Atheism Verses Christianity

[MrsLulu]

Since joining AB I have followed the threads regarding the above. Am I right in thinking there are more non-believing Abers than believers, or do the believers prefer not to get entangled with this subject. I myself believe.

[naomi24]

I did suggest to the Editor that a poll be organised, and he agreed. I must remind him.

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/AB-Editors-Blog/Question1205202.html

[Old_Geezer]

You'd need that poll to get a decent idea. But that is the impression I get. Or maybe it's just the extremists on both sides that like to get stuck in to those 'religious threads' ?

[jomifl]

It seems as if the proportions of believers and atheists on AB is representative of the UK population as a whole. I cannot see why believers ever get involved in discussions re. religion since their belief should be enough for them. In some cases it appears that they need to justify it , at least to themselves.

[woofgang]

I believe in god but not in organised religion. If someone asks a question I will answer and sometimes argue for the amusement, but can't really see any point in justifying what I believe or trying to convert others.

[RATTER15]

I dont think believers would take part in the poll so you still wouldn't get a true picture.

It is very difficult for believers to back up their beliefs so most don't even try.

[naomi24]

The poll would be anonymous, Ratter, as are all the other polls here, so no one would be revealing anything personal - and actually if believers really feel they're in a minority here, as they often claim, it would be in their interests to participate. They might be in for a surprise - and frankly that wouldn't surprise me at all. ;o)

[jim360]

One thing which has interested me about some of the responses is how much well, anger, there seems to be from the atheists on AB towards the religious. I've been wondering why that is, since many religious people I know, while I think they are wrong, certainly don't make me angry. Is it just the dogmatism of those religious people on AB that inspire such "angry" responses, or is it something more general. Or perhaps I've misjudged the mood.

[jomifl]

Jim, having read many responses by people whose parents have been strong believers or who have tried to indoctrinate them into some variety of belief, I can see why they could be angry. The major mood seems to be scorn and derision for religions that are hypocritical dishonest and venal.

[jim360]

I'm not necessarily saying that anger is wrong. I just wondered where it had come from.

[RATTER15]

I realise that Naomi, I just don't think they would bother with a poll.

[MrsLulu]

I must add to my thread that I am not an extremist. In fact I have not been into a church for over two years. However, that does not stop me from believing. Secondly, I do not try to convert anyone. If they dont want to believe then 'so be it'.

[RATTER15]

Jim, generally speaking it is only Muslims that make me angry, that is due to some of their barbaric and pedophilc actions, other religeons etc. just confuse me as to the people's gullibility, but saying that, whilst being an atheist, parts of mine and everybody elses lives are governed and dictated and controlled by religion in some way, So yes Atheists do have something to be angry about!

[RATTER15]

MrsLulu, you say that //I am not an extremist.// so you mean you don't follow the Bible? or do you just pick the nice bits to follow?

[anneasquith]

interesting point lulu. my opinion most believers steer clear of the topic. as id say they are ;; quite happy with their beliefs ;;

[MrsLulu]

Hello there RATTER15, I believe most definetly in the Bible. Does your question refer to the fact that I have not been to church for some time?

[Baldric]

/// It is very difficult for believers to back up their beliefs.///

Just how do you explain an imaginary friend?

[jomifl]

MrsLulu, Nobody can believe literally all of the bible as it is full of contradictions. The question then arises as to which bits you choose to believe ,which bits are 'historical fact' and which bits are a form of parable. Once you take a questioning or rational approach to understanding the bible it doesn't really amount to much. This is why so much of christian dogma is based on interpretations and clerical opinion and why there are so many subsets of christianity. It is a 'pick 'n mix' religion.

[RATTER15]

MrsLulu, so you do believe gays and any woman not a virgin on her wedding night and children that disrespect their father should be stoned to death?
and you believe it right to keep a slave?
I asked if you follow your bible, not do you believe, both very different!

[Sharingan]

I don't mind whose Christian or whose atheist but there is a lot of hypocrisy amongst the religios at times. Soemone sent this to me which I thought was funny.
On her radio show, Dr Laura Schlesinger said that, as an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22, and cannot be condoned under any circumstance. The following response is an open letter to Dr. Laura, written by a U.S. man and posted on the Internet.

Dear Dr. Laura,
Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination ... End of debate.
I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God's Laws and how to follow them.

1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15: 19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odour for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbours. They claim the odour is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?

6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination, Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there "degrees" of abomination?

7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God, if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle-room here?

8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?
9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football, if I wear gloves?

10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14). I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I'm confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.
Your adoring fan.
James M. Kauffman, Ed. D. Professor Emeritus,
Dept. Of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education, University of Virginia

P.S. It would be a damn shame if we couldn't own a Canadian

[MrsLulu]

Good point RATTER15, but it was the unbelievers in Jesus who did the stoning to death, and of course there are those who still do so.