tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424478.post1480562856499814541..comments2023-05-15T03:17:32.214-05:00Comments on Letters to the Webmaster: A few words of cautionDave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424478.post-29900495264941858722008-02-16T22:29:00.000-05:002008-02-16T22:29:00.000-05:00Thank you webmaster for a clear response to what t...Thank you webmaster for a clear response to what this site is really all about. <BR/><BR/>Wow...huey, I can't say enough about your response. It resonates with so much of the truth as I see it. The "I'll pray for you" hits the nail right on the head. Thankx<BR/><BR/>black swede..... I hear ya. <BR/>Head up young person.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424478.post-63251497601630157672008-02-14T22:20:00.000-05:002008-02-14T22:20:00.000-05:00Anonymous Said:"If you are generous, giving, kind,...Anonymous Said:<BR/>"If you are generous, giving, kind, humble, understanding, tolerant, then apparently you're religious."<BR/><BR/>Christians sure aren't tolerant when it comes to accepting people who choose to live an alternative lifestyle. <BR/><BR/>They claim that "They love the sinner, but they hate the sin". However, most of christians lie when they say that, because they treat most people who live an alternative lifestyle like crap and they deny them their rights.<BR/><BR/>Christians are the biggest hypocritical liars on this planet. I think most Non-believers are more friendly and accepting than what most christians are. <BR/><BR/>It's now gotten to a point where I have no desire to have any christian friends period. Most of the christians who I was friends with at one time are no longer a part of my life. I have to say that I do not miss those former friends. <BR/><BR/>They are your friends until you leave the cult. There is no such thing as "Unconditional" friendship when it comes to christians. <BR/><BR/>There is always the condition that is attached, and if you choose to think differently, live a different lifestyle, or if you just flat out reject their beliefs, that is when friendship goes out the window with most christians. I don't know how many times I have been told, "We can no longer associate with you unless you repent and turn back to Christ". <BR/><BR/>They never like my answer of course. I have now gotten to a point where I tell them that unless they can accept me for who I am, then I don't want them in my life either. I do not live my life to please others, and to appeal to the beliefs of christians or any other religion period. <BR/><BR/>It's a damn shame that most christians believe that you should accept someone just because of their beliefs. True love and acceptance is when you accept people for who they are, not what they believe. <BR/><BR/>Christians can say that Jesus is all about love all they want, however just take a look around. Christianity is all about hating those who choose to be different and it is about hating those who choose to believe something different. It's basically wrong to think for yourself and think outside the "Christian Box". <BR/><BR/>Christians also think that America is going down hill because they took prayers out of school. Bullshit. Look at the divorce rate among christians. It's around 60 percent. <BR/><BR/>There is no unity among christians. They have no room to talk and carry on with their little arrogant attitudes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424478.post-36293112060096185152008-02-14T10:54:00.000-05:002008-02-14T10:54:00.000-05:00Humble = old Christian principle. I'm forever frus...Humble = old Christian principle. <BR/><BR/>I'm forever frustrated at how religion has it so sewn up. If you are generous, giving, kind, humble, understanding, tolerant, then apparently you're religious. Apart from being terribly hypocritical, it's just not true. These are human traits, not Christian traits. <BR/><BR/>The same goes for Christianity claiming that God was there at the very beginning of everything. That means to disprove that, you actually have to get back before anything happened. That argument comes out time and time again. The fact that non-Christians can't prove that there was something before the very start means that somehow the Christian argument holds some substance, despite having no evidence to support it. <BR/><BR/>It's a very systematically designed and organised cult. It should be though; they've had years to refine it and perfect it. Prayer is self affirmation, heaven is a safety net, only good people believe in God. It's particularly frightening to watch movies like Jesus Camp. Brainwashing children is the most diabolical act that Christians commit, yet they still do it in the belief that they are improving the world. <BR/><BR/>There's fundamentally little difference between most Christians and the extremists at Westboro Baptist Church. Blind actions in the name of religion. <BR/><BR/>Please wake up...