Happy "Pretend Not To Be Creeped Out By Black Marks On Foreheads At Work" day!

[Dr. Zaus]

Oh and speaking of assumptions

debate club is up!

I wouldn't ridicule anyone for it but it is a bit weird if you're not accustomed to it.

Probably why Fritzo started the thread...

 

[child of wonder]

Why? Because they're different than you?

It's difficult to pay any respect or hold back ridicule for people who not only believe in something without any evidence but who display that faith in a method totally contrary to how their god wants them to.

Again, I don't advocate ridicule, but we're free to do so and the faithful should expect it. Religion is not taboo.

 

[Drako]

Wow, this thread amazes me.

Growing up in the 60's and '70s, on the east coast/midwest this was fairly normal. I had no idea that this made anyone uncomfortable. The "fish on Fridays" thing always amused me though.

 

[Dr. Zaus]

Again, I don't advocate ridicule, but we're free to do so and the faithful should expect it. Religion is not taboo.

How about you get those FT500 execs and tell them what you think of what they believe.

Oh... right... because you're an internet tough guy

 

[BUTCH1]

I fire any employee who doesn't come to work well groomed. Dirt on your face? Find another job.

I'm sure the folks at HR will be chatting with you sooner rather than later as these people will file for unemployment and get it since they were fired for a flimsy reason, you could have just mentioned it to someone rather than canning them, I know it's one own responsibility for grooming but now your company will be on the hook for a percentage of any benefits paid, your little power trip is set to explode right in your face.. :awe:

 

[child of wonder]

How about you get those FT500 execs and tell them what you think of what they believe.

Oh... right... because you're an internet tough guy

I already have to hide the fact I'm an atheist for fear of possible reprisal at work or in social situations. My children have to be coached to avoid religious discussions with their peers because I don't need them being "found out" as living in an atheist household and being the butt of jokes, bullying, or worse.

I don't discuss religion with my clients for the same reason I avoid politics: nothing good can come of it.

That being said, I can respect the hell out of an individual, their accomplishments, deeds, experience, and knowledge. That does not mean, however, that I have to respect their religious opinions.

 

[Dr. Zaus]

I already have to hide the fact I'm an atheist for fear of possible reprisal at work or in social situations. My children have to be coached to avoid religious discussions with their peers because I don't need them being "found out" as living in an atheist household and being the butt of jokes, bullying, or worse.

That's fucking bullshit!

(I am not saying what you are saying is bullshit; but that you're stuck in such a repressive community is fucking bullshit)

Of course you're an asshole on the internet about it; fuckers like me are shit-heads to you all fucking day long.

I retract my insult; fucking vent man... fucking vent.

 

[Colt45]

It is no more ridiculous than someone who covers from the tip of their head to their toes such as a burqa. Neither should be ridicule.

Both should be ridiculed as often as possible.

 

[child of wonder]

That's fucking bullshit!

(I am not saying what you are saying is bullshit; but that you're stuck in such a repressive community is fucking bullshit)

Of course you're an asshole on the internet about it; fuckers like me are shit-heads to you all fucking day long.

I retract my insult; fucking vent man... fucking vent.

Yes, I clearly imagined things when my next door neighbors in the predominantly Catholic town we live in have banned their daughter from playing with mine when she told them we didn't go to church.

 

[ichy]

Yes, I clearly imagined things when my next door neighbors in the predominantly Catholic town we live in have banned their daughter from playing with mine when she told them we didn't go to church.

You say you live in Minneapolis? I could believe your story if you lived in the Deep South or in Utah...

 

[Fritzo]

Again, I don't advocate ridicule, but we're free to do so and the faithful should expect it. Religion is not taboo.

Can I make fun of you if you have red hair? It's not something I see a lot, but I know some people have it. Since they choose not to dye it to a more common color, they should expect it. Red hair is not taboo.

WTF IS taboo these days? Nobody respects anything anymore.

 

[preslove]

That's fucking bullshit!

(I am not saying what you are saying is bullshit; but that you're stuck in such a repressive community is fucking bullshit)

This is the norm in most of the country. In the actual real world, publicly stating you're an atheist is far worse for you socially and professionally than claiming to be a Christian.

This is another reason why whiny Christians are pathetic.

 

[child of wonder]

You say you live in Minneapolis? I could believe your story if you lived in the Deep South or in Utah...

I live in a small town over 20 miles outside the Twin Cities in a red county. My town is 52% Catholic, 30% Lutheran, and 11% other Christian denominations. We tend to avoid religious discussions with our neighbors.

