On Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:36:34 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III" "Reggie is
Here wrote:

John H. wrote:

Why are they so antisocial? Maybe they do need some God in their life.

The two guys here who do most of the anti-religion preaching are the same
two guys who put down *anything* that others may own, build, or be capable
of doing. To me it's envy, pure and simple. They can't stand the
satisfaction others may get from their assets, whether those be abilities,
possessions, or simply the satisfaction they may get from their religious
beliefs.

I'm not unwavering in my beliefs. But, like you I respect the fact that
others may have their own.


I do expect JimH to jump on the anti-god movement. He is so used to
repeating whatever Harry says he has given up thinking on his own.

I think we've seen convictions go out the window there. A couple years ago
he would have been on Harry and Doug like flies on that smelly stuff. He's
backed off. Or, maybe he's just changed his beliefs. If so, that's OK too.
--
John H

Reginald P. Smithers III wrote:

I have no problems with any of the major religions, nor do I have a
problem with someone being an atheist or agnostic, but recently they
seem to be as forceful (or more forceful) in their Anti-God preaching as
a Jehovah's Witnesses selling their version of God after waking you up
at 8 am on a Saturday.

I personally hope I've not offended any one (or too many) by
simply expressing honest opinion, raising questions, or any
lame attempts at humor. If so that wasn't the intent.

Coming from a strict religious family I understand that some
perceive expressions of doubt as threatening. None of us
know the unknowable with any certainty and we shouldn't
pretend to. We also needn't be offended by differing
opinions. My $.02 anyway.


Why are they so antisocial? Maybe they do need some God in their life.

Or simple consideration.

On Sun, 13 Jan 2008 22:07:55 -0800, -rick- wrote:

Reginald P. Smithers III wrote:

I have no problems with any of the major religions, nor do I have a
problem with someone being an atheist or agnostic, but recently they
seem to be as forceful (or more forceful) in their Anti-God preaching as
a Jehovah's Witnesses selling their version of God after waking you up
at 8 am on a Saturday.

I personally hope I've not offended any one (or too many) by
simply expressing honest opinion, raising questions, or any
lame attempts at humor. If so that wasn't the intent.

Coming from a strict religious family I understand that some
perceive expressions of doubt as threatening. None of us
know the unknowable with any certainty and we shouldn't
pretend to. We also needn't be offended by differing
opinions. My $.02 anyway.


Why are they so antisocial? Maybe they do need some God in their life.

Or simple consideration.

That would work.
--
John H

On Sun, 13 Jan 2008 22:07:55 -0800, -rick- wrote:

Reginald P. Smithers III wrote:

I have no problems with any of the major religions, nor do I have a
problem with someone being an atheist or agnostic, but recently they
seem to be as forceful (or more forceful) in their Anti-God preaching as
a Jehovah's Witnesses selling their version of God after waking you up
at 8 am on a Saturday.

I personally hope I've not offended any one (or too many) by
simply expressing honest opinion, raising questions, or any
lame attempts at humor. If so that wasn't the intent.

None taken - reasonable debate and fun.

Coming from a strict religious family I understand that some
perceive expressions of doubt as threatening.

It's really the disintegration of civil discourse - in my opinion
anyway. Discussing the viewpoints civilly without injecting emotional
components is fun and you can sometimes gain additinal insight and in
passing, maybe dessiminate a few along the way to others.

None of us know the unknowable with any certainty and we
shouldn't pretend to.

In large measure, that is true - and I agree largely with one of your
other ideas of what happens after - belief in an "after" is largely
for those who are still living - it's a comfortable thought. In my
opinion, it's not relevant though - if you believe, you believe.

It's like believing Jesus was celibate.

One of my uncles is a Jesuit and Professor of Theology at a major
Catholic university. When I read the Da Vinci Code I asked him about
the belief in Christ being married and this is exactly what he said:

"He was a young Jewish male carpenter who was viewed in a similar way
as a Rebbe - it would have been normal for a young Jewish male
carpenter Rebbe to be married. To who is a different question."

