dianaiad
Well-Known Member
Looks like anger to me, so many words.
OK, it's anger.
Being a hypocrite needs neither religion or atheism, the only requirement is to be human.
And if a religion cannot cope with criticism then the problem is with the religion.
Uh, no.
"coping with criticism" is one thing.
Being the target of hatred, disdain, disparagement, physical violence and hypocrisy is quite another. I'm fine with
CRITICISM. I'm NOT fine with having rocks thrown at me, physically or metaphorically, and believe me, I've had both.
And since when is it the fault of the victim when s/he is being bullied? You wouldn't say that about anybody ELSE, would you? Is it just religion that is the 'no matter what is said, it's the fault of the religion" thing?
I'm so tired of that.
Here's an example.....a very real world example. TWO of 'em, actually, from the same group of people. The incidents themselves aren't remotely equivalent, of course, but the reaction/excuses for both?.....you decide.
About a hundred and fifty years ago, or so, a group of men rode into a small settlement called Haun's Mill. They killed the men, including an 89 year old who had given up his gun (he was carved 'to doll rags) and three boys under the age of ten. One of those boys was dragged out from underneath a table, and his brains literally blown out, with the comment 'nits make lice and he would have been a mormon when he grew up." Nineteen men and boys died that day.
About fifty years ago, I was a missionary in England. My companion and I were walking down the main street, when a group of evangelical Protestant type Christians ran out of their store front church and began throwing rocks at us. Hit us, too; I still have a scar (OK, pretty much faded now, but it is still there; the cut needed stitches).
But these incidents aren't what I'm talking about. I have been told, MANY times and by many different people, that Haun's Mill was the fault of the Mormons of the time, because of a speech given; the speech stated that if people attacked the Mormons again, that the Mormons would defend themselves (they never did, actually....they left, instead). All the deaths, the persecutions, the diatribes, the burning of printing presses and homes, etc.,...were the fault of the Mormons who died, were persecuted, were yelled at and burned out. In fact, the LAST time I heard that was...hmn....last week sometime.
I can't tell you how many times I have been told that the rock throwing thing was my fault; I had NO BUSINESS being on a street full of shops on a Wednesday afternoon if I knew that there was a store front church there. I had no business wanting to buy milk or veggies. My fault. Not theirs. Not ever theirs. Catholics have told me this. Protestants have. ATHEISTS have.
This happens all over, to, and from, pretty much everybody. I hate it whenever it happens, to whomever it happens.
And I will NEVER do the 'can't you take criticism?" thing when I see it. That's the same thing as 'can't you take a joke?" or "just joking..."
Because it's never just a joke. A joke that's a joke is instantly recognizable AS a joke. Criticism that is honest, and questioning, isn't objectionable; that sort of criticism is simply an opportunity to 'set things straight,' or correct misunderstandings, or explain, and that sort of criticism is also easy to identify. One doesn't have to say 'can't you guys take a joke/criticism?'
No, Christine, I can take criticism, no problem. I get very angry at unwarranted and hypocritical attacks from people who are just as, if not more, guilty of the stuff they are criticizing than I am.
And I do not feel the least bit obligated to shut up and take it. I don't like it when I'm the target, and I don't like it when others are, either....no matter how silly *I* think their beliefs might actually be.
Atheism is a religion in the same way that not collecting stamps is a hobby.
OK, you are doing the false equivalency thing yourself now. I AGREE with you that 'atheism' isn't a religion. I've written that in almost every post I have submitted. YOU are equating atheism and religion. I'm not.
You may make up all sorts of bull to discredit atheism but the fact remains that atheism is the disbileaf or lack of belief in god or gods. Nothing more, nothing less.
that's true. Until you add on all the stuff that can make some atheists look and act just like the religions they claim to despise.
Atheism is a lack of belief in a god or gods.
When you add (as some atheists do) 'and the world would be better off If everybody agreed with us that there isn't a god or god, and the world would be better off without theism and theists, and we need to do something to ensure that," you have a whole different kettle of beans. NOW you have a doctrine, a purpose, a group, an aim, meetings, recruitment....wow.
Looks like a 'religion' to me.
Did you check out the American Atheist website?
ATHEISM isn't a religion, but THEY sure look like one. Shoot, I think they stole some of their language from evangelical counter-cult anti-(insert just about anything here) groups.
I am not equating 'atheism' with religion.
You are.
I am simply saying that BEING an atheist doesn't mean that you CAN'T be 'religious' or act like you belong to one.
and as soon as the atheists adds something to "non-belief in a deity or deities," well.....
Exactly like THEISM isn't a religion until a theist adds 'and God looks/behaves/wants something like this." Then it becomes a religion.
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