oh no it's davinci code week

[Huntster]

....Let's see if the Christians do better with the riots, violence and stuff than the Muslims did with the cartoons.

I thought it was well recognized among the pseudo-scientists on this forum that Christians throw only the finest of riots, violent outbreaks, and "stuff".

Christians are the root of all evil, aren't they?

 

[thaiboxerken]

Christians don't do that anymore, they've lost too much power to do so. However, they do keep gaining more and more power in the governments, so it's just a matter of time.

Both christians and muslims are disguisting, evil people. Muslims stab you in the face. Christians shake your hand, smile and then stab you in the back.

 

[Huntster]

I go out drinking with my buddy, Bigfoot.

From reading your posts, that must occur often.

Obviously, like his feet, his brain is "bigger" than yours, too.

He's smart enough not to type lunacy on the internet and prove his stupidity to the entire world.

 

[thaiboxerken]

He's smart enough not to type lunacy on the internet and prove his stupidity to the entire world.

That's irony, bigfoot hunter.

 

[Huntster]

That's irony, bigfoot hunter.

Who, me?

I'm no bigfoot hunter. I hunt moose, and caribou.

And bears. Big ones.

Go have another drink, Littlefoot.............

 

[thaiboxerken]

Jesus didn't die, he had offspring with Mary M. There are descendants of him, they are called sasquatch. Huntster has made it his life's dream to hunt one down.

 

[Huntster]

Okay, fool. I won't continue such an immature derail with you.

Rant on, but rant on alone. I'll just cull your finest, and file them for posterity..........

 

[Kopji]

I thought it was well recognized among the pseudo-scientists on this forum that Christians throw only the finest of riots, violent outbreaks, and "stuff".

Christians are the root of all evil, aren't they?

I think most modern Christians are usually at least embarrassed about all the religion inspired violence and hatred, rather than being proud of it as a matter of faith. Hey, I could be wrong though. It is hard to tell by looking at the quality of leaders like Falwell or Robertson who have millions of followers.

I'm mildly curious to see if Muslims acting badly is more of an influence than Christians acting well behaved. I think even the book of Proverbs says to avoid the company of such people because it might rub off on you. Pretty old wisdom there...

I've read the book, and I did not think the DaVinci Code was all that threatening. A recent survey indicated that people who read it were twice as likely to believe Jesus got married and had descendants as those who didn't. The local church on the corner has a sign for next Sunday that asks "Was Jesus Married?". Almost makes me want to go. They need to be careful or people will starting asking for evidence that Jesus existed. Downhill from there.

Some of the danger of making your living by promoting decisions based on feelings, emotion, and religious authority is that it seems so easily challenged: A fairly average fictional murder mystery is able to crack the great edifices of religion and cause buckets of holy sweat. I can only be slightly amused that after 2600 or so years this is even remotely possible.

Once the local church gets into needing to teach critical thinking, it is not going to be easy to go back. Critical thinking is like potato chips, hard to do it just once and then stop.

 

[Huntster]

I think most modern Christians are usually at least embarrassed about all the religion inspired violence and hatred, rather than being proud of it as a matter of faith. Hey, I could be wrong though. It is hard to tell by looking at the quality of leaders like Falwell or Robertson who have millions of followers....

Is it "religion inspired violence and hatred" when someone else hates you for your faith, takes action against you, and forces you to act in self defense, whether that "action" is military, political, or with a keyboard?

...I think even the book of Proverbs says to avoid the company of such people because it might rub off on you. Pretty old wisdom there...

Indeed. Wisdom I should heed. If I did, I wouldn't be participating in this forum.

...I've read the book, and I did not think the DaVinci Code was all that threatening....

I didn't read it, and I don't consider it threatening at all. In fact, I find it humorous that people will feverishly deny Christ, then turn around and embrace the story of the DaVinci Code.

...A recent survey indicated that people who read it were twice as likely to believe Jesus got married and had descendants as those who didn't....

