Proselytism and Atheism (Jesus, follower, choice, experience, atheist) - Page 6

gnomon · #51 05-18-2008, 09:20 PM

The only times I have been proselytized were at work. After helping a customer some of them feel a need to hand me a pamphlet, usually a JW, about Jesus. I always turn around and give them to my CRM who is a devout Protestant. I don't know why. She doesn't seem to mind.

Even when two adolescent girls told me I was going to hell because I didn't believe in Jesus and that they would have to purchase a copy of the Satanic Bible before they burned it...issue of ownership...I just laughed.

There's this notion of being secure with yourself.

I can't think of anyone ever offering me Jesus on the street. Nor sex for that matter but I tend to stay away from those streets. In the suburbs we don't really have those streets anyway. It'd be cool if there was one that offered both.

Scott1 · #52 05-18-2008, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilithu

Whereas practically every day that I'm on RF there is some atheist telling me that there is no God and that people who believe in God are irrational/unable to think for themselves. Me thinks proselytizing atheists just use a different medium than doorbells and sidewalks.

Amen.... look at the post history on some of these idiots and you'll see off-topic/one line/proselytizing for page after page.... scuba pete and I have tried and failed to get this recognized for what it is.... oh well.

logician · #53 05-19-2008, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott1

Amen.... look at the post history on some of these idiots and you'll see off-topic/one line/proselytizing for page after page.... scuba pete and I have tried and failed to get this recognized for what it is.... oh well.

The vast percentage of posts on these forums claim there is a god and push all sorts of god theories, yet I don't see you ranting about these people.

Hypocrite.

lilithu · #54 05-19-2008, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by logician

The vast percentage of posts on these forums claim there is a god and push all sorts of god theories, yet I don't see you ranting about these people.

Well gee, I wonder why. Could it be something to do with this being a religious forums?

Dirty Penguin · #55 05-19-2008, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fluffy

I believe that the reason why there is conflict between religions is because religions tend to be proselytising. Some Christians are not just happy being Christian, they want you to be a Christian too. Of course that means trouble if you happen to be a Muslim and would quite like for them to check out the Koran.

You can see this in real life. Go along to a place of worship that is big on proselytism and then go along to a place of worship that is big on universalism. Which one did you feel more comfortable in? Which place do you feel like you could more easily begin friendships and make ties with the people who go their?

So taking that into consideration, it seems to me that the latest trend within atheism is exactly the wrong path to take. Many atheists have decided that it is not okay to just live their lives as an atheist, they want you to be an atheist too. A world without religion would be a better place, they claim. When people think of atheism, they think of that irritating person who tells them how irrational and stupid they are for believing in God.

Wiccans and Quakers don't start wars because they believe in live and let live. Why haven't we learned from the examples of the religions with whom we do not find ourselves in conflict with? Why in attempting to assert ourselves against proselytism have we turned into proselytisers?

I'm having trouble trying to understand what you're getting at. Probably because I didn't read the rest of the thread.

I've been to a mosque and jewish temple (was invited by a friend) and none of them, from my experience engaged in proselytizing. I did, however, go to a couple different christian denominations and proselytizing was seriously put in your face....."Are you prepared to except Jesus Christ as your personal savior?".....That's one of the lines I heard. I was sitting at home on the computer and in one day I got a knock on the door by both mormons and JW coming to proselytize. I have found that the christian is most seem determined to barge into your personal world and "share" their good news. When I tell them sorry I'm atheist....well then they really seem determined to convert me......

Contrary to what you may believe...atheist aren't going around trying to convert others....at least I haven't seen this.....We state our case when theist bring their arguments for a god to us.

Now be honest....do we really call people stupid for believing in a god?

Scott1 · #56 05-19-2008, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by logician

The vast percentage of posts on these forums claim there is a god and push all sorts of god theories, yet I don't see you ranting about these people.

Hypocrite.

Think what you'd like my friend... those who've been here a long time remember my time as a SuperMod.... I spent day and night preventing theists from doing what you do---> jump on threads with no intention of being part of the conversation, but only throw out a attack and run away. And I perfomed that role for a longer period of time than you've been a member here.... hypocrite? Methinks not.... and that's why I have no hesitation asking the staff to ban trolls like yourself who do little do encourage discussion and debate which is the intention of this forum.

Be well,
S

lilithu · #57 05-19-2008, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirty Penguin

Now be honest....do we really call people stupid for believing in a god?

"We" as in all atheists? No, of course not. "We" as in some atheists? Are you kidding me? Do you just filter it out or something? Does the statement that theists just accept whatever they're told not count as calling us stupid?? Saying we can't think for ourselves? How about "People should use reason instead of faith."? Suggesting that theists don't use reason. There are some atheists who call theists stupid on a continual basis. There's at least one in this thread.

Scott1 · #58 05-19-2008, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilithu

"We" as in all atheists? No, of course not. "We" as in some atheists? Are you kidding me? Do you just filter it out or something? Does the statement that theists just accept whatever they're told not count as calling us stupid?? Saying we can't think for ourselves? How about "People should use reason instead of faith."? Suggesting that theists don't use reason. There are some atheists who call theists stupid on a continual basis. There's at least one in this thread.

Amen my friend.

.... what some people don't understand (IMO) is that when the "opposite side" uses tactics like this (calling atheists fools, heathens, etc.) it's very obvious and the staff is quick (rightly so) to warn them.... all I've ever advocated is that there is an even playing field. And when a atheist acts like a troll and jumps onto a debate thread and offers things like:

Quote:

There is no heaven or hell, fortunately, so supposed gods like you believe in cannot torture people for eternity.

Well, a philosophy based upon strong emotion but no evidence, how unusual.

Jesus never came the first time, so he sure can't come a second.

I don't believe any god exists, but no gods I've read about are very loving, either they're murderous avengers, or raging lunatics.

What does love have to do with Christianity? Atheism, other philosophies and/or religions are capable of as much or more love.

So sending people to hell is a show of love? I think I'll pass on your god.

.... if ANY theist were to consistantly post such argumentative drivel, they'd be banned by now. Just looking for equality folks.

Peace,
S