A few questions for people who believe in Jesus/God?

[MongGrel]

Only on the Internet can people REALLY express how they REALLY feel about issues ... and hide behind the veil of anonymity. The power of anonymity gives people the power to be anything they wish ... from a genius to a moron. Me wonders how certain people would act in-person. Me thinks not ...

The scarey part is I act in person like I do on the internet.

Some people don't like much much, others do I guess.

 

[WelshBloke]

God sacrificed himself to himself to save us from himself. DUH.

So god is like that cop that shot himself in the knee to stop him shooting someone's dog?

 

[Retro Rob]

Only on the Internet can people REALLY express how they REALLY feel about issues ... and hide behind the veil of anonymity. The power of anonymity gives people the power to be anything they wish ... from a genius to a moron. Me wonders how certain people would act in-person. Me thinks not ...

Ironically, my wife and I were just discussing this exact thing before I read this post.

Internet anonymity doesn't only give them a place in which they can be cowards, but it provides a safe-haven which also allows them to avoid being directly challenged on their views.

I'd wager that close to 99 percent of atheists who post here would either (1) ignore a street-preacher, JW or Mormon who would come knocking on their doors, or (2), tell them "I'm no interested" or something to that effect.

It takes an extreme level of courage, arrogance, (teetering on the line of stupidity), or emotional rage to tell a complete and total stranger TO HIS FACE how "fucking stupid" he is for believing what he believes in -- people in a rational state of mind don't say things like that to strangers.

Even though I disagree with them I do, however, admire the relatively few non-believers who are willing to attach their names to what they say (for instance, the "new atheists") and accept direct public debates/challenges to their own viewpoints.

The rest of them are loud on internet boards, but inconspicuous in person.

 

[JackBurton]

Ironically, my wife and I were just discussing this exact thing before I read this post.

Internet anonymity doesn't only give them a place in which they can be cowards, but it provides a safe-haven which also allows them to avoid being directly challenged on their views.

I'd wager that close to 99 percent of atheists who post here would either (1) ignore a street-preacher, JW or Mormon who would come knocking on their doors, or (2), tell them "I'm no interested" or something to that effect.

It takes an extreme level of courage, arrogance, (teetering on the line of stupidity), or emotional rage to tell a complete and total stranger TO HIS FACE how "fucking stupid" he is for believing what he believes in -- people in a rational state of mind don't say things like that to strangers.

Even though I disagree with them I do, however, admire the relatively few non-believers who are willing to attach their names to what they say (for instance, the "new atheists") and accept direct public debates/challenges to their own viewpoints.

The rest of them are loud on internet boards, but inconspicuous in person.

I would never go up to someone in person and tell them they are stupid. I'd chuckle to myself when they wear some dumb shit Christian shirt with some stupid nonsensical bible passage, but I'd never walk up to someone and try to push my beliefs down their throats. I would however tell them what I think if they walk up to me and try to sell me their bullshit. Last time someone tried to hand me one of their pamphlets on a street corner, I asked them if they had any more to spare. He was first excited, and then suspiciously asked, "why?" I then responded, "because I'm running low on toilet paper, and need something to wipe my ass with." He didn't really like that comment and then attempted to debate me. I really wasn't interested in having an intellectual debate with this moron, so my "debate" was more of a mockery of his beliefs. I saw in his eyes he wanted to throw a punch, but that probably would have turned out pretty bad for him. He did the right thing and walked away which I then kept walking behind him bothering him. At that point, he then knew how it felt to have someone bother him with bullshit he didn't want to hear.

Please don't pretend that Atheists won't express their opinions out of fear. I'm happy to live and let live. But if you try and walk up to me and sell me your bullshit, you are not going to get a "no thank you." You'll get a quick fuck off if you're lucky. I don't go walking up to people telling them there is no God, so I don't expect for you to invade my space with your bullshit. If you do, I'm most likely not going to be polite. Now mind you, I'm fully aware these nutjobs are capable of losing it and could escalate to violence, however I don't give a shit. I'm well prepared to take it as far as they want to go.

