One Month Without Faith - Thank you.

[Randy Carson]

I have a question or two about being "pastafarian".

According to the accounts I've read, the Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM) seems to interact quite a bit with the natural universe. For example, I read that gravity is really nothing more than the FSM's "noodly appendages" pushing people down. Has this been verified in any way by science? After all, extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.

I'm also told that people are taller today than they were in the past due to the fact that the population has grown so much that the FSM is no longer able to hold them down as well as it did before. Doesn't this suggest that the FSM is not omnipotent? A real God would not be limited in power or ability.

The argument from parody for the FSM is this:

1. Our quasi-religion, Pastafarianism, is silly and unfounded and therefore false.
2. Other religions are just as silly and unfounded as our religion.
3. Therefore, other religions are false.

Premise one is granted. Therefore, the real issue is whether Christianity is just as silly and unfounded as Pastafarianism.

Is it?

Well, begin with this question: Did Jesus Exist?

Randy,

I would love to entertain whatever it is you just typed (I didn't read any of it) except that I'm waiting on your reply to my inquiry in my original thread, which you agreed to answer, but have not. You asked for time to give it some consideration, but have yet to address it.  I would love to discuss other topics, except that I've made a decision not to engage you until that inquiry (which you agreed to) is met with earnest.

Thanks,
SpaceTime

Yes, and I have not forgotten.

So, if you wish to continue pursuing Pastafarianism full speed until I get around to addressing your older post, go right ahead.

I know it can be hard to multi-task sometimes.

[Spacetime]

Spacetime your experience sounds a lot like mine. Although I never had any close church going friends. What is that like? Do they talk down to you or are they just as before?

Well, they now don't take being ignored for an answer.  Whereas, before, they just prayed me into a social event?  Now they show up at my house at 6 a.m. (not kidding), with presents for my children (still not kidding).

I am prompted more often in emails & txt msgs to respond with things like "God bless" or "Christ has risen!"  When the recipient doesn't receive something adequate in response... they question.  I usually immediately turn the conversation to actual problems... like starving children, civil rights, the legal system, etc.  OR, I turn the conversation to cool shit (like I had to do 5 times today).  Cool things include (for any theists who may be reading) that 9 years ago the US sent a spacecraft 7.5 billion kilometers to Pluto to look at a planet that we no longer consider a planet.  Of course all this is meaningless when you're expecting Christ to return with candy canes for children who didn't "do a bad thing", only to turn around and torture those who "did a bad thing".

Sorry getting off topic.  I've realized I have no friends.  ...basically.

My friends, ...my entire social network... are no longer an aid to my happiness.  In fact, they're *REALLY* trying to stifle any progress I make.  They are ...literally... "love-bombing" me.  "Let me introduce you to so-and-so, etc."  

As a result, I conclude;
1) I need friends with college degrees
2) I need friends who give 2 fucks about what I don't know
3) I need friends who encourage me to pursue happiness, rather than turn me around and point me in the other direction
4) I need friends that like me for me, not because they have to

On the other hand, women in the church give ... literally ... 2 shits ... about your theology.  They just want friends.  It makes me wonder what sort of censorship is happening at home if they're *that* desperate for friends at Church.  My wife is doing just fine.  *AND*, to be clear, I'm *TOTALLY* cool with my wife and kids going to Church.... ....just so long as they know where "Dad" stands.  Because, and not beating my chest here, they *TOTALLY* respect my opinion.

Eventually, we're going to have to dump this social network... I hate it... but they want it, because they can't talk about anything other than *IT*.

Good question, if I didn't answer it... lemme know, brah.

[Spacetime]

Yes, and I have not forgotten.

So, if you wish to continue pursuing Pastafarianism full speed until I get around to addressing your older post, go right ahead.

I know it can be hard to multi-task sometimes.

Hey, brother... I don't know if you meant this to be insulting. I don't care, really. The satire of Pastafarianism was a parallel that was used to illustrate something my wife and I related to. It wasn't an attack on your religion. It was a matter of personal reflection. Had nothing to do with demeaning your religion outright. The conclusion my wife drew was on her own. If you're implying it's hard for my wife to multi-task... sarcastically... I have to tell you... my wife is the most divine thing I've known. I treasure her more than anything I've ever known... or will know. I'd ask you not to group my wife into the other sarcastic attacks... if that were meant as such. I'm sure you understand. As men... you don't talk about a man's woman or his mother. If you didn't intend it, so be it. Let's just be gentlemen.

