As of today, I am one...

kwistenbiebel

Dude, don't be ignorant, its not becoming of you.

Oh...err, well euh... silly agnostic me

Stinkie

x2

EDIT:

I feel I should elaborate.

Where I live, Belgium, everyone pays for the maintenance of churches, synagogues, mosques and what not. We also pay for the wages of priests, rabbis and imams. This we do through our taxes.

I'm fine with that. In fact, it's a system I'm fond of. It's based on solidarity - I like that. Even though I'm an atheist. As Elvis Costello once put it: "What's so funny about peace, love and understanding?"

As far as I'm concerned: not a thing. Love thy neighbour. Respect him and his beliefs. Don't go around insulting other people. The only excuse for that, is being drunk.

However, does cracking a rather silly joke about Jesus constitute an insult? I think not. (Does anyone notice I'm not using the word "blasphemy"? There's a reason for that: blasphemy is a religious concept. Concepts are best used in the context they were intended for.) It's a silly joke, nothing more.

Now - bluntly assuming that people who don't share your beliefs should nevertheless abide to the rules they come with, that IS kind of insulting. And it shows great lack of respect for the scientists, philosophers and brave citizens who paved the way for the kind of freedom we enjoy today by challenging the supremacy of the christian doctrine.

Stinkie

Agnostic? Wuss! lol

kwistenbiebel

There should be more Monty Python in this world again....

DzineTech

Agnostic x2!

Excellent post btw Stinkie.

kwistenbiebel

@dzinetech said:

Excellent post btw Stinkie.

I concur.
The last sentence hits nails. I would never been able to put it in words as well as you did.

Stinkie

I'm better in Dutch.

I'd love to see more Python in the world. And in the hearts of people.

kwistenbiebel

I mean, just look at Michael Palins face....
They look as they had the time of their lifes

Stinkie

They probably did. As would I.

ELYSIUM

Agnostic x3

Like someone said "God in his Heaven. All's right with the world", as soon as someone pushes the God card everything starts to go wrong.

kwistenbiebel

When this movie came out ('The life of Brian'), a lot of us enjoyed it.
Now, don't say that in this era it would suddenly become 'immoral'(I am explicitely trying not to use the word 'blasphemy' here) ?
...because then I should really start to look for different worlds to live in...

Stinkie

@elysium said:

Agnostic x3
as soon as someone pushes the God card everything starts to go wrong.

I wouldn't go that far. I know plenty of well-behaved religious people. lol. It's all about how far one pushes that card.

The same goes, of course, for us atheists and agnostics (I am NOT an agnostic!). If you ask me, the Soviets went too far by banning religion. For some people, religion is the very heart of their existence. I don't understand that, but I do know you shouldn't bereave people of the one thing that, as far as they are concerned, gives their life both meaning and substance.

I do insist on making jokes about religion, though. Obviously. And I must insist Jehova's Witnesses don't come a-knocking before noon.

kwistenbiebel

@unknownuser said:

And I must insist Jehova's Witnesses don't come a-knocking before noon.

He he,...I actually like it to open a door for them and debate a little.
I also love it when a group of 'orange' Hare Krishna's hit the streets, like they sometimes do on the biggest shopping street of Antwerp.
Free street entertainment. I love it

Stinkie

They still do that? I should really get out more! Now, I've always found my grandmother, who's a very devout Roman Catholic, a tad weird, but them Krishna's could really give her a lesson or two!

As for the Witnesses - I don't argue with them anymore. I just tell them - very, very politely - that I'm an atheist, and that I'm not planning on changing camps. They usually look a bit dissapointed, as I've just handed Lucifer my soul on a gold platter, but they mostly leave without much further ado. ("Let's go. He's lost." )

kwistenbiebel

utiler

Gee, trust me for sleeping through the night and missing all this!!!

Firstly, this thread started out as a heartfelt thanks to one and all for this community over the past 12 month; I guess we just got a little off topic...

Secondly, I have edited the humourous reference I made about the nails.

So I hereby confess; there is a little to much 'monty' in me....

Stinkie

@utiler said:

I guess we just got a little off topic...

We tend to do that.

Well, to get back on topic: a heartfelt thanks for this community from me too. To atheists, christians and agnostics alike. (And muslims, buddhists ... )

utiler

That movie really has a hold on you, stinkie!!!