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the notion that atheism could convince anyone of anything
is amusing.
because atheism is nothing. and has nothing.
it has no power. to do anything.
it is utterly without.
You are correct in that atheists don't have the power, instead we give the power to individuals themselves,
The power that it is acceptable to question one's faith. The power that if they questioned their religion and found it not true that they can choose to not believe. They have that power to make that decision and not be wrong or evil for not simply accepting it because their friends and family have accepted it because they too were told to accept it.
I'm glad that atheism is not about having power but of giving others power over themselves. We only need to convince people that they have the right to investigate and choose for themselves. Some will decide that their religion is nonsense and others may decide it does make sense but the important part is that individuals choose for themselves and not society pushing them in one direction.
I'm not talking about young children above. Religion already works it's powers over them.
Yes, I definitely don't either (and as TD said, he didn't mean to imply that all of us believers hate them); rather, I love them and pray that they will someday have a saving knowledge of Jesus.
...
That makes me nauseous and is totally disrespectful of others.
Yes, I definitely don't either (and as TD said, he didn't mean to imply that all of us believers hate them); rather, I love them and pray that they will someday have a saving knowledge of Jesus.
That used to bother me a lot and it sometimes does; I know I'm not a master logistician (though I do not believe that hardly anyone on this forum is), but I do come from a scientific background and have a college and post-college education. Most people I know tell me I'm quite intelligent (of course, it being an internet forum you would have no idea if I'm just making that up).
But I'm getting used to being lumped into the category of "dumb blind-faith believing idiot who swallows whole whatever her preacher says without thought". Okay, I get it. You think we're brainwashed and that the Bible is a fairy tale. I used to think that way about believers and the Bible as well. But instead of ad hominem attacks, I'd prefer a more intellectual discussion about why you think my critical thinking skills are severely debilitated (as to pointing out flaws in my thinking which I then would be glad to explain why I think that way). I imagine the likely answer will be to have such a discussion would be a waste of time with you. I've just always considered ad hominem attacks to be equivalent to saying you really have no argument to what the person said so you have to resort to character attacks (which is why I've desperately tried to make sure I never use such a method of attack; and if I ever do, I do wish someone will call me out on it).
While it's true that some atheists can be mocking and disrespectful of believers it is also true that not all believers are Christians and your prayer is for them to quit their own religion and believe in what you do. And that too is disrespectful on your part
I am probably bias in my rea dings bUT i dnot think respectful believers aRe treaten the same way as the disrespectful postern aND not all non believers are disrepectful either.
Some posters in either side aRe rude, disrespectful and perhaps even hateful. I don't see love in a poster who believes that other believers should change their own religion and start believing in yours. Claiming it is love that is the reason you pray for non Christians to believe in your Jesus as their saviour shows you consider their own religion as a pack of lies in your mind, you just say it nicer.
While it's true that some atheists can be mocking and disrespectful of believers it is also true that not all believers are Christians and your prayer is for them to quit their own religion and believe in what you do. And that too is disrespectful on your part
I am probably bias in my rea dings bUT i dnot think respectful believers aRe treaten the same way as the disrespectful postern aND not all non believers are disrepectful either.
Some posters in either side aRe rude, disrespectful and perhaps even hateful. I don't see love in a poster who believes that other believers should change their own religion and start believing in yours. Claiming it is love that is the reason you pray for non Christians to believe in your Jesus as their saviour shows you consider their own religion as a pack of lies in your mind, you just say it nicer.
Mystic, do you need someone to explain to you how an atheist sees someone saying they will pray for you looks to them or would you rather just decide all on your own that there is no legitimate complaint?
This may sound kind of weird, but I'll go ahead and say it anyway. I don't think it would be inappropriate for a Christian to pray that an atheist would change his way of thinking and become a Christian (not that I've ever done so myself), but I do find it insulting for a Christian to make a point of telling an atheist that he's going to do so.
This may sound kind of weird, but I'll go ahead and say it anyway. I don't think it would be inappropriate for a Christian to pray that an atheist would change his way of thinking and become a Christian (not that I've ever done so myself), but I do find it insulting for a Christian to make a point of telling an atheist that he's going to do so.
The part I think is weird is saying that she loves them.
Both. The analogy places you as the adult and the other person as a child about to injure himself. I don't think that's a good place to start from. I also don't like when people frame their viewpoint as some ultimate truth. It looks the same way to you as it does to me. To someone of my old group, they are even more convinced of their rightness than you or I could ever manage. That is also a bad place to start. Better that we all just discuss our idea and may the best one win.
That explains some of it. It also shows my conviction to the golden rule even though I'm an atheist.
When someone says they'll pray for you it implies there is something wrong with you for not being a believer. If a believer says" "I'll pray for you" how would this response go over "I'll think for you." I don't believe believers need me to think for them so I wouldn't say it.
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