Originally posted by SuzianneI've never understood all this umbrage and offense merely based on the choice of topic, and who is speaking on the topic.
I'm sorry, GB, (and I'll be the first to admit that I haven't read this entire thread) but I tend to think that a Christian telling Atheists anything about atheism is tantamount to an Atheist telling a Christian anything about having faith. I think it's tantamount to a man telling a woman anything about why she shouldn't have an abortion.
My poin ...[text shortened]... ure, it depends on the nature and tone of such a post, but I'd venture that I probably would be.
I say, let Christians try to post about what atheism means. Either they will get it right, and come to understand atheism better in the process, or they will get it wrong and be quickly told so. Some of the most entertaining posts here are corrections of misconceptions and misrepresentations.
And what's with women thinking men aren't allowed to have an opinion on abortion? Granted, we will never know the experience of getting pregnant and never feel the gravity of the woman's decision to abort or not. Yes, this should temper our opinion accordingly. But asking for total silence isn't reasonable. The issue affects all people, even if the effect is far greater on women than men.
Finally, why would you be offended by a post about 'six types of Christian' from an atheist? If the types are accurate, then the post is valid. If they are not, here is your chance to look like a million bucks by skewering the misconceptions.
I think a lot of these discussions can be beneficial in trying to understand how the other side's minds work. If only we could just exercise a degree of control over our emotions, we could actually see a bit of the other side's perspective and understand where they are coming from, even if we don't agree.
Originally posted by SwissGambitAs I've been shown fairly graphically lately, people like to talk without quite knowing what they're talking about. The danger with this is that other people sometimes start thinking they're right and grant them 'expert' status when they are nowhere near this. Even when you show them the error of their ways, they never give in and admit they're wrong. It's frustrating. But as you say, maybe they should be given just enough rope to hang themselves, but even this doesn't stop some of them.
I've never understood all this umbrage and offense merely based on the choice of topic, and who is speaking on the topic.
I say, let Christians try to post about what atheism means. Either they will get it right, and come to understand atheism better in the process, or they will get it wrong and be quickly told so. Some of the most entertaining posts ...[text shortened]... the other side's perspective and understand where they are coming from, even if we don't agree.
Strangely enough, the realms I see this happening in most are religion, politics and gender issues, including orientation issues. Then there are those who must seem like an expert on nearly any topic. I say if you have no experience with a subject, then kindly shut up about it and let someone who knows the subject speak. It will become obvious soon enough whether they know what they're talking about, even though it apparently takes a lot to convince some people.
Then again, maybe I just get crankier the older I get. 🙂
Originally posted by SuzianneThe good hearted and caring, intelligent and reasonable woman we've all come to know as Suzianne will never ever be old!
As I've been shown fairly graphically lately, people like to talk without quite knowing what they're talking about. The danger with this is that other people sometimes start thinking they're right and grant them 'expert' status when they are nowhere near this. Even when you show them the error of their ways, they never give in and admit they're wrong. It ...[text shortened]... kes a lot to convince some people.
Then again, maybe I just get crankier the older I get. 🙂
Originally posted by SwissGambitThanks, SG. Insightful, relaxed point of view. Assume you endorse not deviating excessively from the thread's topic.
I've never understood all this umbrage and offense merely based on the choice of topic, and who is speaking on the topic.
I say, let Christians try to post about what atheism means. Either they will get it right, and come to understand atheism better in the process, or they will get it wrong and be quickly told so. Some of the most entertaining posts ...[text shortened]... the other side's perspective and understand where they are coming from, even if we don't agree.
The post that was quoted here has been removedI am pro-life. However, I would not call a woman having an abortion a murderess, because she may have been coerced or not informed correctly when she made that decision. I am more likely to call the one performing the abortion a murderer, because I believe that person is more likely to know and should know that a life is being destroyed by an abortion.