How can you proselytize when you don't believe? What would be in the pamphlets that atheists handed out if atheists handed out pamphlets? Blank sheets of paper? Why would an atheist go on mission? It's kind of li those phone in survey where there's 10% of the callers that don't know
both sides of the atheist vs. hindu/christian/muslim/buddhist? debate are offering up positions that neither side can possibly prove, or disprove. they're sayin' here's what i know, and this is what i believe, and out of that synthesis, here is my world view, and if you disagree strongly enough, i'll reject your viewpoint. it's really that simple, no?
it's a continuum, from very basic religious beliefs all the way to the far right which is very hard-core atheistic beliefs. we all fall on the continumn at some point. (i wish i could spell better).
one thing for sure, we're all breathing the same air, drinking the same water, and walking on the same ground. a space alien might conclude everyone down on the earth is just alike. they're all clones of each other. there's a male species & a female species, and they interbreed to cause a new little human to appear on the earth, in one sex or the other. and the Creator said:"this is good." but wait, who is this creator dude of which you speak?
IMHO, everyone doesn't hate atheists. I sure don't - some probably do, but none of my friends hate atheists. Then again, it seems like some atheists hate themselves. Go figure !
As a young adult still in college, I learned some things observing an older neighbor fellow. He shared my concerns about the lousy behavior of our common landlord. On one occasion, he professed: "I don't hate her - not at all - but I sure do despise a lot of what comes out of her."
How can you proselytize when you don't believe? What would be in the pamphlets that atheists handed out if atheists handed out pamphlets? Blank sheets of paper? Why would an atheist go on mission? It's kind of like those phone in survey where there's 10% of the callers that don't know
Well they/we could go door to door trying to talk people out of their beliefs. But the fact is they/we don't. I was responding to the claim that atheists somehow block someone's beliefs. For the vast majority of us - we don't. No one would know I was an atheist unless they were to ask about my thoughts on religion. Tho sometimes when people start talking about god in a social situation, if I feel comfortable with them, I will sometimes ask them with a big smile, "To what god are you referring? Man has conjured up so many of them."
Cooper, I understand where you're coming from and have friends like you. I'm a Christian but I sure ain't a preachy one, in fact I can't stand preachy Christians. I don't trust preachy Christians, they're the ones that have f'd me over the worst. The best examples (to my mind) in my life were some rough men that weren't prototypical bible thumpers. Their words were tough, their breath tainted with whiskey but their actions spoke their faith.
�Politicians are the lowest form of life on earth. Liberal Democrats are the lowest form of politician.� �General George S. Patton, Jr.
Cooper, I understand where you're coming from and have friends like you. I'm a Christian but I sure ain't a preachy one, in fact I can't stand preachy Christians. I don't trust preachy Christians, they're the ones that have f'd me over the worst. The best examples (to my mind) in my life were some rough men that weren't prototypical bible thumpers. Their words were tough, their breath tainted with whiskey but their actions spoke their faith.
And don't EVER trust a mother-fu-ker that wont cuss.
Gunner, I learned that early on. I remember helping my pastor when I was young, he knew I loved to hunt and took me on some epic pheasant hunts but this one Saturday I was helping him build the new daycare. Pastor had a few too many beers during the course of the day and managed to get the dozer stuck. The words he said that day I don't remember but the realization that you could be rough and real with your words and still be an example of a great human being still remains. He said to me one day "wherever and whenever you feel like talking to God, God wants to hear from you. It doesn't matter where or how or the words you use, just talk to him. It doesn't matter if you're sitting on the toilet and the only words you know are cuss words, just talk to him. Promise me you'll always talk to God." I promised him and I never forgot his words.
�Politicians are the lowest form of life on earth. Liberal Democrats are the lowest form of politician.� �General George S. Patton, Jr.
Gunner, I learned that early on. I remember helping my pastor when I was young, he knew I loved to hunt and took me on some epic pheasant hunts but this one Saturday I was helping him build the new daycare. Pastor had a few too many beers during the course of the day and managed to get the dozer stuck. The words he said that day I don't remember but the realization that you could be rough and real with your words and still be an example of a great human being still remains. He said to me one day "wherever and whenever you feel like talking to God, God wants to hear from you. It doesn't matter where or how or the words you use, just talk to him. It doesn't matter if you're sitting on the toilet and the only words you know are cuss words, just talk to him. Promise me you'll always talk to God." I promised him and I never forgot his words.
LOL, same here Aces, actions stomp the mortal chit out of the most eloquent professional professed speak!