professional replies trump all - Page 2

to_hobbes · 12-31-2007, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skepticologist

If you think it's important to play nice with fundies, then please knock yourself out.

I, for one, since leaving christianity specifically, and organized religion in general, behind some 15 years ago, have come to believe that religion does more harm than good...

I couldn't agree more with your sentiment towards fundamental christians. And I do realize that they are immune to all reason. In fact, it is probably their inability to reason that makes them so susceptible to psychotic religious behavior.

And I also agree 100% that religion does more harm than good. In fact, I go so far as to say religion is unethical, or just plain evil -- an utter failure of human intellect, or a virus to society.

However, I do my best to reply to them with politeness. Not because they deserve it but because I think it's the right thing to do. If someone comes on here trying to proselytize, really I think it's most productive to reply with a simple counter argument and otherwise ignore them.

Anyway, you've probably had some really bad experiences with the church and I don't want to trivialize that, so I'll just leave my reply at that.
Thanks for the reply!

to_hobbes · 12-31-2007, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duck

Guilty as charged.

In my own defense, however, I will say that I get tired of being a target for those wanting missionary point towards their own salvation. You have identified yourself as a noob, and by doing so I think you don't particularly understand just how many self righteous, bible thumping, salvation in the lord types we get here trying to do nothing else than share the good news with us....

First, let me say that I am new to the forum, I'm not exactly new to agnosticism. I'm only 24, but I've been in active debates with Christians, Muslims, and psudo-Buddhists (Japanese Jo-do Buddhists with very cult like behavior) for the past 7 years of my life. I know very well, you can't convince anyone.

However, my most satisfying moments as an agnostic is letting someone think they are convincing me, then turn around with a seemingly harmless question that is actually a precisely deployed counter-argument, then watching their brain freeze up. I can only achieve this, however, when I am polite and courteous. People are more willing to listen if you listen to them.

Of course, things don't work that way online, so a not-so-professional response is perfectly understandable.

AB517 · 01-01-2008, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dunno

You should never apologise for waht you say unless you don't mean it.
My rule of thumb was from John Wayne. A real man never apologises because a real man sticke behinds what he does or say
If you were joking and put a smilie face then why would you feel the need to apologise.

Lector and I got into it because of a joke he made about Death to America
if he would have put a smilie there I probably would have let it go

So anyhow
Happy New Year all

A real man realizes it is not about him; it is about helping two people to grow.
To say your sorry doesn’t mean for what you said, it for realizing you let you ego go for the win instead of helping another person grow.

to_hobbes · 01-01-2008, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katnip89

Quote:

This person probably talks with his/her church friends saying, "I post at the agnostic forum, and those guys are so reactionary. They don't even try to listen to God's message."

Lets prove that person wrong by good example.

....
Just try to be open minded.
Nobody is perfect no matter who's book of lies they try to believe in.
Be true to yourself above all.
Never sacrafice what you believe in for any reason whatsoever, because your beliefs and views are some of the strongest part of your being.
Don't let people bring you down with their oppressive ways, They are just closed minded and dumb.
....

Well said.

I'll admit, I have to catch myself at times. I can go off on rants about how retarted Christians are, but I have to remind myself that some people I really care about are Christians. My aunt-in-law is a sunday school teacher, and one of the most wonderful, charming, open-minded people I know. And I have some friends who are not closed-minded, but I don't even want to know how betrayed and hurt they would feel if they heard my rantings, and they would be right to accuse me of being narrow-minded. With them in mind, I can keep my ranting in check.

Dunno · 01-01-2008, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AB517

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dunno

You should never apologise for waht you say unless you don't mean it.
My rule of thumb was from John Wayne. A real man never apologises because a real man sticke behinds what he does or say
If you were joking and put a smilie face then why would you feel the need to apologise.

Lector and I got into it because of a joke he made about Death to America
if he would have put a smilie there I probably would have let it go

So anyhow
Happy New Year all

A real man realizes it is not about him; it is about helping two people to grow.
To say your sorry doesn’t mean for what you said, it for realizing you let you ego go for the win instead of helping another person grow.

A real man would never have to realize that because he would have said it to help him

duck · 01-01-2008, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by to_hobbes

Quote:

Originally Posted by duck

Guilty as charged.

In my own defense, however, I will say that I get tired of being a target for those wanting missionary point towards their own salvation. You have identified yourself as a noob, and by doing so I think you don't particularly understand just how many self righteous, bible thumping, salvation in the lord types we get here trying to do nothing else than share the good news with us....

First, let me say that I am new to the forum, I'm not exactly new to agnosticism. I'm only 24, but I've been in active debates with Christians, Muslims, and psudo-Buddhists (Japanese Jo-do Buddhists with very cult like behavior) for the past 7 years of my life. I know very well, you can't convince anyone.

However, my most satisfying moments as an agnostic is letting someone think they are convincing me, then turn around with a seemingly harmless question that is actually a precisely deployed counter-argument, then watching their brain freeze up. I can only achieve this, however, when I am polite and courteous. People are more willing to listen if you listen to them.

Of course, things don't work that way online, so a not-so-professional response is perfectly understandable.

As was stated elsewhere, knock yourself out.

Each member will bring his/her own style and will present themselves as such. You are more than welcome to bring your own unique style to these forums, and I truly believe we will all find a chance to grow from your presence.

In truth, one of our own very, very evangelical types of life form and I have actually grown a pretty strong respect for each other. We refuse to listen to a word or argumentation each presents, but we have a kind of fondness for each other that goes beyond being opposed to each other's views.

Cherrysmile? You reading this?

romansh · 01-01-2008, 03:47 PM

Duck ..... I think hobbes's point is if Cherrysmile behaved as we frequently do, you could not have written this...... It was Cherrysmile's effort not ours?

AB517 · 01-01-2008, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dunno

Quote:

Originally Posted by AB517

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dunno

You should never apologise for waht you say unless you don't mean it.
My rule of thumb was from John Wayne. A real man never apologises because a real man sticke behinds what he does or say
If you were joking and put a smilie face then why would you feel the need to apologise.

Lector and I got into it because of a joke he made about Death to America
if he would have put a smilie there I probably would have let it go

So anyhow
Happy New Year all

A real man realizes it is not about him; it is about helping two people to grow.
To say your sorry doesn’t mean for what you said, it for realizing you let you ego go for the win instead of helping another person grow.

A real man would never have to realize that because he would have said it to help him

This is true.
But this implies perfection.

Dunno · 01-01-2008, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AB517

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dunno

Quote:

Originally Posted by AB517

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dunno

You should never apologise for waht you say unless you don't mean it.
My rule of thumb was from John Wayne. A real man never apologises because a real man sticke behinds what he does or say
If you were joking and put a smilie face then why would you feel the need to apologise.

Lector and I got into it because of a joke he made about Death to America
if he would have put a smilie there I probably would have let it go

So anyhow
Happy New Year all

A real man realizes it is not about him; it is about helping two people to grow.
To say your sorry doesn’t mean for what you said, it for realizing you let you ego go for the win instead of helping another person grow.

A real man would never have to realize that because he would have said it to help him

This is true.
But this implies perfection.

Pefection is atainable

duck · 01-01-2008, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by romansh

Duck ..... I think hobbes's point is if Cherrysmile behaved as we frequently do, you could not have written this...... It was Cherrysmile's effort not ours?

I cannot dispute that point at all. Her persistence actually won me over.