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424478.post-71521401367887495232008-01-26T20:55:00.000-05:002008-01-26T20:55:00.000-05:00William, I can see where you're coming from. A lot...William, I can see where you're coming from. A lot of people regardless of their idealogical viewpoint have noticed that people who leave Christians are angry and want to verbally knock down anyone who claims they are Christian and act like arrogant about it or not bother to understand where they are coming from. Being someone who walked away from Christianity last summer, I still find myself having Christian rant sessions with my friends who also walked away from Christianity and yelling at the people on EWTN whenever I'm channel surfing because they don't seem to grasp the difference between fact and opinion with their "my way or the highway" mindset.<BR/><BR/>I do hope to find peace of mind someday and not come off as a raging monkey when it comes to dealing with Christianity, but until then, to quote the title of the webmaster's main article on this site, I'm not ready to be nice.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424478.post-29407053990968059352008-01-26T19:57:00.000-05:002008-01-26T19:57:00.000-05:00As always, a calm and reasoned reply from Webmaste...As always, a calm and reasoned reply from Webmaster.<BR/><BR/>I kind of picture him as a patient schoolmaster, trying to do his best with an unruly, ill-behaved and ill-disciplined class!<BR/><BR/>LOL!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424478.post-64472332151633497362008-01-26T13:09:00.000-05:002008-01-26T13:09:00.000-05:00Yes, you may say whatever you want. However, my qu...Yes, you may say whatever you want. <BR/>However, my question is?<BR/>How good is your aim?<BR/>Are you a good shot?<BR/>How strong are your hands?<BR/> Are you any good in the air?<BR/>What are your talents?<BR/>Are you brave, fearless, <BR/>dedicated?<BR/>What new and deadly and un-precedented ideas do you have to share with us to take these idiots out?<BR/> Are you ready for hours and hours of training?<BR/>We need a Loyola of our own, and we need him or her immediately.<BR/><BR/>People, we are at war here.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424478.post-32690575981491247622008-01-26T13:03:00.000-05:002008-01-26T13:03:00.000-05:00"Pride goeth before a fall"Perhaps William does no..."Pride goeth before a fall"<BR/><BR/>Perhaps William does not want us to fall?<BR/><BR/>It's why I like Willaim.<BR/>This crap needs to be fought and fought effectivly and when a wise leader gathers up the group here and leads us into battle it will be exciting to watch gel into formation and more exciting still to be a part of.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424478.post-46672297075668431002008-01-26T12:42:00.000-05:002008-01-26T12:42:00.000-05:00The group here is like the Arabs. The Arabs can ne...The group here is like the Arabs. The Arabs can never agree, never unite to destroy Israel. With their combined strength and assets they could but they can't get their shit together long enough to destroy Israel.<BR/><BR/>Same thing with the group here and there is "fear of retaliation" in the air here. one reader is concerned about his marriage, his business and he can't reply in the paper.<BR/><BR/>See what the Christian's have bred? A climate of bullying bullshit and fear if you speak out in the newspaper.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424478.post-17016414455512015142008-01-26T12:35:00.000-05:002008-01-26T12:35:00.000-05:00IF IT IS TO BE UNDONE, THEN WILLIAM IS RIGHT ON TA...IF IT IS TO BE UNDONE, THEN WILLIAM IS RIGHT ON TARGET.<BR/><BR/>I AGREE WITH WILLIAM. HE HAS WRITTEN SOMETHING ENLIGHTENED.<BR/><BR/>THE CIVIL RIGHTS MARCHERS WERE HUMBLE, WELL DRESSED, AND POLITE.<BR/><BR/>WILLIAM MIGHT JUST BE THE "ROSA PARKS' OF THIS MOVEMENT.<BR/> SHE WAS A OLD, QUIET, TIRED SEAMSTRESS WHO REFUSRED TO GIVE UP HER SEAT.<BR/>WE NEED A QUIET, TIRED OLD SEAMSTRESS, WITH THE KIND OF SPIRIT THAT WILLIAM HAS.<BR/><BR/>IT WILL BE DIFFICULT FOR A LEADER TO RISE UP HERE AND LEAD THIS GROUP<BR/>ON TO DO GREAT THINGS. WE ATTACK EARCH OTHER TOO MUCH BUT A LEADER BEARING THE X CHRISTIAN.NET FLAG IS NEEDED, NOW, MORE THAN EVER.<BR/><BR/>I WANT TO UNDO THESE WESTBORO MOTHERFUCKERS AND MORE.