying to make.

Also I didn't mean Locked up as in a physical since. But guarded.

(I'm not sure what point you're trying to make here. If an atheist rejects the theory of evolution without knowing what it is, they don't have my respect either. If they accept it because it's the consensus of the scientists, I think they made a rational call. Rejecting evolution without a good reason, at this point in time, is equivalent to being a conspiracy theorist.)

I am saying if you have someone who doesn't know much in science then claim to be atheist then how can they claim that because as an athiest you are all about science right?

[pineapplebunnybounce]

I think when you know something, you believe it. So therefore I don't understand the point you are trying to make.

be·lief [bih-leef] Show IPA
noun
1.
something believed; an opinion or conviction: a belief that the earth is flat.
2.
confidence in the truth or existence of something not immediately susceptible to rigorous proof: a statement unworthy of belief.
3.
confidence; faith; trust: a child's belief in his parents.
4.
a religious tenet or tenets; religious creed or faith: the Christian belief.


know  
Use Know in a sentence
know1 [noh] Show IPA verb, knew, known, know·ing, noun
verb (used with object)
1.
to perceive or understand as fact or truth; to apprehend clearly and with certainty: I know the situation fully.
2.
to have established or fixed in the mind or memory: to know a poem by heart; Do you know the way to the park from here?
3.
to be cognizant or aware of: I know it.
4.
be acquainted with (a thing, place, person, etc.), as by sight, experience, or report: to know the mayor.
5.
to understand from experience or attainment (usually followed by how before an infinitive): to know how to make gingerbread.



That should clear it up.

I am saying if you have someone who doesn't know much in science then claim to be atheist then how can they claim that because as an athiest you are all about science right?

Atheists =/= scientists. Atheist just means lack of belief in god. [/quote]

[Captain Colostomy]

Scientific understanding is not necessary to be an atheist. All that's needed is a lack of belief in god claims. That's it, that's all.

[Minimalist]

Because "atheism" simply means a rejection of the concept of "god." It has nothing to do with evolution, gravity, warp drive, plumbing repair, software design, medicine, or baseball.

Remember Thomas Jefferson:

Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear.

Jefferson never heard of the theory of evolution.

[Just-A-Curious-Girl]

Ok! Thanks, see this is why I ask. I am still trying to learn from people. I appreciate your patience. See the reason why I am even asking these things and trying to find what others believe is because I am not sure I even believe in my 'religion' so I am testing to see what sounds reasonable. What sounds right. If there even is a right.

[Captain Colostomy]

Ok! Thanks, see this is why I ask. I am still trying to learn from people. I appreciate your patience. See the reason why I am even asking these things and trying to find what others believe is because I am not sure I even believe in my 'religion' so I am testing to see what sounds reasonable. What sounds right. If there even is a right.

What's right for you is always right, kiddo. Just be honest with yourself, and say to hell with those who disagree.

[Whateverist]

Ok! Thanks, see this is why I ask. I am still trying to learn from people. I appreciate your patience. See the reason why I am even asking these things and trying to find what others believe is because I am not sure I even believe in my 'religion' so I am testing to see what sounds reasonable. What sounds right. If there even is a right.

Best of luck with that JaC Girl. Hope you find what you're looking for, whatever that may be.