Follow up to “What Motivates This Atheist”

” what a waste of space jesse when will you stop picking on old ladies??? grow up and get over it. it’s her opinion and shows up in the church directory. So maybe she is preaching to the chior but at least she is willing to preach and not belittle unlike some people I know. Leave the lady alone if you want to pick on people come to Ashland meet me at my house and pick on me. “

” Shimko, are Sally’s opinions somehow protected just because she’s an old lady?She’s presenting as fact, attributes to atheists that we most certainly do not have. I pointed it out.

I was wondering how long it would take before Sally’s bulldogs started barking, metaphorically.

Sally gets no free ride to spew whatever she wants without criticism, regardless of her age or sex.

Now, did you have something to add about the content of either her or my posts?

Hawk, I’m with you on the missionary subject. Culture-erasers. ”

” johlsson;
I enjoy your posts. Well thought out and logical.It matters not if the author is a little old lady. Once she decides to place these types of letters in the paper, she must expect some reaction from those that may not share her beliefs. Consider, however, the wonder that after all these years, the free exercise of one’s own religion coupled with our right to express our own opinions, is still a cherished liberty in this country. I may dislike the religious right ( or any religous zealot who believes they have a monopoly on truth )and the effects I precieve they have had on this countries policies, but I’ll defend their right to speak, whether it be enlighten or nonsense.

Your opinion is just as valuable as hers! Don’t shy away from good arguement! ”

” listner,Thank you for the compliment.

I have given much consideration to the first amendment rights we enjoy. Stunning foresight on the framers of the constitution, I’d agree.

Sadly, there remain some who would deny people who disagree with their beliefs that right. Down that path lies madness.

Bien a vous de Belgique. ”

” That would be the “path”; you’ve been on for some time now. Madness!The “other”; is too narrow, for the likes of you……………………….. ”

” Techies, you are most dependable and can be counted on to avoid the discussion entirely. It is beyond tiresome.The difference between you and Sally is she far more closely lives the convictions of her beliefs. You, on the other hand, epitomize the hypocritical christian. Your hatred for me isn’t even thinly veiled.

Convenient, how you pick and choose the bits of your religion that agree with you, isn’t it? You do not help your cause. ”

” Many people believe in God but don’t understand how to relate to Him. I would guess that it is to these people the original article is directed.Even though I am a Christian I have had a few athiest friends, many very intelligent and articulate people. I understand their motivation: they are simply unwilling to yield control of their lives to another higher power. They want to be their own boss. Even as a minister of the gospel, there is nothing more I can do in that case (except pray for them); they are free to go and do as they will. God Himself allows them the freedom to choose Him or not and I can do no more or less on His behalf.

The Bible says that the first step of faith is to believe that God is, and that He will reward those who diligently seek Him. Without that belief, nothing else in the Book will seem relevant.

Aside from that, as an American, I will tolerate the preaching of any god or belief, so long as I am also allowed to preach mine. I understand that not everything I would hear as free speech will be pleasing to me, since obviously the world does not revolve around me. I would, however, ask the same understanding of others.

You may or may not be interested to know that I also do not support school-led prayer, as I would not trust any modern school administrator to properly lead my children before God’s Throne; I can do that myself. ”

” Hey Hawk! I have to agree with you! That being said, I have to weigh in on the letter written by Ms Sally Blair. I get a little aggravated by the folks who call themselves Christians. Those folks have a tendency to talk down to anyone who does not share their own religious philosophies. And yes – they ARE philosophies. The bible? It has been “translated”, “interpreted”, re-translated, and re-interpreted, by every so-called Christian religion out there, AND by each individual leader in those religions. And, as we have seen so well by the written words of the US government’s so-called historians, the interpretations and translations can, and will be, skewed in the direction each individual “translator” or “interpreter” is wont to believe. The “translators/interpreters” have a tendency to “romanticize” what is really going on, and sometimes out and out lie, in order to give the best reflection to themselves and their beliefs. Just like folks who wrote all those US history books that we had to read in school growing up. I will quit while I am ahead. Christianity is a sore subject for me and mine. “

” Proving once again atheists are the biggest moralist busybodies eh, Jess?Most Gods are the same as each other. To not see that is like the blind men who argue over whether the elephant is a leg, a trunck or a belly. ”