Atheists "Hijack" Nativity in Santa Monica

[rjd970]

Who cares if it's philosophically needed if it's practically useful?

Far and away the label carries a negative connatation.

For instance...Pol Pot, Hitler, Stalin...are all immediately labeled as "atheists" even though their lack of belief in God had nothing to do with their motivations. Politically, racial, and social dogmas were at root cause for their actions. They didn't believe in God...so what...Hitler and Stalin both had mustaches.

It doesn't bother me. I'm an "atheist", whatever you decide that means.

 

[VOLatile]

Far and away the label carries a negative connatation.

For instance...Pol Pot, Hitler, Stalin...are all immediately labeled as "atheists" even though their lack of belief in God had nothing to do with their motivations. Politically, racial, and social dogmas were at root cause for their actions. They didn't believe in God...so what...Hitler and Stalin both had mustaches.

It doesn't bother me. I'm an "atheist", whatever you decide that means.

Hitler called himself a Christian.

 

[rjd970]

apology accepted

You're welcome, any time you want to participate in an absurd conversation and call yourself dumb, I'll be around.

 

[rjd970]

Hitler called himself a Christian.

Ok.

Was he a Christian? All resident Christians chime in.

 

[MUR73]

No Christian believes anyway; they just proclaim to have faith. However, if they had even the smallest amount of faith, say the size of a mustard seed, they could command the mountains to move.

Hmm..Trivializing the words spoken by Jesus?

So what does the Book of therealUT proclaim. Isn't it much easier to disparage anothers (faith) when you profess as a non Christian believer but offer no more credible evidence/proof of your theories than you claim is lacking in Christianity?
So since you can read and study the bible may i also view yours so i can can fairly & justly critique it also?... Or should i take your words as "the word" from a guy on a message board over the words utter by Jesus Christs' ?

 

[bamawriter]

But, they fairly won the right to put up the display, no? Their message can be whatever they want.

I totally agree. And I'm not suggesting that the content be censored.

Since when was thought-provoking considered antagonistic? Since when was a banner hostile?

The banner explicitly called the sacred beliefs of billions of people a "myth". I fail to see how that's not hostile.

The whole idea of displaying religious/non-religious text is demeaning to those that don't share the same belief.

That's absured. If I were to put up a banner that says "Christ is risen!" on my front lawn, the idea would not be to demean non-Christians, it would be to celebrate Christ. If I were to put up a banner that says "Islam is a myth" then I would be intentionally demeaning Muslims. I can see a Buddha at a sushi restaurant and not feel offended.

 

[therealUT]

Hmm..Trivializing the words spoken by Jesus?

So what does the Book of therealUT proclaim. Isn't it much easier to disparage anothers (faith) when you profess as a non Christian believer but offer no more credible evidence/proof of your theories than you claim is lacking in Christianity?
So since you can read and study the bible may i also view yours so i can can fairly & justly critique it also?... Or should i take your words as "the word" from a guy on a message board over the words utter by Jesus Christs' ?

What is a "non Christian believer"?

I have provided my views on divinity plenty. Feel free to search my posts; keywords: deity, agnostic, and supernatural.

 

[rjd970]

The banner explicitly called the sacred beliefs of billions of people a "myth". I fail to see how that's not hostile.

I don't buy this either. The number of people believing has absolutely nothing to do with the validity of said belief. It is only hostile if the believers make it so.

Besides, Jesus himself said you should expect to be mocked for your belief. This is par for the course and would be evidence of his divinity. Christians around the world should be thankful the "athiests" did this.

 

[Orangeslice13]

Ok.

Was he a Christian? All resident Christians chime in.

Every person running for president including Obama claims Christianity. Ate they?

 

[n_huffhines]

Religion bothers me for one reason, and one reason only. People interpret their doctrine however they choose, but it decidedly comes from a higher power. Their interpretation of the scriptures, applied to the political sphere, becomes dangerous if they allow it to replace reason and logic (specifically because they think it fits their idea of what God's will would be). The establishment Republicans, IMO, use the religious right's beliefs to manipulate them.

Also, religious people tend to identify with politicians with the same beliefs, regardless of their track record. Evangelicals assume Huckabee would do the right thing. Mormons believe Romney would do the right thing. They don't question it. Romney got like 98% of the vote in Utah in the primaries in 2008. There is no way his actual politics represent 98% of the people.

 

[therealUT]

The banner explicitly called the sacred beliefs of billions of people a "myth". I fail to see how that's not hostile.

It is a myth.

That's absured. If I were to put up a banner that says "Christ is risen!" on my front lawn, the idea would not be to demean non-Christians, it would be to celebrate Christ. If I were to put up a banner that says "Islam is a myth" then I would be intentionally demeaning Muslims. I can see a Buddha at a sushi restaurant and not feel offended.

By putting up a banner that says "Christ is risen" you are simultaneously stating that all other religions are myths.

 

[BeecherVol]

The whole idea of displaying religious/non-religious text is demeaning to those that don't share the same belief.

Why are you uncomfortable with the content? It does not affect you, unless you begin questioning your beliefs. Are you afraid that some people may stop and start to question?

Am I reading this wrong?

 

[bamawriter]

I don't buy this either. The number of people believing has absolutely nothing to do with the validity of said belief.

True, numbers have nothing to do with whether the content is hostile.

It is only hostile if the believers make it so.

That is completely stupid. I could be totally hostile toward you, and whether on not you care doesn't make me any less hostile.

Besides, Jesus himself said you should expect to be mocked for your belief. This is par for the course and would be evidence of his divinity. Christians around the world should be thankful the "athiests" did this.