Our next door neighbors are downright kooky and after we moved in my daughter told the mom that we didn't go to any church. After that we found out our daughter is not allowed in their house and their daughter is not allowed to go in ours.

These people are the exception, not the rule. However, we keep our lack of religious affiliation close to the chest because why expose ourselves to the small percentage of people that would be mean?

 

[child of wonder]

Can I make fun of you if you have red hair? It's not something I see a lot, but I know some people have it. Since they choose not to dye it to a more common color, they should expect it. Red hair is not taboo.

WTF IS taboo these days? Nobody respects anything anymore.

I suppose your analogy might be apt since someone with red hair is born into it just like the vast majority of the religious are born into it as well.

You're thinking I'm saying people "should" ridicule while I'm only saying "are free to" or "can." If someone publicly displays their faith they should be prepared for ridicule. I won't ridicule them nor defend those that do, but others may.

 

[Fritzo]

Yes, I clearly imagined things when my next door neighbors in the predominantly Catholic town we live in have banned their daughter from playing with mine when she told them we didn't go to church.

Most Catholics aren't like that at all. You'll have a scant few wackos here and there, but I've never had an experience like that. In fact, a lot of Catholics don't really talk about religion too much other than in church or during holidays.

My neighbors growing up were Jewish, and we were Catholic. We used to have them over for dinner all the time and I played with their kids all the time. Sometimes I would ask about the funny symbols and odd things I would see on their wall, and they would explain them to me. When their kids were over our house, they had the same questions. It was a nice cultural exchange and it's interesting to see how people with different views live. It's also amazing to think that some of their rituals go back 1000's of years.

Of all the religions out there, you're probably going to find that Catholics, Lutherans, and Protestants are by far the most tolerant and the least "in your face" about pressing their beliefs on others.

 

[preslove]

I live in a small town over 20 miles outside the Twin Cities in a red county. My town is 52% Catholic, 30% Lutheran, and 11% other Christian denominations. We tend to avoid religious discussions with our neighbors.

Our next door neighbors are downright kooky and after we moved in my daughter told the mom that we didn't go to any church. After that we found out our daughter is not allowed in their house and their daughter is not allowed to go in ours.

These people are the exception, not the rule. However, we keep our lack of religious affiliation close to the chest because why expose ourselves to the small percentage of people that would be mean?

Where I'm at, it ain't the exception. From my experience, most "christians" are bigoted against anyone who doesn't conform to their narrow view of christianity.

 

[ichy]

Most Catholics aren't like that at all. You'll have a scant few wackos here and there, but I've never had an experience like that. In fact, a lot of Catholics don't really talk about religion too much other than in church or during holidays.

My neighbors growing up were Jewish, and we were Catholic. We used to have them over for dinner all the time and I played with their kids all the time. Sometimes I would ask about the funny symbols and odd things I would see on their wall, and they would explain them to me. When their kids were over our house, they had the same questions. It was a nice cultural exchange and it's interesting to see how people with different views live. It's also amazing to think that some of their rituals go back 1000's of years.

Of all the religions out there, you're probably going to find that Catholics, Lutherans, and Protestants are by far the most tolerant and the least "in your face" about pressing their beliefs on others.

Huge numbers of Catholics in the US are religious in only the most nominal sense. Most people I know who self-identify as Catholic don't even go to Mass on a regular basis. In my experience Catholics (with a few exceptions) are far less annoying than evangelical protestants and are more capable of laughing at their own beliefs than a lot of atheists are. Of course the ones who really buy into all the fanatical stuff like no birth control are a whole different breed.

 

[Eureka]

You guys are hilarious.

I grew up in a predominantly Catholic city, in a predominantly Catholic community. Surprise surprise, I was never treated differently for not being Catholic, I could tell people I didn't go to church and no one saw me differently.

I've also lived in some bigoted communities but never once got heckled for religion.

The only time I ever see or hear of people getting "repressed" for non-belief is when they try to go string up arguments, or antagonize people. Guess what, it's not because you're an atheist. It's because you're an idiot who won't shut up. You have the right to non-belief, and you have the right to belief. You also have the right to free speech. But everyone else has the right to tell you to shut up.

Not to mention, while I haven't seen ash in a long time, what's so funny about it? Sure, it was funny when we were all 12, but now that we're all grown up, who cares? It doesn't hurt anyone, no one's pushing you to do it, and the joke's... quite old.

 

[ichy]

The only time I ever see or hear of people getting "repressed" for non-belief is when they try to go string up arguments, or antagonize people. Guess what, it's not because you're an atheist. It's because you're an idiot who won't shut up. You have the right to non-belief, and you have the right to belief. You also have the right to free speech. But everyone else has the right to tell you to shut up.