Well, of course! That's Propaganda 101. My wife's cousin, a lifelong, devout Catholic did exactly that. She's calmed down, now. She participates in a book club. She and her friends have moved on to other books. Propaganda also does what's expected when starved. It dies.

...The local church on the corner has a sign for next Sunday that asks "Was Jesus Married?". Almost makes me want to go....

Why am I not surprised?

...They need to be careful or people will starting asking for evidence that Jesus existed. Downhill from there....

Yeah; downhill for the suckers.

Goodbye.

...Some of the danger of making your living by promoting decisions based on feelings, emotion, and religious authority is that it seems so easily challenged: A fairly average fictional murder mystery is able to crack the great edifices of religion and cause buckets of holy sweat. I can only be slightly amused that after 2600 or so years this is even remotely possible....

Why do you think Christ used the analogy of "sheep" and "The Good Shepherd"? People are like sheep, whether religious or not.

...Once the local church gets into needing to teach critical thinking, it is not going to be easy to go back. Critical thinking is like potato chips, hard to do it just once and then stop.

I find it remarkable that so many non-religious people *believe* they have the corner on "critical thought".

It reminds me of two different Christian sects, arguing about which of them "has the truth".

 

[thaiboxerken]

There is no evidence of your god either, Hunster.

 

[Huntster]

There is no evidence of your god either, Hunster.

There is, however, plenty of evidence of your lunacy.

I refer you to my signature lines.

I'm sure there are more great one-liner examples of stupidity to be served up soon..............

 

[slingblade]

...A recent survey indicated that people who read it were twice as likely to believe Jesus got married and had descendants as those who didn't....

...A recent survey indicated that people who read the Bible were twice as likely to believe in Jesus as those who didn't....




There's so much irony in my room at the moment, all the laundry in my hamper is wrinkle-free.

 

[elliotfc]

Christians don't do that anymore, they've lost too much power to do so. However, they do keep gaining more and more power in the governments, so it's just a matter of time.

Both christians and muslims are disguisting, evil people. Muslims stab you in the face. Christians shake your hand, smile and then stab you in the back.

Seriously. What religions were in play in Fist of the NorthStar? Some of those guys were just like Christians and Muslims. And worse!

-Elliot

 

[Kopji]

Is it "religion inspired violence and hatred" when someone else hates you for your faith, takes action against you, and forces you to act in self defense, whether that "action" is military, political, or with a keyboard?

Undoubtedly why atheism is protected as if it were a religious belief under the law in the US.

Indeed. Wisdom I should heed. If I did, I wouldn't be participating in this forum.

Better a simple meal in peace instead of a feast in strife?

I didn't read it, and I don't consider it threatening at all. In fact, I find it humorous that people will feverishly deny Christ, then turn around and embrace the story of the DaVinci Code.

There's a lot of people, including Christians, who understand the difference between 'Jesus' and 'Christ'. The books seems more about Jesus than the more complex idea of 'Christ'.

Well, of course! That's Propaganda 101. My wife's cousin, a lifelong, devout Catholic did exactly that. She's calmed down, now. She participates in a book club. She and her friends have moved on to other books. Propaganda also does what's expected when starved. It dies.

Yeah, I think it was a probably religious survey designed to scare people out of reading the book.

Why am I not surprised?

Humm, you think you already know everything? (Just a guess).

Yeah; downhill for the suckers.

Oddly, it makes me a little sad when believers stop believing. I understand the pain and loss. It is worth it though.

Goodbye.

That's what they all say.

Why do you think Christ used the analogy of "sheep" and "The Good Shepherd"? People are like sheep, whether religious or not.

It is time for people to grow up and be something more. Be not sheep.

I find it remarkable that so many non-religious people *believe* they have the corner on "critical thought".

Not at all. Acting religious is an excellent disguise for a critical thinker. Have you considered that your real enemy are not atheists who claim to be atheists, but the outwardly holy who continue to lead the flocks of sheep as if they believed?

It reminds me of two different Christian sects, arguing about which of them "has the truth".

Yeah, I could be wrong.
Now let's hear you say that.

