fett on 21/12/2007 at 04:30
I know I've lost all sense of grounding in my life when Stitch is arguing for the possibility of the existence of god, and I am arguing that evidence of such has failed. WHAT THE HELL HAS HAPPENED TO ME.
Shug & Scots - You buy, I'll bring my bible, Mishna, and the wife who can drink all three of us under the table. :thumb:
Stitch on 21/12/2007 at 04:50
fett's married to MsLedd?!
I've got to say, fett, that you've turned into an MVP in threads like this. It's pretty fascinating to hear the perspective of someone who has been immersed so thoroughly into the other side but then crossed back over.
fett on 21/12/2007 at 05:42
Quote Posted by Stitch
fett's married to MsLedd?!
"Married" is such a vague word.
Quote Posted by Stitch
I've got to say, fett, that you've turned into an MVP in threads like this. It's pretty fascinating to hear the perspective of someone who has been immersed so thoroughly into the other side but then crossed back over.
If you only knew the POWARR of the dark side...
the one true thief on 21/12/2007 at 06:39
Sorry to bump into this fueling discussion but I thought I'd bring this up, Heard it on BBC Radio 2 the other day so I thought I'd do a quick search
(
http://www.boundlessline.org/2007/12/dawkins-sings-c.html)
Dawkins isn't an evil man some seem to believe :D
SD on 21/12/2007 at 08:31
Quote Posted by Stitch
It's possible there is evidence and we don't recognize it as such. It's possible there is evidence but not any that we are capable of measuring. It's possible there is evidence that we simply haven't yet discovered.
But if you're talking about any of the major religions, then they're very firm in their belief that such evidence
does exist,
is recognisible and measurable, and has been demonstrated on hundreds of occasions. Holy books are littered with tales of God's activity here on earth, miracles performed by his chosen ones, and what have you. This is the evidence you either accept or reject, and I'm more than confident that it's a load of bull.
Stitch on 21/12/2007 at 15:33
Yeah, you'll find no disagreement from me on that point. The specifics of most organized religions are fairly ridiculous.
Which is really too bad, as the belief that you're a soldier in the epic struggle between god and the devil is pretty fucking sexy.
Thirith on 21/12/2007 at 16:07
Wanna make out?
paloalto90 on 21/12/2007 at 16:24
Quote Posted by Stitch
Yeah, you'll find no disagreement from me on that point. The specifics of most organized religions are fairly ridiculous.
Which is really too bad, as the belief that you're a soldier in the epic struggle between god and the devil is pretty fucking sexy.
Evidently it has enough grounding to sustain a few cultures for a thousand+ years.
Stitch on 21/12/2007 at 16:34
Which is exactly why religion is such a fascinating area of study.
fett on 21/12/2007 at 20:22
Quote Posted by Stitch
Which is really too bad, as the belief that you're a soldier in the epic struggle between god and the devil is pretty fucking sexy.
But see, you've touched on something which has a VERY strong appeal to certain people. It's the same thing that attracts us to superheroes and fantasy literature. If you've been the victim of injustice or abuse, particularly as a teen-ager, it is very alluring, almost intoxicating to re-invent yourself as a spiritual soldier in an eternal and epic battle.
I got sucked into the culture in the mid-80's. Much of the literature and especially the music was specifically geared to this mindset. Petra (the biggest, best-selling, and arguably most influential Christian rock band of that era) had albums titled, "Beat the System," "This Means War!" and "Never Say Die." Remember Stryper? The albums were titled, "The Yellow & Black Attack," "Soldiers Under Command," "To Hell With the Devil," etc. There was a Christian band called The Allies that actually dressed in camo and such. As cheesy as it sounds, it was a counter-culture movement that answered the violent antics of secular bands of the day such as W.A.S.P, Ozzy, Alice Cooper and others.
Just take a stroll through your local Christian bookstore today and you'll notice - especially in the kids and teens section - a slight emphasis on the war angle. It's not presented in the Islamic 'JIHAD!' kind of way, but it exists nonetheless.
So yeah - the 'soldier for good' was a HUGE selling point for me because I'm an idealist at heart and want to right the world's wrongs. Apparently I went to battle and got my ass kicked.
