marg wrote:by the way, I wrote this and posted it before Dan posted GoodK's dad's letter. Apparently his dad proved me right.
"Speaking generally, highly religious parents whose kids become atheist are likely to be negatively judgmental about the moral values of their kid. That's because highly religious individuals believe by virtue of their religious beliefs they have higher moral values than others without those beliefs and belief system. It doesn't take a genius to figure out, a highly religious parent such as indicated of your dad in that letter, is unlikely to be accepting of "atheism". So Dan was obviously giving your highly religious father more ammunition with which to judge you and your "fallen" ways."
Well, can you blame him? I mean his son comes out and associates and agrees with the critic contingent of this board.
It's not a matter of blame. There is a major difference Nehor in the mentality of a highly religious parent versus a non religious one. A highly religious parent is likely to shun, or make their child's life more difficult if that child leaves or is outspoken against that religious belief system as well as view that child as lacking moral values. And part of what props the negative judgemental attitude comes from the belief system which promotes an in-group mentality of having higher moral values than others outside it. Many religious individuals correlate moral values with belief in God, which they pick up from their religious training. The equivalent doesn't occur in a non-religious parent. If a non religous parent has a child who turns religious they don't assume that child is immoral due to their new found religious belief, because they don't believe morals come from God belief or religion. It's obvious GoodK's dad does believe moral values come from God belief. And there is no motivation for him to be supportive or encouraging of his son, when he'd rather his son fail to support the belief that lack of God belief = poor moral judgement ability.
GoodK: That letter from your father is one of the saddest things I have read. When I left Mormonism my parents understood my decision and they have the same love for me had I not left. They have no qualifications, no expectations of the prodigal son's return. I hope your father can find it in his heart to accept you for who you are, regardless of your beliefs. I'm also sorry that all this was made public.
marg wrote:It's not a matter of blame. There is a major difference Nehor in the mentality of a highly religious parent versus a non religious one. A highly religious parent is likely to shun, or make their child's life more difficult if that child leaves or is outspoken against that religious belief system as well as view that child as lacking moral values. And part of what props the negative judgemental attitude comes from the belief system which promotes an in-group mentality of having higher moral values than others outside it. Many religious individuals correlate moral values with belief in God, which they pick up from their religious training. The equivalent doesn't occur in a non-religious parent. If a non religous parent has a child who turns religious they don't assume that child is immoral due to their new found religious belief, because they don't believe morals come from God belief or religion. It's obvious GoodK's dad does believe moral values come from God belief. And there is no motivation for him to be supportive or encouraging of his son, when he'd rather his son fail to support the belief that lack of God belief = poor moral judgement ability.
You should talk to my friend who just joined the Church. Her atheist parents basically disowned her. She hasn't talked to them for about six months.
"Surely he knows that DCP, The Nehor, Lamanite, and other key apologists..." -Scratch clarifying my status in apologetics "I admit it; I'm a petty, petty man." -Some Schmo
marg wrote:It's not a matter of blame. There is a major difference Nehor in the mentality of a highly religious parent versus a non religious one. A highly religious parent is likely to shun, or make their child's life more difficult if that child leaves or is outspoken against that religious belief system as well as view that child as lacking moral values. And part of what props the negative judgemental attitude comes from the belief system which promotes an in-group mentality of having higher moral values than others outside it. Many religious individuals correlate moral values with belief in God, which they pick up from their religious training. The equivalent doesn't occur in a non-religious parent. If a non religous parent has a child who turns religious they don't assume that child is immoral due to their new found religious belief, because they don't believe morals come from God belief or religion. It's obvious GoodK's dad does believe moral values come from God belief. And there is no motivation for him to be supportive or encouraging of his son, when he'd rather his son fail to support the belief that lack of God belief = poor moral judgement ability.
You should talk to my friend who just joined the Church. Her atheist parents basically disowned her. She hasn't talked to them for about six months.
Anecdotal faith-promoting bs. We have a real example happening right here.
You are of course correct and I see how I was misunderstood. I meant fun as in the day to day happenings here which are funny. As I stated previously, I find this turn of events to be hilarious, not just fun.
I apologize for any confusion my post may have caused.
There is something really, really wrong with you. Out of the many troubling things you have said, this is easily the worst.
GoodK's dad, take a good look at this. You have been used to save face by your good friend Dan. You have chosen to throw your son under the bus in order to do so.
And you have provided hilarious entertainment to one of the most stalwart Mormon believers on this board.
What has been the cost, GoodK's dad?
I must concur with Jersey Girl. This has evolved into something truly tragic and difficult to stomach.
We hate to seem like we don’t trust every nut with a story, but there’s evidence we can point to, and dance while shouting taunting phrases.
Further clarification: I find this funny in a sad way. It's hilarious in a sad way. It's just the total oddballness of it and the way it grew to be a bigger and bigger trainwreck.
Perhaps an example is in order. I find it funny the same way I find the pic in this article funny.
"Surely he knows that DCP, The Nehor, Lamanite, and other key apologists..." -Scratch clarifying my status in apologetics "I admit it; I'm a petty, petty man." -Some Schmo
beastie wrote:There is something really, really wrong with you.
I've been saying that for years now and finally some validation.
"Surely he knows that DCP, The Nehor, Lamanite, and other key apologists..." -Scratch clarifying my status in apologetics "I admit it; I'm a petty, petty man." -Some Schmo
You should talk to my friend who just joined the Church. Her atheist parents basically disowned her. She hasn't talked to them for about six months.
I also would probably have a difficult time if one of my kids became highly religious. However, I wouldn't think they had poor moral values as a consequence. GoodK's dad obviously thinks GoodK lacks good moral judgment values and when GoodK starts to love God ...all will be well.
by the way, I have 2 kids a 27 year old daughter, university grad currently working in Wales. A 25 year old son who has always been more immature than others his age, not a good student who currently lives at home. I'm supportive of both. The daughter is currently studying to get a masters degree (while working) which I am financing this year and the son is planning to take a one year course at the local community college for a technical course in communication systems. Being a parent in this day and age requires lots of support both emotionally and financially. Their beliefs don't enter into the equation. I have no motivatin to see either one fail.
Last edited by _marg on Thu Jul 03, 2008 8:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.
None of you on this thread know the actual GoodK family or the actual GoodK family history except GoodK and GoodK's dad -- and, to a much lesser extent (but to a significantly greater extent than is anybody else's business here), me.
After all the angry denunciations of my allegedly malicious "butting into" this family's intimate relationships, I see a great deal of minimally informed but hyperjudgmental and even gleeful butting into this family's intimate relationships.
You should talk to my friend who just joined the Church. Her atheist parents basically disowned her. She hasn't talked to them for about six months.
I also would probably have a difficult time if one of my kids became highly religious. However, I wouldn't think they had poor moral values as a consequence. GoodK's dad obviously thinks GoodK lacks good moral judgment values and when GoodK starts to love God ...all will be well.
And yet on these boards there are so many threads about the dangers of Mormonism and how it destroys lives and how the Mormon religion encourages immoral and destructive behavior here. Not many about how evil atheists are.
"Surely he knows that DCP, The Nehor, Lamanite, and other key apologists..." -Scratch clarifying my status in apologetics "I admit it; I'm a petty, petty man." -Some Schmo