My Nephew's Bible Class project

even flow - question mark

So the we are all children of god but only jesus was a very rare conception? Odd that one is. Anyhoooo,I wonder if your nephew thinks that Aids came from a man having sex with a monkey? Or if it was put upon the gays by god?

BinauralJam

Hugh Freaking Dillon wrote:

Cosmo wrote:

At around age 16... you start to wonder about the things you are taught by your adults.

I found out last night he questions nothing. he's a sheep.

That's too bad

redrock

even flow - question mark wrote:

So the we are all children of god but only jesus was a very rare conception? Odd that one is. Anyhoooo,I wonder if your nephew thinks that Aids came from a man having sex with a monkey? Or if it was put upon the gays by god?

The Church did say AIDS was retribution but it's OK because it can be cured by prayer, it would seem.

There is nothing wrong about religious teachings but when these show a flagrant disregard to common sense, medical (and common) knowledge targeting certain groups of people calling them 'destestable', 'an abomination', 'disgusting', basing themselves on a book written centuries ago by loads of different people with various agendas, that is plain bigotry. There is no love/compassion here. Maybe just an excuse to be able to express one's innate bigotry under the guise of 'the good word/book'?

It is not only wrong, but dangerous. Homosexuality is just one example in this book.

JonnyPistachio

pandora wrote:

I see bigotry against the religious all the time.

Here we have people, the faithful, who are following the word of God
with compassion and understanding though they are perceived by nonbelievers
as not 'liking or accepting others', when in fact they are only following the words
they believe to be true.
What is the excuse for the bigots attacking them? What is the excuse for the many who say
the religious must change their beliefs to suit others ? That their children must get with it?
Deny what they have learned from loving parents? from their Bible.

I would think it is reason for celebration to have a 16 year old with strong morals
as appears here. Who is learning compassion and understanding, within his religious guidance,
learning more than he is receiving in return that's for sure.

Did you see that HFD said that his brother does not follow the Bible in other passsages, and disregarded it saying, you cant take it literally? He's not following the word of God, he's picking and choosing what he likes. That IS NOT following the word of God with "compassion and understanding" whatsoever.

I dont think they should change, I just think its sad and somewhat pathetic that anyone would tell their child that a homosexual is diseased and is curable through God.

Hugh Freaking Dillon

pandora wrote:

I see bigotry against the religious all the time.

Here we have people, the faithful, who are following the word of God
with compassion and understanding though they are perceived by nonbelievers
as not 'liking or accepting others', when in fact they are only following the words
they believe to be true.
What is the excuse for the bigots attacking them? What is the excuse for the many who say
the religious must change their beliefs to suit others ? That their children must get with it?
Deny what they have learned from loving parents? from their Bible.

I would think it is reason for celebration to have a 16 year old with strong morals
as appears here. Who is learning compassion and understanding, within his religious guidance,
learning more than he is receiving in return that's for sure.

yes, let's all celebrate the raising of more bigots!

I'm going to be done with this thread and have it locked so we don't go down this road again.

MotoDC

hedonist wrote:

MotoDC wrote:

brianlux wrote:

I've seen threads on this very forum wherein people who self-report as atheist or agnostic don't seem to understand the difference. Or at least are being intellectually dishonest about which they are.

Not at all shocking to find a 16 year old who can't explain the nuances.

With due respect, being unable to differentiate between the two isn't tantamount to not knowing the term to begin with. I know though that 16 is still a tender age (not that they all aren't in some way!).

That said - and granted I've been back on the boards here only for a little over a year - but I haven't seen anyone describe themselves as one or the other with confusion (or dishonesty! - that seems pointless). I have, however, seen some shift in their views over time (myself included).

Haha, nothing respectful usually comes after the phrase "with due respect..." It's like "No offense intended....but your mother's a cantankerous whore."

Of course I've read enough of Hedonist's posts in this forum to know that offense was in fact sincerely not intended.

However -- and perhaps I misinterpreted OP -- but he never said the kid hadn't heard the word before, just that he couldn't define it. To me, being able to define something is definitely tantamount to being able to differentiate it from other similar or related concepts. Otherwise the definition is pretty thin.

Regarding other threads/comments about people's agnostic or atheistic beliefs, I certainly can't quote the thread or link, but if memory serves it was related to someone who said they were atheist but were trying to create a framework wherein that didn’t qualify as a belief system or religion. It was a while ago, so it’s a bit hazy. I think it culminated in their asking the other person for proof god exists. To me, if proof is required, you’re a bit of an agnostic. Unfortunately I can’t search my posts for the thread because I didn’t participate in the conversation. I tend to avoid debating people’s specific beliefs. Do enjoy discussing the topic in a general sense, however.

