Been here a while-Ponderings

[BitchinHitchins]

Religion can take people who would be normal, intelligent, and rational beings and completely destroy all logical thought in fear of their beliefs being challenged. Maybe this particular person was afraid that there would be some form of life on pluto that would prove that we are insignificant, and the almighty allah did not create the universe just for us. (Although most people know that pluto is fiercely inhospitable, even for microbes.)

However, I see this sort of confirmation bias in a lot of believers. Deep down, they know that science holds true and they are afraid that it might imply that there is no god out there -- so they shield themselves in the warm blanket of their faith.

[drfuzzy]

I was sent to a very extremist Xtian school as a child. I clearly remember Science textbooks that said the "theory of evolution" was an evil, ridiculous lie. My parents told me that dinosaur fossils were put in the earth by demons to confuse men's minds, so people would believe in evolution and go to hell. Yeah.
It's fear, folks. Fear of hell, fear of not being superior, fear of not being RIGHT . . .

[Excited Penguin]

Yea, pretty much live and let live.

But I guess it depends on how much of a person is their religious identity.

I know plenty Christians, though I admit some are in name only, that don't bother me one bit. My friend lost her father when she was young, couple years later she went full on born again. It was bringing her comfort. But despite being a devout, deep believer, she has a lot more to her than just that. It's not her entire identity, she doesn't make everything about god and is a great person overall. She's the only person I trust enough to let them know I'm an atheist. I love her, and her faith doesn't matter to me.

But I also know some people who bring god into everything, and let religion become everything they are, so much that I would call it an obsession. They freak me out, and are hard to talk to. My gut reaction to that level of identifying oneself with anything is antipathy. It doesn't seem healthy, and makes it hard to find common ground. Same goes for atheists who bring religion and god into every conversation. It just doesn't sit well with me.

But as long as they don't bother me, I just ignore them.

There is a double standart when it comes to bringing god and religion into every conversation, as you put it. An atheist doing it is definitely not the same as a christian doing it, since the christian is talking bullshit, and the atheist is merely fighting back, and rightly so. People like you that equate the two I deem mediocre and superficial and too, want nothing to do with, since you wouldn't have much to talk about, let alone find a "common ground".

[Iroscato]

Yea, pretty much live and let live.

But I guess it depends on how much of a person is their religious identity.

I know plenty Christians, though I admit some are in name only, that don't bother me one bit. My friend lost her father when she was young, couple years later she went full on born again. It was bringing her comfort. But despite being a devout, deep believer, she has a lot more to her than just that. It's not her entire identity, she doesn't make everything about god and is a great person overall. She's the only person I trust enough to let them know I'm an atheist. I love her, and her faith doesn't matter to me.

But I also know some people who bring god into everything, and let religion become everything they are, so much that I would call it an obsession. They freak me out, and are hard to talk to. My gut reaction to that level of identifying oneself with anything is antipathy. It doesn't seem healthy, and makes it hard to find common ground. Same goes for atheists who bring religion and god into every conversation. It just doesn't sit well with me.

But as long as they don't bother me, I just ignore them.

There is a double standart when it comes to bringing god and religion into every conversation, as you put it. An atheist doing it is definitely not the same as a christian doing it, since the christian is talking bullshit, and the atheist is merely fighting back, and rightly so. People like you that equate the two I deem mediocre and superficial and too, want nothing to do with, since you wouldn't have much to talk about, let alone find a "common ground".

Thank God people's lives don't revolve around your evaluation of them, then

I see what Vic is saying - outside of this forum I'm personally only a reactive atheist, discussing religion if it's brought up in conversation. An atheist who starts conversation with that kind of thing does rub me up the wrong way - and yes EP, there are atheists who do it pretty much out of the blue. Everyone has an axe to grind somewhere, some are just more subtle in expressing it than others.

[Longhorn]

And I don't even mean starting conversations. I mean like when we're talking about police brutality and someone pulls Jesus out of his ass. I don't mean militant atheism, I mean an obsession. There are less atheists than theists in this category, but it happens.

And, don't fret ep, a mediocre and superficial person like me really doesn't want anything to do with you

[Excited Penguin]

And, don't fret ep, a mediocre and superficial person like me really doesn't want anything to do with you

Not sure if anyone cares in the first place.

[Napoléon]

And, don't fret ep, a mediocre and superficial person like me really doesn't want anything to do with you

Not sure if anyone cares in the first place.

Then why say it in the first place other than to be a dick. Smh.

[Bob Kelso]

If anything my position has softened over the last year, I've taken on a more laid back approach, unless someone posts some seriously stupid shit around the forums; then I go to town on it.

[BitchinHitchins]

I clearly remember Science textbooks that said the "theory of evolution" was an evil, ridiculous lie. 

This is horrifying.

[Excited Penguin]

Not sure if anyone cares in the first place.

Then why say it in the first place other than to be a dick. Smh.

This is just digusting in its mawkishness.