<BR/><BR/>GO WILLIAM!<BR/><BR/>THANK YOU!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424478.post-87310638598879239702008-01-23T16:04:00.000-05:002008-01-23T16:04:00.000-05:00A few words of caution, indeed.I have spent the la...A few words of caution, indeed.<BR/><BR/>I have spent the last several years in spouse imposed silence when it comes to religion. Unless someone else brings up the subject, I have to remain silent. I can't even write letters to the local paper on anything I don't agee with. All to keep my marriage together. <BR/><BR/>On this site, I am able to say whatever I damn well please and not have to worry that I have offended anyone. I like that. Please don't ask me to stop. If people didn't believe in funny shit, we wouldn't make fun of them. <BR/><BR/>I run a small business of my own and I am forced to keep quiet by the public to a certain degree as well as my spouse. It won't always be this way. With my retirement in a couple of years, I'll get my voice back. I can't wait. Jim EarlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424478.post-13369896341783341932008-01-23T15:58:00.000-05:002008-01-23T15:58:00.000-05:00zigXrayman said:"...."No my sobriety is the result...zigXrayman said:<BR/><BR/>"...."No my sobriety is the result of myself and real people in the real world." She looked at me a little stunned that I didn't give that "higher power" any credit, but in a subtle way, I told her I was an atheist without being rude."<BR/><BR/>Some years back I had a friend (Diane, a recovering alcoholic) who told me that jesus pulled her up out of the gutter. My response was that Diane pulled Diane up out of the gutter. She liked hearing that as it made her feel better about herself and the truth doesn't always have to be painful. Xrayman is right. There are ways to get your point across without being rude. That doesn’t mean we have to cater to the stupidly ignorant with flowers and kindness when they insult our intelligence or even us outright. Regular readers here know that my tolerance for some things, particularly child molestation committed by the self professed pious, can very much be non-existent. My colleagues here have their buttons as well. Push them and they will react and not always to someone else’s bidding. But then there is no obligation for them or I to do otherwise. <BR/><BR/>That being said, I wonder about this word "arrogant”. It seems to be the ultimate xtian insult. I remember Ted Haggard from Richard Dawkins’ “Root of all Evil?” telling Richard not to be arrogant. Catching Richard somewhat flatfooted he said again “I’m just saying don’t be arrogant”. He seemed to throw this comment out for no reason as it really had nothing to do with the subject at hand. I believe he was trying to divert said subject and when I hear other xtians make the accusation, it is obvious that they are trying to do the same thing. Of course it is also very much an argumentum ad hominem; i.e.: statement: provide proof that Noah’s flood took place; response: you’re arrogant! God’s gonna burn you in hellfire you sinner! Oh now you’ve insulted me. I guess that makes me the loser. Yeah, right! <BR/><BR/>Is a xtian smugly telling me that I am going to burn in his god’s hell for my unbelief not arrogant? I can see in their eyes the enjoyment such belief brings them. Is it humility to firmly believe in the hideously never ending destruction of your enemies, while privately deriving pleasure from such belief but publicly yet piously claiming sorrow for the intended victims? Is the rudely uttered statement “I’m praying for you!” humble? Is telling me I’m a fool because their god says so, humble? Is it humble to scream obscenities at me, an atheist? (Yes this happens to me from time to time, usually with little or no provocation.) Granted not all xtians are like this but in my experience, most are, especially when pushed. But of course, they aren’t “true christians” (another “humble” belief?).<BR/><BR/>Is humility the ultimate path to walk down? Or even a desirable one? I don’t think so. In my life it has always been an invitation to get walked upon. I certainly don’t believe in it’s offshoot “turn the other cheek” either. If you see me turn the other cheek, it’s because I‘m looking for a baseball bat to take your stupid ass out with. My father always told me that people who want to “fight fair” are those who have the advantage and want to keep it. They are not interested in fairness so much as they are interested in establishing rules that benefit them. When xtians claim that we are arrogant, they are trying to get us to fight fairly, that is, on their level under their rules. Sorry, I am not a player! Anyway, regardless of how we act, we are always going to be accused of “running away from the truth”. (Thanks for the phrase Anonymous. By the way don’t be afraid to use your name or even a “handle” to coin an old term. It will make it easier to get to know you.)