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RE: Open letter to Christians
January 30, 2016 at 9:21 pm
(January 30, 2016 at 8:12 pm)drfuzzy Wrote: I have a huge problem with the concept of "chosen ones", Mystic. Oh, I know where it came from - tribal warfare, tribal war gods, our tribe is special, and those "other" guys aren't people. To say that a group is "chosen" - "we are gods' children" - opens the door to "and those other guys are NOT". Those other guys can burn. In some cases, we'll burn 'em FOR god - he would approve. It's dangerous and divisive and sociopathic.
What I mean by chosen ones are like Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Mary, Jesus, Mohammad, Ali, Fatima, Hassan, Hussain, not people who follow those chosen ones.
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RE: Open letter to Christians
January 30, 2016 at 9:23 pm
(January 30, 2016 at 8:31 pm)Nihilist Virus Wrote: I would think that the Koran would do well to contradict itself, considering that it encourages pedophilia and spousal abuse.
Nihilist, if you are going to learn everything about a religion from those who oppose it, you are going to believe anything they say about it. That said, it's followers are not necessarily the way to know it either. There is a delicate balance in all this, that, if you are seeking the truth, you must tread. Otherwise, you will believe whatever you want about it.
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RE: Open letter to Christians
January 31, 2016 at 12:56 am
(January 30, 2016 at 9:21 pm)MysticKnight Wrote: (January 30, 2016 at 8:12 pm)drfuzzy Wrote: I have a huge problem with the concept of "chosen ones", Mystic. Oh, I know where it came from - tribal warfare, tribal war gods, our tribe is special, and those "other" guys aren't people. To say that a group is "chosen" - "we are gods' children" - opens the door to "and those other guys are NOT". Those other guys can burn. In some cases, we'll burn 'em FOR god - he would approve. It's dangerous and divisive and sociopathic.
What I mean by chosen ones are like Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Mary, Jesus, Mohammad, Ali, Fatima, Hassan, Hussain, not people who follow those chosen ones.
Ah, but I'm not talking about prophets or historical figures or saints, Mystic. I'm talking about the mindset of being a "chosen people". It instantly makes the "chosen" better than all other people. Jews have it. Christians have it. Muslims have it. And I think it is divisive and dangerous.
"The family that prays together...is brainwashing their children."- Albert Einstein
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RE: Open letter to Christians
January 31, 2016 at 1:18 am
(January 30, 2016 at 9:23 pm)MysticKnight Wrote: (January 30, 2016 at 8:31 pm)Nihilist Virus Wrote: I would think that the Koran would do well to contradict itself, considering that it encourages pedophilia and spousal abuse.
Nihilist, if you are going to learn everything about a religion from those who oppose it, you are going to believe anything they say about it. That said, it's followers are not necessarily the way to know it either. There is a delicate balance in all this, that, if you are seeking the truth, you must tread. Otherwise, you will believe whatever you want about it.
OK... what part of what I said was not factual?
Jesus is like Pinocchio. He's the bastard son of a carpenter. And a liar. And he wishes he was real.
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RE: Open letter to Christians
February 1, 2016 at 4:03 pm
If it could be proven beyond doubt that God exists...
and that He is the one spoken of in the Bible...
would you repent of your sins and place your faith in Jesus Christ?
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RE: Open letter to Christians
February 1, 2016 at 5:57 pm
Ummm...sure. Why post an 'Open Letter to Christians' on an atheist forum? I mean there's only a few of us.
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RE: Open letter to Christians
February 1, 2016 at 6:29 pm
(February 1, 2016 at 5:57 pm)ChadWooters Wrote: Ummm...sure. Why post an 'Open Letter to Christians' on an atheist forum? I mean there's only a few of us.
I thought the same thing. It might be more productive to post it on a Christian forum.
"Of course, everyone will claim they respect someone who tries to speak the truth, but in reality, this is a rare quality. Most respect those who speak truths they agree with, and their respect for the speaking only extends as far as their realm of personal agreement. It is less common, almost to the point of becoming a saintly virtue, that someone truly respects and loves the truth seeker, even when their conclusions differ wildly."
-walsh
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RE: Open letter to Christians
February 1, 2016 at 6:30 pm
Chad, is that you? You look different.
"Of course, everyone will claim they respect someone who tries to speak the truth, but in reality, this is a rare quality. Most respect those who speak truths they agree with, and their respect for the speaking only extends as far as their realm of personal agreement. It is less common, almost to the point of becoming a saintly virtue, that someone truly respects and loves the truth seeker, even when their conclusions differ wildly."
-walsh
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RE: Open letter to Christians
February 1, 2016 at 7:11 pm
(This post was last modified: February 1, 2016 at 7:11 pm by Neo-Scholastic.)
(February 1, 2016 at 6:30 pm)Catholic_Lady Wrote: Chad, is that you? You look different. Yes, it's me but when I was a bit younger and had more hair.
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RE: Open letter to Christians
February 1, 2016 at 7:13 pm
You look handsome! 
"Of course, everyone will claim they respect someone who tries to speak the truth, but in reality, this is a rare quality. Most respect those who speak truths they agree with, and their respect for the speaking only extends as far as their realm of personal agreement. It is less common, almost to the point of becoming a saintly virtue, that someone truly respects and loves the truth seeker, even when their conclusions differ wildly."
-walsh
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