Two Cabins

[bhsmte]

This is inspired by Tree Of Life's "Persuasiveness of the Christian Community" thread. I didn't want to hijack that one.

It's a hypothetical scenario I think I read in a book a long time ago - you're traveling to a town, but you're having to walk a long way through the woods to get there. It's snowing, temperature's below freezing, and you have to stop for the night. A man you came across earlier told you there are two cabins up ahead with warm fire and food. You asked him about who lived in them, and he replied that he didn't know either of the occupants, except it was known that one man was an atheist (cabin A), and the other man was a Christian (cabin B). That's all you know. Another thing, you're carrying a bag with your life savings in gold coins, so if you're going to sleep you'd like to be able to trust the person who's offering you hospitality not to murder you and/or steal your money. Which cabin would you go to?

I would ask each cabin occupant, who has ESPN and beer.

 

[quatona]

Everyone would choose the Christian and they know it. No one will admit this, though.

It must be cool to be able to read everybody´s minds.

 

[quatona]

This is inspired by Tree Of Life's "Persuasiveness of the Christian Community" thread. I didn't want to hijack that one.

It's a hypothetical scenario I think I read in a book a long time ago - you're traveling to a town, but you're having to walk a long way through the woods to get there. It's snowing, temperature's below freezing, and you have to stop for the night. A man you came across earlier told you there are two cabins up ahead with warm fire and food. You asked him about who lived in them, and he replied that he didn't know either of the occupants, except it was known that one man was an atheist (cabin A), and the other man was a Christian (cabin B). That's all you know. Another thing, you're carrying a bag with your life savings in gold coins, so if you're going to sleep you'd like to be able to trust the person who's offering you hospitality not to murder you and/or steal your money. Which cabin would you go to?

Not a single helpful criterium mentioned here that would be relevant for my decision. (Except: If I were in the US, my reasoning could be like this: When the majority has found a bad guy, they often take comfort in demonizing them as communists and/or atheists. So the guy whom they consider Christian is probably the nicer guy).

But I just learned from Autumnleaves that there are no atheists.

 

[Ana the Ist]

Hey I have an idea! Let's find out what other baseless stereotypes people hold!

One cabin has a white guy, one has a black guy! Choose one!

One cabin has a gay man, one has a straight man...decisions decisions!

 

[Aureus]

Hey I have an idea! Let's find out what other baseless stereotypes people hold!

One cabin has a white guy, one has a black guy! Choose one!

Black Dude. Better food.

One cabin has a gay man, one has a straight man...decisions decisions!

Gay Dude. Better furniture.

This is fun!

 

[quatona]

Christian guy vs. Buddhist guy?

 

[quatona]

Democrat vs. Republican?

 

[quatona]

Communist vs. Capitialist?

 

[jacknife]

Communist vs. Capitialist?

communist would share his wealth

 

[keith99]

I'd kick myself for not asking for clarification.

Same here.

The person from the meeting might know nothing more of the men, but surely does on the town.

Is it a Christian town?

Why does that matter? Because for whatever reason both men have chosen to live outside of town. There is a reasonable chance both do so because they are rejected by the townsfolk. Just being atheist would be enough. That makes it more likely the Christian is rejected for a reasonable cause. More likely, not sure, he could just be the wrong sect.

And with that in mind I might try the Christian first and at least find out which sect. Society of Friends or Confessing Church would result in a rather different choice than a Snake Handler or a name it and claim it 'christian'.

I think I'd also ask the man at the start where he is staying for the night.

 

[ToddNotTodd]

Everyone would choose the Christian and they know it. No one will admit this, though.

Since the worst people I've met over the course of my life have inevitably been Christian, I'd choose the atheist house.

In fact, everyone would choose the atheist house and they know it. No one will admit this, though..

 

[Chesterton]

Some people seem offended by the OP, so I re-read what I wrote. I can't find any insult or any stereotype whatsoever. (If I missed it, let me know.) The insult is being inferred from the fact that I'm Christian, I guess?

 

[Chesterton]

I would ask each cabin occupant, who has ESPN and beer.

Well it wasn't a contest for best answer, but if it had been....

 

[essentialsaltes]

Some people seem offended by the OP, so I re-read what I wrote. I can't find any insult or any stereotype whatsoever. (If I missed it, let me know.) The insult is being inferred from the fact that I'm Christian, I guess?

No, the insult is in your unquestioning assumption that you know what everyone's answer will be.

 

[durangodawood]

Christianity is a moral philosophy or framework, for better or worse.

Atheism is NOT.

For the comparison to be roughly equal, I'd need to know what moral philosophy the atheist subscribes to.

 

[quatona]

No, the insult is in your unquestioning assumption that you know what everyone's answer will be.

To me, my discomfort stems from his attempt to prompt me to think in stereotypes the way he himself does.

 

[Ana the Ist]

Some people seem offended by the OP, so I re-read what I wrote. I can't find any insult or any stereotype whatsoever. (If I missed it, let me know.) The insult is being inferred from the fact that I'm Christian, I guess?

Really? Lemme help you out then...

Suppose instead of atheist and christian it were white guy and black guy. Now suppose you're a black man who is all too aware of the stigma that many white people carry that you're more likely to rob them. Now imagine a white guy posted this thread.... is it getting offensive yet?

Many people have pointed out that you're basically asking others to confirm your own baseless stereotypes with no more information than the labels you hold those stereotypes to. Why? Because you'd like people to confirm your own dumb biases...

Good job, cornhole

 

[Ana the Ist]

"Hey I got a whole field of lettuce to pick and I've only got two choices....a Mexican and a Canadian! Who's it gonna be??"

Wait...why is everyone getting offended?

 

[Ana the Ist]

"You're alone in the woods with nothing but your calculus homework...and you approach two cabins! One has an Asian one has an African! Which one do you choose?!?!"

What? Why are people offended?

 

[bhsmte]

It must be cool to be able to read everybody´s minds.

You know how it goes. If you don't like how other people think, tell them how they think.