<BR/><BR/>Yes people here get and are angry at xtians and their ignorant religion. Does anyone think I enjoy or have patience for someone screaming “fuck you” at the top of their lungs at me, simply because I don’t believe in their fantasy? Does anyone think that I should take with a grain of salt the assertion that xtianity is a peaceful religion yet in the same breath decry islam as a false religion which should be made illegal and it’s adherents rounded up and thrown in jail? I have found that the religious are FAR more likely to froth at the mouth than us, their counterparts. Is that too, humble?<BR/><BR/>Some of my peers have touched on the idea that being humble is nothing more than blindly following some anointed leader and I have to agree. I am not some sheep that must be part of a herd while some vicious yet loving dog circles around me waiting for a mistake on my part. I do not need other people constantly sermonizing to me to know that theft is wrong, that lying about your neighbor is bad, that coveting the ass of your neighbor’s wife is not right (Damn! I’m done for now!). I was raised to run my own life and that means not letting other people run it for me. I am not averse to listening to opposing viewpoints as I am not always correct in my thinking, but hearing them does not in any way obligate me into believing them. In other words I don’t need someone to tell me how to live my life, yet because of that attitude, Xtians feel that I am not open minded (read “humble”) and because of that, will not listen to them or not hear their stupid god in my heart. But they themselves will metaphorically stick their fingers in their ears and start singing la-la-la-la when they encounter opposing viewpoints. They are absolutely convinced that they alone know the truth. What is more arrogant than that? <BR/><BR/>I am sorry William. I believe that your advice is well intentioned but I do not believe it is valid. I do not feel that we as a group need to change our way of responding, our tactics, if you will. Our webmaster is correct in stating that there is no one way. If an individual poster feels that they need to make a change, then that is their decision. They do not owe the rest of us an explanation any more than we as a group owe explanations to other, most certainly including the hit-n-run xtian posters. Nor does anybody have the right to require that we change. As has been said here in the past “your on our turf now!”. There have been xtians posts on this site that were articulate, kind and well thought out and we have responded in kind. Mostly though there are the other kind, filled with insults (veiled and otherwise), hate and threats and we have responded appropriately. “As ye sow, so shall ye reap”. Hey! That’s catchy!<BR/><BR/>So xtians, be warned! If you want to post on this site, be prepared to be responded to and not always how you might want it.Hueyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16622602899052413713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424478.post-76878187406430688752008-01-23T13:03:00.000-05:002008-01-23T13:03:00.000-05:00xrayman, Here! Here! I second the motion! Would...xrayman,<BR/> Here! Here! I second the motion! Would that we were all as courageous and eloquent as Christopher Hithchens, one of my heroes as well, who said, "Religious people should be treated with ridicule and contempt." I too have seen his vilification of Jerry Falwell the day after his death, and my only regret was that I wasn't the one saying it. We atheists have the responsibility to let Christians know how contemptible they really are.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424478.post-57171189093020378312008-01-23T12:45:00.000-05:002008-01-23T12:45:00.000-05:00I just wanted to add something to anonymous #3's c...I just wanted to add something to anonymous #3's comment:<BR/><BR/>"...You can continue to kiss your god's ass, but don't expect be to follow suit......."<BR/><BR/>And we don't have to give you any any respect for for doing it, either!twincatshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16577603757130202687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424478.post-49403330111901137792008-01-23T10:34:00.000-05:002008-01-23T10:34:00.000-05:00If a person believes the Bible, they will conclude...If a person believes the Bible, they will conclude that all of us non-Christians are basically worthless sinners full of wickedness. So there really is no use in trying to put a good foot forward. In fact, if we act kind and polite, it can only serve to reinforce the idea that we are cunning demon-spawn who are developing even better techniques of drawing the faithful away from Christ.