Happy Birthday, Now Burn In Hell

[matt_arnold]

Why do I keep reading PCCBoard*? I'm the board's resident infidel. I don't post all that much anymore, but when someone started a thread (click here) to wish me a happy birthday, and dozens of members chimed in, I felt like it would almost be rude not to participate

Comments

[uplinktruck]

Not to worry Matt. I'll save you good place. We've both got friends in both places.

Not quite

[anonymous]

Matt,

You characterization of "our diety" and "our teachings" has much to be desired. But, for what it's worth, I think you should keep posting at PCCBoard.

terjbe.ui

[phecda]

given that so many fundamentalist churches teach that a funeral is a good time and place to point out that the deceased is in hell...
If this happened at a funeral for someone I was fond of, I would be sorely tempted to speed said person(s) to their just reward. Obnoxious bastards...

[matt_arnold]

That's probably why I heard it talked about and preached about so much more often than I've heard of it actually being done. And on the rare occasions when it is done, it's usually outside the funeral home, with posterboard signs.

Really?

[anonymous]

Again, Matt, I know it helps your cause to make broad generalizations about "those fundamentalist churches," but by equating people like Fred Phelps with fundamentalism you're building a straw man.

[algebradancer]

I just read the thread, and it really does seem to be a conflict of world-views. From his point of view, Bob's "Make sure you thank God for His blessings" may just have been a jocular reminder -- something he might have said to anyone who seemed to be straying a bit. Perhaps it was akin to: "Make sure you look both ways before crossing the street!" - a bit condescending perhaps, but well-meaning. However, the street-crossing comment would probably annoy someone who didn't believe in the danger posed by automobiles to pedestrians; likewise, perhaps you were needled by Bob's 'reminder', and so took it as an opportunity to reaffirm your atheism (or an aspect of it) and your reasons for it. Bob (and others) in turn took your reply to be offensive, as it struck near, if not at, their core beliefs. (They might not have liked your use of the pronoun "it" for their god entity, either

Taking Offense - From Bob

[algebradancer]

No, I did not take offense to Matt's comments. I only clarified his misunderstanding of Scripture. If you believe (as Matt seems to) that Christianity is defined by what you watch on TV and by what Fred Phelps does, you will come away with a very distorted view.

Quite frankly, I do hope Matt had a great birthday. However, I also wanted to remind him to thank the Lord who has blessed Matt with life, breath, and all things he has.