Speaking of brainwashing ...

[_Some Schmo]

Whaaaaa t?

What what?

Or should I say, "What Whaaaaa t?"

[_Some Schmo]

Ok, Hoops. In your opinion, what would be less arrogant answers than A, B or C?

It's you that is putting forward a position based on personal religious beliefs. How are opinions based on an a disbelief more arrogant?

How would you feel if I were to claim you were arrogant for not taking my point of view. I'm not arguing about the existence of God (I just don't know). I'm just questioning various people's version of God.

I'm positive that I don't know anything about God. I'm pretty sure that no one else does, either.

I believe that in Hoops' world, arrogance is basically any expressed disagreement with him coupled with a lack of respect for his supernatural fantasies... I mean, "sacred beliefs."

Therefore, I take his charge of arrogance with a humungous block of salt.

Oh, by the way, I'm guessing he'll regard this as Example D. May as well save him the post.

[_Hoops]

It's you that is putting forward a position based on personal religious beliefs

I don't recall ever having done such a thing on this board or in this thread.

How are opinions based on an a disbelief more arrogant?

I have no truck with opinions based on disbelief. The claim, however, invariably comes down to YOUR opinion that I/we are stupid for having beliefs. It gets tiresome. You offer no reasonable discourse to explore the question, you don't even bother, anymore, to put up a front that you might be interested in an adult conversation about it.

How would you feel if I were to claim you were arrogant for not taking my point of view

I would disagree. And that's not what I'm talking about. It's not the contrary point of view, after all, I once had the same view. It's your view that reasonable, learned, rational, thinking people cannot have a different view. (here's where you may want to take your own advice and look up arrogant.

I'm not arguing about the existence of God (I just don't know). I'm just questioning various people's version of God.

Go ahead. Please do!! I would expect nothing less. Unfortunately, I get substantially less.

I'm positive that I don't know anything about God. I'm pretty sure that no one else does, either.

How can you possible know that? Oh, wait, belief in God is silly superstition, therefor, it's true on its face.

[_Hoops]

What does it say about religion that it functions best in small doses?

It doesn't. But to the extent your statement is true, it says the Christian faith is expressed in many divers ways. Which is what one would expect.

[_Buffalo]

What does it say about religion that it functions best in small doses?

It doesn't. But to the extent your statement is true, it says the Christian faith is expressed in many divers ways. Which is what one would expect.

The deeper people get into religious dogma and the religious lifestyle, the more extreme they get. That's where the fundamentalists are. Healthy religious people are those who can balance a secular life with a more moderated religious faith. Too much religion is bad for you.

[_Hoops]

The deeper people get into religious dogma and the religious lifestyle, the more extreme they get. That's where the fundamentalists are. Healthy religious people are those who can balance a secular life with a more moderated religious faith. Too much religion is bad for you.

Wtf does this even mean?

[_Some Schmo]

It's you that is putting forward a position based on personal religious beliefs

I don't recall ever having done such a thing on this board or in this thread.

Well then you've already forgotten about the whole "premarital sex is not arbitrary" conversation we had.

How are opinions based on an a disbelief more arrogant?

I have no truck with opinions based on disbelief. The claim, however, invariably comes down to YOUR opinion that I/we are stupid for having beliefs. It gets tiresome. You offer no reasonable discourse to explore the question, you don't even bother, anymore, to put up a front that you might be interested in an adult conversation about it.

Oh yeah, "adult conversation"... nothing arrogant about this comment. LOL

I, for one, don't think people are automatically stupid because they believe in god. I have many friends I admire and respect deeply for their intelligence who also happen to be theists/deists.

The confusion you're having is between what people like me think of having a god belief and the way you choose to argue it. There's a difference.

But I suppose it's easier to write that off to "atheist arrogance" than it is to face the distinction.

[_Buffalo]

The deeper people get into religious dogma and the religious lifestyle, the more extreme they get. That's where the fundamentalists are. Healthy religious people are those who can balance a secular life with a more moderated religious faith. Too much religion is bad for you.

Wtf does this even mean?

Here, this should simplify my point:


http://www.flickr.com/photos/burstein/2979979221/

http://www.ksl.com/emedia/slc/458/45894/4589453.jpg

[_Quasimodo]

[quote="Hoops"

I don't recall ever having done such a thing on this board or in this thread.

The statement of yours that I'm responding to:

"How utterly and laughably predictable these posts are. Where does one begin? There is no arrogance quite like the atheist/agnostic one".

I have no truck with opinions based on disbelief. The claim, however, invariably comes down to YOUR opinion that I/we are stupid for having beliefs. It gets tiresome. You offer no reasonable discourse to explore the question, you don't even bother, anymore, to put up a front that you might be interested in an adult conversation about it.

I've never used the word "stupid" in my history on this board. I try to respect others' beliefs. I was just reacting to your own preconceptions of my opinions.

If you heard the word "stupid" while reading my posts it must have been your own insecurities talking.

I would disagree. And that's not what I'm talking about. It's not the contrary point of view, after all, I once had the same view. It's your view that reasonable, learned, rational, thinking people cannot have a different view. (here's where you may want to take your own advice and look up arrogant.

Once again, my comments were directed to your own unkind remarks. I have no problem with anyone believing whatever they would like. I reserve the right to disagree. Remember, it was your derogatory comment that spurred this discussion.

Go ahead. Please do!! I would expect nothing less. Unfortunately, I get substantially less.

Insecurity?

How can you possible know that? Oh, wait, belief in God is silly superstition, therefor, it's true on its face.

I don't know that. That's the point. I don't know. I've never said that belief in God was a silly superstition. I've only expressed MY OWN DOUBTS. If you're this touchy on these points, you should ask yourself why.

[_Hoops]

Yes, of course, it's my fault atheists/agnostics are so arrogant. I see now.