August 2006 Weddings
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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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Re: Religulous
ditto Sug.
Also, it's one thing to say 'scientific evidence strongly shows that dinosaurs and man have never co-existed' (even saying it in a funny way). But another to use that to 'debunk' Christianity. I helped to pass a statement for my church that says our understanding of creation as Christians doesn't contradict the theory of evolution. For example, in Genesis, man was the last creature to be created. You really have to dig into the etomology of the original text before you start spouting off about 7 days. And that goes for religious and non-religious alike.
Ditto. I am tired of Christians (not saying anyone here is doing it, this is a general thing) trying to explain intricacies of the faith to me. I was raised Christian. Many atheists were. I went to Catholic school. And above all that, I minored in Religious Studies. I understand it, I just don't believe it.
I have no idea of Bill Maher's background. He sounds like a lunatic to me.
Ditto to Sibil and bunny to an extent. I was raised Catholic and also went to Catholic school until 8th grade. I understand religion and spirituality but I do not participate in an organized form based on my own ideas. However, I will never mock someone for their beliefs.
I didn't say it did. My point was that learning Jesus's teachings and trying to implement them in your life doesn't in any way related to other christian associated myths or legends, for example, the world being created in only 7 days. So there is no logic in trying to prove a religion is bad or wrong or false through of a myth disproving arguement. Which is a very common arguement by non-religious people.
Well I disagree. I haven't really ever seen an arguement against being spiritual that lead me to believe that they did infact understand what being spiritual was all about. They usually tend to just jump write to the legend/myth mocking.
Because mocking the beliefs also mocks those that believe them. I s it okay to mock those that believe them?
I don't want to suggest that people are against being spiritual because they don't understand it. its just that the arguments against it, to me, seem weak. I am fine with people not wanting to be spiritual. I don't think they are "wrong". But likewise, don't tell me I am "wrong".
That's cool - I understand being skeptical. Heck, even Mother Theresa had her moments. And I see how there can be material worth mocking when it comes to the hypocracy of some who practice a religion. I get annoyed by the misrepresentation of my beliefs as well.
However, Maher seems to be staging an all-out attack on the Abrahamic religions, which well, isn't my cup of tea. And I don't think it will sit well with American audience members, either.
How is mocking beliefs not the same as love the sinner, hate the sin? I don't have any problem with any single one of you in this thread, I really like you all. But I don't agree with any of your beliefs. I don't let it devalue my opinion of you as people, however.
So, instead of believing in God, he believes in astrology, is anti-vaccination, into homeopathy? He sounds as loony as he claims people that believe in religion are. I won't waste my money seeing him and his crazy pants self in this movie. I can take a little ribbing about the things people believe for if you do not, it can be a little odd.
I don't think most, though, that do not believe have an understanding of believers' faith and spirituality. What I mean by this is that you may have an understanding of what they believe, but not the why so you really can not understand it. It would be like me saying I understand atheism. I know what it means to be in that conclusion(the definition and ins-and-outs), but I do not know/understand it in how/why one gets there.
I have to say I don't follow your line of thinking, BB. Mocking is not the same as not agreeing with the belief you mentioned. I am guessing you meant this-not agreeing. So, then, do you think it is okay to mock those that believe these things? For me, the answer is no, for otherwise I wouldn't be the best example of a good human being, imo, if I mocked someone for their faith or non-belief.
Didn't read all the quotes, and maybe this was said, but throughout the history of film, there have been plenty of movies that take a reverential stance towards organized religion. There has yet to be one (that I can think of) that takes an irreverent approach. I welcome this movie and I am looking forward to watching it.
And FWIW, Maher is an agnostic, not an atheist.
Ok, maybe I was confusing.
2Vermont says that mocking beliefs is the same as mocking believers.
I say, ok, then by that logic, when Christians say, "Love the sinner, hate the sin," they're full of crap.
Right?
My point is, we can do it too. I like 2Vermont, but I don't like her beliefs. She's a bad example actually, because she's probably the best Catholic I've ever "met." I have to hand it to her for being 100% consistent, knowing her stuff, not waffling, not picking and choosing, etc.
So in conclusion, I like 2Vermont! And I respect her for actually owning all of her beliefs.
Bunny..I don't think they are the same. Not liking (or disagreeing with) my beliefs (same as loving the sinner, but hating the sin) is a lot different than mocking them (that would be like mocking the sinner). Maher doesn't just disagree with me..he mocks me (I was completely offended by his reference to the Blood of Christ).
Hopefully that made sense.
To answer your questions about the Bible would take forever and a day. They are valid questions for sure, but the answers are not simplistic.
As for jokes always being based on cruelty.....would anyone on this board support anyone's right to create a film mocking homosexuals or blacks? Why is it okay to mock religious folks but not okay to mock gays or blacks (for example)? Hypocrisy at best.