A beginner's guide to being an atheist, by Richard Dawkins

Cypress said:
I don't like theocrats, snake handlers, or young earth creationists.
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Me neither!

It was in my early teens that the non sequiturs between my family's church beliefs and science occurred to me. One side claiming the Earth was only 6,000 years old, backed by the Bible, and the other side, backed by science, saying it was billions of years old. Other things like recognizing dinosaur fossils aren't dragon bones, but ancient reptiles from over 65M years ago and wiped out by a 6-mile-wide space rock. Speaking of which, it's only recently that I've learned it wasn't the first time, either. LOL

I was an atheist for a few years. Not an obnoxious, angst-ridden militant asshole, but simply "There's no such thing as God". I even had a very nice and civil church intervention about it when I was 14 or 15. Eventually I outgrew it. :)
 
Dutch Uncle said:
Me neither!

It was in my early teens that the non sequiturs between my family's church beliefs and science occurred to me. One side claiming the Earth was only 6,000 years old, backed by the Bible, and the other side, backed by science, saying it was billions of years old. Other things like recognizing dinosaur fossils aren't dragon bones, but ancient reptiles from over 65M years ago and wiped out by a 6-mile-wide space rock. Speaking of which, it's only recently that I've learned it wasn't the first time, either. LOL

I was an atheist for a few years. Not an obnoxious, angst-ridden militant asshole, but simply "There's no such thing as God". Eventually I outgrew it. :)
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The young earth creationists are very annoying, and impervious to reason.

They must be really invested in a strictly literal reading of the Bible to feel that compelled to force the data to conform to it.
 
Cypress said:
I don't like those fire-and-brimstone churches, televangelists, self righteous Bible thumpers, or young earth creationists.

But the Intel I have been gathering leads me to believe that I even have to be careful stereotyping evangelicals. There is no talk of politics at the evangelical church here, no fire and brimstone, and perfectly sensible sermons that reflect on works of the New Testament canon.
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Agreed.

While I have no doubt the anti-theists, or even those against the political side of Evangelicals, should be glad to hear it, the fact remains the dark side of Evangelical Christianity is in Washington, DC and deeply imbedded within the Republican Party. This is exemplified by the theocratic relationship between Trump, Project 2025 and the White Christian Nationalists.

The connection between Turning Point USA and the Pary of Trump and the even weirder display at the Charlie Kirk memorial/MAGA rally should raise eyebrows from those concerned about religion in national US politics.
 
Dutch Uncle said:
Agreed.

While I have no doubt the anti-theists, or even those against the political side of Evangelicals, should be glad to hear it, the fact remains the dark side of Evangelical Christianity is in Washington, DC and deeply imbedded within the Republican Party. This is exemplified by the theocratic relationship between Trump, Project 2025 and the White Christian Nationalists.

The connection between Turning Point USA and the Pary of Trump and the even weirder display at the Charlie Kirk memorial/MAGA rally should raise eyebrows from those concerned about religion in national US politics.
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Yep, the white Christian nationalists are major players in the GOP
 
Cypress said:
The young earth creationists are very annoying, and impervious to reason.

They must be really invested in a strictly literal reading of the Bible to feel that compelled to force the data to conform to it.
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Like militant atheists and other dingleberries? Agreed! :thup:

The dogma of Biblical literalists is what is causing the shrinking numbers in church members, IMO. Your comment about local Evangelicals indicates some are adapting to a shrinking membership.
 
Cypress said:
You're welcome to your cynical view of Christianity, but I notice you couldn't give an answer as to how many different Christian denominations you have actually sat in on.

The Pharisees constantly directly questioned Jesus' interpretation of the law, and as far as I remember Jesus always answered them
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You didn’t answer the question. Where did Jesus say to question scripture.

