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The good book?

Dave Ellis

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I see. All the targeting of Christians is because Christians try to pass laws. The Democratic and Republican Parties try to pass laws. Do you target them? Special interest groups ranging from AIPAC to NOW to the Sierra Club try to pass laws. Do you target them? Public sector unions try to pass laws. Do you target them? Corporate conglomerates try to pass laws. Do you target them?

If they try to pass unconstitutional laws that infringe on my civil liberties, absolutely.

Passing laws isn't the issue, passing unconstitutional laws and using the government to push your religion on others is.

Are you seriously claiming that Muslims don't try to inject their religion into government? I'm pretty sure the political program of the guys who blew children to smithereens at the Boston Marathon last month did not arise from Christianity.

Can you please show me what legislation the Boston bombers drew up and is currently pending? I'll be happy to argue against it.

For that matter, please reference one piece of current legislation written by anyone aimed to legislate Islamic values on myself, any free citizen, or the government as a whole.
 
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Eight Foot Manchild

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In post #18 I wrote about the fact that many atheists make a massive effort to make their hatred of Christians known. You quoted that paragraph and offered an explanation for it. How much of your personal life it takes up is utterly irrelevant; you entered a conversation about the general tendency of many atheists. If you didn't intend to respond to what I wrote in post #18, why did you quote it?

The explanation I provided was in answer to your confusion as to why Christianity is often singled out.

So those who live under atheist regimes in China and Cuba simply don't matter to you or your fellow atheists?

I do wish you'd learn the difference between an 'atheist regime' (which doesn't exist anywhere on the planet) and a regime that has atheism as one of its tenets.

You've listed some examples where you feel that Christians are trying to "legislate our beliefs"

Because you asked me to. I notice you've abandoned trying to challenge those examples.

but by any measure those constitute a microscopic fraction of what the government does.

None of which are the topic of this discussion.
 
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lupusFati

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As anyone with a functioning brain and the ability to scroll can plainly see, what I actually said was I don't answer loaded questions.

Perhaps you should define what a Loaded Question is. You know, for those who don't bother to look up what a logical fallacy is.

I'm not saying you have to, but it's possible he has no idea what you meant.
 
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Davian

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Perhaps some were. So what?
Actually I would like to see an example of an advertisement that promoted "selfishness", as one would expect marketing people, Christian or otherwise, to promote consumption.
I'm aware os some instances in which things Jesus said bore a passing similarity to things that other ancient Rabbis and philosophers said.
Selection bias?
Nonetheless Christ's teaching as a whole constitutes a teaching for life that is unlike any other I've ever encountered.
What is your sample size for that?
Certainly when I observe the behavior of atheists on this board and elsewhere, I virtually always get a sharp reminder of the sharp contrast between their beliefs and Christ's teachings, and it's generally to Christ's advantage.
You would need to explain to me, what advantage would there be for an atheist to model their behaviour on an apocalyptic preacher?
The Franciscans, the Hutterites, the Cistercians,...
And yourself, have you followed this "advice"? Did you sell all that you have, and give it to the poor?
 
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AlexBP

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If they try to pass unconstitutional laws that infringe on my civil liberties, absolutely.
Well then, tell us exactly what your civil liberties are. You identify on this board as a Canadian, which presumably means that legislation in America doesn't affect your civil liberties any more than legislation in China or Iran.

Can you please show me what legislation the Boston bombers drew up and is currently pending?
So your position is that as long as Muslims such as the Tsarnevs stick to blowing civilians to pieces, rather than doing horrible things such defining marriage the way it's always been defined since the USA's founding, you won't bash Muslims the way you bash Christians? If that's not your position on Islamic terrorism, then what is.

The Tsarnevs were, by the survivor's own report, inspired by Al Queda. Al Queda is politically motivated group seeking to establish Islamic Law, according to its founder Osama Bin Laden.


For that matter, please reference one piece of current legislation written by anyone aimed to legislate Islamic values on myself, any free citizen, or the government as a whole.
Ask a citizen of Iran or Saudi Arabia (or Pakistan or Malasia or Egypt or ...) I bet they could fill you in.

