[quote]H factor wrote:
You come off like a whining child. [/quote]
Yeah – a persecution complex. “They are not interested in the recognition of our humanity and personal dignity, why then should we not return in kind.” Who is this “they”? That quote appeared under a video of Richard Dawkins, about whom I’d say it’s not too far off. But in case anybody doesn’t know this, Stephen Hawking =/= Richard Dawkins. So far as I can tell – and somebody please correct me if I’m wrong – the most “offensive” thing Hawking ever said was that the concept of heaven is a “fairy story for people who are afraid of the dark.” But he quite literally believes this: that the desperate desire to believe in the afterlife is born of the fear of the nearly-incomprehensible prospect of the self’s annihilation. This is an assessment – a critical one – of an idea and its hold on those who subscribe to it. Such criticism is offered almost constantly here on this board, and people rarely whine. In other words, it’s fair game. One ought to get used to it, or else find another hobby.
Pat could have said that Hawkings’ beliefs are fairy stories for people who are afraid of the light. That would not have generated controversy. That would not have generated “fake outrage.” Instead, he used a slur about a guy’s handicap – you know, like the kind of thing most adults give up some time around 9th grade. (He also used “retard” as an insult to Hawkings’ intelligence, which, I pause again to note, is hilarious.) One last point: “Have I done Hawking any harm at all by calling him a ‘retarded cripple’?” No – as is always the case with these kinds of slurs, the harm is done to the asshole who speaks it. That’s my last post about the sky’s being blue. None of this mysterious or controversial.
Whining about zombie jesus post? That was posted by Varq in REPLY to Pat posting about how stupid atheists were if I remember correctly. And if I remember right it was pretty much unprovoked. So all Varq did was post a “can’t believe Christians believe this” right after Pat posted a “atheists actually believe this” type thing.
So he’s crying about something that he did first. I can’t find the thread, but I’m pretty sure that is how it went down.
N/M: Yeah I was right (below) You can choke on this level of hypocrisy. Those who mock and insult us? Coming from one of the kings of mocking and insulting non-believers?
And you wonder why people are leaving in droves. Not enough walk the walkers like Sloth. And in a “thread about religion” we expose the holier than thou wannabes.
Now make up another excuse about how it’s ok because Christ did something something something and maybe with enough mental jumping you can portray the picture that you’re acting like a follower of him. Like SMH I’ve had enough of this hypocrisy.
Could we please stop bringing up Christ and the money-changers in order to defend mocking physical disabilities? They are not even remotely similar. Could we not drag Jesus Christ through the mud? Please, if you want to stand by such a disgusting and vile comment, don’t bring Christ–who spoke for, ministered to, laid hands on, and made promises to, the ‘lame,’ the ‘weak,’ and the ‘crippled’–into it.
Need an example of OUR stance?
Ok, I get it, Hawkins doesn’t believe us. And, perhaps he’s speaking to things he doesn’t really have any authority on (theology, philosophy, whatever). But, he’s not exactly feeding us to lions. If the martyrs of the earliest church could handle their bloody persecution with grace, I’m sure we can keep our cool at least as well when handling New Atheism, Hawkins, etc.
What sucks is that I didn’t come on here to take you to task Pat. Even after I saw the comment I pretty much held my tongue and waited for the self-correction I was sure you’d post. Figured you simply had one of those moments that we humans have, and in short order you’d make right on that post.
…the desperate desire to believe in the afterlife is born of the fear of the nearly-incomprehensible prospect of the self’s annihilation. This is an assessment – a critical one – of an idea and its hold on those who subscribe to it…
[/quote]
This is somewhat accurate statement. However, I’m not sure the adjective “desperate” is necessarily appropriate in all cases.
I also don’t think it is a negative thing for one to want avoid “the self’s annihilation” although it’s certainly used as a pejorative by you, smh, and many others.[/quote]
To be clear, that’s his argument, not mine. I’m certain that this is a factor for many people, but I don’t consider it a pejorative, and my arguments against Christianity’s truth have nothing to do with it. I was simply trying to illustrate that this is not in the same league – not in the same galaxy – as a personal attack on a “retard cripple.” You and I exchange arguments like the former all the time; we have never exchanged slurs like the latter.
I understand and respect this.
