I never comment on LJ posts, because I hate LJ, but I felt I had to here, because I've so been in this place before. It's uncomfortable and infuriating. My usual quick statement to people of this nature nowadays is "You obviously aren't scientifically literate enough to make these statements." It's rude as hell, but it's quick and fucking true; I've read their Bible; they've not read Darwin or probably even half of a high school science book
( ... )
"If they're so far gone that they argue with science, there's nothing you can do"
You can still have a bit of fun :) I once challenged one of these anti-evolution people to give me proof, that his non-believe in evolution is more valid than my (hypothetical) non-believe in gravity. He couldn't, but sadly, I still can't fly :p
Thank you for commenting. :) And thank you for the sympathy (empathy?).
I agree with everything you've said, of course. And I feel like Christians tend to ignore the negative aspects of their religion to avoid acknowledging that the Bible is just a collection of mythology designed to help people navigate life in a certain period in history. And it's really become outdated - and those who refuse to adapt their religion to the modern day are the ones who really are in danger of being marginalized.
It really bothers me that people are satisfied with taking their cues from an ancient book. I couldn't stick with religion because I needed logical reasons why I could and could not do things - and logic serves me well. That there are people who see no value in reason is the worst part of all this, IMO
( ... )
Ugh. Christian history sounds like an interesting class actually, since this religion had quite a big influence on our culture since it was invented some 2000 years ago ... but this sounds more like religious eduction.
Yeah, I think I've said to someone before that it's really more history according to Christians than Christians in history. The whole thing is like a Sunday school class - not preachy, necessarily, but very "oh, the poor early Christians were so oppressed."
I don't think it's a very realistic look at history or Christians.
And lets go to Catholicism (I know you're focusing on Christian but this is fun). "You better be a good person or you'll go to hell but if you make your confession and say some 'hail mary's' than you're back in good graces." How the hell is that teaching morals and ethics? That's teaching you it's okay as long as you make some insincere confession.
Um, Catholicism is a form of Christianity, actually. The granddaddy of all forms, if you think about it. Catholics are Christians - though in the US there is a much higher population of Protestant people so Christian is automatically assumed (generally) to be some sort of Protestant denomination, but not all Christians are Catholic.
And, as a now lapsed Catholic, who went to parochial school from fourth through eighth grade, and continued to attend church sporadically during high school while I worked out my beliefs, I have to say that that summation you've made of Catholic dogma is a bunch of bullshit.
As someone who has never stepped foot in church, I'm entirely against the idea that someone needs religion as a basis for morality. I'm a good person because I choose to be a good person. It's not for the reward of heaven or fear of damnation. I don't even believe in them, so this reward or punishment system is really not convincing.
I'm glad that you had the guts to stand up for your beliefs in your classes, even when it seemed like you had some pretty closed-minded people in the class. :)
Exactly. And there are philosophers who argue that those who do things without expectation of reward or fear of punishment are more moral. I don't know if I agree with that, but I think it means more to do something just because it's right.
Aww, you're too kind to me. I'm not awesome...I just don't know when to shut up. :P
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You can still have a bit of fun :)
I once challenged one of these anti-evolution people to give me proof, that his non-believe in evolution is more valid than my (hypothetical) non-believe in gravity. He couldn't, but sadly, I still can't fly :p
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I agree with everything you've said, of course. And I feel like Christians tend to ignore the negative aspects of their religion to avoid acknowledging that the Bible is just a collection of mythology designed to help people navigate life in a certain period in history. And it's really become outdated - and those who refuse to adapt their religion to the modern day are the ones who really are in danger of being marginalized.
It really bothers me that people are satisfied with taking their cues from an ancient book. I couldn't stick with religion because I needed logical reasons why I could and could not do things - and logic serves me well. That there are people who see no value in reason is the worst part of all this, IMO ( ... )
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I don't think it's a very realistic look at history or Christians.
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Um, Catholicism is a form of Christianity, actually. The granddaddy of all forms, if you think about it. Catholics are Christians - though in the US there is a much higher population of Protestant people so Christian is automatically assumed (generally) to be some sort of Protestant denomination, but not all Christians are Catholic.
And, as a now lapsed Catholic, who went to parochial school from fourth through eighth grade, and continued to attend church sporadically during high school while I worked out my beliefs, I have to say that that summation you've made of Catholic dogma is a bunch of bullshit.
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As for the rest, I don't know how not but whatever. And yes, I have spent my fair amount of time in church and religious classes.
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As someone who has never stepped foot in church, I'm entirely against the idea that someone needs religion as a basis for morality. I'm a good person because I choose to be a good person. It's not for the reward of heaven or fear of damnation. I don't even believe in them, so this reward or punishment system is really not convincing.
I'm glad that you had the guts to stand up for your beliefs in your classes, even when it seemed like you had some pretty closed-minded people in the class. :)
You're awesome.
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Exactly. And there are philosophers who argue that those who do things without expectation of reward or fear of punishment are more moral. I don't know if I agree with that, but I think it means more to do something just because it's right.
Aww, you're too kind to me. I'm not awesome...I just don't know when to shut up. :P
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