Mormon, Porn, and Masturbation. (Easy now, Paul)

[_marg]

Saying such and such is a fact or obvious or whatever as if the person who views it differently is blathering idiot does not foster good discussion. Beastie, E Allusion, JAK-I think and others seem able to so this well. You simply fail at it often.

Jason when was the last time you were in a discussion with Beastie, E.A or JAK? Stop talking with me if you think there are others offering much better discussion for you. You typically post comments to me, I don't generally initiate discussion with you.

This from another post:

Your calling peoples beliefs stupid and criticizing their lack of not thinking critically is far more than 5% at least here.

I've brought up the concept 'critical thinking' many times but I haven't used the word "stupid" often, only recently in last week or so.

[_Jason Bourne]

What do you mean by spiritually fulfilling life?

I mean trying to come to an understanding that there may be more to this life than just a beginning at birth and an end at death. To be spiritual mean to contemplate and wonder and maybe find some sort of inner answers to what the purpose of life may be. That life is really more that survival of the fittest. That it is more than getting ahead, what will be next meal be, where is my next sexual conquest. To ponder that there may be a power behind creation and something after this life ends and to try to come to some inner peace and understanding about these things.

Can organized religion help with such things? I think so. Can it get in the way. Yes it can and often does. Are people stupid and lacking critical thinking skills because they have faith as a part of their life? For some probably. For others no.

Has there really been enough evidence presented here and else where for those who have faith in Mormonism to reject it? For some perhaps. For others they may not find the evidence near as compelling. Their may be many reasons as to why that is. The fact that you, as a no religious person all her life finds it case closed is not surprising all. The level of evidence you require to reject such things is nominal really and understandably so. For and LDS person who has devoted their whole life to the Church, who may have had what they believed were spiritual confirmations from God about such things, well the level of evidence obvioulsy needs to he higher than yours.

[_Jason Bourne]

Yes I listed believing 'a man died for mankind's sins' as a stupid belief. I don't believe there are 2 billion people in the world who believe this particular idea. Catholics are supposed to represent approx. 1 billion worldwide and the church counts a person catholic when they are baptized. In addition many people count themselves as part of a religious group when filling in forms but that doesn't mean they are practicing nor believe everything in that religion. For years, I'd count myself as protestant in questionnaires, depending on the purpose of the form. So I don't trust the 2 billion estimate. I think the particular belief "jesus died for mankind's sins" held would likely be by millions rather than a couple of billion. And of those millions ..yes Jason a high proportion of them would not be very bright. However that doesn't mean smart people are immune to holding stupid beliefs, so yes a percentage of those people would be highly intelligent and yet still hold that irrational belief. But on the whole I think true believers in religious nonsense...comprise mainly people, who don't think critically well

This site http://www.religioustolerance.org/worldrel.htm states 33% of the worlds population is Christian, or about 2,039,000,000.

Of course it is impossible to tell how many really believe it and practice it. My guess is it is more then a mere millions. Maybe half? Maybe not. Even a quarter would be about 500 million. I work with a lot of Catholics. I would not say that they are died in the wool heavy duty practicing Catholics. But if asked if they believed in Jesus Christ as Savior I think most would say yes.

Now there is also a high percentage who have been indoctrinated from a young age and have never critically evaluated their beliefs, not because of stupidity but because they were never motivated to, perhaps exposed much to information which might motivate them to question. Those with above average intelligence on average are more likely over a life time to become educated and exposed to information which would lead them to critically evaluate their beliefs.

THey may critically evaluate them and still believe them, or part of them. This does not make them stupid or lacking critical thinking skills.

You write: "And what about Judaism that has a tradition fo God speaking to Prophets?" Every Jewish person I have met has been very rational Jason. They don't believe in man-gods. And I don't think many take the O.T. literally. Sure there are fundamentalist Jewish people but I think they are in the minority of Jews.

Most the Jewish people I know are Jewish by tradition rather than conservative or orthodox. Most I know don't really even practice it. One I know said to me in jest when expressing dissatisfaction with some of his tradition that he was probably the only anti Semite Semite in town. I did once work with an Orthodox Jewish woman. She was a true believer. My guess is a small part of the about 15 million Jews are Orthodox. I do not know enough about the other levels of Jewish practitioners to opine.

[_Jason Bourne]

Jason when was the last time you were in a discussion with Beastie, E.A or JAK?

Not much recently. But in the past I have had discussions with them. Almost always they are respectful.

Stop talking with me if you think there are others offering much better discussion for you.

See this is what I mean. Rather than consider the maybe you really do act like an ass much of the time, and no not just recently, you snipe.


This from another post:

Your calling peoples beliefs stupid and criticizing their lack of not thinking critically is far more than 5% at least here.

I've brought up the concept 'critical thinking' many times but I haven't used the word "stupid" often, only recently in last week or so

Seems to me you have used the word more than recently. But I have not desire to cour the board to prove it. Certainly you frequently criticize posters lack of ability to critically think, in fact many of your posts contain such reference. I am fairly certain that you question a persons intelligence along with the critical thinking comments. You also complain often about personal attacks yet you make them yourself and not infrequently. Your recent jab at Liz about her maturity level is after all, an ad hominem.

[_Yoda]

Marg has told me on more than one occasion that she has no desire to make friends here. As far as I can tell, the only person who she really considers a friend is JAK, and possibly Shades.

You sound very immature Liz. But I like how your true personality is coming through.

How is what I said here immature? Did you, or did you not, say to me that "making friends is not why you come to this board"?

Who here, other than JAK and Shades, have you shown any type of camaraderie with?

let's party in the Goddess suite Liz wrote:

I don't think that Marg is really interested in furthering discussion, though. That's her whole problem. From what I have observed, Marg's sole purpose in participating on this board is to debate, and win every debate she participates in.

Yes, this is really mature, Marg.

Your idea of a discussion is arguing and musing over what the afterlife is going to be like.

Your idea of a discussion is hanging onto your position like a bulldog for pages on end, belittling everyone who disagrees with you.

[_Jersey Girl]

marg,

Stop trying to reason with people. Stop trying to engage in serious discussion/debate all the time. Good grief, it's boring as hell. And what is up with that "Let's party in the goddess suite" bit about Liz? Are you the same person who showed up on her own godhood announcement thread?

Come on! Don't make me crawl up your behind and yank that pole out.

[_Paul Osborne]

I hope Marg can hear this even though I can't hear her:

I don't wan't to be mature! I want to be a free spirited, a wild little 47 year old that laughs, grunts, and jumps and shouts for a good time. Screw being mature! I'm young at heart and listen to Angie by the Rolling Stones, baby. I'm a man but I'm a boy too. Two for the price of one. Too bad this isn't the telestial board where I could reveal my true feelings . . . .

Keep it cool, baby - - every inch of my love (Led Zeppelin II).

Paul O

[_Gadianton Plumber]

Danko Jones schools Led Z in every way.

[_Paul Osborne]

Let's talk about masturbation so Marg can learn a thing or two. I think there is a lot she doesn't know about men!! I'm often right about these things.

Oh, this is the terrestrial forum, never mind.



Paul O

[_Gadianton Plumber]

Let's talk about masturbation so Marg can learn a thing or two. I think there is a lot she doesn't know about men!! I'm often right about these things.

Oh, this is the terrestrial forum, never mind.



Paul O

You know, I have always wondered if it works differently hat vs. no hat (if ya follow). Discuss.