Tell that to a fundamentalist Catholic or Protestant. :)

We also needn't be offended by differing opinions.

10-4.

On Sun, 13 Jan 2008 22:07:55 -0800, -rick- wrote:

Reginald P. Smithers III wrote:

I have no problems with any of the major religions, nor do I have a
problem with someone being an atheist or agnostic, but recently they
seem to be as forceful (or more forceful) in their Anti-God preaching as
a Jehovah's Witnesses selling their version of God after waking you up
at 8 am on a Saturday.
I personally hope I've not offended any one (or too many) by
simply expressing honest opinion, raising questions, or any
lame attempts at humor. If so that wasn't the intent.

You definitely haven't offended me by any of your posts. I was really
thinking of posts by Harry and Doug, whose sole purpose was to denigrate
those who do have religious views.


Coming from a strict religious family I understand that some
perceive expressions of doubt as threatening. None of us
know the unknowable with any certainty and we shouldn't
pretend to. We also needn't be offended by differing
opinions. My $.02 anyway.

I am all for open discussions, but if someone has deep seated religious
beliefs, it is counter productive to an open discussion to mock or
ridicule their beliefs. Harry and Doug want to use a logical discussion
to prove them wrong. Most religions are based upon faith, so using
logic is not logical when discussing religion. There have been many
studies that show a strong religious belief to have a positive impact on
people's health, so why would one want to destroy that belief.




Why are they so antisocial? Maybe they do need some God in their life.
Or simple consideration.

I can understand why people are atheist, agnostic and deists. I don't
understand anyone goes out of their way to ridicule anyone's belief,
including those I don't believe. Separation of church and state, does
not mean our politicians must not have any faith or mean they can not
acknowledge their religious beliefs.

On Mon, 14 Jan 2008 07:57:37 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III"
"Reggie is Here wrote:

I can understand why people are atheist, agnostic and deists.

How do you feel about worshippers of Transcendental Meditative
Catholic Buddhist Fundamentalist Evolutionary Space Monkeys?

Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
On Mon, 14 Jan 2008 07:57:37 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III"
"Reggie is Here wrote:

I can understand why people are atheist, agnostic and deists.

How do you feel about worshippers of Transcendental Meditative
Catholic Buddhist Fundamentalist Evolutionary Space Monkeys?

If you weren't a fundamentalist it might be attractive.

Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
On Mon, 14 Jan 2008 07:57:37 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III"
"Reggie is Here wrote:

I can understand why people are atheist, agnostic and deists.

How do you feel about worshippers of Transcendental Meditative
Catholic Buddhist Fundamentalist Evolutionary Space Monkeys?

I can understand whey people believe in all of them, except for your
favorite (FESM). I also see benefits to those who do have a strong
faith. I would not want to do anything to make them question their
belief in a deity.

While I can understand why people are atheists, agnostic or deists, they
really don't receive the added heath benefits of those with a strong
faith and support system.

BAR wrote:
Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
On Mon, 14 Jan 2008 07:57:37 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III"
"Reggie is Here wrote:

I can understand why people are atheist, agnostic and deists.

How do you feel about worshippers of Transcendental Meditative
Catholic Buddhist Fundamentalist Evolutionary Space Monkeys?

If you weren't a fundamentalist it might be attractive.

I don't understand your response. I am sure it is me, but please explain.

Reginald P. Smithers III wrote:
BAR wrote:
Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
On Mon, 14 Jan 2008 07:57:37 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III"
"Reggie is Here wrote:

I can understand why people are atheist, agnostic and deists.

How do you feel about worshippers of Transcendental Meditative
Catholic Buddhist Fundamentalist Evolutionary Space Monkeys?

If you weren't a fundamentalist it might be attractive.

I don't understand your response. I am sure it is me, but please explain.


I don't believe that the Evolutionary Space Monkeys intended their
sacred texts to be literally followed, it is more a guide to enlightenment.