 

[Huntster]

Originally Posted by Huntster :
Is it "religion inspired violence and hatred" when someone else hates you for your faith, takes action against you, and forces you to act in self defense, whether that "action" is military, political, or with a keyboard?

Undoubtedly why atheism is protected as if it were a religious belief under the law in the US....

Possibly, but also likely because atheism is based on a foundation of spiritualism just like any other religion, even if it's position is one that denies spiritualism exists.

That's because, as a nation of laws, everything needs to be catagorized and defined legally.

I didn't read it, and I don't consider it threatening at all. In fact, I find it humorous that people will feverishly deny Christ, then turn around and embrace the story of the DaVinci Code.

There's a lot of people, including Christians, who understand the difference between 'Jesus' and 'Christ'. The books seems more about Jesus than the more complex idea of 'Christ'.

I understand and believe the doctrine of Jesus the man and Christ the divine. That's why the theory of Jesus not accepting the death and resurrection, then fleeing incognito, marrying and living life out as human alone doesn't work. It denies the Christ.

Well, of course! That's Propaganda 101. My wife's cousin, a lifelong, devout Catholic did exactly that. She's calmed down, now. She participates in a book club. She and her friends have moved on to other books. Propaganda also does what's expected when starved. It dies.

Yeah, I think it was a probably religious survey designed to scare people out of reading the book.

I don't bother reading that which doesn't interest me, and that includes all fiction, science fiction, murder mysteries, romantic novels, etc. It's not that I'm "scared". I'm just not interested, and I don't have the time for such.

Why am I not surprised?

Humm, you think you already know everything? (Just a guess).

Poor guess. Not only do I not know everything, I freely admit not understanding this world much at all. I wonder about people every single day.

But I'm still not surprised that you might want to go to a church that advertised such a sermon theme. You're probably curious.

You should have gone. You might have been surprised, yourself.

Yeah; downhill for the suckers.

Oddly, it makes me a little sad when believers stop believing. I understand the pain and loss. It is worth it though.

It doesn't make me sad. I have no control over the matter, and I'm not going to lose any sleep over such.

Goodbye.

That's what they all say.

Maybe, but some folks who say "goodbye" are staying home, bidding farewell to those who are leaving.

I'm the one staying home. I like it here.

Why do you think Christ used the analogy of "sheep" and "The Good Shepherd"? People are like sheep, whether religious or not.

It is time for people to grow up and be something more. Be not sheep.

I like this particular shepherd. I'll stay with this flock, thanks.

I find it remarkable that so many non-religious people *believe* they have the corner on "critical thought".

Not at all. Acting religious is an excellent disguise for a critical thinker....

Why would a "critical thinker" need a disquise? And why would "acting religious" be an effective disquise?

I know lots of religious folks who are among the most critical thinkers I've known.

...Have you considered that your real enemy are not atheists who claim to be atheists, but the outwardly holy who continue to lead the flocks of sheep as if they believed?...

Athiests aren't my "enemy". Evil is my enemy.

And yes, there are people who masquerade as "holy" who do so for the purpose of "tricking" others. There aren't many, and they usually don't trick the faithful long, but they are out there.

Have you considered the possibility that your real enemy are not faithful Christians, Christianity itself, or any particular religious organization, but instead is the evil that can infect all people; religious and non-religious alike?

It reminds me of two different Christian sects, arguing about which of them "has the truth".

Yeah, I could be wrong.
Now let's hear you say that..

Okay:

Yeah, I could be wrong.

I could be wrong about a lot of things, and often am.

And if I am wrong, there is no loss to me, you, or others. So, what's wrong with that?

 

[Eos of the Eons]

Had someone on the morning news protesting and demanding that the film makers preface the screening of the movie with 'This is fiction'. If I was the filmmakers I'd say "Sure - when you add 'This is fiction' it to the start of the Bible"...

That is what I find truly ironic. Man wrote the bible, men. A man wrote this book. Now there are people fighting about both sets of fiction, they are fighting about which is "truer".