 

[dank69]

Jesus, the ultimate get-out-of-jail-free card. Child-molester? Jesus forgives.

 

[Retro Rob]

I would never go up to someone in person and tell them they are stupid. I'd chuckle to myself when they wear some dumb shit Christian shirt with some stupid nonsensical bible passage, but I'd never walk up to someone and try to push my beliefs down their throats.

How does someone "push" their beliefs down "their throats"? Atheists never clearly explain what this means. Push implies "force". So, how does a street preacher force his beliefs on you, or anyone else on the street?

He didn't really like that comment and then attempted to debate me. I really wasn't interested in having an intellectual debate with this moron, so my "debate" was more of a mockery of his beliefs.

This isn't an indictment on you personally, so don't take it that way. When I hear an atheist say that they weren't interested in having an intellectual debate in person especially if they're willing to debate online, then I'd take it that they probably don't posses the knowledge to have a on-the-spot debate, and without quick access to Google.com, they'd likely get embarrassed.

This is the reason why I no longer debate on the internet (not that I wasn't any good at it to begin with), because your typical debater can simply Google something, copy/paste, feigning intellect.

In person, spontaneous debates has a way of exposing pseudo-intellectuals, which is why I prefer them. You have no Google, no Wikipedia, and in effect, no chance. :\

So turning down a chance to show why someone beliefs, in person, are false while readily debating them over an internet connection says more about YOU that the beliefs you seemingly can only "mock" instead of disprove.

Just sayin',...

Please don't pretend that Atheists won't express their opinions out of fear. I'm happy to live and let live. But if you try and walk up to me and sell me your bullshit, you are not going to get a "no thank you." You'll get a quick fuck off if you're lucky. I don't go walking up to people telling them there is no God, so I don't expect for you to invade my space with your bullshit. If you do, I'm most likely not going to be polite. Now mind you, I'm fully aware these nutjobs are capable of losing it and could escalate to violence, however I don't give a shit. I'm well prepared to take it as far as they want to go.

I said atheists that "post here". I wasn't speaking generally. Secondly, I noted those who put their names to their statements as being admirable.

And you're a fool if you're willing to get violent with a stranger.

 

[edro]

3. The drone goes to hell. This is a primary advantage of drone warfare.

lol

I think I read that in the Bible somewhere. Phelatio 14:2

 

[SlitheryDee]

Ironically, my wife and I were just discussing this exact thing before I read this post.

Internet anonymity doesn't only give them a place in which they can be cowards, but it provides a safe-haven which also allows them to avoid being directly challenged on their views.

I'd wager that close to 99 percent of atheists who post here would either (1) ignore a street-preacher, JW or Mormon who would come knocking on their doors, or (2), tell them "I'm no interested" or something to that effect.

It takes an extreme level of courage, arrogance, (teetering on the line of stupidity), or emotional rage to tell a complete and total stranger TO HIS FACE how "fucking stupid" he is for believing what he believes in -- people in a rational state of mind don't say things like that to strangers.

Even though I disagree with them I do, however, admire the relatively few non-believers who are willing to attach their names to what they say (for instance, the "new atheists") and accept direct public debates/challenges to their own viewpoints.

The rest of them are loud on internet boards, but inconspicuous in person.

Even if this is true, what of it? The tendency of people to not say what they really think face-to-face is probably very beneficial to religion in general. Christianity would be brought to it's knees very quickly if all atheists suddenly decided to openly oppose it in their day-to-day lives. The effect of ALL religious people engaging in and losing debates with outspoken atheists every day they decide to proselytize would be severe. You'd lose a lot of the people who were doing the proselytizing. You'd lose a lot of the people who happened to see a few such debates. Once the ball got rolling on this it would be hard to stop. The social climate regarding open religious debate would change. It would hasten the end of religion immensely. Christians would long for the days when they could count on pretty much everyone to smile and nod politely when they started spewing their bullshit.

