tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post372493291741070593..comments2024-03-25T17:35:02.238-04:00Comments on Debunking Christianity: Some Advice To Those Who Leave ChristianityUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-21613844245936131412007-10-02T10:38:00.000-04:002007-10-02T10:38:00.000-04:00If this site debunks one thing its that a world wi...<I>If this site debunks one thing its that a world without religion will make everyone peaceful and agree with each other...</I><BR/><BR/>Well, I would argue that it would be MORE peaceful, and until I see beheadings as a result of this thread, I will not hold it as evidence to the contrary.<BR/><BR/>I would agree that a lack of religion will not make people agree with each other. Trying to "lead freethinkers" is like herding cats.Shygetzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12587529149916263563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-76492826678596366642007-10-01T00:45:00.000-04:002007-10-01T00:45:00.000-04:00In fairness to Prup, I had to read your comments t...In fairness to Prup, I had to read your comments twice to understand that you weren't actually preaching an anti-Arab diatribe. Upon second reading, your comment was ironic and dully noted. Prup being sensitive to issues of cultural competency responded passionately, as I expected him to. His comment about Dan made me chuckle!--too bad Dan isn't browsing this blog anymore.Billhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07058424176773515878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-1196514916966693442007-09-30T03:45:00.000-04:002007-09-30T03:45:00.000-04:00(Oh, and Steven, yes I did overreact -- partially ...(Oh, and Steven, yes I did overreact -- partially because I had just been ready to turn off the browser and go to sleep, and partially -- I don't expect someone who defines himself as 'anti-baseball' on his profile -- because the current collapse of the Mets is putting me in a lousier and more cantankerous mood than usual.)<BR/><BR/>Well I'm glad you didn't stub your big toe on the bed post.<BR/><BR/>Alot of times a person's knee-jerk response tells more about the writer than the person they are trying to intimidate.<BR/><BR/>I'm just wondering what the Mets could possibly owe you? I can see children getting upset or excited, but a grown man? Hardly!Steven Bentlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16139666223082953913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-3409152555220083952007-09-28T14:23:00.000-04:002007-09-28T14:23:00.000-04:00Chris, without an enforced comment policy we would...Chris, without an enforced comment policy we wouldn't have a good discussion. It would <A HREF="http://www.problemofevil.org/2007/07/first-loftus-wood-debate-is-now.html" REL="nofollow">degenerate to this</A>. But in fact <A HREF="http://debunkingchristianity.blogspot.com/2006/02/our-policy-here.html" REL="nofollow">we do</A>, as does <A HREF="http://debunkingchristianity.blogspot.com/2007/09/daylight-atheisms-comment-policy.html" REL="nofollow">Daylight Atheism</A>.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-72240360367202453342007-09-28T13:49:00.000-04:002007-09-28T13:49:00.000-04:00John-You should give up the time honored Christian...John-<BR/>You should give up the time honored Christian practice of shunning. It is unbecoming a free thinking athiest.Chris Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13134785155889204025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-87386548559168076662007-09-28T13:09:00.000-04:002007-09-28T13:09:00.000-04:00Since Prup and Joseph commented about Reggie I won...Since Prup and Joseph commented about Reggie I won't delete what he said, but he's banned. Please don't feed the trolls once you recognize them. For the record, I do have a lot of respect for Prup.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-54176007893465718872007-09-28T12:38:00.000-04:002007-09-28T12:38:00.000-04:00Reggie, what value are you bringing to ANY of the ...Reggie, what value are you bringing to ANY of the discussions here? For some reason the word "troll" keeps popping into my head.Billhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07058424176773515878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-67972191989369974002007-09-28T11:14:00.000-04:002007-09-28T11:14:00.000-04:00Reggie:Don't you EVER use me to score points again...Reggie:<BR/>Don't you EVER use me to score points against John again! John and I do have disagreements, and he, for reasons he felt sufficient, removed me from membership here, but it by no means lessened my respect for John that he did so -- and I believe from personal coments that he retains his respect for me. I am not even sure he was wrong in removing me.<BR/><BR/>In fact, one thing I have been trying to argue for is the idea that we don't have to have agreement on everything to agree on overall goals.<BR/><BR/>(Oh, and Steven, yes I did overreact -- partially because I had just been ready to turn off the browser and go to sleep, and partially -- I don't expect someone who defines himself as 'anti-baseball' on his profile -- because the current collapse of the Mets is putting me in a lousier and more cantankerous mood than usual.Prup (aka Jim Benton)https://www.blogger.com/profile/08376467128665482055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-63714733740601470372007-09-28T09:59:00.000-04:002007-09-28T09:59:00.000-04:00You say Prup does not play well with others?And YO...You say Prup does not play well with others?<BR/><BR/>And YOU do?Reggiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06694467892226359925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-24629594069881153862007-09-27T17:05:00.000-04:002007-09-27T17:05:00.000-04:00If this site debunks one thing its that a world wi...If this site debunks one thing its that a world without religion will make everyone peaceful and agree with each other...GordonBloodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16426901390201595020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-52476570295988700812007-09-26T13:16:00.000-04:002007-09-26T13:16:00.000-04:00Steven Bentley, your comments are always welcome h...Steven Bentley, your comments are always welcome here. I've had run ins with Prup myself. He's his own person. He does not play well with others.