Is our open skepticism hurting Christians?

Started by Jagella, July 29, 2020, 06:01:24 PM

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drunkenshoe

Quote from: Cassia on July 29, 2020, 08:07:28 PM
I was well equipped to handle non believers and anything they could say. I was the problem.

What do you mean by 'handling' nonbelievers? 

We have had so many different kinds of believers in this forum from anywhere around the world -I only know the last decade, you could ask aitm about the previous one- and I assure you they all thought the exact same thing about themselves while most of the points made to them just flew over their heads.

Or you mean something very different by all that and I misunderstood?
"science is not about building a body of known 'facts'. ıt is a method for asking awkward questions and subjecting them to a reality-check, thus avoiding the human tendency to believe whatever makes us feel good." - tp

Baruch

Totalitarian governments spread ideology.  If their ideology includes atheism, then that gets spread too.  Don't blame germs for illness, it is the weak humans who are to blame.  No, individual atheists aren't a threat, because most individuals are not a threat.  Human groups/human organizations are the threat.
Ha’át’íísh baa naniná?
Azee’ Å,a’ish nanídį́į́h?
Táadoo ánít’iní.
What are you doing?
Are you taking any medications?
Don't do that.

PickelledEggs

Quote from: Jagella on July 31, 2020, 09:08:10 AM
While I agree with your logic, most Christians do not want their faith tested. They hate to have their faith tested knowing that it will fail the test.


Not my problem. While I don't care if an xtian is an xtian, I also don't want their bullshit interfering with my life.

It's not my problem that their faith relies on stubbornly denying things that are right in front of them. They can double down on their own bullshit if they so please, but just because they have a fragile ego doesn't give them the right to stomp on my free speech.

GSOgymrat

I don't criticize people who are religious for the same reasons I don't criticize people who use substances. If someone wants to smoke a joint or say a prayer to feel better, if they go to a bar or a church to feel part of a community, if they seek meaning and insight in ancient rituals or psychedelic trips, that's their choice. Unless I'm directly affected by their behavior or invited to comment, other people's coping strategies are none of my business.

Cassia

Quote from: drunkenshoe on August 01, 2020, 07:05:20 AM
What do you mean by 'handling' nonbelievers? 

We have had so many different kinds of believers in this forum from anywhere around the world -I only know the last decade, you could ask aitm about the previous one- and I assure you they all thought the exact same thing about themselves while most of the points made to them just flew over their heads.

Or you mean something very different by all that and I misunderstood?
Meaning as an indoctrinated Christian I was trained to debate atheists and deal with episodes of self doubt and loss of faith. There are many bible stories to teach you to what to do. Stories of Christians being tortured and remaining faithful. Stories of traitors to the faith that have become shunned and punished. Stories of atheists and pagans being converted and rewarded. So when a Christian decides to leave, we are very, very sure about it. The cost is high if you are wrong. Fortunately after years and years... I am still 100% certain that Christianity and all the other brands of faith are not the truth.

Baruch

#35
Cassia joins Pontius Pilatus "what is the truth?" ... is it 2+2=4?  Socialists deny this, their faith is in Karl Marx.  I know Cassia believes in inflatable dollars.

"WOKE LEFTISTS STARTS ARGUING 2+2=5 IN LITERAL 1984 ORWELLIAN MOVE" ... arithmetic is racist
Ha’át’íísh baa naniná?
Azee’ Å,a’ish nanídį́į́h?
Táadoo ánít’iní.
What are you doing?
Are you taking any medications?
Don't do that.

Gawdzilla Sama

Quote from: Cassia on August 03, 2020, 04:48:18 PM
Meaning as an indoctrinated Christian I was trained to debate atheists and deal with episodes of self doubt and loss of faith.
You mean "...as long as they follow the script."
We 'new atheists' have a reputation for being militant, but make no mistake  we didn't start this war. If you want to place blame put it on the the religious zealots who have been poisoning the minds of the  young for a long long time."
PZ Myers

Baruch

Quote from: Gawdzilla Sama on August 04, 2020, 07:38:33 AM
You mean "...as long as they follow the script."

Only crisis actors follow a script (see BLM and AntiFa).
Ha’át’íísh baa naniná?
Azee’ Å,a’ish nanídį́į́h?
Táadoo ánít’iní.
What are you doing?
Are you taking any medications?
Don't do that.

SoldierofFortune

R.I.P. George Floyn...

He is a democracy martry.

Baruch

Quote from: SoldierofFortune on August 06, 2020, 12:36:12 PM
R.I.P. George Floyn...

He is a democracy martry.

Floyd?  Yes, all criminals are patriots ;-)
Ha’át’íísh baa naniná?
Azee’ Å,a’ish nanídį́į́h?
Táadoo ánít’iní.
What are you doing?
Are you taking any medications?
Don't do that.

Jagella

Quote from: PickelledEggs on August 03, 2020, 10:05:54 AM
Not my problem. While I don't care if an xtian is an xtian, I also don't want their bullshit interfering with my life.

It's not my problem that their faith relies on stubbornly denying things that are right in front of them. They can double down on their own bullshit if they so please, but just because they have a fragile ego doesn't give them the right to stomp on my free speech.

Well said! You are correct that Christian "bullshit" does interfere with the lives of those of us who are too sensible to believe what they claim. That said, it's generally a good idea to be sensitive to what gets other people upset. For example, if you know somebody grieving over the death of a loved one, I hope you agree with me that it's not a good idea to tell that person that the deceased is "rotting in the ground." You can insist you have the right to say that, but saying it will needlessly hurt the grieving.

So I think yes, we have the right to express our doubts regarding religion. But like exercising any other right, there are times we should forego exercising that right to "keep the peace." It seems best to me to only express doubt about religion when doing so will do more good than harm.