The Non Religious

[nailit]

Pardon the pun, but playing devils advocate here. Are the atheists and non-religious who contribute to R&S (and I'm including myself in this) sometimes a bit too quick to condemn, criticise and type ad hominem remarks in response to religious posts?

R&S section (just like news) seems to bring out the worst in people. We all have opinions but wouldn't it be better to try and have a reasoned and *rational* discussion rather than some of the heated exchanges that so often happens?

As I said, I'm including myself in this as sometimes Ive been a bit hasty replying, with some off the cuff remarks that I may not have made in a real life situation.

[Theland]

I am saddened by the perception that my personal beliefs, that I discuss, are attracting such venom from time to time, on the presumption that even my thoughts are detrimental!
Is this an invitation to exile to keep the peace?

[nailit]

//I post videos because of the sheer amount of evidence in them.
I shall try to watch them and then just write up the evidence//

So by your own admission, you don't actually watch them??

[nailit]

I take back everything I say...you deserve to be ridiculed. What a dufus! Posting vids of things that you havnt even watched yourself....

[Baldric]

I have only one comment,

'Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again'

[nailit]

That's original Baldric, thanks! Never thought of that....

[Theland]

Nailit - put your other brain cell on line, and understand.
I never post anything that I have not watched
You got that? Really?
Now you can apologise.

[Theland]

An attempt to write up the voluminous amount of information in the vids?
Does that invite venom Nailit?
And to be honest, who cares?

[naomi24]

Theland, //Apparently, Naomi, my beliefs impact on others. Do yours? Do mine do harm?//

I don’t have belief, Theland, but my words have been known to influence some and from the feedback I’ve received, in a positive way.

Do yours do harm? When you warn people to believe lest they perish in the allegedly impending Armageddon, yes, your words have the potential to do great harm.

//Nailit - put your other brain cell on line…//

And there’s Nailit worrying about non-believers upsetting people. Hey ho.

[Theland]

Naomi - I have NEVER knowingly used such language to upset anybody.
Do you dispute this?

[10ClarionSt]

Religion is for nutcases who believe in fairy tales.

[naomi24]

Theland, what language are you talking about? Your many dire and formidable warnings of impending doom - or your inaccurate opinion of Nailit's brain cells?

[vulcan42]

" Naomi - I have NEVER knowingly used such language to upset anybody. "
Do you really think that warning people to believe lest they perish in the impending Armageddon brings them comfort?

[Theland]

No not me Naomi. Can't even spell army gedun!
Got a link? Evidence? Just hurt feelings?
Stop listening to your sycophants, you may start to believe them!
This is a far way from the thread!

[10ClarionSt]

Has everyone dropped off to sleep now, Theland? Where you work nights? Spend some time on AB before it's time to do your rounds again? I'm, just like, askin'.
Yer know?

[anneasquith]

I believe many christians may have read some of the post in this topic. I suspect they have no wish to converse with some abers who can be abusive to them . So we " stay away " :-) God bless. !!!

[retrocop]

Like spungle I regard myself as a Christian.That is all I am prepared to say on answerbank with regards to my beliefs. I don't use my belief as a weapon and certainly do not bother to get involved in spats with anonymous people on this site.

[naomi24]

Theland, //Stop listening to your sycophants//

Not with you, Theland. Who are my sycophants?

[Spungle]

Dear Theland, Christians can expect "flak", it's part and parcel and should be viewed as a privilege ("If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you." John 15). But like the sensitive black guy who sees a racist around every corner, you sometimes appear to take every bit of feedback and comment as some sort of personal insult when the poster is simply making a point or asking a question. A friendly suggestion, try looking above the perceived insults and answer the posts in the same spirit as they are made. Have a look at Proverbs 26 which is very enlightening, amusing and relevant to this subject - verses 4 and 5. The first basically saying "don't rise to the bait", the second saying if you DO choose to answer (which I think you do), give him a proper answer, or you'll be held to ridicule.

All the best, Theland, have fun, and if you still insist to take the feedback from many people personally, do it as instructed in Philippians 2:14. Best wishes.

[Spungle]

Good answer, Retrocop.

[naomi24]

//Christians can expect "flak"//

I don't believe that's necessarily true. When they preach at people who don't want to be preached at, perhaps - when they claim something to be fact that is not, perhaps - when they feign piety perhaps .... but apart from that I think they're pretty much left to get on with it.