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-77472601383520122812007-09-26T13:10:00.000-04:002007-09-26T13:10:00.000-04:00Can't we all just get along?Can't we all just get along?Billhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07058424176773515878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-38494576267253313002007-09-26T13:07:00.000-04:002007-09-26T13:07:00.000-04:00I was just wondering what happened to my assumed p...I was just wondering what happened to my assumed privilege of freedom of speech, even if a word happens to be spelled wrong? <BR/><BR/>" Steven: If you are going to make this sort of ignorant, bigoted, and simply stupid -- not to mention ungrammatical --comments, go play for the other team, willya. We, or at least I, don't want you on this side."<BR/><BR/>Could you just point out my ignorant, bigoted and simply stupid comments, without first having to go to my blog and critquing it before you can assume a position of hostility?<BR/><BR/>And then you come back and make the asinine comment that the only worthy post I have made on my blog was pasted from another website and then make grammatical errors yourself. <BR/><BR/>I wonder if you completely read and fully comprehended what was written? <BR/><BR/>I resent being put in a class with Dan Marvin.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps my comments have become a threat to your intelligence.<BR/><BR/>I await your humble reply?<BR/><BR/>If I and my comments are not welcomed here, then who's comments are welcomed here?<BR/><BR/>Just yours I suppose, it must be lonely living your own tiny little world.Steven Bentlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16139666223082953913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-54777888941834330512007-09-26T12:29:00.000-04:002007-09-26T12:29:00.000-04:00Lev, where do you get off equating atheism with pa...Lev, where do you get off equating atheism with passionless indifference? Also, are you saying that it's not possible to have a good marriage or raise good children apart from the church?Billhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07058424176773515878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-79998215437229701252007-09-26T11:41:00.000-04:002007-09-26T11:41:00.000-04:00Actually, what do atheists care about families.If ...Actually, what do atheists care about families.<BR/><BR/>If you think it more important to be "honest" about you atheism than keeping your family intact and keeping your kids with you there you are a fool.<BR/><BR/>After all, Loftus already tossed his family away, what makes you think he has your interest at heart.<BR/><BR/>What the hell does he care?<BR/><BR/>Misery loves company.LevBronsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15592077287494209664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-40208094743620745962007-09-26T10:38:00.000-04:002007-09-26T10:38:00.000-04:00hi prup,you have the right to do anything you want...hi prup,<BR/>you have the right to do anything you want to <BR/>but you were characteristically contentious. <BR/>and you are minimizing your role.<BR/><B><I>If you are going to make this sort of ignorant, bigoted, and simply stupid -- not to mention ungrammatical --comments,</B></I><BR/>thats a little more than criticism for childish behavior don't you think? Thems fightin words where I come from. <BR/>Thats all i got to say 'bout that.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17353286859864448748noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-11796483596822306312007-09-26T10:19:00.000-04:002007-09-26T10:19:00.000-04:00Lee: having checked out Steven's blogs, I admit t...Lee: having checked out Steven's blogs, I admit that I did see nothing bigoted there, merely angry. <BR/>Steven, I apologize for that part of my post. It is a serious charge, and one I shouldn't have made without doing a bit of research. (Saying it was late is a slight explanation, but not an excuse.)<BR/>However, Lee, you and John have both -- rightly -- criticized Darren and others for the 'childishness' of their arguments. Don't we have an equal duty to make the same criticism against someone on 'our side'? Because we know that our opponents will seize on any weakness to use against us.<BR/>Steven's blogs show potential, yes, and at least one of them shows brilliance -- his list of 143 contradictions in the Bible on "Biblical fallacies" is worth being linked to in the FAQ<BR/>http://biblicalfallacies.blogspot.com/<BR/><BR/>But the tone and anger -- and youth -- that is evident both here and on his blogs is valuable -- but not for here. (But then this is the dispute that caused me to be bounced from membership. I believe we must hold both sides to a high standard, and to challenge weak arguments from either direction. Because we can be sure that our more sophisticated opponents <I>will</I> and hold them against us.)<BR/><BR/>So let me rephrase my original comments. Steven, welcome, but please see the sort of arguments we have here. There are plenty of 'angry atheist' blogs, but this isn't one.Prup (aka Jim Benton)https://www.blogger.com/profile/08376467128665482055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-40676236268285975572007-09-26T04:48:00.000-04:002007-09-26T04:48:00.000-04:00Hi Prup,my two cents.Steven saidThe American peopl...Hi Prup,<BR/>my two cents.<BR/>Steven said<BR/><B><I>The American people presume that the Bible has always existed on this soil and have never gave it one thought to it as being written by Arabs, to whom most Americans would not give an Arab person the time of day.<BR/></B></I><BR/>I don't see any malice in there. I see 'otherizing' and an observation that could be viewed as ironic, but I think an allegation of 'bigoted' is unwarranted and contentious.