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 Blasphemy challenge discussed on Nightline
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Dude
SFN Die Hard

USA
6891 Posts

Posted - 02/15/2007 :  13:13:25   [Permalink]  Show Profile Send Dude a Private Message
Robb said:
quote:
I have no problem with you giving your opinion, but it stops when you talk to my children about your beliefs without my knowledge.


This is how many people feel. It is the reason why so many people fight so hard to keep religious teachings and school lead prayer out of public schools.


Ignorance is preferable to error; and he is less remote from the truth who believes nothing, than he who believes what is wrong.
-- Thomas Jefferson

"god :: the last refuge of a man with no answers and no argument." - G. Carlin

Hope, n.
The handmaiden of desperation; the opiate of despair; the illegible signpost on the road to perdition. ~~ da filth
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Robb
SFN Regular

USA
1223 Posts

Posted - 02/15/2007 :  13:31:36   [Permalink]  Show Profile Send Robb a Private Message
quote:
Originally posted by Dude

Robb said:
quote:
I have no problem with you giving your opinion, but it stops when you talk to my children about your beliefs without my knowledge.


This is how many people feel. It is the reason why so many people fight so hard to keep religious teachings and school lead prayer out of public schools.



Fine with me.

Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master. - George Washington
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moakley
SFN Regular

USA
1888 Posts

Posted - 02/15/2007 :  19:47:41   [Permalink]  Show Profile Send moakley a Private Message
quote:
Originally posted by Robb

quote:
Originally posted by moakley

quote:
Originally posted by Robb

quote:
Originally posted by Gorgo

That's right. Atheists should just shut up about their "beliefs" and no one should attempt to persuade anyone to think differently, especially children.

I have no problem with you giving your opinion, but it stops when you talk to my children about your beliefs without my knowledge.

Edited to add: I doubt these people would think it OK to talk to their children about God. I think the teen websites adds are subversive.

On their own volition, would it be Ok for your children to read and consider non-Christian no-God opinions?

Yes. But as a responsible parent I would like to know what they are being taught.

Fair enough.

Life is good

Philosophy is questions that may never be answered. Religion is answers that may never be questioned. -Anonymous
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beskeptigal
SFN Die Hard

USA
3834 Posts

Posted - 02/16/2007 :  14:42:04   [Permalink]  Show Profile Send beskeptigal a Private Message
quote:
Originally posted by Robb

quote:
Originally posted by Gorgo

That's right. Atheists should just shut up about their "beliefs" and no one should attempt to persuade anyone to think differently, especially children.

I have no problem with you giving your opinion, but it stops when you talk to my children about your beliefs without my knowledge.

Edited to add: I doubt these people would think it OK to talk to their children about God. I think the teen websites adds are subversive.

You have to be kidding, Robb. You don't think the religious proselytizers aren't out there recruiting as many young minds as they possibly can? You think they only talk to children of church members?

There is a problem and while I understand your position, until your side stops trying to lure my sides' children, don't be surprised to see the opposite.
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beskeptigal
SFN Die Hard

USA
3834 Posts

Posted - 02/16/2007 :  14:54:36   [Permalink]  Show Profile Send beskeptigal a Private Message
When I first saw the Blasphemy Challenge I thought it was kind of an anti-superstitious thing, like I said earlier. But the more I read about these guys, the more intelligent they seem and the more well thought out their Challenge appears.

M M O'Hair was vilified for merely seeking a ban on school prayer. Same with that guy that wanted 'god' left out of the Pledge of Allegiance, except his campaign seems to have faded. I think the growing number of atheists will bring more activist atheists out. I understand Marf's position of not joining what you are against, and even Robb's position of don't seek my kids out. But I also recognize the indoctrination of young people that leaves a permanent mark. So how do we promote critical thinking amidst a background of indoctrination? How do we end up with adults that choose for themselves when indoctrination doesn't leave a child with an open mind as an adult?

There will be a natural conflict of interest between theists and atheists for some time to come.

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Kil
Evil Skeptic

USA
13476 Posts

Posted - 02/16/2007 :  17:40:16   [Permalink]  Show Profile  Visit Kil's Homepage  Send Kil an AOL message  Send Kil a Yahoo! Message Send Kil a Private Message
Well, I understand what they are doing, but doesn't the Blasphemy Challenge seem just a bit sophomoric to anyone? It does to me. There must be a better way…

Uncertainty may make you uncomfortable. Certainty makes you ridiculous.

Why not question something for a change?

Genetic Literacy Project
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H. Humbert
SFN Die Hard

USA
4574 Posts

Posted - 02/16/2007 :  18:47:45   [Permalink]  Show Profile Send H. Humbert a Private Message
quote:
Originally posted by Kil

Well, I understand what they are doing, but doesn't the Blasphemy Challenge seem just a bit sophomoric to anyone? It does to me. There must be a better way…

The idea that certain spoken sentiments are "blasphemous" is what I find childish here. Challenging such a silly taboo seems entirely commendable. Nothing goes as far to prove a thing's harmlessness than willingly visiting it upon yourself first:
quote:
There was a time in America when scientists and doctors branded the tomato as poisonous and it would not be served at the table.

On Sept. 26, 1820, Col. Johnson announced that he would eat a tomato, also called the Wolf Peach, Jerusalem apple or love apple, on the steps of the county courthouse at noon. (The courthouse where this was supposed to have happened is still standing in the center of Salem.) No one had ever dared taste it for the fear of what would happen to them.

His friends and neighbors came from miles around to witness this man eat this tomato. That morning, in 1820, about 2000 people were jammed into the town square. Very few believed he really intended to eat this.

But later...
quote:
Col. Johnson picked a choice tomato from a basket on the steps and held it up so that it glistened in the sun.

He told them that "the time will come when this luscious golden tomato, rich in nutrition, a delight to the eye, a joy to the palate whether fried, baked, broiled or even eaten raw will form the foundation of a great garden industry”.

"To help dispel the tall tales, the fantastic fables that you have been hearing ………

And to prove to you that it is not poisonous I am going to eat one right now", he said.

…..There was not a sound as the Col. dramatically brought the tomato to his lips and took a bite. A woman in the crowd screamed and fainted but no one paid her any attention; they were all watching Col. Johnson as he took one bite after another. He grabbed another from a basket and bit into that one too. He raised both his arms, and again bit into one and then the other.

The crowd cheered and the firemen's band blared a song."

Men and women were so happy. “He's done it", they shouted. "He's still alive. It's not poisonous. He is still standing".

Col. Johnson kept right on eating the tomatoes biting into them until he had emptied the basket.


"A man is his own easiest dupe, for what he wishes to be true he generally believes to be true." --Demosthenes

"The first principle is that you must not fool yourself - and you are the easiest person to fool." --Richard P. Feynman

"Face facts with dignity." --found inside a fortune cookie
Edited by - H. Humbert on 02/16/2007 18:48:42
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