Quote:
Originally Posted by Flashpoint
I am all for any communal group that believes in tolerance, scientific advancement, and promoting equality.
But in my experience most "religious" people aren't all about those things. They are more about things like: - Homosexuals shouldn't be allowed to marry
- Stem cell research is wrong
- A woman should be forced to bring an unwanted child into the world.
- The natural world exists to serve man
- Humanity is the center of the universe
- Don't question the bible/word of God
Now, I've lately been going to a Unitarian church. Which fortunately accepts everyone (incl. atheists like me), and basically has a message of "don't be a dick to anyone, and try to improve the overall lot of mankind." Which is something I can get behind.
So don't assume that when people call out something as stupid as the idea of "divine birth" that it's a wholehearted attack on religion.
It's just mocking a silly belief that doesn't stand up to even cursory scrutiny - and therefore SHOULD be mocked. |
Let me tell you the kind of Christian I am. I've commented behind your point.
- Homosexuals shouldn't be allowed to marry - I don't believe homosexuals should be allowed to legally marry. If they want a union ceremony, fine. Just don't marry them. I think it threatens the family. I am tolerant of homsexuals and have some as friends and business associates, by the way.
- Stem cell research is wrong - I don't know. Don't know enough about it. If it doesn't destroy a life, I'm fine with it.
- A woman should be forced to bring an unwanted child into the world. - I'm opposed to abortion for the reason you've stated. I consider it taking a human life. I don't think we should take a human life for any reason, except self defence or equivalent.
- The natural world exists to serve man - I think it does.
- Humanity is the center of the universe - I think we are, although I don't discount the possibility of there being other races created by God.
- Don't question the bible/word of God - I don't question the word of God, but don't believe the Bible is entirely to be taken literally.
It's insulting when we're called stupid for believing as we do. I think our beliefs are valid and make total sense. I happen to believe that the theory of all this around us happening randomly makes little sense. There are some very intelligent people (including some of the greatest scientific minds of our time) who are Christians. A book I read by one of those brilliant scientists who was athiest and became Christian through his research is what turned me from a fence-sitter into a believer. It is the most amazing book I've ever read, so I read it twice in succession. I guess my point is that I feel that Christian ideas make sense and it insults when we're discounted as idiots for having those beliefs. We're not idiots; we just happen to disagree with you.
And yes I realize that there are also some great scientific minds who are not believers. Please don't bring that up as a rebuttal to my point.