I spent a while thinking of a good reply to this, without sounding like some sort of inbred hick or perhaps maybe to get your attention. However, I realize that there pretty much is no way for that to happen, if you put this in your hate-mail section, I’ll probably be mocked just as much as the next guy, who put the stupid comment about how you could never buy a pirate ship. I’m OK with that, I just wish people will actually think about what I have to say rather then ignorantly mocking what I believe personally. Whatever may happen, I don’t really mind, except that I cannot bring myself to be silent on this issue.
I am a Christian, whatever you may think about me, or absurd assumptions you may have about what I look like, think like, or speak like, realize this, I think all beliefs should be treated with equality. Atheism, Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, Agonist, Voodoo, whatever, I don’t care, if you believe that you are correct, then you have every right in the world to believe that with all your heart, and nobody should force you to believe what they believe. Now I also believe in open criticism of any of these religions, meaning your Pastafarian view that openly mocks religion. However, it is also my right to criticize the criticism, meaning though while I believe it is your right to mock, harass, and generally make religious persons miserable, I don’t believe it is morally right.
Atheism is a belief just as much as Christianity. Say whatever you want about facts and how religion is stupid and all those who practice it are all idiots, but it still comes down to the fundamental truth that you must believe this to be more true over the other option. I am again, completely fine with that, and that is why I love America so much, because we CAN believe differently then one another, and still live peacefully (to a degree) together. However, mocking is not the right way to go about arguing your belief.
By the way, here is the definition of mocking:1. Tease or laugh at in a scornful or contemptuous manner.
2. Make (something) seem laughably unreal or impossible.
To laugh at someone else’s belief that they dedicate their lives to is not funny or humorous, but I believe is rather childish and immature. This is the main reason why I would much rather sit down calmly with an atheist and have a rational discussion about each other’s beliefs, instead of smacking them in the face with a bible, and shouting how they are going to hell for not believing the undeniable truth that is the bible, or worse, calling their belief idiotic and getting my group of friends together and laughing and pointing in his face.
Of course there are people that do this, hence, you, and there will always be people like you. My job is try to convince you to be rational and discuss each others view points.
I could never put myself in your mindset and read this the same way through your eyes. To you, I just look like another idiot who took this seriously and decided to write a concerned letter and waste his time trying to teach you to be respectful, but the truth is, writing this helps me put my thoughts in order anyways.
If you do have one ounce of thought for my beliefs, at least view this letter with respect, and try to think about what I am thinking when I read this:
http://www.globalone.tv/forum/topics/student-punished-for-spaghetti?groupUrl=flyingspaghettimonster
What I am thinking is that the joke has gone to far. Of course this letter asks for intelligent discussion, and that seems to have never existed in your website, so before I go, let my put it in your language.
Fuck you, and lay off religion asshole.
Sincerely,
Austin
Atheism is not a belief like Christianity. It is exactly the opposite; a lack of belief in any deity, god or higher power. Atheism is the idea that we are here simply because we are here. That is the conclusion most atheists come to ecause that is the most logical, explainable idea. However, most atheist agree that if solid evidence were provided to support any religions theories that they would accept those theories. Being without religion does not mean that one denies the possibility of all religion. It just means that one does not subscribe to any religion due to the lack of factual evidence to support those theories. Quite the opposite of the blind faith exhibited by Christians or any other religious people.
I can not support the judgemental way you refere to “inbred hicks” at the opening of your hate filled tirade.
Austin,
How dare you accuse the followers of FSM of being Atheists! The FSM is the ONLY Monster, all other Monsters are FALSE!
Thankfully the FSM has granted me the grace to overlook your hate-filled invective. I forgive you.