Going back... I do really want to hear your answer to my inquiry. I've checked back often, but not seen a reply. I'm certain (literally) that you have a comprehensive answer to it, and I'm looking forward to reading it. Both your church's opinion *AND* *YOUR* understanding of it.

Hope all is well, bro.

[Randy Carson]

Yes, and I have not forgotten.

So, if you wish to continue pursuing Pastafarianism full speed until I get around to addressing your older post, go right ahead.

I know it can be hard to multi-task sometimes.

Hey, brother... I don't know if you meant this to be insulting.  I don't care, really.  The satire of Pastafarianism was a parallel that was used to illustrate something my wife and I related to.  It wasn't an attack on your religion.  It was a matter of personal reflection.  Had nothing to do with demeaning your religion outright.  The conclusion my wife drew was on her own.  If you're implying it's hard for my wife to multi-task... sarcastically... I have to tell you... my wife is the most divine thing I've known.  I treasure her more than anything I've ever known... or will know.  I'd ask you not to group my wife into the other sarcastic attacks... if that were meant as such.  I'm sure you understand.  As men... you don't talk about a man's woman or his mother.  If you didn't intend it, so be it.  Let's just be gentlemen.

Going back... I do really want to hear your answer to my inquiry.  I've checked back often, but not seen a reply.  I'm certain (literally) that you have a comprehensive answer to it, and I'm looking forward to reading it.  Both your church's opinion *AND* *YOUR* understanding of it.  

Hope all is well, bro.

I just put a few opening thoughts together in the other thread. Cya there.

[Randy Carson]

Yes, and I have not forgotten.

So, if you wish to continue pursuing Pastafarianism full speed until I get around to addressing your older post, go right ahead.

I know it can be hard to multi-task sometimes.

Hey, brother... I don't know if you meant this to be insulting.  I don't care, really.  The satire of Pastafarianism was a parallel that was used to illustrate something my wife and I related to.  It wasn't an attack on your religion.  It was a matter of personal reflection.  Had nothing to do with demeaning your religion outright.  The conclusion my wife drew was on her own.  If you're implying it's hard for my wife to multi-task... sarcastically... I have to tell you... my wife is the most divine thing I've known.  I treasure her more than anything I've ever known... or will know.  I'd ask you not to group my wife into the other sarcastic attacks... if that were meant as such.  I'm sure you understand.  As men... you don't talk about a man's woman or his mother.  If you didn't intend it, so be it.  Let's just be gentlemen.

Going back... I do really want to hear your answer to my inquiry.  I've checked back often, but not seen a reply.  I'm certain (literally) that you have a comprehensive answer to it, and I'm looking forward to reading it.  Both your church's opinion *AND* *YOUR* understanding of it.  

Hope all is well, bro.

I don't think I mentioned your wife in the pasta post, but I will respect the guidelines you've laid down. They seem perfectly reasonable.

[Spacetime]

I don't think I mentioned your wife in the pasta post, but I will respect the guidelines you've laid down. They seem perfectly reasonable.

I think others would agree that it was... oddly vague and inclusive.. your post.

DESPITE THAT... I was *TOTALLY* looking forward to your answer...

... but you dodged it. C'mon man. You're Catholic... you've got more literature and more tangible
evidence for your arguments than any other Christian sect. I know how I would have answered my own question, and it would have been infinitely better than yours. I'm totally willing to share as well, making you a more sophisticated Christian (hopefully) in the process.. if you're not already way above the level I was when I jumped ship. Apologetics is like Super Mario Brothers among its students. I was pretty good. I'm sure you can do better than the non-answer you gave. Either way... let's continue that conversation in the other thread.

[AFTT47]

You're awesome, Spacetime. More power to you in regards to keeping your head clear in the future. We'll always be here to help.

[pocaracas]

Moderator Notice
Thread moved to the Converts' Corner

[Longhorn]

Hey, gj Spacetime! Keep it up! Very happy for you

[Excited Penguin]

This spacetime guy seems allright for the most part, except he is a bit of a control freak and slightly sexist, but I reckon that's more because of his upbringing than anything else.