Not all Atheists should be saved - they can be useful.

[Winterbourne]

You're missing my point, Jemm.

This thread wasn't concerned with the relative intelligence or value of Christians as a group, it was about a website and the concept of the Rapture. It wasn't directed at you, and it certainly wasn't bashing you. I haven't encountered anybody bashing you but that doesn't mean it's not happening, and if it is then that's totally not cool at all and I'm sorry. Abusive behaviour is never okay.

But keep in mind two things: it is unreasonable to expect everyone to agree with or respect your beliefs (particularly online where there are few controls on conduct), and criticism isn't hate speech.

GZ is a pretty cool and respectful place, but it isn't set up to be a safe-space and people are not obliged to observe or treat your beliefs with kid gloves. Two sides throwing mud doesn't make a situation equitable, either. You've participated in heated discussions before, you know how it works: people here are free to discuss all topics, at the discretion of the mods. Some subjects are really personal and feelings get hurt.

And be wary of confusing criticism for hate speech: questioning, disagreeing, poking fun at, pointing out faults, and disapproving of Christianity and organized religion aren't hateful in and of themselves. It is fair and useful to analyze and criticize your culture and the players in it, and most of the English-speaking world is heavily influenced by Christianity, so Christianity and religion will thus get criticized. Criticizing Christianity or religion is not a criticism of you or the validity of your beliefs, in the way criticizing your work is not a criticism of you.

Not to say people can't use criticism in a hateful way, and not to say you should feel awesome about it. I don't doubt you've encountered anti-religious hate speech. But how would engaging in intolerant behaviour solve anything or improve any situation?

If someone is being abusive to you here, that isn't cool and needs to be dealt with. You aren't obliged to just take it, and that's what we have mods for.

[Jemm]

Okay, reading both your replies, there's nothing really much more for me to say here. If I missed the point then I missed it, heh.

[John Rauch]

Jemm: For someone who does not have a relationship with God, our beliefs are silly. When Dave posted this yesterday, he sent me a link I laughed. I didn't read it as, "Take that!" at all. In fact, I'm glad to know people here would identify me as a Christian considering how little I act the part. In the past (and even currently in some parts of the world) believers have had to live in hiding in fear for their lives. If playful ribbing is our version of persecution, I'll take it.

[Jemm]

John: Okay You guys probably are best off taking what I say with a grain of salt anyway, I was (still am a lil bit) in a foul mood because I was actually abused and literally bashed yesterday in a very shameless manner, in not just one but several instances by people I haven't even addressed in the first place - so seeing this thread on Gutterozombie last night didn't really allow my sense of humour to kick in. It was 100% gone, still is. If it's really not that big of a deal, I'll take your word for it and re-think this when I calm down a bit more. All I know is that I'm no longer a member of some of those sites, I'll stick with dA and GZ (for now). I don't intend for anyone at all to ride a guilt trip here, but that venting was really necessary.

Reading this http://bible.org/seriespage/god-all-comfort is helping me greatly and I'm working my way to the end of that passage now. For non-Christians, it may answer some age-old questions that are bothering you as well, better than I ever could. I post it here because reading that passage gives me new courage every time and I learn something new every time I visit that site.

[Zombie Dave McCaig]

For non-Christians, it may answer some age-old questions that are bothering you as well

Not in the slightest.

I'll stick to reading things like this book.

[Jemm]

It's weird how we're going back into this topic but how come they don't answer your questions?

Rather, what questions are you seeking to get answered? That at least I could try to help with. :B

[Jemm]

Also your link 404'd me. D:



"Looking for something?
We're sorry. The Web address you entered is not a functioning page on our site

Go to Amazon.com's Home Page "


Edit: NVM: your fullstop at the end of it is responsible for the 404.


Dave, the cosmos? I have a genuine question, the cosmos? why read that book? Not because it's not good reading, that's not what I'm debating here (or rather I'm not debating at all)..
Is it because you agree with the content or you disagree with it but it's more enlightening to you?

What I'm getting at is this: if your answer is the former, how can you learn about Christianity and try to get questions answered when you're not willing to read something out of the credible to you? Do you want to understand Christianity at all?

