Ed on religion

catefrances

jwillmo wrote:

And catefrances, as antagonistic as this has been, your "killing yourself" comment, whether it was a joke or not, is really fucking frightening. Not to sound condescending, but I really hope you can do something about that. I mean, I think people suck as much as the next guy, but automatically assuming the worst about people just because you don't know them is the kind of mentality that leads to things like the war in Iraq (They's all Muslims! Kill em All!) If it's not God, I certainly hope you can find peace in SOMETHING.

where did i say i automatically assume the worst in people? you have no idea who i am and how i deal with people. i never assume the worst in people. but i do know myself. and i know i cant be around people. sometimes i figure i should try cause its the 'right ' thing to do. but it takes too much energy from me and i have to retreat. my misanrthropy has nothing whatsoever to do with my atheism. and to be honest, i wont find peace until i am dead. im not being dramatic, tis just the way it is with me.

mr orion

When a band has sold over ten million albums of their debut release you are going to get obsessive fans who follow and hang on every word the lead singer says. I mean I own all the pearl jam records, but don't worry about the bands political stance, I just love the music. Living in the U.K. we don't get to see the band that often, so I find enjoyment in attending world music festivals ,such as WOMAD, where people of all religons mix and enjoy the weekend. When attending a gig everyone is there for the same reason, to have a good time , so respect should be given to the artist when introducing and playing a song.

EvilRabbit

I respond to "bless you" a little more openly than catefrances, but I totally understand where she's coming from.

When someone says it, they're merely repeating an indoctrinated response with religious tones. Atheists would rather not hear it because we don't need the comfort of a stranger when all we're doing is sneezing.

If I farted and someone said "I'll pray for your bowels," I'd be uncomfortable with that too. It's well-intended but unnecessary.

So when someone says "bless you," I offer a half-smile and a nod. Just to acknowledge their kind yet childish tradition.

Anyway, now that this thread has moved onto sneezing, I really have to avoid getting sucked back in. It's clear that no matter how much science or reason or logic you throw at some of the believers on here, they still cling to their myths to make them feel better about life. Seems too egotistical to me, believing that any of us matter in the grand scheme of things.

I wouldn't even want the concept of a God to be true because an entity who demands that you serve and obey is a celestial dictator. I'd rather masturbate without the fear that some creepy old dude, with a zombie for a son, is watching me.

EvilRabbit

One last thing...

People keep talking about how others follow Ed and agree with his views simply because of who he is. That's not the case with me. I feel lucky that my views just happen to completely synch up with him. So I guess I'm blessed (hahaha) that way!

I surf, I smoke pot, I share the same politics, like the same music, love Seattle, will vote for Barack, etc.

The only direct influence Ed has had on my life is inspiring me to learn the guitar, for which I am eternally grateful.

For those of you who disagree with everything he says in between songs, that's a shame. I hope there are other artists you can feel this connection with.

cc10106

EvilRabbit wrote:

I respond to "bless you" a little more openly than catefrances, but I totally understand where she's coming from.

When someone says it, they're merely repeating an indoctrinated response with religious tones. Atheists would rather not hear it because we don't need the comfort of a stranger when all we're doing is sneezing.

If I farted and someone said "I'll pray for your bowels," I'd be uncomfortable with that too. It's well-intended but unnecessary.

So when someone says "bless you," I offer a half-smile and a nod. Just to acknowledge their kind yet childish tradition.

Anyway, now that this thread has moved onto sneezing, I really have to avoid getting sucked back in. It's clear that no matter how much science or reason or logic you throw at some of the believers on here, they still cling to their myths to make them feel better about life. Seems too egotistical to me, believing that any of us matter in the grand scheme of things.

I wouldn't even want the concept of a God to be true because an entity who demands that you serve and obey is a celestial dictator. I'd rather masturbate without the fear that some creepy old dude, with a zombie for a son, is watching me.

wow, i'm sure all atheists are glad you speak on behalf of them. i'm sure they all feel it's a 'kind yet childish tradition' too.

once again it has nothing to do indocrination, myths, ego, beliefs, science, logic etc. atleast for some of us. why is that such a big deal to you? do you get offended when someone helps an old lady at the grocery store? i mean, cause that's something jesus would have done, right?

some of you take yourselves ENTIRELY too seriously.

EvilRabbit

cc10106 wrote:

wow, i'm sure all atheists are glad you speak on behalf of them.

some of you take yourselves ENTIRELY too seriously.

I'm sure I don't speak for all atheists. Was simply trying to give you another perspective on the subject and offer support to catefrances. Forgive me for trying to help you see someone else's point of view.

Perhaps you're taking us too seriously and should not get so easily offended.

EvilRabbit

cc10106 wrote:

do you get offended when someone helps an old lady at the grocery store? i mean, cause that's something jesus would have done, right?

Now you're being silly and this demonstrates a clear lack of understanding about atheists and atheism.

Again, I offer you the story of the Good Samaritan. Someone who WAS NOT a Christian who taught Jesus a lesson in kindness.

cc10106

EvilRabbit wrote:

Now you're being silly and this demonstrates a clear lack of understanding about atheists and atheism.