I passed thru a site where i was ‘accused’ of being a scientist as if this is an insult, asked questions about my spirit & if i lack in that dept. I disagreed that science = inhumanity out of neccessity (we know a scientist whom saves animals, 4 ex.) & said that i do not feel there is a ‘bridge’ between science & spirituality, because science has already supported & gone a long way towards supporting, how certain otherwise so called spiritual phenomena have come 2 exist…i said that science teachers ought b honored & respected, that paranormal phenom could b taught in school from no single cultural perspective, but from a metaphysical standpoint & that i take comfort in science. I BARELY know whom Dawkins is, I fell asleep reading the book (not a commentary on the book) & responded 2 criticism that the man had been said 2 have ignored by Dawkins, over a question relating 2 holographic brain, ,,feels that is negative, even tho Dawkins would not be able 2 answer a question he has no scientific background in neccessarily..i was criticized for being negative, pursued & all these posts were removed…i asked y i am presumed 2 b without spirit for pointing out that there is no bridge between these, just because one is mentioned- it is not a concrete thing, like the icy roadway my car slid on, ,,an entire film, what the bleep do we know, explores this ‘bridge’ which, is actually a viable way 2 introduce & explore metaphysical for a good many people, but people are not these solid lines, spirituality is not so un complex as to be like …they r making it like a sports team. SCIENCE over here, SPIRIT over here…
I told someone that moral & ethical boundaries were being discussed in the ctiticism of science, not spirituality in one discussion, & got an annoyed reply. this is not neccessary…the person began calling it an argument; i was not having one, only a discussion. why can it not b just a discussiin…then i m called negative.
sorry 4 typos.
Then again if u listen 2 professor albert of columbia tell it on the extras portion of that film, he feels the 2 should not b muddied 2gether as they r. I was just trying 2 define what intangible things people r referring 2 when saying soul, spirit. ..& how some so called paranormal phenom would b explainable 2 a point using certain scientific models- that was what won me so much criticism on the other thread..i was accused of being overly scientific.
& do not, ever, ever EVER criticize joe paterno. ANYWHERE, @ any time. U will find out, what hell there is 2 pay, if u do…if u think,being accused of mocking god is an offense of serious nature, i have news 4 u.
i am saddened by the whole thing..which is another topic entirely.
I actually despise the term “Atheist” as it suggests that theists have proven the existence of a “creator” and that I am “without god”. Thus use of this term has shown it’s negative connotation. Ultimately, I prefer not to be lobbed into a category or pigeon-holed just because other people feel that there might be a possibility of scientific evidence to prove such fairy tales. This kind of thought is just a form of guilt which is a leftover artifact in the mind from the powerful brainwashing tactics that these religions use to control people from a very early age.
“An innocent child. Slowly being poisoned.
With all the convictions. Possessed by adults.”
-Scariot – Momentum Shift
incidentally, i was not even referring 2 god per se, in the discussion mentioned …regarding spirituality, which i was not having- it was brought up. when i say spirit, i think of love, for example, caring, non tangible experiences we still have connectedness or exchange which is immeasurable…when i say science hasgone a long way towards explaining otherwise so called spiritual phenom, i am referring 2 as ex: premonitions, ,,which get this eery or mystical connotation because of a historical lack of consciousness concerning them, or that such things surprise & confuse as concepts & get bound up in expectations, we have based on the backgrounds u mention…if one has an experience this way & nobody around u supports it because they cannot, because they haven’t, that creates a divide, skepticism…but does not mean it does not happen, has no scientific explanation, even if we are limited in defining or specifying what that ‘is’…god, the term among other things conjures up for me in part all the bloody killings which have gone on in name of & how the use of it can be distorted…it means something different to different people, even @ different times anyway, so what people are talking about gets muddled, anyway…& gets abused & over applied. THAT was my point. I was not even speaking about what i believe or not, when accused of lacking in enlightenment as i alluded 2 in other post…
i have remnants of headach, but am going 2 re read ur post, here & try 2 comprehend it. I m slo 2 learn things, a bit. I appreci8d ur perspective, tho.
abused & over applied like…the amt times i used word ‘anyway’, just there..