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424478.post-50212217080256087072008-01-23T07:02:00.000-05:002008-01-23T07:02:00.000-05:00William,I understand your point in which you make,...William,<BR/><BR/>I understand your point in which you make, but I think in the world of atheism we have but one well known outspoken asshole. That would be one of my heros Christopher Hitchens. His no nonsense public comments on Jerry Falwell the day after this fucking asshole was found dead on the floor were priceless. Why can't we have more well known atheists with the balls of Hitchens?<BR/><BR/>While this place is a no holes barred discussion area, I do think most of us respect the religious as we meet them face to face in our every day world so long as we too are treated with respect. <BR/><BR/>As I recovering alcoholic I recently met another recovering addict who was a patient of mine. I told her I too had a problem and have been sober for 17 years. She said to me, "Isn't Jesus wonderful to deliver us from our problems?" <BR/><BR/>I kindly looked at her and said, "No my sobriety is the result of myself and real people in the real world." She looked at me a little stunned that I didn't give that "higher power" any credit, but in a subtle way, I told her I was an atheist without being rude.<BR/><BR/>Great discussion you have generated William.<BR/><BR/>BillAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424478.post-28593349350249992382008-01-22T22:01:00.000-05:002008-01-22T22:01:00.000-05:00William wrote:"...where I come from "BIGGOT" has t...William wrote:<BR/>"...where I come from "BIGGOT" has two "gs" to give the word more meaning if you get my meaning..."<BR/><BR/>Texas, I'm guessing? If so, you're right, it sailed over my head.<BR/><BR/>On the city limits of Biggar, SK, the sign reads: "New York is big, but this is Biggar."<BR/><BR/>Guess I was just in a pissy mood that day.eel_shepherdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01658032217061343997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424478.post-26745221966600111392008-01-22T21:08:00.000-05:002008-01-22T21:08:00.000-05:00William wrote:There are many people out there who ...William wrote:<BR/><BR/><I>There are many people out there who are agonizing over the need to find a new purpose in life to replace their waning faith in God</I><BR/><BR/>If they need someone else to give them their "purpose" in life then maybe they aren't ready to leave their religion behind.<BR/><BR/><I>Reading the replies to my comments suggests to me and possibly to new comers "Some" athiests are as rude and arrogant as the the people who they condem in various religions</I><BR/><BR/>This is universal among opposing groups, did you just notice it now? <BR/><BR/><I>I assume that the wisest amongst our athiest friends would like to swell our ranks to add weight and force to our arguments</I><BR/><BR/>The "arguments" stand on their own, additional "weight and force" not required.<BR/><BR/><I>Some athiests are as bad and in some cases worse than the religious fanatics they condem</I><BR/><BR/>In my neck of the woods an "Army of God" follower shot and killed an abortion provider as he stood in his kitchen talking to his wife. Do you have examples of atheists killing Christians because of their beliefs? <BR/><BR/><I>If you want people to understand you then at least try to understand them without being abusive...</I><BR/><BR/>We all understand Christians, we used to be Christians (hence the name of the site.)<BR/><BR/><I>...convince them how wrong they are and how right you are with reasoned arguments</I><BR/><BR/>And you have found this to be an effective method? The people I know generally don't enjoy being shown "how wrong they are." All you can really do is put information out there and hope Christians wake up and smell the coffee, maybe with some nudging in the right direction; that's why this website is such a great resource.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424478.post-43223758476106985192008-01-22T21:06:00.000-05:002008-01-22T21:06:00.000-05:00Holy crap, Willy, did you getyour ass kicked or wh...Holy crap, Willy, did you get<BR/>your ass kicked or what? You'll have to dip your posterior in holy water to sooth the pain of it all.