Why Anti-Christian Posts are a Pain (religion)

[MaddLlama]

Originally Posted by lilithu

Not only him. Most theists do not perceive their belief as coming from need. And most people perceive need as a weakness. I just had a conversation where someone very politely took issue with what he thought was my implying that God has needs.

At the very least, you might see how your statement presumes to know the motivations for belief.

This is sort of off-topic, but why would a need be the same thing as a weakness? What kind of person believes such a thing? People need food, and they need water. Is it weakness that when I get up in the morning I eat some oatmeal, or that mid-day I get a glass of water? Is it weakness that even though I don't believe in god, I need some form of spirituality in my life? No, it isn't. And, I would say that the atheists who do believe that my need is a sign of weakness are either insecure, or too self-righteous for thier own good.
Needing god doesn't make you weak, and not needing god doesn't make you strong. Every person has different needs, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by MaddLlama

This is sort of off-topic, but why would a need be the same thing as a weakness? What kind of person believes such a thing? People need food, and they need water. Is it weakness that when I get up in the morning I eat some oatmeal, or that mid-day I get a glass of water? Is it weakness that even though I don't believe in god, I need some form of spirituality in my life? No, it isn't. And, I would say that the atheists who do believe that my need is a sign of weakness are either insecure, or too self-righteous for thier own good.
Needing god doesn't make you weak, and not needing god doesn't make you strong. Every person has different needs, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.

Hi MaddLlama,

I actually agree with you. completely. But many people do interpret need as a weakness. We live in a culture that teaches us to pride ourselves on self-sufficiency (which I personally think is an illusion, or delusion as the case may be).

My point was that it is not unreasonable to read a bias into the statement that theists believe in God because they need to. It is usually said with the implicit assumption that the "need" comes from a fear of self-determination. A great example of that argument would be the evil thread that spawned this one.

I'm not saying that's what PureX was assuming. I'd hope not since he is a theist himself. But I think we need to be careful when ascribing motivations to people (something that I do all the time and have to fight against). More often than not our analyses reveal more about our biases for or against than the people themselves.

[Ozzie]

Originally Posted by lilithu

Hi MaddLlama,

I actually agree with you. completely. But many people do interpret need as a weakness. We live in a culture that teaches us to pride ourselves on self-sufficiency (which I personally think is an illusion, or delusion as the case may be).

My point was that it is not unreasonable to read a bias into the statement that theists believe in God because they need to. It is usually said with the implicit assumption that the "need" comes from a fear of self-determination. A great example of that argument would be the evil thread that spawned this one.

I'm not saying that's what PureX was assuming. I'd hope not since he is a theist himself. But I think we need to be careful when ascribing motivations to people (something that I do all the time and have to fight against). More often than not our analyses reveal more about our biases for or against than the people themselves.

I agree with both Maddlama and yourself on this. In fact need is bias. I think it is more reasonable to give someone the benefit of the doubt when they do not admit their bias in the interests of encouraging discussion. That posture is consistent with adopting a philosophical position of being prepared to challenge your own biases. The choice is whether to have the courage/faith to lay your belief on the table and have it challenged versus withdrawing behind bias/need in order to protect it from scrutiny. The latter position is a means to live in fear.

[Dirty Penguin]

Originally Posted by gnomon

True but I think that goes without saying. It remains that too many members would rather not address the reason for the OP. I won't get into it here but I have found this common when christians make complaints as opposed to members of other religions. There must be some social concept that all members of a mainstream social institution are basically the same.

yea...you're right.. I guess when i read the op on this thread it seemed, to me, that the person was starting off with a new opinion. I certainly do not agree with anyone who is anti-christian. Although non-chritian is where i fit into.

It's good to have a different view and maybe question something that you may not understand. I guess it's when you start to take those pot shots..i can see how it is disrespectful of anothers faith.

As you may have seen from my postings, I may not believe something or I tend to question it...but If you see me take pot shots... please correct me.

I do apologize if I misunderstood the OP on this thread...

[Dirty Penguin]

Originally Posted by Booko

I really am thinking we should switch this thread from a clothing-optional thread to a clothing-forbidden thread.

Awww yea baby.... DO What You Like.......

[Dirty Penguin]

Originally Posted by Mike182

not everyone who posts arguments that are anti christian (against the christian view point) are rude or hostile though - i have posted debate posts against christianity in a few areas without attacking people and painting people with broad brushes. my only quarrel is that the OP of this thread, and some of the subsequent arguments, are generalising everyone who is against the christian view point

to recap the OP, anti-christian posts are a pain:



while i completely agree that the thread that prompted this one does fall into this criticism, and there are a large number of other anti-christian posts that do (not necessarily on this forum, though yes there are some) there are also a lot of anti-christian posts that are not like this at all - all i am saying is that the OP makes no reference to that side at all.

Thank you....

That's what I was trying to say....

[doppelgänger]

Originally Posted by lilithu

Perhaps someone with more patience than myself can suggest to him a different approach. hint hint.

Well . . . I tried.