Christians told to treat atheists and agnostics with "deep esteem"

[Xaccers]

Originally Posted by Russ B

I totally fail to see your point. He is not saying 'be nice to atheists, then when their guard is down try to convert them', he is simply saying 'be nice to them'.

Where is the problem in that?

No one is objecting to him saying that religious people should treat non-religious people with respect, it's when he goes on and fails to do so (I believe unintentionally and unknowingly).

[Russ B]

Originally Posted by nitroz

That said I understand the need for religion, to live with the fact that life has no true purpose and ends when you die is somewhat depressing but at least i can say i did it my way.

That is nothing like my reasons for believing

---------- Post added at 11:05 ---------- Previous post was at 11:05 ----------

Originally Posted by Xaccers

No one is objecting to him saying that religious people should treat non-religious people with respect, it's when he goes on and fails to do so (I believe unintentionally and unknowingly).

To be fair the words be used were deep esteem, not respect.

[nitroz]

Maybe not Russ B, but it is one of the driving factors as to why religion is still so widespread, I'd be hard pressed to find a religion that life simple ends at death, despite the many differences between them, but i guess it wouldnt be very popular.

[Russ B]

Originally Posted by nitroz

Maybe not Russ B, but it is one of the driving factors as to why religion is still so widespread, I'd be hard pressed to find a religion that life simple ends at death, despite the many differences between them, but i guess it wouldnt be very popular.

Well to be honest I don't know of anyone who's reasons are what you've said.

[Nugget]

Originally Posted by nitroz

Maybe not Russ B, but it is one of the driving factors as to why religion is still so widespread, I'd be hard pressed to find a religion that life simple ends at death, despite the many differences between them, but i guess it wouldnt be very popular.

I'd argue that it's not a driving factor - in fact, I wouldn't be at all surprised if there are lots of people following religion who don't necessarily believe in an afterlife. Just because you believe in God (or Allah, or whoever) doesn't automatically follow on that you believe in everything that's associated with that belief.

For that matter, I'm personally aware of quite a few people who believe in an afterlife, but don't believe in God. Neither of these groups are wrong, but it doesn't make it a driving factor in their lives.

[RizzyKing]

Russ i am not having a go but i thought it was a bit stupid to make a comment regarding atheists and how they should be thought of knowing said comment would be made public and then saying that in someway god is in the life of an atheist. So if i follow his comments then the christian god is also in the lives of everyone else on the planet . He knew what he said was going to be made public and i just think he could have worded it better is all i am saying if you don't agree fair enough i am not having a big argument about it.

[Russ B]

Originally Posted by RizzyKing

Russ i am not having a go but i thought it was a bit stupid to make a comment regarding atheists and how they should be thought of knowing said comment would be made public and then saying that in someway god is in the life of an atheist. So if i follow his comments then the christian god is also in the lives of everyone else on the planet . He knew what he said was going to be made public and i just think he could have worded it better is all i am saying if you don't agree fair enough i am not having a big argument about it.

There are no arguments, I'm just failing to see what your point is. In effect he is telling us to hold you in high regard (which we should do anyway) and that God is in you (which we believe anyway).

I fail to see how his comments encroach or impact on your life in the slightest.

[peanutkp]

Originally Posted by Russ B

There are no arguments, I'm just failing to see what your point is. In effect he is telling us to hold you in high regard (which we should do anyway) and that God is in you (which we believe anyway).

I fail to see how his comments encroach or impact on your life in the slightest.

It doesn't, but it does sound condescending never the less. In a type of 'You hold 'us' in high regard, why are you better than us', type of way. Why did he say that, for what purpose or effect?

[Saaf_laandon_mo]

So seriously, are athiests on here genuinely annoyed at what has been said or are we just debating for the sake of it.

As Russ said he was addressing Christians (that is his words were aimed at Christians) and basically he is just reiterating a Chrisian belief that God exists for everyone. I can imagine people being annoyed if he was addressing christians and atheists alike, but its pretty clear that the audience he has aimed this to is a Christian one. And I don't think he has said anything detrimental about those who dont follow the faith.

[KaySquirrel]

Can we not deport these people? Look at the outrage their religion is causing!



Some people will jump at any chance to have a hissyfit. It's like when people say they will pray for you. No matter what your personal beliefs are (or are not), you can either get hysterical that they are 'pushing their religion on you blahblahblah' or you can accept that this is a display of kindness towards you and they are trying to help you in a way that their faith tells them will do some good. Even if I might not hold the same beliefs, I'd rather have people praying for me than against me.

[Russ B]

Originally Posted by peanutkp

It doesn't, but it does sound condescending never the less. In a type of 'You hold 'us' in high regard, why are you better than us', type of way.

He is NOT saying we are in any way superior! In fact he is stating that just because you do not have God in your life does not mean we should look at you any less favourably! I'm sure there are some Christians with a 'holier than thou' attitude (quite literally) but they are in the vast minority.

Originally Posted by peanutkp

Why did he say that, for what purpose or effect?

To promote love peace and understanding. Which makes him ok in my book even if I do not recognise his title or authority.

[Saaf_laandon_mo]

Originally Posted by KaySquirrel

Can we not deport these people? Look at the outrage their religion is causing!



Some people will jump at any chance to have a hissyfit. It's like when people say they will pray for you. No matter what your personal beliefs are (or are not), you can either get hysterical that they are 'pushing their religion on you blahblahblah' or you can accept that this is a display of kindness towards you and they are trying to help you in a way that their faith tells them will do some good. Even if I might not hold the same beliefs, I'd rather have people praying for me than against me.

Thats a good point isnt it. You dont get people complaining when others say they are praying for them. I actually know some people who dont follow any religion, but whom have asked others to pray for them in times of need.

[peanutkp]

Everything is open to interpretation, religion is based on that, so it's also the same for non believers, always conflicting.

When you say it the way you did before it did sound condescending, but then saying it the way you did after, it doesn't.

[Russ B]

Originally Posted by peanutkp

Everything is open to interpretation, religion is based on that, so it's also the same for non believers, always conflicting.

When you say it the way you did before it did sound condescending, but then saying it the way you did after, it doesn't.

So then perhaps the question should be why you (as a non-believer) automatically take comments from a Christian as being negative. That sounds initially like a deep-rooted (although probably unintentional) prejudice.

[peanutkp]

Originally Posted by Russ B

So then perhaps the question should be why you (as a non-believer) automatically take comments from a Christian as being negative. That sounds initially like a deep-rooted (although probably unintentional) prejudice.

I'm joining in a discussion, I wouldn't care less what is said about religion, but I would like to 'try' and understand the logic or reasoning behind it.

As I said do like to try to understand, so that means I would ask questions, is that being prejudiced?

I haven't taken the comments as bad, just trying to find the meaning behind what was said, I only commented on your reply as it sounded more condecending that what was originally said in some ways, but you did clarify that afterwards which meant I misinterperate what you said, nothing more.

So if I take your word for the right interpretation, then alls well and good as far as I'm concerned.

But on the otherhand hypothetically, what is also wrong about being prejudice about religion in general.