<BR/>The bible says turn the other cheek, so...turn it this way so we can all kick it again.Aspentrollhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11679911093460636159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424478.post-72185032273800527402008-01-22T18:25:00.000-05:002008-01-22T18:25:00.000-05:00lance said - """Jeeez folks, sounds like William h...lance said - """Jeeez folks, sounds like William hit a nerve. I think he was just trying to encourage pragmatism."""<BR/><BR/>Fuck you! I am so sick of this particular shit. About anything, religion, politics, knitting. Some jerk wad somes into a community craps, and then when people react in mass to having the stench of crap on their boards, either the crapper or some idiot comes along and says this "Oh musta hit a nerve." maybe, or maybe they just crapped on the living room carpet.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424478.post-24039158156025844022008-01-22T17:59:00.000-05:002008-01-22T17:59:00.000-05:00I'll try to be nicer if you'll try to be smarter.-...I'll try to be nicer if you'll try to be smarter.-- peace freedyfreedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17161853210924610937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424478.post-74747945935402810752008-01-22T17:53:00.000-05:002008-01-22T17:53:00.000-05:00I'll try to be nicer if you try to be smarter.---f...I'll try to be nicer if you try to be smarter.---freedyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424478.post-52161046975296505022008-01-22T12:29:00.000-05:002008-01-22T12:29:00.000-05:00Just a few things.1. Being humble has nothing what...Just a few things.<BR/><BR/>1. Being humble has nothing whatsoever, in any way, shape or form, to do with religion. Humility is a HUMAN quality. That religions have attempted to copyright all things desirable in humanity and call it their own does not change the fact humility has nothing whatsoever, in any way, shape or form, to do with religion.<BR/><BR/>2. As has been said already, this website is not about bringing common sense or enlightenment to the religious masses. It doesn't get any simpler than that. That there are those that post on this site that endeavor to bring common sense and enlightenment to the religious masses does not mean that there are posts or posters endeavoring to bring common sense or enlightenment to the religious masses. This site is for ex-Christians.<BR/><BR/>3. If any Christians visit this site, they should expect nothing less than hostility. Hostility has nothing to do with arrogance, self-assuredness, or being demeaning. Christians come to this site with two intentions.<BR/><BR/>One: convert us.<BR/><BR/>Two: make themselves feel better about their desperately clung-to belief.<BR/><BR/>They do both of these things, sometimes, by acting "HUMBLE," as you put it. Occasionally they will claim that they are simply here to dialogue, but in no case are they ever here for any other reason than for those two I have listed above.<BR/><BR/>4. The religious masses really don't care how we behave. If we are humble and reasonable, we are labeled robots, unfeeling shells, etc. If we are fiery, then we are hateful, angry, etc. People should be themselves. if they are angry, they need to deal with it, and sometimes that means BEING angry. If they are at peace, they will radiate that. But no matter how a non-believer behaves, the believer will always accuse the non-believer of SOMETHING. <BR/><BR/>5. What? No response? What happened to being "HUMBLE," William?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424478.post-86895890541271102502008-01-22T12:09:00.000-05:002008-01-22T12:09:00.000-05:00William...Reading the replies to my comments sugge...William...<I>Reading the replies to my comments suggests to me and possibly to new comers "Some" athiests are as rude and arrogant as the the people who they condem in various religions:</I><BR/><BR/>Again, so what? And BTW, the common denominator here is NOT "Atheism"; the common denominator is a group of people who are formerly Christian - or as delineated very clearly on the "front door" - <B>"Ex- Christians"</B>.