[Zombie Dave McCaig]

You're getting told off left and right on message boards because you can't grasp or respect that there are people out there that think your god is a load of shit.

I don't question your god, or wonder about your god, or seek to understand myself through your god, or try to find courage or guidance through your god, because your god is fictional.

Quit trying to sell something that not everyone wants, and you'll get along better with people on art message boards.

I read books on science because if I want to understand the universe around me and my place in it, I find that tangible facts work best.

You like god? Great, good for you. Just don't try and sell him to me, I ain't buying.

[Jemm]

You're getting told off left and right because you can't grasp that there are people out there that think your god is a load of shit.

I simply asked a question to know if you were interested in getting literature on our beliefs or not.

You totally know what happened on those threads and what was said between who right? Of course because you know exactly why people 'constantly tell me off'. You know what I've said and you know that what I've said has made me deserving of the abuse and insults that were hurled at me. Right?

I will not be censored for expressing my beliefs anywhere, and yeah I rather be hated for who I am than to 'get along' with people for pretending to be someone I am not. I am not trying to convert -anyone- here. I'm not SELLING anyone anything and that was totally uncalled for. If I'm not welcome in expressing myself on this board in that way, just say the word. I have no problem with that. Just let me know.

[Zombie Dave McCaig]

Look, this thread's original link was genuinely meant as a lighthearted thing. If I you want to try and sell your god at people, I suggest you start a new thread.

Even better, take a page from John's book and learn to love god in your own way, while interacting with the rest of society inoffensively. People don't like to be proselytized.

[Zombie Dave McCaig]

I'm not SELLING anyone anything and that was totally uncalled for.

Really? then what is this:

Reading this http://bible.org/seriespage/god-all-comfort is helping me greatly and I'm working my way to the end of that passage now. For non-Christians, it may answer some age-old questions that are bothering you as well, better than I ever could.

That, Jemm, sounds like proselytizing.

Anyway, forget it. Just understand that people don't like being sold on religion. It's great for you that your god makes your life better for you and all, but please don't keep pushing your religion as something that will answer people's questions and fulfill them. You kind of have a history of doing that to a mild degree on the board here.

Sorry if I snapped, I just really don't approve of it. If your god is real, people can just figure it out for themselves without needing you to hold the door open all the time.

[Zombie Dave McCaig]

You know what I've said and you know that what I've said has made me deserving of the abuse and insults that were hurled at me. Right?

Nope, no one deserves abuse, if that's what it was. But based on the topic at hand I can guess what might have prompted a reaction from people.

[Jemm]

Thanks for letting me know I'm selling my God in an offensive manner here by sharing the texts I read with people. I've lived closely and grown, and shared all my life with atheists, hindus, muslims, buddhists, baptists and all sorts of different people, I've shared my beliefs with them irl and never before have I been told I've come off as offensive as the share their very same beliefs with me and we're able to understand each other by exchanging these very texts. But everything in life is a chance for learning and I'll grab this opportunity the same way.

If that offends people here instead of simulates discussion and understanding then I genuinely wholeheartedly apologize for that, as nothing I say is intended to offend anyone anywhere. I am not that kind of person who enjoys putting people in sorrow and uncomfortable positions.

I am not John and John is not me, we express ourselves in different ways and we come from different backgrounds. The same is for me and everyone on this board and it seems me being myself offends people more than makes them happy and comfortable with me. I'm totally okay with that though, as I can't please everyone. *shrugs*

EDIT: and before I can post this message you keep replying AND editing your replies so I'll give an answer to your last response: The title of the last thread I was attacked in is "I want to find God". I'm sure you can guess the rest from there. Both the opening poster (who is a Wiccan) and I were attacked for having a conversation between each other that didn't even -mention- atheism.

And that's all I'll be saying.

Keep well Dave.
-Crystal

[Brian Frey ~ halfmoth]

How did your extended-deadline project turn out, Crystal?

[Jemm]

The day before it was due I got sick and wasn't able to finish in time. I prayed once more, checked my email and the servers were down again.

I got an extension again by yet another week and finished an entire day ahead of time. I anticipate full marks as I got to research everything fully and all my code was working. This morning I just chose my new subjects to pick up next semester successfully.

Thanks for asking Brian.