Romy

Perhaps you're looking for an agnostic? There's a difference between considering the possibility of a theist entity, and disbelieving in one. I'm an atheist, and I'm well aware to the possibility for a God to exist. I just don't trust so.

Dunno about God, but the Bible definitely does. "You shall not murder" seems like a perfect example for a guideline simply thrown at us, or in other words "how we should act". Religion tells you what you should be acting like. It doesn't matter whether you have the choice or not, you're told what you should be doing. Ofcourse not, I never claimed otherwise. Many atheists just base their opinions on a general dislike of religion, or irrational feelings, as do theists. I'm not too sure, back then atheism was almost exclusively a philosophers' thing. Perhaps, perhaps not. Either way I was only pointing at stats, nothing more. Obviously. There are extremely stupid people in both groups. Let me just make something clear here. I definitely wasn't saying being atheist makes you smart, and neither was I saying being religous makes you dumb. There are smart and dumb people in both groups. What I was saying, is that statistics show the average "member" of each group tends to be more/less educated.

Pretty much nailed it :D.

[hide] This one doesn't hold much meat besides for the fact that people care about religion. Fishing is a hobby, and not one that would make you anywhere near a bigot, a homophobe, a chauvinist, a racist... To make sure no one misunderstands this, I'm not saying all religous are, I'm saying religion brought some people to be 1 or more of the above. I don't think it matters. The truth is the truth whether no one believes in it, and whether everyone does. Saying that religion is believeable because of the amount of people following it, is like saying I shouldn't question it because no one else does. The fact that many believe, is not a ground for the truthfulness of the matter. Romy, that statement is bizarre. The people who follow the Bible that are racist, homophobic, chauvinistic, etc. CHOOSE to be racist, homophobic and chauvinistic, the Bible doesn't make them do it. 1. You have to admit the Bible encourages it, especially chauvinism and homophobia. You also have to admit we'd have less chauvinist, homophobic, racist, etc. people, without the Bible. Ofcourse, there are homophobic(/chauvinist/racist) atheists too, and there are religous people who are not, but the stats show the average of each group is more inclined to go one way. Also, you cannot choose to be any of those, it's not that simple. Just like you cannot choose you likes and dislikes, you cannot choose to like cheese cake, you cannot choose to be homophobic. 2. No, because there's no "point" in believing in unicorns. Unicorns don't explain the unexplainable (such as why we're here, how we got here, where we're going to, etc), and a God does. I see religion as comfort. It explains what we cannot understand, it hands over some guidelines, it gives meaning to life, etc. That's why there are so many believers, not necessarily because there's "evidence". 3. I wouldn't got for "a lot more", especially since there are less atheists than Christians to begin with. 4. Not to be petty, but atheists are statistically more educated and smarter. Ofcourse, that does not mean all atheists are smart, and neither does it mean that being religous makes you dumb. Yes, it is an analogy. What I was pointing out is that this analogy only stands for fishing as a hobby, or even a way of life, rather than fishing as dictating morals and encourging bigottry. 1. You say the Bible instigates bigotry against several groups. I would have to disagree. One of the most well known Jesus quotes "love your enemy". Jesus is considered the final prophet and completes the word of God so His commands finalize all instructions of God. He also says not to judge least you're judged 7 x 7 times (which is emphatic language to mean a lot). Now there might be people like the WBC who distort the Bible and spread messages of hate, but the WBC are also denounced by every church who I have heard give a statement on them. The Catholic Church doesn't even acknowledge them as a church. 2. God does not explain why we are here, the physical processes of how we were created, etc. as those can all be scientifically explained. The existence of God deals with the study of the interior disposition and our international unity. And religion does not explain the unexplainable because every single confirmation, the bishop of my diocese always says the same cliche when he explains all this unexplainable stuff which fundamentalist religion says the Bible answers and he goes so now do you understand it? Usually everyone says yes and he goes good, cuz I don't and than rants on and on about how we can't and will not. 3. I think he means percentage. And there are a lot of gullible and stupid atheists. I have no statistic that compares the religiously education measurement to atheist, but I know of many atheist who are so because it is "cool" and the like. I'm not saying many atheists are like this, I just know of this type. Gullible and submissive has little to do with religious or atheistic affiliation more with personal inclination. 4. I simply disagree with that. That's your own baseless feeling of superiority. [/hide] 1.I wasn't talking about your religion specifically, but about religions in general. Religions, in general, encourage bigotry (even if not verbally). Because taking other opinions as wrong before examining those is bigoted. You specifically, may not be a bigot, but many other religous are. 2. "God does not explain why we are here" Which God? Again, I'm talking about religion in general. God fills gaps of knowledge. God answers questions such as- What happens when we die, what our lives should be like, how we were created, etc. 3. Questioning your beliefs is a very hard thing to do, and I know that from experience. Atheists who stopped believing are a lot different from atheists who were simply like that forever. 4. Disagree? Look it up. It's statistically proven, there's nothing to agree/disagree about here. Statistically, atheists are more educated. And that's a fact.

