If You Are Agnostic or Atheist...Do Not Be Leery Of Declaring It

[MissNM]

Originally Posted by Asheville Native

There are no meetings to bash others, but I do believe that some organized effort is needed to protect ourselves, and everyone else from the religious extremists.

We need to protect our freedom to chose (or not chose) a religion, period. Just don't become the non-religious extremist at the other end that has no tolerance for others. We need to move forward without polarizing the faith issues.

I think alot of you are going to be even more happy in about 20-30 yrs when a large segment of the christian population will be disappointed in their eschatological framework regarding the rebirth of Israel and the return of Christ. The literalist will have to become less and less literal as time progresses.

Also, I'll give you guys a little help in dealing with pushy christians - take two lines of reasoning with them. One, ask them if God saves or if reason, if they say God then tell them not to argue with you but just go to thier prayer closet. Two, ask them if you should violate your conscience, if they say no then tell them simply that their reasoning is not convincing you and you just do not get it and cannot violate your conscience by just believing - hence back to their pray closet.

I just thought a I would play along

[Asheville Native]

Originally Posted by MissNM

We need to protect our freedom to chose (or not chose) a religion, period. Just don't become the non-religious extremist at the other end that has no tolerance for others. We need to move forward without polarizing the faith issues.

Granted that sounds good, but sometimes you have to go to extremes to counter the agenda of extremists.

The actual separation of church and state would be a good start, but the church keeps insisting on crossing the line. Recent example, the rewriting of history books for Texas schools, because they believe Andrew Jackson was an Atheist. It really doesn't matter if he was or not, it doesn't change history.

The teaching of fable as science, which I fear is in far too many of the science books in student's hands.

[MissNM]

Originally Posted by Asheville Native

Granted that sounds good, but sometimes you have to go to extremes to counter the agenda of extremists.

But you must always support the concept of freedom of choice. Believe me, you will never win by trying to debunk someones beliefs.