The number of denominations I’ve sat in on are not many. But you’re really not going to sit there and tell me I’m wrong. When it comes down to it, there’s not a nickel’s difference between any of the Christian denominations. They’re going to quote scripture and then tell you what it means. They’re going to do some spiritual cheerleading, you’ll sing a song or to, maybe say your automatic mantras and amens, then they’ll pass the hat for Jesus.

They’ll say “love thy neighbor”, “love thy enemy” and “thou shalt not kill” is literal, but that divine slaughter is “context”. All the good stuff is historically true, but the shitty or absurd stuff is metaphor.
 
Hume said:
Never said such a thing. He never answers question of why a Jew and only Jew is God.
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I never said anything about Jesus answering the question you wanted asked.

I said anyone who read the gospels remembers the Pharisees asking Jesus tough questions, and Jesus answering.
 
domer76 said:
Many people read the Bible, few comprehend it. It’s not meant to be understood. It’s meant to be revered. Reverence replaces comprehension.

The pastor reads. The congregation nods. One part therapy, one part theater, one part sales pitch.

“Faith means not wanting to know what is true," said Nietzsche.
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Yes, there are many Christians, atheists, auto mechanics, Uber drivers, politicians, mid level business managers who are more followers than leaders.
domer76 said:
You’ll have to quote where Jesus said to question scripture. I’ll wait.
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I don't think I ever said scripture. But even in that case, Jesus routinely entertained tough questions from the Pharisees about his interpretation of the laws of Torah. As far as I know, Jesus always gave answers.

If you want to know why Jesus wasn't asked the question you wanted asked, that's not the assertion I made
 
Cypress said:
I don't like theocrats, snake handlers, or young earth creationists.
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Decades ago, I saw a snake handling exotic dancer who wasn't too bad,
but I can't remember her name and never knew her religion.

Still, I'd have liked the performance more without the snake, more than likely.
 
NiftyNiblick said:
Decades ago, I saw a snake handling exotic dancer who wasn't too bad,
but I can't remember her name and never knew her religion.

Still, I'd have liked the performance more without the snake, more than likely.
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Snakes would be too distracting.

I thought the Pentecostals sometimes handled snakes in their service. That's just effing weird.
 
Cypress said:
Yes, there are many Christians, atheists, auto mechanics, Uber drivers, politicians, mid level business managers who are more followers than leaders.

I don't think I ever said scripture. But even in that case, Jesus routinely entertained tough questions from the Pharisees about his interpretation of the laws of Torah. As far as I know, Jesus always gave answers.

If you want to know why Jesus wasn't asked the question you wanted asked, that's not the assertion I made
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Still waiting for that Bible passage.
 
domer76 said:
Still waiting for that Bible passage.
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No citation needed. It's universally known to anyone with a working knowledge of Christianity that the Pharisees were constantly asking Jesus tough questions about his interpretation of Torah.

It's the kind of thing that does not have to be proven.
 
domer76 said:
You’ll have to quote where Jesus said to question scripture. I’ll wait.
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Why did you change/edit/alter the nature of the comment I wrote?
I said nothing about scripture -->
Cypress said:
The Jesus of the gospels always encouraged questions.
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The New Testament scripture didn't exist in 30 AD.

Jesus was consistently being asked questions about his interpretation of Torah.
 
Perry PhD said:
aalcur.jpg
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Cypress said:
Why did you change/edit/alter the nature of the comment I wrote?
I said nothing about scripture -->

The New Testament scripture didn't exist in 30 AD.

Jesus was consistently being asked questions about his interpretation of Torah.
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Extremists and conspiracy theorists only see what they want to see. Weird!

While it's an example of confirmation bias, it doesn't explain why they are like that. When a person seems normal in most areas and goes full-on raging wackadoodle in a particular subject, it piques my interest. It's not mental illness and is most likely related to trauma.

Fredo and Perry are examples of mental deficiency, but @domer76 strikes me as normal in every regard except when discussing religion. Hence, trauma is the mostly likely causal factor.
 
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