How social conservatives survive in California (San Diego: house, buy, live)

[WesternPilgrim]

Hillbilly is right to mention the social conservatism of California's minority ethnic groups. If you're Portuguese, Vietnamese, Romanian, or Filipino in California, you're fortunate to have a socially conservative enclave in which to breathe freely, and maybe even a language barrier that keeps CA's liberal white elite out of your business. That's one very good way to survive.

The Anglo social conservatives have a harder time of it. You're expected to fit in, and when you don't, all hell breaks loose and they come down on you like a ton of bricks. But we're learning to live under the radar too ... this is a period of adjustment ... and in 25 years maybe we'll be winked at as a tolerated minority along with the others.

[WesternPilgrim]

Originally Posted by Fontucky

Smart companies don't mix religion (or the lack thereof, as in my case) with business. When it comes to my business, I don't have opinions on religion or politics. I'm here to make money, not to make friends or convert anyone to atheism. Unlike Christians, I'm not here to proselytize.

Tell you what: you don't mix religion with your business, and I won't mix atheism with mine.

(For the vocabulary-challenged, a non-atheistic business is a theistic business, and vice versa.)

Deal?

[WesternPilgrim]

Originally Posted by Ceece

So...be a Christian and only mingle with your own kind? Gah! That's my idea of hell. Not to mention wrong all around.

I agree. And I suggest you read the OP a little more carefully.

[Fontucky]

Originally Posted by WesternPilgrim

Tell you what: you don't mix religion with your business, and I won't mix atheism with mine.

Did you miss my point, padre? I refuse to mix either of them.

[WesternPilgrim]

Originally Posted by Fontucky

Did you miss my point, padre? I refuse to mix either of them.

That isn't possible. By refusing to "mix" religion with your business, your business is by definition atheistic.

[Malloric]

Originally Posted by WesternPilgrim

Tell you what: you don't mix religion with your business, and I won't mix atheism with mine.

(For the vocabulary-challenged, a non-atheistic business is a theistic business, and vice versa.)

Deal?

No.

A non-theist isn't the same as an atheist. Non implies an absence of. A nonpayment is payment that is absent. A non-theist business is a business that conducts its business in the absence of theistic dogma. Just because you don't put biblical passages on your letterhead doesn't mean you're an atheist. And just because I don't put atheistic dogma on my letterhead does not mean I am a theist. I simultaneously mix my business with neither atheism or theism. I keep my Thoreau and my Petrarch clear of my business dealings.

[WesternPilgrim]

Originally Posted by Malloric

A non-theist isn't the same as an atheist. Non implies an absence of. A nonpayment is payment that is absent. A non-theist business is a business that conducts its business in the absence of theistic dogma.

An atheist and a non-theist are functional equivalents. It's a distinction without a difference.

[Fontucky]

Originally Posted by WesternPilgrim

That isn't possible. By refusing to "mix" religion with your business, your business is by definition atheistic.

Note to self: Give up, he's a Catholic.

[Malloric]

Originally Posted by WesternPilgrim

An atheist and a non-theist are functional equivalents. It's a distinction without a difference.

This post had no clear theism in it. No where did it say, "I WesternPilgrim believe in a deity deities." I therefore declare the post, the author, the forum it was found on, the entire Internet, and by extension the world, to be atheistic. /Thread.

[WesternPilgrim]

Originally Posted by Malloric

This post had no clear theism in it. No where did it say, "I WesternPilgrim believe in a deity deities." I therefore declare the post, the author, the forum it was found on, the entire Internet, and by extension the world, to be atheistic. /Thread.

Non-sequitor.

1. The post was written in the context of a theistic worldview;

2. One internet post is not the same as running a business;

3. A theist can operate a business without "proselytizing" or even evangelizing.

Having a crucifix on the wall is not the same as preaching a sermon. Dealing honestly is not the same as preaching a sermon. Working conscientiously is not the same as preaching a sermon. Forbidding blasphemous language is not the same as preaching a sermon. Refusing to do business with pornographers is not the same as preaching a sermon. Etc.

If you run your business as though God did not exist- as though God has nothing to say about your conduct in business, your business relationships, etc. - your business is functionally atheistic and that's that.