I suppose we should ask the atheists who put up the banner if they did it in order to give Christians comfort in Christ's words. If so, then it wouldn't be a hostile intention. Do you have any of their email addresses?

 

[PKT_VOL]

The banner explicitly called the sacred beliefs of billions of people a "myth". I fail to see how that's not hostile.

You have some thin skin if you think that is hostile or offensive. There is a reason why it's called "faith."

I can see a Buddha at a sushi restaurant and not feel offended.

I am not sure that I have ever met someone who was offended by Buddha or Buddhism.

 

[golfballs]

It is a myth.

just your opinion

 

[KiffinKiller]

Buddhists tend to keep to themselves...or am I wrong?

 

[bamawriter]

It is a myth.

No, it's not. See how that works?

By putting up a banner that says "Christ is risen" you are simultaneously stating that all other religions are myths.

That would certainly be an inference that could be drawn from the message. However, that wouldn't be "the whole idea" of the message.

 

[rjd970]

True, numbers have nothing to do with whether the content is hostile.



1. That is completely stupid. I could be totally hostile toward you, and whether on not you care doesn't make me any less hostile.



2. I suppose we should ask the atheists who put up the banner if they did it in order to give Christians comfort in Christ's words. If so, then it wouldn't be a hostile intention. Do you have any of their email addresses?

1. Not really, but ok. If I don't care, it isn't hostile by definition.

2. You don't need to, actually read the Bible, Christ words are right there. Why do you need confirmation by a bunch of non-believing heathens? The fact you think it is hostile says more about the strength of your faith than it does about whether it is actually hostile or not.

 

[bamawriter]

You have some thin skin if you think that is hostile or offensive. There is a reason why it's called "faith."

Equating belief in Christ with belief in Santa Claus isn't terribly complimentary.

I am not sure that I have ever met someone who was offended by Buddha or Buddhism.

I'm not offended by Buddhism. But how is a display of a Buddha any more or less demeaning to non-Buddhists than a nativity scene is to non-Christians?

 

[golfballs]

Equating belief in Christ with belief in Santa Claus isn't terribly complimentary.




I'm not offended by Buddhism. But how is a display of a Buddha any more or less demeaning to non-Buddhists than a nativity scene is to non-Christians?

It's more of a reflection of those who are non-christian.

 

[bamawriter]

1. Not really, but ok. If I don't care, it isn't hostile by definition.

A few definitions of hostile:

2. opposed in feeling, action, or character; antagonistic: hostile criticism.
3. characterized by antagonism.
4. not friendly, warm, or generous; not hospitable.
noun
5. a person or thing that is antagonistic or unfriendly.

Hostility has nothing to do with whether or not it matters to you. If I intend to be hostile, I'm hostile.

2. You don't need to, actually read the Bible, Christ words are right there. Why do you need confirmation by a bunch of non-believing heathens? The fact you think it is hostile says more about the strength of your faith than it does about whether it is actually hostile or not.

Christ was telling his followers that others would be hostile to them. You are correct that these particular atheists proved Christ right. Ergo, these atheists are being hostile.

 

[therealUT]

just your opinion

Myth (n).:
A traditional story, typically involving supernatural beings or forces, which embodies and provides an explanation, aetiology, or justification for something such as the early history of a society, a religious belief or ritual, or a natural phenomenon.

OED

Like I said, it is a myth.

 

[rjd970]

A few definitions of hostile:



Hostility has nothing to do with whether or not it matters to you. If I intend to be hostile, I'm hostile.




Christ was telling his followers that others would be hostile to them. You are correct that these particular atheists proved Christ right. Ergo, these atheists are being hostile.

Who defines hostility? An outside observer or the intended target? Honestly man, you are reaching here.

Also, and again, it should be expected. Point them to scripture where they are bringing forth prophecy and move on.

 

[PKT_VOL]

Equating belief in Christ with belief in Santa Claus isn't terribly complimentary.

Sure it is.

I'm not offended by Buddhism. But how is a display of a Buddha any more or less demeaning to non-Buddhists than a nativity scene is to non-Christians?

Of course not. Buddha didn't advocate a religion; only a mental process which he believed would bring happiness to various individuals while simultaneously releasing them from the chains of their suffering. It also helps when he isn't proclaiming that those who don't believe in him are heading to the eternal pits of hell.

 

[DinkinFlicka]

Nice 3rd grade comeback..the i know your right but your still stupid retort, lol.... I guess you will pull out the "Im rubber your glue" comeback next time your put in your place. for the record all i did was use your quote, " Young dude" im sorry if what you said hurt your own feelings.......i guess the dude doesn't abide.
And to your final points about me "relax"ing..going through " a lot of trouble"..your the one that got all huffy and butthurt when all i did was repeated what you had said.....and it was no trouble at all as i rememebered the exchange well & spent about 2 minutes looking it up in my archives but i appreciate your concern for me....... Oh and to the patriot comment , Thanks man i appreciate the compliment.

That quote you dug up still doesn't counteract what I said earlier. It still gives nothing more than a subjective hint of what you seem to think is a telltale sign that I'm still nursing a mustache. The only "butthurt" one here seems to be yourself, seeing as I didn't dig through 2 month old posts in a vain effort to prove I'm right. It's somewhat pathetic and not as funny as our previous headbutts.

No hard feelings, Mur. Seriously. You, like GS, are just another nut who feeds the entertainment factor for me on this forum. I lose no sleep over you, I've never so much as smacked my keyboard as a result of our exchanges, and I don't even care enough to pity you.

Huffy, was it?