Again, I offer you the story of the Good Samaritan. Someone who WAS NOT a Christian who taught Jesus a lesson in kindness.

almost as silly as it is to insinuate that people only say 'bless you' out of religious 'indoctrination'.

cc10106

EvilRabbit wrote:

I'm sure I don't speak for all atheists. Was simply trying to give you another perspective on the subject and offer support to catefrances. Forgive me for trying to help you see someone else's point of view.

Perhaps you're taking us too seriously and should not get so easily offended.

no one's offended here, bra.

EvilRabbit

cc10106 wrote:

almost as silly as it is to insinuate that people only say 'bless you' out of religious 'indoctrination'.

That's dumb. Where else did it come from? Unless you want to say it evolved from a different phrase...

Secularists might use the phrase but it certainly originated from religion and the church. In response to Crazy Breed's explanation that people used it to ask God to spare them from the plague, it didn't work did it? I guess he was busy down the pub.

EvilRabbit

cc10106 wrote:

no one's offended here, bra.

Glad to hear it, panties.

jwillmo

catefrances wrote:

where did i say i automatically assume the worst in people? you have no idea who i am and how i deal with people. i never assume the worst in people. but i do know myself. and i know i cant be around people. sometimes i figure i should try cause its the 'right ' thing to do. but it takes too much energy from me and i have to retreat. my misanrthropy has nothing whatsoever to do with my atheism. and to be honest, i wont find peace until i am dead. im not being dramatic, tis just the way it is with me.

"you can't just assume they are a good person. they could be a serial killer for all i know. therefore they do not deserve my respect."

You're right, I have no idea how you are. All I have to go on is stuff like what I just quoted. Yet I don't start with no respect and then work up. I start respecting everyone until they give me reason not to. You know, cause they're human fucking beigns. And I never attributed your hyper-pessimistic attitude towards atheism, but I'm sure others will. I was seriously concerned with the "kill myself" line. Again, just out of basic respect for other people. It seems like you're the type of person I would never get along with, but I still felt like shit when I read that line, even though you've done nothing to "earn" my worry, or my respect. You're a human being. I don't care if people respect human beings because they think God wants them to, or because they just have an innate sense that they should. I do think we should respect each other anyway.

PS Edit was to change "Your" to "You're". Welcome back EvilRabit.

cc10106

EvilRabbit wrote:

Glad to hear it, panties.

this coming from someone who's annoyed by TWO FUCKING WORDS. WORDS. THAT'S ALL THEY ARE.

EvilRabbit

cc10106 wrote:

this coming from someone who's annoyed by TWO FUCKING WORDS. WORDS. THAT'S ALL THEY ARE.

No annoyance here, bra. I just think it's a bit silly to say a little phrase following a bodily function. Call me crazy. If you want to say it, go ahead. While you're at it, why not make up a little song for when you go pee-pee or poo-poo.

EvilRabbit

Doesn't get much more off topic than this, does it?

Drew263

EvilRabbit wrote:

One last thing...

People keep talking about how others follow Ed and agree with his views simply because of who he is. That's not the case with me. I feel lucky that my views just happen to completely synch up with him. So I guess I'm blessed (hahaha) that way!

Interesting since Ed believes in God now. uhoh.....might be too late to change your opinion.

Big Man

EvilRabbit wrote:

One last thing...

People keep talking about how others follow Ed and agree with his views simply because of who he is. That's not the case with me. I feel lucky that my views just happen to completely synch up with him. So I guess I'm blessed (hahaha) that way!

I surf, I smoke pot, I share the same politics, like the same music, love Seattle, will vote for Barack, etc.

The only direct influence Ed has had on my life is inspiring me to learn the guitar, for which I am eternally grateful.

For those of you who disagree with everything he says in between songs, that's a shame. I hope there are other artists you can feel this connection with.

Hey evild rabbit! I totally agree to that post . Funny.

cc10106

EvilRabbit wrote:

No annoyance here, bra. I just think it's a bit silly to say a little phrase following a bodily function. Call me crazy. If you want to say it, go ahead. While you're at it, why not make up a little song for when you go pee-pee or poo-poo.

fair enough. see how easy it is to offer a comment that doesn't involved condescension or stereotyping of one's beliefs/habits?

i'm not really that talented enough to make up a song like that. i'm sure you and eddie would have a ball making one up, since you're such kindred spirits and all.

Big Man

EvilRabbit wrote:

Now you're being silly and this demonstrates a clear lack of understanding about atheists and atheism.

Again, I offer you the story of the Good Samaritan. Someone who WAS NOT a Christian who taught Jesus a lesson in kindness.

A.... no. This was a story Jesus allegorically told to explain what it means to love your neighbour. There were no Christians around then, cuz Jesus was not crucified yet. They were Jews.

HermanBloom

EvilRabbit wrote:

Now you're being silly and this demonstrates a clear lack of understanding about atheists and atheism.

Again, I offer you the story of the Good Samaritan. Someone who WAS NOT a Christian who taught Jesus a lesson in kindness.

The Good Samaritan never existed; parables are stories that Jesus made up to give an example. The Samaritan didn't teach Jesus anything; he used it as an example to teach others.