(along with site disclaimer, BTW) <BR/><BR/>Moreover, people who were <I>formerly</I> Christian may end up falling into any of a variety of categories - including, but <B>not</B> limited to - Agnostic, A-theist, Anti-theist..or even rarely, some other religious "Faith"..i.e.. Buddhism, Taoism, etc. <BR/><BR/>The point is, "William", most of us have deliberated long and hard, and we have made a well thought-out decision to LEAVE the Christian Faith, it's supernatural trimmings, it's false promises... and especially, its "one-size-fits-all" mentality, BEHIND. I implore you to get over it, and here are just a few reasons for that: <BR/><BR/>1) For every Ex-christian to disagree <I>exactly the same</I>, would of course, fall right underneath the "one-size-fits-all" mentality/category that I just mentioned. We just left that type of mentality behind, remember? Yes, by the tone of the original article - and a few of the follow-up comments - there may as well be some "unspoken doctrine" that we all MUST adhere to. Guess what? Scew that...cry me a river. <BR/><BR/>2) Christians are the ones who claim to be guided by an invisible "spirit", one who allegedly "nudges them" to acheive a state of moral(ethical) perfection. News flash: Atheists claim to be <I>human beings</I> - nothing less; nothing more. Their non-belief in god/gods, is irrelevant to that fact. If some "Atheists" are a$$holes?...then that "problem" is for Christians to over-come, not me, or any other Ex-christian, m'kay? <BR/><BR/>3) Christians, whether fundamentalist, moderate, liberal - or whatever the case may be - adhere to, and thus, <I>implicitly</I> condone a doctrine that causes divisiveness among humankind. Call me 'cRaZy', or angry, or whatever-the-hell you wish, but such things as slavery, the oppression of women, and the <I>killing</I> of those who oppose the Christian Faith, do NOT "unite" humankind; there is NOTHING redeeming in those outdated, barbaric beliefs...and thus, I don't have to be tolerant of any such doctrine, nor am I obligated to treat the people who support it, even <I>implicitly</I>, with "kid-gloves". Again, screw that.<BR/><BR/>'Hope this helps in your understanding. <BR/><BR/>Best regards.boomSLANGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03820077215682328240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424478.post-512171749470717142008-01-22T11:43:00.000-05:002008-01-22T11:43:00.000-05:00*sigh*I don't mince words or put on airs because i...*sigh*<BR/><BR/>I don't mince words or put on airs because it might make other people more comfortable with my viewpoints. To me it's being kind of disingenuous to walk on eggshells in case you might offend someone. That's not the way I'd ever want to live. <BR/><BR/>Besides, this site isn't about Atheists trying to deconvert Christians... You are preaching to the wrong choir.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424478.post-32777233671537194392008-01-22T11:21:00.000-05:002008-01-22T11:21:00.000-05:00William,Although I believe I understand the intent...William,<BR/><BR/>Although I believe I understand the intention of your letter, I think you misunderstand the reason for this website. The purpose of this site is not to de-convert Christians. This is not a site intended to “prove” the superiority of atheism. In fact, this site is not even atheistic; it is “ex-Christian.” And ex-Christians are as diverse a group as can be imagined. This place is intended as a place where people undergoing the strain of leaving Christianity have a place to rant, rave, cry, complain, argue, let off steam, relate with others in similar straits, and generally give and receive encouragement from other ex-Christians. This site is not evangelistic. There is no attempt to evangelize Christians to atheism. Christians simply cannot resist the compulsion to come here and preach — and that, dear William, is quite annoying. Sometimes, it’s down right enraging. <BR/><BR/>I strongly suggest you check out this article: <A HREF="http://exchristian.net/podcast/2006/10/not-ready-to-be-nice.html" REL="nofollow">Not Ready to be Nice</A>. After reading or listening to that, I think you’ll have a better grasp on the purpose and point of this website. <BR/><BR/>Regardless, to denigrate and demonize passionate language is naïve at best and stupid at worst. There is no “one right way” to socially interact and discuss anything. Good grief, do you think the American Revolution was birthed by polite conversation? Do you suppose that significant world changing events are initiated by quiet, respectful tones? For some people, the slightest hint of rudeness might shut down communication — true. But for others, grinning politeness indicates a lack of conviction. Since everyone is different, it would be ridiculous to imagine that your particular style of expression is something <EM>all</EM> non-believers in Christianity should seek to emulate. Your flavor of expression may be preferable to you, but don’t mistake your individual personality for some universal standard of atheistic truth.Dave Van Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com