[hide] This one doesn't hold much meat besides for the fact that people care about religion. Fishing is a hobby, and not one that would make you anywhere near a bigot, a homophobe, a chauvinist, a racist... To make sure no one misunderstands this, I'm not saying all religous are, I'm saying religion brought some people to be 1 or more of the above. I don't think it matters. The truth is the truth whether no one believes in it, and whether everyone does. Saying that religion is believeable because of the amount of people following it, is like saying I shouldn't question it because no one else does. The fact that many believe, is not a ground for the truthfulness of the matter. Romy, that statement is bizarre. The people who follow the Bible that are racist, homophobic, chauvinistic, etc. CHOOSE to be racist, homophobic and chauvinistic, the Bible doesn't make them do it. You have to admit the Bible encourages it, especially chauvinism and homophobia. You also have to admit we'd have less chauvinist, homophobic, racist, etc. people, without the Bible. Ofcourse, there are homophobic(/chauvinist/racist) atheists too, and there are religous people who are not, but the stats show the average of each group is more inclined to go one way. Also, you cannot choose to be any of those, it's not that simple. Just like you cannot choose you likes and dislikes, you cannot choose to like cheese cake, you cannot choose to be homophobic. No, because there's no "point" in believing in unicorns. Unicorns don't explain the unexplainable (such as why we're here, how we got here, where we're going to, etc), and a God does. I see religion as comfort. It explains what we cannot understand, it hands over some guidelines, it gives meaning to life, etc. That's why there are so many believers, not necessarily because there's "evidence". I wouldn't got for "a lot more", especially since there are less atheists than Christians to begin with. Not to be petty, but atheists are statistically more educated and smarter. Ofcourse, that does not mean all atheists are smart, and neither does it mean that being religous makes you dumb. Yes, it is an analogy. What I was pointing out is that this analogy only stands for fishing as a hobby, or even a way of life, rather than fishing as dictating morals and encourging bigottry. 1) Here's what I think in all honesty Romy: The Bible does not encourage the thoughts of homophobia, but it was the law, back then in Israel, guys couldn't have sex with guys, because Israel was a small as redneck country in the boonies, they needed people. HOWEVER (and this is why I said it doesn't support homophobia) the chapter of Ruth, is a about a LESBIAN that God loved, very much, I mean she got her own book in the Bible. People proved this, because in the original language, the word (I think its this word) "clung" (as in past tense "to cling") when used with a person ex: she clung to her" it means romantically, and sexually needing. And the word is commonly used when describing men and women's sex lives in the Bible. However, after Ruth's husband died she "clung" to her lady friend and lived with her for all of her days. To the Chauvinism comment, while I do admit the Bible suggests it, meh I don't know XD you're right I guess... But it's more about chauvinism in the church, Men are supposed to be Church leaders, not Women. On the other hand it is said in many times, women should obey and submit themselves to their husbands, AND husbands should submit, love, obey, and PROTECT their wives. However, men tend to leave off that 2nd part when preaching because it's more convenient. 2) I completely understand when you say we use God to fill in the unexplainable, it's completely true. However, the argument lies in whether or not this fills the unexplainable, or simply coats with it a sugary warm feeling. I am honestly not surprised when people call me an illogical fool, I believe a guy in the sky who no one's ever seen, created the entire universe in 6 days, and all his miracles can be explained by natural causes. But I think it's the way you look at it in all honesty, to the miracle section, you can say that the physical proof of miracles is proof that God works within nature's laws, or you could say people were confused by the events, so said God did them. But really, I'm surprised anyone has ever been converted to Christianity, because it does seem very far fetched... But it's true, and I can't explain why. And thats why I don't debate it on the intern-..... :wall: 3)There may be more intelligent Atheists, I wasn't saying there weren't, simply stating there can be Christians who ARE smarter than Atheists, and are not dilusioned old fools. I just find it odd, how a lot of people in this world (on both sides of the god debate) complain about the world being close minded, bigoted etc, but never examine their own beliefs. Many Christians never question god, examine their beliefs, because in the Bible God said "let he be blessed who believes but does not see" (as in doesn't question their faith) but thats just ridiculous. I did question my faith, I looked up evolution, Islam, everything ( I even looked up Zoroastrianism to see if it held validity) and nothing seemed right, except Christianity. Atheism just seemed too empty, and too contradictory in that Christians use God to fill in the void with faith, while Atheists put there faith in science, hoping it would one day be full. And I bring in Pascals wager, only briefly, I'd rather go to Sunday like once every two months (basically how often my family goes, I've had pretty bad church experiences) and forgo a tiny bit of... well.. earthly pleasure, and when I die, I'll go to heaven. If God doesn't exist, and I just Dissapear, I'll at least have been a good person. 4)I see your point, but I guess I see both sides of the analogy. I.e. (if I may say so) your interpretation is the product, the goal. Mine, is the process. The guy doesn't understand why he does it, why. Not how many fish he kills, or or coffee cups he drinks to stay awake. *also Romy, I'm not sure if you took it this way, but in the post you quoted, I wasn't flaming you, but I can see that it could come off that way.* [/hide] 1. I don't know about lesbians, but I'm certain the Bible encourages hatred towards male gays. I'd cite it, but I don't have a Bible in English. If it's really needed, I could probably find one somewhere on the net though. 2. Lol at your joke :). Anyway, God fills a gap that currently cannot be filled otherwise. Whether it is a "warm feeling" as you describe it, or actual "understanding" of the matter, that's what it does. 3. "There may be more intelligent Atheists, I wasn't saying there weren't, simply stating there can be Christians who ARE smarter than Atheists, and are not dilusioned old fools. " I was very careful at avoiding these misunderstandings. I said it myself- being a part of either group does not make you smarter or dumber. You just said that there are many more dumb atheists, and I was pointing to a statistic that shows the average Joe at each group is more likely to be this or that. "while Atheists put there faith in science" Atheism is not a religion. Unlike religions (and sub religions) you cannot classify them as a group believing in anything. Personally, I believe (for a lack of better word) that science is valid enough to be taken as the most serious form of gained knowledge. Was science ever wrong? Yes, certainly. Is it possible that certain things are considered right by sceince, although in reality they're actually wrong? Yep. I'm skeptic, I don't take it for granted. I do take it as "more probable" though. "and when I die, I'll go to heaven." According to Christianity, perhaps. But too many other religions see you as doomed already. If we take each religion and give it the same odds at being "the right one", then this whole world is a lot more likely to go to hell (or receive some other form of punishment), than go to heaven. "I'll at least have been a good person." Out of curiousity, do you think that, if you became an atheist in the future, you'd be a bad person? Or less of a better person? 4) M'kay :P. *Nope, didn't take anything as flaming :).