[quote]“squirrely bastard” (alleged non-Christian and “free thinker” Deist dude) on panel three:
“God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that his justice cannot sleep forever.”
Was gonna post a pic of myself at the memorial but I just realized it’s on my other computer, a 100 miles away. Shucks.
[/quote]
Indeed, he was a complicated cat, and not just on the subject of Christianity. I will say this: If he were posting in a religion thread on TN, chances are good that you would end up giving him a few of your gold bars.
I think it would only be mocking if it were not a 100% accurate description of them. They were what he said they were. They didn’t like it, but he didn’t mock them, he exposed them.[/quote]
This just makes your mocking of Hawking all the more indefensible.
Jesus hated the Pharisees because they claimed to be followers of God, yet did everything against His teachings.
I truly find it a pity that I’ve yet to meet a Christian who, as far as I can tell, even attempts to strive to follow in the teachings of Jesus. It genuinely makes me sad. I would give many things to actually meet such a person.
This is going to sound trivial, but I read the other day that Francis is a football (soccer) fanatic and has met the Argentine Lionel Messi – who, it is becoming increasingly clear, is the greatest footballer in human history (even if you don’t like soccer, Google “best of Messi,” and behold) – on two separate occasions…but has never seem him play, because he hasn’t watched television since 1990. Pretty damn ( ← wrong word, I know) cool.
[quote]magick wrote:
I truly find it a pity that I’ve yet to meet a Christian who, as far as I can tell, even attempts to strive to follow in the teachings of Jesus. It genuinely makes me sad. I would give many things to actually meet such a person.[/quote]
Really? Most Christians I know do. And they are very, very good people.
This might be because you’ve taken it upon yourself to decide exactly what those teachings are, and aren’t, without really attaining the requisite knowledge of them to have the authority to make that claim.
[/quote]
Most certainly.
I do try to go exactly by what Jesus said in the Gospels though. What else do you suggest that I read to build up my expectation of a good Christian?
[quote]pushharder wrote:
Smh, I think I’m taking off on a grand solo road trip real soon and head north of the Arctic Circle – only two roads in the western hemisphere where you can do that: one in Alaska and one in NWT. Haven’t decided which one to do. You could help me with my novel, and drive.
You should join me at least for part of the trip. We’d be ol’ buds by the time it’s over and I could continue gittin you straightened out on stuff.[/quote]
Schedules permitting, I would take you up on this in a heartbeat. Really. I have wanted to meet you in person, eat steak, and drink whiskey for some time.
[quote]pushharder wrote:
Harold, you, like Varq, have no business being here expressing indignation when you too are distinctly guilty of bashing Christianity AND Christians.
You hurl the HYPOCRISY! javelin with fury but you are surely one yourself in this regard.
You too climbed up on your high horse because one of your high priests was insulted. If a guy – let’s call him Tap – had come along and called, let’s say Pat Roberson, a retarded fat fuck, the Kansas crickets could’ve been heard all across the Nation of Testosterone.[/quote]
Spare me old man. I have bashed Christianity and Christians before you are right. Often it is after they attack me for what I think, but whatever. You’ve bashed atheism so I don’t know where you are coming from either. I pointed out that Pat was complaining about something HE does all the time. I never said I wasn’t guilty myself of it. Again a little good old fashioned reading of posts would save you a lot of time. You rush in to bash people when one of your own is taking a lashing and as usual you get caught up yet again attempting to make arguments out of thin air.
One of my high priests? I didn’t give two shits WHO he was saying it about, it was what he said. And the fact that he (Pat) calls himself a Christian. It is these type of people that I have the disdain for. Note how I noted my respect for Trib and Sloth. I don’t have any problem calling out and pointing out that the people who think they are so high and moral (Duggars, Haggards, Pat) are often the most full of shit of them all.
If you’re going to say your a Christian then I expect (isn’t that a good thing?) a certain level of behavior. Retarded cripple isn’t something you’d expect a Christian to say. And then to attempt to act like you’re being Christ like in following that behavior? Come on.
And do read a bit better, I get tired sorting out the things you get wrong about what I say. Maybe re-read something before trying to get in one of your “aha I’ll get Harold!” posting moments? So you can attack things I’ve actually said instead of things you hoped I’d say?