 

[OutHouse]

Christianity would be brought to it's knees very quickly if all atheists suddenly decided to openly oppose it in their day-to-day lives

you are delusional.

 

[Retro Rob]

Even if this is true, what of it? The tendency of people to not say what they really think face-to-face is probably very beneficial to religion in general.

I wasn't saying that they should...I was saying that if you're not willing to say it face-to-face, don't say it at all. The vast majority (myself included) would not say anything at all.

The effect of ALL religious people engaging in and losing debates with outspoken atheists every day they decide to proselytize would be severe.

If they lose, then they lose. Mocking me doesn't mean I'm wrong....proving me wrong, does.

Outspoken atheists only voice their non-belief in public, not actual "proof" that religious beliefs are factually incorrect. There is a difference, IMHO....neither does being outspoken mean you're right.

You'd lose a lot of the people who were doing the proselytizing. You'd lose a lot of the people who happened to see a few such debates. Once the ball got rolling on this it would be hard to stop. The social climate regarding open religious debate would change. It would hasten the end of religion immensely.

Well, is that what non-believers want, the end of religion? If religion is that easy to destroy, it would have been gone eons ago.

And to make myself clear, I'm not asking atheists to be assholes, I'm simply inviting them to discuss in person and not so much on the internet.

Only then can an understanding be reached.

 

[tommo123]

How does someone "push" their beliefs down "their throats"? Atheists never clearly explain what this means. Push implies "force". So, how does a street preacher force his beliefs on you, or anyone else on the street?

with money and politics. they find things immoral so try to make it illegal. look at abortion for example.

euthanasia is another. if you had an actual frank discussion about this how long would it be until someone mentioned religion? some would liken it to suicide and going to hell and other such nonsense as if that was a valid reason for something not to be made legal.

religion is basically a larger version of what people do when they want good luck. don't step on a crack, wear their lucky underwear etc. it's a delusion and religion is a mass delusion. it is by its nature irrational and i don't see any possible way for it to be in any way described as rational.

 

[dank69]

you are delusional.

Correct, Christian logic is unassailable:

 

[SlitheryDee]

you are delusional.

It's already happening now, just more slowly. Even when I say that open debate on every level of society would hasten the end of religion, I'm still not saying it would happen in our lifetimes. It would just take 5 generations instead of 10. Politeness is religion's life support right now. Take that away and things move much more quickly.

 

[dank69]

I wasn't saying that they should...I was saying that if you're not willing to say it face-to-face, don't say it at all. The vast majority (myself included) would not say anything at all.

If they lose, then they lose. Mocking me doesn't mean I'm wrong....proving me wrong, does.

Outspoken atheists only voice their non-belief in public, not actual "proof" that religious beliefs are factually incorrect. There is a difference, IMHO....neither does being outspoken mean you're right.

Well, is that what non-believers want, the end of religion? If religion is that easy to destroy, it would have been gone eons ago.

And to make myself clear, I'm not asking atheists to be assholes, I'm simply inviting them to discuss in person and not so much on the internet.

Only then can an understanding be reached.

You cannot prove that something does not exist. This is fundamental logic. Therefore you will believe in God until the day you die because nobody will ever be able to prove He does not exist. Just like we cannot prove Thor does not exist. Just like you cannot prove that Santa does not exist.

 

[Retro Rob]

with money and politics. they find things immoral so try to make it illegal. look at abortion for example.

Perhaps you didn't understand my question. I basically asked, how, while waking down the street, are you being forced to listen to anything anyone as to say in the US...whether it be a salesman, street preacher, politician, etc?

 

[cronos]

BTW, the actor who played Jesus (Jim Caviezel) has claimed that the movie made him an outcast, and he hasn't been able to find work.