I'm better than you because GOD told me!

This one doesn't hold much meat besides for the fact that people care about religion. Fishing is a hobby, and not one that would make you anywhere near a bigot, a homophobe, a chauvinist, a racist... To make sure no one misunderstands this, I'm not saying all religous are, I'm saying religion brought some people to be 1 or more of the above. I don't think it matters. The truth is the truth whether no one believes in it, and whether everyone does. Saying that religion is believeable because of the amount of people following it, is like saying I shouldn't question it because no one else does. The fact that many believe, is not a ground for the truthfulness of the matter. Romy, that statement is bizarre. The people who follow the Bible that are racist, homophobic, chauvinistic, etc. CHOOSE to be racist, homophobic and chauvinistic, the Bible doesn't make them do it. You have to admit the Bible encourages it, especially chauvinism and homophobia. You also have to admit we'd have less chauvinist, homophobic, racist, etc. people, without the Bible. Ofcourse, there are homophobic(/chauvinist/racist) atheists too, and there are religous people who are not, but the stats show the average of each group is more inclined to go one way. Also, you cannot choose to be any of those, it's not that simple. Just like you cannot choose you likes and dislikes, you cannot choose to like cheese cake, you cannot choose to be homophobic. No, because there's no "point" in believing in unicorns. Unicorns don't explain the unexplainable (such as why we're here, how we got here, where we're going to, etc), and a God does. I see religion as comfort. It explains what we cannot understand, it hands over some guidelines, it gives meaning to life, etc. That's why there are so many believers, not necessarily because there's "evidence". I wouldn't got for "a lot more", especially since there are less atheists than Christians to begin with. Not to be petty, but atheists are statistically more educated and smarter. Ofcourse, that does not mean all atheists are smart, and neither does it mean that being religous makes you dumb. Yes, it is an analogy. What I was pointing out is that this analogy only stands for fishing as a hobby, or even a way of life, rather than fishing as dictating morals and encourging bigottry.