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17353286859864448748noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-62749214298473182652007-09-26T03:02:00.000-04:002007-09-26T03:02:00.000-04:00Steven: If you are going to make this sort of ign...Steven: If you are going to make this sort of ignorant, bigoted, and simply stupid -- not to mention ungrammatical --comments, go play for the other team, willya. We, or at least I, don't want you on this side.<BR/><BR/>Hey Dan, Dan Marvin, we finally have someone you can debate with and have a chance to come out on top!Prup (aka Jim Benton)https://www.blogger.com/profile/08376467128665482055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-12381342019438107022007-09-26T02:51:00.000-04:002007-09-26T02:51:00.000-04:00I haven't read your book yet, but I am wondering h...I haven't read your book yet, but I am wondering how we, Americans as a whole, let ourselves get in these awkward positions?<BR/><BR/>Is it because we were set up as children to believe that Santa, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy were in deed a fact? And then, as we get older do we not perceive beliefs as pure fact?<BR/><BR/>Why do we, as grown adults, need beliefs and myths to justify our own existance?<BR/><BR/>Is the bible the final lie that we are supposed to believe as being true?<BR/><BR/>I was watching a preacher in a pretty taylored suit on TV and other preachers in a pretty suit sitting around him was amening everything that he said, whether it made a lick of sense or not, so this in many people's minds verifies that everything a person in a pretty suit says is true.<BR/><BR/>One must investigate how the bible, and superstitious beliefs made it's way over here to this continent.<BR/><BR/>The American people presume that the Bible has always existed on this soil and have never gave it one thought to it as being written by Arabs, to whom most Americans would not give an Arab person the time of day.<BR/><BR/>Not only that, but they give no thought that names like Mary, John, James, Paul, Jesus, are not even of Arab origin, these are of English origin.<BR/><BR/>The American people have been deceived by the power of fear from pure greed of the preachers.<BR/><BR/>How can we put an end to that ignorant nonsense, that has put so many people in a defensive position to have to stoop to a level of insanity just to get along with their family and peers?Steven Bentlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16139666223082953913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-69370167595519222532007-09-25T19:41:00.000-04:002007-09-25T19:41:00.000-04:00I concur with Joseph-- It's not just about pretend...I concur with Joseph-- It's not just about pretending to believe in a god...You most show some kind of passion; pretend to run after what christianity deems is good, and reject many things and people because of sin or whatnot. I attempted to do just that to keep my fiance, and ultimately caused myself more hurt.<BR/><BR/>Besides isn't it the bible that says that liars will go to hell? why would you encourage someone towards hell..shame on you!<BR/><BR/>And if that's not enough the bible also clearly states that knowing the truth will free. would you rather bondage?<BR/><BR/>I just hope that everything works out for this guy...he is in a extremely undesirable position.Cadinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15358852006490666199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-17016644988667700762007-09-25T17:43:00.000-04:002007-09-25T17:43:00.000-04:00My heart goes out to this guy. I have found mysel...My heart goes out to this guy. I have found myself recently in a very similar situation, except no kids (which, admittedly makes this case a might tougher). It's not simply a matter of believing in God or not, as Reggie simplistically reduced the problem to. The belief in the CHRISTIAN God and all that implies, relationally and psychologically, is what's at issue here. I will say that I told my wife in stages. She has been very understanding so far, but she was completely in shock the first time I told her. I still haven't told my parents or my brother (who looks up to me), but all things in their due time. Don't let the Singh's and Reggie's of the world discourage you from making a honest choice about your belief system, nor let their guilt trips prompt you to make the transition in an unnatural or premature way. When you are as tied into the system as you are, "Lord knows" it isn't easy to get out.Billhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07058424176773515878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-73257985792953265392007-09-25T15:49:00.000-04:002007-09-25T15:49:00.000-04:00why bother throwing your family away for something...<I>why bother throwing your family away for something that DOESN'T EXIST.</I><BR/><BR/>Sure, it's better to be dishonest with your spouse about your personal beliefs. That always works out.<BR/><BR/>By the way, I seem to recall some guy claimed he would be a 'divider' of families. Oh, what was his name?<BR/><BR/>Oh yeah, it was this guy<BR/><BR/><I>Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.</I><BR/><BR/>So why do care about fractured families? Jesus didn't.Spirulahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14556681288241092875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-42443623230711227522007-09-25T15:31:00.000-04:002007-09-25T15:31:00.000-04:00John, this is getting old.Your standard ploy now s...John, this is getting old.<BR/><BR/>Your standard ploy now seems to be that you "know who someone is" and thus poison the well.<BR/><BR/>And if many couples don't survive all this, and you don't think god exists anyway, why bother throwing your family away for something that DOESN'T EXIST.<BR/><BR/>I feel sorry for the people you counseled, and the way you betray them by mentioning that they were Christians who had secrets and how you use that as an argument against them.<BR/><BR/>Given you as an example, there probably are a large number of pastors like you.<BR/><BR/>And you wonder why the church has problems.Reggiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06694467892226359925noreply@blogger.com