By the way, did you know that Canadian public schools hold Muslim prayer services in which menstruating girls have to be segregated from everyone else? Read all about it:

HOW UNCLEAN WAS MY VALLEY :: SteynOnline

Star quote:
Dr Bilal Philips, a "Canadian religious scholar", was born in Jamaica but grew up in Toronto and has many prestigious degrees not only from Saudi Arabia but also from the University of Wales, where he completed a PhD in "Islamic Theology". Dr Philips is in favour of death for homosexuals.
But hey, at least Dr. Philips not a Christian. That would be bad enough to merit scrutiny.
 
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AlexBP

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AlexBP said:
So those who live under atheist regimes in China and Cuba simply don't matter to you or your fellow atheists?

I do wish you'd learn the difference between an 'atheist regime' (which doesn't exist anywhere on the planet) and a regime that has atheism as one of its tenets.
Bringing up a technicality doesn't answer my question.
 
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AlexBP

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What makes you think that they don't?


eudaimonia,

Mark
The fact that I don't see them doing so on this board or anywhere else. If you searched this board, you could probably find thousands of threads of atheists complaining about the fact that same-sex couples can't get marriage licenses in some states of the USA. (By contrast, as I mentioned, no threads about the fact that same-sex couples can't get marriage licenses in China or Cuba.) Also by contrast, few or no threads about US government policies that actually are violations of Constitutional rights, such as warrantless wiretapping, torture, indefinite detention without parole, criminalization of marijuana, &c.. &c..
 
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I'm unaware of what you're talking about. Is anyone currently trying to pass legislation that regulates Baptism, or the Eucharist?

In Australia the Christian groups have been granted excemptions over and above everybody else, for example, they can legally deny homo-sexuals employment, they can also be legally excempted from paying tax's, they can also legally place chaplains into public schools and bully law makers into denying abortion or equal marraige rights to other citizens.
What is it about some people that they have such a pressing psychological need to feel superior to someone - anyone - in society?

Why can't those who are different be equal in their differences?

Atheist's and non-Christian groups simply want equality and removing Christian privileges is a step in the right direction. This is not hatred towards Christianity.
 
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Eudaimonist

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The fact that I don't see them doing so on this board or anywhere else. If you searched this board, you could probably find thousands of threads of atheists complaining about the fact that same-sex couples can't get marriage licenses in some states of the USA. (By contrast, as I mentioned, no threads about the fact that same-sex couples can't get marriage licenses in China or Cuba.) Also by contrast, few or no threads about US government policies that actually are violations of Constitutional rights, such as warrantless wiretapping, torture, indefinite detention without parole, criminalization of marijuana, &c.. &c..

Many libertarians, who DO complain about such things, are atheists. I complain about such things. However, I don't participate much in the politics area of this board. And when I do voice my libertarian complaints, I don't bother to mention that I'm an atheist, since that is irrelevant to the issue.


eudaimonia,

Mark
 
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lupusFati

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In Australia the Christian groups have been granted excemptions over and above everybody else, for example, they can legally deny homo-sexuals employment, they can also be legally excempted from paying tax's, they can also legally place chaplains into public schools and bully law makers into denying abortion or equal marraige rights to other citizens.
What is it about some people that they have such a pressing psychological need to feel superior to someone - anyone - in society?

Why can't those who are different be equal in their differences?

Atheist's and non-Christian groups simply want equality and removing Christian privileges is a step in the right direction. This is not hatred towards Christianity.

I didn't realize it was that bad in Australia. Maybe I SHOULD get involved with some gay rights movements, then.
 
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Dave Ellis

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Well then, tell us exactly what your civil liberties are. You identify on this board as a Canadian, which presumably means that legislation in America doesn't affect your civil liberties any more than legislation in China or Iran.

While it's true that legislation in the states doesn't impact my life or rights, the debate could, I live an hour from the U.S. Border and the politics in the states could spill over here if we're not careful.

As it stands, it's very unlikely either issue will ever come up as a major debate ever again... Abortion has been fully legal since the 80's, and same sex marriage has been legal since the mid 2000s. Our major right wing party also has no desire to change the status quo on that either.