Complaining raises problems which other people may not have noticed, allowing solutions which benefit not just you but people around you. However I understand what you meant. There are ways to do that without complaining. Complaining: "Oh my god I hate _____ she doesn't do anything and is so annoying like ______' Constructive conversation: "I don't think it's fair that I've done this and this but ___ hasn't done much. Perhaps she could do something to even the workload?" Obviously this is a generic conversation, but there are ways to treat every situation, and complaining shouldn't be the only solution. I think the first one if more of a ranting/whining thing. The second is complaining IMO. But if you disagree then our disagreement stands on what each defines as a complaint, rather than the action itself.

Whiners, sure. Complainers.... I dunno.

This one doesn't hold much meat besides for the fact that people care about religion. Fishing is a hobby, and not one that would make you anywhere near a bigot, a homophobe, a chauvinist, a racist... To make sure no one misunderstands this, I'm not saying all religous are, I'm saying religion brought some people to be 1 or more of the above. I don't think it matters. The truth is the truth whether no one believes in it, and whether everyone does. Saying that religion is believeable because of the amount of people following it, is like saying I shouldn't question it because no one else does. The fact that many believe, is not a ground for the truthfulness of the matter.

You seem surprised : / Not because it was you, it was because a second earlier I read Rpg's weird suggestion and my brain just reacted to the contrast (no offence Rpg :P).

I'm better than you because I payed a fortune teller to tell me that.

I'm afraid it doesn't work that way :P. The average TIFer is smarter, not every TIFer :D.

I'm getting more and more tempted to, lol.

If you want to test the waters you could text her something like 'hey, are we fighting? and more importantly am i winning?' lol'd and then say if you wanted to meet me you could have just walked up and said hi, you didn't have to get all violent about it That's a good line actually... Should work.

What's MLIA? (I'm guessing My Life Is... something?) Erratic, not erotic. Erratic, not erotic. I would say that the "TIF population" is "better" than the general population in the way that the vast majority of us live in first-world countries where, for the most part, there is access to good education. I wouldn't say that's the reason. I know too many educated idiots, and non-educated geniuses. I think the TIF community is smarter because smart people are usually the ones attracted to these communities, is all.

When you're dumb you don't even know when you're suffering. It's not smart to try and walk your way through a crowd because...

I had one this morning...! I woke up too early, so I tried it and it worked perfectly :D! I'm not sure I'd like to share though, lol... too embarrasing :oops: ...

Today, some kids were giving presentations in class about abortions. One girl actually said: Another girl was being overly-erratic throughout her presentation and was smiling the entire time, even when she talked about murdering babies and yanking them out of the womb. It made me have second thoughts on the intelligence of my honors classes... And yes, the TIF population is far better than the general population, most online communities are. That's just hilarious. People are dumb. FML.

People may think you're Superman. It's not smart to ask this question because....

I'm better than you because my Horoscope says so.

[hide] [/hide] I really don't see how this video is specifically related to the drug legalization part. It's sickening and wrong, sure, but it's more about a dumb police force (or should I say department), rather than about the problem with the illegality of drugs- because that same police force would have done the same thing if it was something else that isn't drugs. For instance, if someone largely against drugs watched that video, their problem would be with what the police had done, rather than why they've done that.

I'm better than you because "This lack of discussion value..disturbs me."

Dogs are way awesomer. It's not smart to defend the opposite of the above statement because... ORLY?!

You said it has to do with how you analyze things :P, I said it doesn't matter, overanalyzing is never good.