Well let me see... 90% of Hollywood is owned by the Jews. Most probably hated the movie. And he wonders why his career has derailed.

http://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/may/03/jim-caviezel-passion-of-the-christ

Jim Caviezel's career has *not* derailed whatsoever. I could tell you don't watch TV series

 

[Retro Rob]

You cannot prove that something does not exist. This is fundamental logic. Therefore you will believe in God until the day you die because nobody will ever be able to prove He does not exist. Just like we cannot prove Thor does not exist. Just like you cannot prove that Santa does not exist.

Well, you can, actually. If I told you that a big, pink teapot orbits Jupiter, you can point a telescope at Jupiter and see if you can find it. If you cannot, you have proven that it doesn't exist there.

If I likewise told you intelligent life currently exists on mars, you can again, pay Mars a visit and disprove it.

 

[Mai72]

Well, you can, actually. If I told you that a big, pink teapot orbits Jupiter, you can point a telescope at Jupiter and see if you can find it. If you cannot, you have proven that it doesn't exist there.

If I likewise told you intelligent life currently exists on mars, you can again, pay Mars a visit and disprove it.

 

[Mai72]

I do think the boy might have been delusional.

 

[Mai72]

Jim Caviezel's career has *not* derailed whatsoever. I could tell you don't watch TV series

Really? I don't watch my TV. I will check Jim out on Wiki.

 

[Mai72]

In 2009, Caviezel played French-Iranian journalist Freidoune Sahebjam in The Stoning of Soraya M., a drama set in 1986 Iran about the execution of a young mother. The film, produced by Stephen McEveety, also stars Oscar-nominated Iranian actress Shohreh Aghdashloo. When asked about how his Roman Catholic faith was affected by this story, Caviezel says, "...you don't have to go any further than the gospels to figure out what the right thing to do is, whether you should be more concerned helping someone regardless of their religion or where they’re from."[15] That same year Caviezel lent his voice talents in the Thomas Nelson audio Bible production known as The Word of Promise, reprising the role of Jesus.[16]

Alongside Ian McKellen, Caviezel starred in The Prisoner, a remake of the British science fiction TV show The Prisoner, which aired in November 2009.

BuddyTV ranked him #92 on its list of "TV's Sexiest Men of 2011".

Since 2011, he has starred in the CBS drama Person of Interest, which received the highest rating in the past 15 years for a series pilot, and has consistently had over 10 million viewers in weekly ratings.

Caviezel is scheduled to star in the 2014 football film When the Game Stands Tall as De La Salle High School coach Bob Ladouceur, whose Concord, California, Spartans prep team had a 151-game winning streak from 1992-2003, surpassing all records for consecutive victories in any American sport. Thomas Carter will direct.

Ok then...

 

[OutHouse]

It's already happening now, just more slowly. Even when I say that open debate on every level of society would hasten the end of religion, I'm still not saying it would happen in our lifetimes. It would just take 5 generations instead of 10. Politeness is religion's life support right now. Take that away and things move much more quickly.

Dude religion will never every go away. you must live in a bubble there are over 2.2 billion christians and over a billion muslims,

 

[Retro Rob]

Dude religion will never every go away. you must live in a bubble there are over 2.2 billion christians and over a billion muslims,

Personally, I think that if religion does go away, it would take much, much more than just losing silly debates.

Something this ingrained in human society cannot be so easily toppled.

 

[cronos]

I believe that there's one God (religions are just different ways people throughout history come up with to organize how to deal with their beliefs) and that absolutely nothing is black and white. In the judgment day everything will be judged in context and in a case by case basis.

You could say that I just made up my own religion, and you are free to do so. I'm not recruiting anyone

 

[SlitheryDee]

Dude religion will never every go away. you must live in a bubble there are over 2.2 billion christians and over a billion muslims,

One day all the sudden there won't be so many though. At least it'll seem sudden, but it will really be the result of a steadily building change in the way religion is viewed. It's not because people are converting to atheism, but because the people who believe will be dying off while more and more of their children will never have believed to start with. Religion has already seen more change in the last 200 years than it did in the previous 2000. That trend is accelerating, not slowing down.