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Atheist - I don't get them?

Discussion in 'The Dungeon' started by Hawk518, Dec 6, 2011.

  1. Hawk518

    Hawk518 Resident Alien

    In the event that I have not made it clear in the past, I want to say again, in advance of the discussion that I am an atheist.

    Now to the point, I don't get atheist?

    WTF is wrong with some people? I don't claim to be the sharpest tool in the shed but too often I am dumbfounded by people claiming to be of higher intelligence.

    In an attempt to depict, via art, the commercialization of Christmas, is nailing a Skeleton of Santa to a cross the most effective way?

    Would not an intelligence person anticipate a backlash to such art/statement?

    I have witheld responding to some friends, one in particular that is claiming that is nothing more than freedom of speech and a justifiable way to make a point against what Christmas has become. Mind you, this person is also an atheist.

    His logic is that such a representation is not an attack on Religion or Christians.

    As much as I encourage the empowerment of individuals, I am always so cautious about individuals finding common ground. It seems that we tend to forget what it is like to be a minority when we feel comfortable or in the majority and fail to act responsibly.

    My conclusion is that the lack of respect is foremost in the way we fail to interact.

    How am I supposed to expect others to respect my choice to reject the possibility of the existence of any diety if in the same hand, I don't show respect for those that believe in one?

    Atheist piss me off.
     
  2. Mongo

    Mongo Administrator

    Nailing Santa to a cross isn't an attack on religion? Your friend is a moron.
     
  3. pickled egg

    pickled egg Tell me more

    Seek your answers in Christ. :Poke:
     
  4. Hawk518

    Hawk518 Resident Alien

    I may be the moron. :D

    Personally, I don't see the nailing of Santa on the cross as an attack on religion but I am not surprised that some may take it that way.
     
  5. Hawk518

    Hawk518 Resident Alien

    Even I know better than to bother God with matters of this type.
     
  6. chuckbear

    chuckbear Totally radical, bro.

    I tend to discount the intelligence of most anyone that holds some idea of superiority over others. We all have our good and bad traits and no one has all the answers.

    I don't give much attention or credit to people who spread hate to push their agenda. It shows their level of maturity and intelligence.

    I have a friend who is the same way regarding Obama and Democrats as a whole. He thinks they're all evil and that the D makes them both a bad person and a part of the liberal conspiracy. He's gone so far as posting on Facebook that Obama the Socialist will end all elections in 2012 if he's re-elected and spreading similar, even if completely absurd, fear. I have responded a couple times, regrettably, about how ridiculous some of the things he says and thinks are but logic and intelligent discussion doesn't seem to help. Honestly, it's hurt our friendship a lot and frankly I'm not sure I can relate to someone who is so full of hate and can believe such crazy things.

    Anyway, I can relate. It baffles me sometimes how people can see this world, but I have my own issues so I try not to judge when I can resist. It's hard sometimes, especially with friends, but when I can it's best to just ignore the stupid. I've been the asshole on many an occasion and it almost never leaves me feeling good about the outcome, even though I usually maintain my convictions.
     
  7. panthercity

    panthercity Thread Killa

    Nailing thieves and enemies of the state to a cross had nothing to do with religion until after Christ was crucified.
     
  8. And even immediately following that the cross was not a celebrated symbol.

    Nailing Santa to the cross is more of a warning to those who might think sneaking into homes down a chimney is a good plan.
     
  9. Mongo

    Mongo Administrator

    The cross is a symbol of a religion. If it weren't, would the "artist" even be using something that shape? Of course not. Personally I don't care one way or the other but overall there is no reason to be rude just because you disagree with christianity.
     
  10. Mongo

    Mongo Administrator

    Fixt. :D
     
  11. panthercity

    panthercity Thread Killa

    Hey! You got your demons, I got mine.


    :D
     
  12. Hawk518

    Hawk518 Resident Alien

    Well said.:up:

    People get stupid on Facebook. :D

    I struggle with friendship because my views are not always in keeping (fully) with either left or right.

    I think it is okay to be an atheist without offending individuals of faith.

    Apparently it is okay to nail the President to the cross (if you believe). As Panther said:

    What intrigues me it the likelihood that some individuals that would endorse Santa being nailed to the cross would object to Obama being so. And, vice versa.

    I can present points to why I don't entertain the existence of God as I can against Socialism but in either case, I do not see the need to offend those of faith or demonize the President.

    I maintain that we need to be more respectful of viewpoints that differ from ours as well as respect those who carry such views.
     
  13. wot-75

    wot-75 Well-Known Member

    "The message to me at least," said Jonathan Weintraub, of the group NOVA Atheists, "is that the meaning of Christmas, which is about faith and family, is dead and has been replaced by commercialism."

    Personally, I think those offended are just as "dumb" as the supposed offender. I think the real question is whether or not the "artists" intended the display to be offensive or if they really were trying to simply make the same point conveyed in the quote I posted. In other words, being offended is a self-inflicted wound.
     
  14. rk97

    rk97 Well-Known Member

    Other than being loosely based on St. Nicholas, I don't think Santa Claus has much of anything to do with religion, let alone the birth of Christ.

    Protected speech? sure. Distasteful and inflammatory? duh.
     
  15. derby369

    derby369 Well-Known Member

    :up:
     
  16. panthercity

    panthercity Thread Killa

    BIG difference. Santa is not real. Obama is all too real.

    So true. But that kinda gets in the way of the divide and conquer strategies of the two parties.
     
  17. rk97

    rk97 Well-Known Member

    thousands of non-religious figures (ever watch Sparticus?) were crucified as well as Jesus.

    I'll grant you that nailing them to the cross was exceedingly rare though.

    It's like my good friend, the Dude once said, "you're not WRONG, Walter; you're just an ASSHOLE."

    (the artist, not Mongo)
     
  18. JD¹³

    JD¹³ Turbo Slow

    People are fucking stupid regardless of their religious beliefs, sex, race, etc.

    Stupid could be the world's most followed religion.
     
  19. chuckbear

    chuckbear Totally radical, bro.

    :beer:

    The funny thing is, I'll get crap on the other end of things from people saying that I'm just being too PC. So I should be judging and hating people for the sake of being divisive?

    I fully respect these peoples' rights to act a fool toward people they don't even know and lay judgments out there, but how does me not wanting to be an outward dick when an issue doesn't concern me get turned back on me for being too PC? :confused:

    People are nuckin' futs, I swear.

    I try to tread lightly on issues of politics and religion in small talk (the beeb being an outlet for me more recently :D ), but it's hard sometimes. I really love a good argument, but I'm kind of a dick like that.
     
  20. Hawk518

    Hawk518 Resident Alien


    There is enough dumb to go around. Being so, it is hard to believe some would not be offended by the use of the cross. Like it or not it has become a symbol that carries weight with some.

    The quote you cited is not attributed to the artist. However, I do believe it is along the lines of the artist.

    Given some past artist representation and characterization, I find it hard to dismiss the intend. It may not be fair, but.
     

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