It's like arguing whether Bugs Bunny or the Easter Bunny is more real.

 

[Kopji]

Possibly, but also likely because atheism is based on a foundation of spiritualism just like any other religion, even if it's position is one that denies spiritualism exists.

That's because, as a nation of laws, everything needs to be catagorized and defined legally.

The law has a long tradition of being used to protect freedom of religion (a container for ideas and actions), and for the purpose of justice it works to consider atheism the same kind of thing. I don't read too much into it.

I understand and believe the doctrine of Jesus the man and Christ the divine. That's why the theory of Jesus not accepting the death and resurrection, then fleeing incognito, marrying and living life out as human alone doesn't work. It denies the Christ.

The book does not claim this scenario, it only presents the idea that Jesus and Mary M. were married and had a child, and that she was pregnant when he was crucified. There is nothing in the movie that attacks the concept of 'Christ' either, (only that his descendants could not walk on water).
I'm not altogether sure why this movie would be considered a huge threat to anyone.

I don't bother reading that which doesn't interest me, and that includes all fiction, science fiction, murder mysteries, romantic novels, etc. It's not that I'm "scared". I'm just not interested, and I don't have the time for such.

You would probably not like his other books either.

Poor guess. Not only do I not know everything, I freely admit not understanding this world much at all. I wonder about people every single day.

But I'm still not surprised that you might want to go to a church that advertised such a sermon theme. You're probably curious.

You should have gone. You might have been surprised, yourself.

The interest would probably be technical, to see how they addressed the issue. Theologically, I see it as an attempt at distraction. How can they say much about a wife if there is no evidence Jesus was an actual living person?

It doesn't make me sad. I have no control over the matter, and I'm not going to lose any sleep over such.

Sorry, I had a mistaken idea that you might be concerned about lost sheep. Sleep well then.

Maybe, but some folks who say "goodbye" are staying home, bidding farewell to those who are leaving.

I'm the one staying home. I like it here.

Ok, whatever.

I like this particular shepherd. I'll stay with this flock, thanks.

Why would a "critical thinker" need a disquise? And why would "acting religious" be an effective disquise?

I know lots of religious folks who are among the most critical thinkers I've known.

Ezekiel 34, has much changed since then? No. The writers try and hold onto the flock by promising God's interest and deliverance, yet after thousands of years the flock still exists only to feed the 'shepherds'. How much time is enough? You mentioned 'suckers' before as those being the ones who leave; seems a bit reversed, even according to the Bible.

Athiests aren't my "enemy". Evil is my enemy.

And yes, there are people who masquerade as "holy" who do so for the purpose of "tricking" others. There aren't many, and they usually don't trick the faithful long, but they are out there.

Have you considered the possibility that your real enemy are not faithful Christians, Christianity itself, or any particular religious organization, but instead is the evil that can infect all people; religious and non-religious alike?

I've considered that things nurture our humanity or they do not. Maybe in that sense evil is just a lack of good.

Okay:

Yeah, I could be wrong.

I could be wrong about a lot of things, and often am.

And if I am wrong, there is no loss to me, you, or others. So, what's wrong with that?

Do you care if you are wrong, and how do you decide if you are or not? Being complacent with being wrong would seem like a loss to someone.

 

[Tricky]

I like this particular shepherd. I'll stay with this flock, thanks.

I'm always amused when Christians use the Good Shepherd analogy. First of all, it is not particularly flattering to be called a sheep, but more importantly, why does a shepherd keep sheep anyway? He keeps them to fleece them and eat them. He does not have the sheeps' long-term welfare in mind. Also note, sheep don't get to choose their shepherd.

 

[Huntster]

...Also note, sheep don't get to choose their shepherd.

This one does. We are even free to choose to leave the flock and mingle with the wolves.

 

[Tricky]

This one does. We are even free to choose to leave the flock and mingle with the wolves.

Then the sheep/shepherd metaphor is not very apt. Or else, you are a very bad sheep to wander off like that. You're more likely to be used for mutton than for wool.