However, if the anti abortion groups are not actively opposed and pressure is kept on them, it's possible they might grow strong again. Many Canadian anti-abortion groups are funded in part by U.S. counterparts, which means the best place for me to argue is in the states. If the abortion debate goes away in the U.S. like it has here, it's chances of ever returning go from slim to none.

So your position is that as long as Muslims such as the Tsarnevs stick to blowing civilians to pieces, rather than doing horrible things such defining marriage the way it's always been defined since the USA's founding, you won't bash Muslims the way you bash Christians? If that's not your position on Islamic terrorism, then what is.

The Tsarnevs were, by the survivor's own report, inspired by Al Queda. Al Queda is politically motivated group seeking to establish Islamic Law, according to its founder Osama Bin Laden.

Are you really putting forward the idea I don't oppose the Tsarnevs? Are you dense?

Of course I oppose them, however what you're arguing here is completely off topic. I oppose their political ideology and religious ideology, however what made them famous isn't their politics, it was the fact they killed and injured dozens of people in a barbaric act.

We're arguing politics here, not terrorism.

Christians are well within their rights to desire a theocracy, and Muslims are well within their rights to desire sharia law. There is no such thing as thought crimes, and I'd be happy to debate either one on the issue. However, the Christians are actually trying to legislate their beliefs, while the Muslims are not.

Ask a citizen of Iran or Saudi Arabia (or Pakistan or Malasia or Egypt or ...) I bet they could fill you in.

By the way, did you know that Canadian public schools hold Muslim prayer services in which menstruating girls have to be segregated from everyone else? Read all about it:

HOW UNCLEAN WAS MY VALLEY :: SteynOnline

Star quote:
Dr Bilal Philips, a "Canadian religious scholar", was born in Jamaica but grew up in Toronto and has many prestigious degrees not only from Saudi Arabia but also from the University of Wales, where he completed a PhD in "Islamic Theology". Dr Philips is in favour of death for homosexuals.
But hey, at least Dr. Philips not a Christian. That would be bad enough to merit scrutiny.


Actually what you're referring to is not sanctioned by or funded by the school board. I have no problems if students want to start a praise Jesus club, or a muslim prayer thing, or a Jewish club or whatever as long as no public money is used and it does not conflict with their education.

A similar thing would also be allowable under your first amendment. For example students are well within their rights to privately pray in class, it's only a problem when it's a public prayer sanctioned by the school board. That's why it's also allowable to wear a cross necklace, or other religious symbols (i.e. a Turban), as long as the school board doesn't start distributing cross necklaces or turbans.

As for Iran and Saudi Arabia, I'm not sure why you're bringing that up... We're discussing U.S. Politics. Can you point me to a piece of legislation that's currently under debate that would in some way impose Islamic values on the states? If you can give me an example I'll be happy to jump into the debate.
 
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lupusFati

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New Zealand recently allowed gay marriage, sadly Australia is not so fast to follow. Australia has an atheist leader who supports religious privilege.

...That makes no bloody sense to me, but meh. The atheist leader part, I mean.
 
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Dave Ellis

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Believe it or not, there are some atheists who are in a position to support religion. And the prime minister of Australia is one of them.


As an Atheist I agree having the right to practice whatever religious belief you want to should be fully protected under law.

However religions should not ever be able to dictate law... That's been tried many times and regularly leads to catastrophe.
 
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JGL53

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Perhaps the Australian PM, though an atheist, sees religion as necessary for the majority of people because she is a cynic and an elitist - i.e., she really thinks they would not be "good" if they didn't worry about an invisible all-seeing eye all around. Or maybe she thinks political control of people in general is necessary and that religion will tend to produce sheep-like attitudes, as opposed to atheism (in the sense that herding atheists is like herding cats. LOL.)

It's called pragmatism.

I suspect Obama is in reality some sort of agnostic/atheist/deist and is just playing the game one must play if one is to be the POTUS - and be reelected POTUS.

IOW, the idea some atheists hold - that to be a TRUE atheist one must be scrupulously honest and "pure" 100 per cent of the time, come hell or high-water - is utopian clap-trap. (I blame Ayn Rand and Karl Marx - among others - for such, uh, baloney.)
 
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