Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

A HERETIC I AM

(24,588 posts)
20. I've used this many times in the past;
Mon Mar 7, 2016, 11:15 AM
Mar 2016

I simply ask, What is more important? The moral or the story?

The moral 'Success comes to the prepared' is a perfectly sound, rational and wise moral. However, the tale (or fable) from which it comes is CLEARLY not believable. Is it more important to understand and agree with or accept that success comes to the prepared, or is it more important to actually believe that three little pigs actually built houses and a big, bad wolf physically huffed and puffed and blew two of the 3 houses down?

The morals that are allegedly taught by Jesus (and are NOT unique or new to Christianity, BTW) are perfectly fine and well worth paying attention to; Do unto others, Love thy neighbor as thyself, Love thy enemies, etc. But to expect me to believe the rest of what is essentially a 2000 + year old set of iron-age, middle eastern myths centered around an ancient Hebrew desert war god and his alleged son stretches credulity to the breaking point for me.

If your religion makes you a better person - if it makes you kinder, more caring, more charitable, more loving, more understanding and compassionate to your fellow man, then I am ALL FOR IT. Unfortunately, for many millions of their followers, the 3 faiths of the god of Abraham and Isaac do little more than teach their faithful new and improved ways to HATE their fellow man, and I want nothing to do with such bullshit.

And finally, your point about the ride in the car with the carjacker is perfect. I simply say "Jesus loves you, but if you don't love him back he will hurt you forever."

Debating the faithful is not going to get you anywhere Warpy Mar 2016 #1
I agree. The way I feel about people like this is Mr.Bill Mar 2016 #2
Yep awoke_in_2003 Mar 2016 #24
I used to be an atheist SCantiGOP Mar 2016 #3
Two quotes - packman Mar 2016 #4
Agree BooBrown Mar 2016 #16
Or say "no pun intended" awoke_in_2003 Mar 2016 #25
Ask them if their God is capable of creating a human being that doesn't believe in him. Freelancer Mar 2016 #5
What Warpy said. Duppers Mar 2016 #6
Just tell them Pascal's Wager works equally well with devil worship Major Nikon Mar 2016 #7
I have to agree with others who say don't even bother. Curmudgeoness Mar 2016 #8
I must agree with Curmudgeoness. mr blur Mar 2016 #11
Not to mention that these people are now on a mission. Curmudgeoness Mar 2016 #15
God loves you, Jesus loves you... Ask him what "love" actually means. DetlefK Mar 2016 #9
Thank you for the advice jogi1969 Mar 2016 #10
You have probably already done everything you can for them. Promethean Mar 2016 #12
Sorry, I didn't read the whole thing...very rambly Heddi Mar 2016 #13
If you enjoy hanging out with these people, Goblinmonger Mar 2016 #14
Tell the jerk to go help people who need it, like jesus said. lindysalsagal Mar 2016 #17
Probably best to come to an acccord Buzz cook Mar 2016 #18
If you want to win the argument scubasteve76 Mar 2016 #19
I've used this many times in the past; A HERETIC I AM Mar 2016 #20
I'd probably just start wearing my more offensive OriginalGeek Mar 2016 #21
Lol. i once attended a Red Cross CPR class where one participant showed up wearing a red shirt cleanhippie Mar 2016 #22
Lol, I need one of those shirts OriginalGeek Mar 2016 #23
I was surprised to see a car with a Darwin fish on it recently. progressoid Mar 2016 #26
Latest Discussions»Alliance Forums»Atheists & Agnostics»debating a christian - li...»Reply #20