In the Deep South I have no trouble believing that people would give you shit for not going to church. Same for some parts of Utah if you aren't Mormon. Those kinds of places are exceptions though.

 

[Fritzo]

Where I'm at, it ain't the exception. From my experience, most "christians" are bigoted against anyone who doesn't conform to their narrow view of christianity.

OK, you're really lumping a lot of people in your stereotype. I suspect the Christians you're speaking of are the non-denominational bible thumper types that go to those gigantic churches that play rock music and have their own public access TV station.

Yeah...those people can be annoying. They do things like leave fake money on the ground that's actually a "Get Saved!" pamphlet, leave bible quotes for tips, and get all in your face about what they believe. I went to a church called Cedar Creek around my home with some family friends for an event. The whole service was basically a two hour entertainment extravaganza with a pastor speaking in between the music videos and the band playing. The gist of his speaking was "make sure you're giving 10% to the church to keep this thing going." People were eating it up too...and I hated it.

So, if that's your view of Christians, yes, I can't stand them either. Catholics on the other hand go to church for 45 minutes on Sunday, and have a very subdued and traditional service. It consists of:

-An intro
-A reading from the 1st Testament, 2nd Testament, and one of the Gospels
-The priest talks about what the Gospel means
-Ceremony to get ready for Communion
-You walk up and drink a sip of wine and eat a wafer that tastes like styrofoam
-You leave and go get pancakes at IHOP or Bob Evans

That's about it.

 

[child of wonder]

Most Catholics aren't like that at all.

Hence my "they're the exception, not the rule" comment.

You'll have a scant few wackos here and there, but I've never had an experience like that. In fact, a lot of Catholics don't really talk about religion too much other than in church or during holidays.

My neighbors growing up were Jewish, and we were Catholic. We used to have them over for dinner all the time and I played with their kids all the time. Sometimes I would ask about the funny symbols and odd things I would see on their wall, and they would explain them to me. When their kids were over our house, they had the same questions. It was a nice cultural exchange and it's interesting to see how people with different views live. It's also amazing to think that some of their rituals go back 1000's of years.

Of all the religions out there, you're probably going to find that Catholics, Lutherans, and Protestants are by far the most tolerant and the least "in your face" about pressing their beliefs on others.

Maybe. But there are plenty of them that will push their religion in your face. My parents do their best to subversively promote Christianity to my kids behind our back and I've had to have a discussion with them about it a few times.

 

[Eureka]

In the Deep South I have no trouble believing that people would give you shit for not going to church. Same for some parts of Utah if you aren't Mormon. Those kinds of places are exceptions though.

Those communities are dwindling.

It's really less about the religion and more about the community. People give you shit for not fitting in, not just religion, but for anything else. Even if you're of the same religion, you'll get flak for not going with the crowd.

The internet is the sanctuary for the misfits. Which is why we have so many 'atheists' on the internet. It's not about your belief. 99% of the time, if you keep to yourself and know how to talk, no one will care about what you believe. But when you act in a way that draws attention and ire, it's not the religion, it's you.

But there are plenty of them that will push their religion in your face. My parents do their best to subversively promote Christianity to my kids behind our back and I've had to have a discussion with them about it a few times.

Kind of case in point? Grandparents with different ideas on how to raise children than the parents? Must be religion subverting our lives!

 

[child of wonder]

Kind of case in point? Grandparents with different ideas on how to raise children than the parents? Must be religion subverting our lives!

You know, except we're talking about religion specifically here. If they weren't religious I doubt they would cry and sob to me that because their grandchildren aren't baptized that they could go to hell.

 

[Eureka]

You know, except we're talking about religion specifically here. If they weren't religious I doubt they would cry and sob to me that because their grandchildren aren't baptized that they could go to hell.

My point is that religion has less to do with it than just human nature. If it wasn't religion, they could moan about how you keep your house, spend your finance, what you're teaching them and feeding them, how you want them to grow up. Parents will always believe they know better than you, and you will always believe you know better than your parents.

Everyone likes to point the finger at religion. It has nothing to do with religion. It has to do with people being idiots. It's just another excuse to use in an argument.

 

[child of wonder]

My point is that religion has less to do with it than just human nature. If it wasn't religion, they could moan about how you keep your house, spend your finance, what you're teaching them and feeding them, how you want them to grow up. Parents will always believe they know better than you, and you will always believe you know better than your parents.

Everyone likes to point the finger at religion. It has nothing to do with religion. It has to do with people being idiots. It's just another excuse to use in an argument.

My specific example has everything to do with religion. The same as my parents taking the kids to church behind our backs.