Islam: Our Partners in Peace...

[bobsticks]

What an outright jackass comment.

Really? Because the intent can be just as malevolent and controlling...

[02audionoob]

Really? Because the intent can be just as malevolent and controlling...

I don't understand this reaction to what I said, but to summarize my own thoughts:

1. Some people's knowledge of Texas, Alabama or other states in the southern US seems to be limited to tired stereotypes. My own education in the Texas public schools and colleges never once included a class on religion.

2. Atheists seem to have self-righteous certainty to equal or exceed the Christians, Jews and Muslims...combined.

3. These posts that require a dictionary and a thesaurus would probably be better off to just say what they mean and mean what they say.

[bobsticks]

I don't understand this reaction to what I said, but to summarize my own thoughts:

1. Some people's knowledge of Texas, Alabama or other states in the southern US seems to be limited to tired stereotypes. My own education in the Texas public schools and colleges never once included a class on religion..

My intent was not single out the South. I have spent significant time in Dallas, Florida, georgia and Louisianna. There I have been received almost universally with warmth, hospitality and civility.

My intent was to point out that the Middle East doesn't have a stranglehold on religious fundamentalism and extremism. As Americans we can't afford to be hypocritical on this issue. I have indeed, on occasion, seen it in the South...as I have on the Eastern seaboard and in the Midwest.

2. Atheists seem to have self-righteous certainty to equal or exceed the Christians, Jews and Muslims...combined.

Um...okay...but I'm not an athiest. I am, however, an individual that believes that people, all people, shouldn't be descrimated against (and definitely not exterminated) for spiritual beliefs that can neither be quantified nor qualified.

3. These posts that require a dictionary and a thesaurus would probably be better off to just say what they mean and mean what they say.

Much like everyone on these boards, I'm a busy guy. I tend to write quickly and off-the-cuff. It's not my responsibilty to take extra time to write down to the lowest common denominator.

[02audionoob]

My intent was not single out the South. I have spent significant time in Dallas, Florida, georgia and Louisianna. There I have been received almost universally with warmth, hospitality and civility.

My intent was to point out that the Middle East doesn't have a stranglehold on religious fundamentalism and extremism. As Americans we can't afford to be hypocritical on this issue. I have indeed, on occasion, seen it in the South...as I have on the Eastern seaboard and in the Midwest.



Um...okay...but I'm not an athiest. I am, however, an individual that believes that people, all people, shouldn't be descrimated against (and definitely not exterminated) for spiritual beliefs that can neither be quantified nor qualified.



Much like everyone on these boards, I'm a busy guy. I tend to write quickly and off-the-cuff. It's not my responsibilty to take extra time to write down to the lowest common denominator.

None of my points were aimed at you.

Regarding the Texas, Alabama issue and referring to Feanor's post...often people perpetuate a stereotype and try to pass it off as an intelligent thought.

Regarding atheists...again referring to Feanor's post in this thread as an example, atheists often complain about the Christians trying to impose their beliefs on others, while the atheists do the same.

Regarding the way posts are written...I was referring to the opposite of your style. Your style is the one I was favoring, even if I didn't understand one of your comments. I am actually amazed sometimes at the composition of some of the longer posts, so really I guess they don't bother me. I still sometimes read them, but usually only scan.

[ForeverAutumn]

None of my points were aimed at you. My point on the Texas, Alabama issue is that people like Feanor perpetuate a stereotype and try to pass it off as an intelligent thought. My point on atheists is that, again using Feanor as an example, they often complain about the Christians trying to impose their beliefs on others, while the atheists do the same. My point on the way posts are written was about exactly the opposite of your style. Your style is the one I was favoring, even if I didn't understand one of your comments.

Now who's stereotyping? I've known that I was an atheist for approximately 30 years. I've had people of many religions tell me I was going to hell, tell me that they'll pray for me, and try to convert me. I even had a co-worker completely stop talking to me when he found out I was atheist. I've never tried to convert anyone of religious belief to atheism. Believe what you want, frankly, its none of my business.

Don't complain about stereotypes and then impose yours on me.

[02audionoob]

Now who's stereotyping? I've known that I was an atheist for approximately 30 years. I've had people of many religions tell me I was going to hell, tell me that they'll pray for me, and try to convert me. I even had a co-worker completely stop talking to me when he found out I was atheist. I've never tried to convert anyone of religious belief to atheism. Believe what you want, frankly, its none of my business.

Don't complain about stereotypes and then impose yours on me.

My comment was not a stereotype. It was an obeservation on the battle that often goes on between atheists and Christians. I didn't impose a stereotype on anyone, including you. A stereotype would be when one assumes everyone living in the south is a religious extremist.

[ForeverAutumn]

My comment was not a stereotype. It was an obeservation on the battle that often goes on between atheists and Christians. I didn't impose a stereotype on anyone, including you. A stereotype would be when one assumes everyone living in the south is a religious extremist.

...or that all atheists try to impost their beliefs on others. Perhaps your point was poorly worded, but it sounded like a stereotype to me. Thanks for the clarification.