Hi guys,
Austin, until the end you had a perfectly civil and polite complaint- not necessarily correct mind you. While you may have defined the verb “to mock”, perhaps you should also try to define “criticism”. Where is the line between mockery and criticism I wonder? Mockery and criticism are very subjective terms to use aswell, both straddling the grey border between two meanings. If I point out the laughable impossiblity of a belief (not necessarily a religious one) without being scornful would I be mocking that idea? Also, what is your opinion of satire? (Note, satire according to the oxford english dictionary is “the use of humour, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people’s stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues”) If you agree with satire for political ideologies(beliefs) why not for religious beliefs, as what we do is for the most part satire. If you don’t agree with satire, would you like people to list n number of reasons why religions (in general) seem to be wrong due to incorrect facts, figures and assumptions. I suspect the list would particularly boring and I think that satire seems to be the best way to criticise in this context. I do not believe in “mocking” other religions or belief systems, I prefer light evidence based humour/irony to get my point across. This way we can have a meaningful debate, gently discussing the issues without it devolving into a brutal fight to the death. Finally did you need to swear, it only weakens your argument and merely supports the notion of you being an “inbred hick”, as you describe it.
R’Amen,
Tasm10
Austin is right…you’re all being very mean to God.
Are you saying god has a glass chin? He can’t take it?
Austin, I imagine you’re no longer paying attention, if you ever were, but you told us that “What I am thinking is that the joke has gone to far”. You probably meant too far, but which joke? Religion isn’t all that funny, usually. Boring, yes, biased, yes, bigoted, by definition, yes, but jocose? Naa. Nailing people to things has never really struck me as droll.
You go on to say, “Of course this letter asks for intelligent discussion, and that seems to have never existed in your website.” Hmm. Beer volcanoes sound pretty intelligent to me. More than the lava kind, really. Perhaps you are slyly suggesting that strippers aren’t intelligent? Sounds like you might be venturing onto grounds for legal action if you ask me.
public radio just had a program featuring the fact that majority of dancers in category u mentioned, somewhere in canada are by a large margin overwhelmingly college educated…which means, if any of those degrees happen 2 b in ‘legal’ category, the suing could b done BY a stripper…
This “belief” proves just how rediculous religion is. It is the perfect disproof to any religious belief, obviously second to science. All it takes is one person to develop a belief in something that can either cause extreme fear or happiness to gain followers. That being said, Christians always ask me why I shouldn’t at least consider it just because of that “chance” (they are CERTAIN, but whatever), and if “God” want’s a liar then so be it, people will “believe” and follow “His” rules just so they can make it through these “gates of heaven”. But that still isn’t faith so Christians should not push or force religion on others. Honestly it pisses us off more to be dealt nonsense bullshit with zero evidence besides a hardback copied book printed somewhere in Nebraska that was filled with words created into a story from people 2-4000? (I don’t know, never read or will read the bible for the waste of paper that it is) years ago whom must have been on crack to witness such impossible and rediculous occurances. That some “God” watches over myself, along with the rest of the world’s population of approximately 7 billion people. Not only is this the case, but that throws out the idea that life on other planets throughout billions and trillions of galaxies in this everexpanding universe is completely illogical. With a world death rate of approximately 107 per minute, for every single one to be personally judged AND still watch over everyone else is appalling. Religious freaks are always looking for ways to twist the Bible into something that will contridict proven fact. I don’t even need to go into fossil records with this because it’s completely unnecessary! All scientific fact is “disproven” by “God” in the eyes of overly-religious idiots. That being said, I also believe, simply through my own eyes (Sorry no data fact here) that religion continues because everyone else does it. My neighbors may be Christians because they grew up in a Christian neighborhood. Obviously a child whose parents force pages of the Bible down his throat will grow up only knowing that one thing and it continues that way through generations. It’s… I want to call it a cycle… But what frustrates me the most is being called ignorant of something that isn’t there. I was told yesterday that just by reading the Bible, “God’s Spirit” would come to me. Unless I come down with some sort of utterly insane disorder that will cause some man, or woman for all we really know, to come down and speak to me is comedic. It isn’t true, it’s brainwashing. Religion has more or less turned into a cult and it actually horrifies me what drastic things people actually do over a simple book. Now I’ve drawn this out over a simple… I want to call it phony but honestly I love it, religion of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, but it is a great way to show how a book has blindly caused people to discontinue believing fresh science. So I know they will never admit to this being a mock religion, and how could they? It would ruin the whole point of what this man was trying to make to his state government (I myself just graduated from a high school in the state of Kansas). And that is that any person can create a belief and call it a religion. So props to him, I think it really showed the State BoE just how much more believable Evolution is compared to Creationism.