Jeanwah

Just a little story... my cousin is gay, and it was just something we knew since we were younger. My aunt (my cousin's mother) was told the truth by my cousin that he was gay I think in his early 20s. We're a catholic family. Because my aunt couldn't handle the truth, there was about a ten year estrangement between her and her son. She eventually came around... after 10+ years.

Is this the kind of living that's tolerable? Insistence on a belief that's not only full of hatred, but can blow up families, if not temporarily, forever? It's fear that these religious folk have, not an obedience to the Bible. And it ruins families, friends, people.

pandora

There are many things in this world sad and pathetic.
For me personally that is not at the top of the list.
When you understand where the teaching comes from it is anything but.

I find giving others negative motives to be sad and pathetic.
That is not being understanding or compassionate and it assumes the worst.

As far as picking and choosing that is interpretation. It is what speaks to us.
We all interpret things around us whether we are Bible readers or not, believers or not.
For me that is no reflection on motive, nor should one conclude something negative.

As far as 'gathering' I do agree with the father of this young man in that dedication
to Jesus and to other human beings is all important. Sacrifice, daily giving, is the true
Christian way. I admire his devotion to God and his family.... his entire Christian family.

Hugh Freaking Dillon

Jeanwah wrote:

Just a little story... my cousin is gay, and it was just something we knew since we were younger. My aunt (my cousin's mother) was told the truth by my cousin that he was gay I think in his early 20s. We're a catholic family. Because my aunt couldn't handle the truth, there was about a ten year estrangement between her and her son. She eventually came around... after 10+ years.

Is this the kind of living that's tolerable? Insistence on a belief that's not only full of hatred, but can blow up families, if not temporarily, forever? It's fear that these religious folk have, not an obedience to the Bible. And it ruins families, friends, people.

well said Jean. Thanks.

Hugh Freaking Dillon

pandora wrote:

There are many things in this world sad and pathetic.
For me personally that is not at the top of the list.
When you understand where the teaching comes from it is anything but.

I find giving others negative motives to be sad and pathetic.
That is not being understanding or compassionate and it assumes the worst.

As far as picking and choosing that is interpretation. It is what speaks to us.
We all interpret things around us whether we are Bible readers or not, believers or not.
For me that is no reflection on motive, nor should one conclude something negative.

As far as 'gathering' I do agree with the father of this young man in that dedication
to Jesus and to other human beings is all important. Sacrifice, daily giving, is the true
Christian way. I admire his devotion to God and his family.... his entire Christian family.

disguising bigotry in love doesn't make it any less hateful.

even flow - question mark

Jeanwah wrote:

Just a little story... my cousin is gay, and it was just something we knew since we were younger. My aunt (my cousin's mother) was told the truth by my cousin that he was gay I think in his early 20s. We're a catholic family. Because my aunt couldn't handle the truth, there was about a ten year estrangement between her and her son. She eventually came around... after 10+ years.

Is this the kind of living that's tolerable? Insistence on a belief that's not only full of hatred, but can blow up families, if not temporarily, forever? It's fear that these religious folk have, not an obedience to the Bible. And it ruins families, friends, people.

Did she ask god why it delivered a son to her that was gay? Did she wonder if anything was wrong with her DNA? A couple of others that I won't list here.

Now I can see religion teaching you to hate a total stranger for being gay, but your own son. geez :?

redrock

Hugh Freaking Dillon wrote:

disguising bigotry in love doesn't make it any less hateful.

A lot of 'hate' is present under the guise of religion, attempting to pass it as virtue and compassion (eg showing 'the path' to those misguided...). Discussions with fanatics are huge eye-openers (with all radical, not just Christians).

Jeanwah

even flow - question mark wrote:

Jeanwah wrote:

Just a little story... my cousin is gay, and it was just something we knew since we were younger. My aunt (my cousin's mother) was told the truth by my cousin that he was gay I think in his early 20s. We're a catholic family. Because my aunt couldn't handle the truth, there was about a ten year estrangement between her and her son. She eventually came around... after 10+ years.

Is this the kind of living that's tolerable? Insistence on a belief that's not only full of hatred, but can blow up families, if not temporarily, forever? It's fear that these religious folk have, not an obedience to the Bible. And it ruins families, friends, people.

Did she ask god why it delivered a son to her that was gay? Did she wonder if anything was wrong with her DNA? A couple of others that I won't list here.

Now I can see religion teaching you to hate a total stranger for being gay, but your own son. geez :?

Uh, I don't know what she thought, I was just a kid at the time.

That's the point: why is it ok to judge others - strangers, people not in your immediate circle - but when it's your family it's a whole nother story? Why does something have to hit close to home to get one to really question the way we think? It shouldn't have to be that way.

Kat

Closed by OP request.