80 replies to this topic

[Whitey]

Hm, well I just read the post.

In that case, I rescind my arguments. Carry on. If you are stupid enough to let said video influence your choices, then whatever, see if I care.

[Rayburn]

"The Rational Response Squad wants you to make a short video declaring your independence from the stone age"
That's probably the most offensive part about the video. Not that much of a big affront, seeing that much worse expressions could have been used but it implies that religious people are nothing but underdeveloped, small minded cavemen.

[General]

You can't change the mind of a fully believer . But already most of the religious teens fighting inside their minds with lots of questions if the things they believe is true or not and if you show him/her a miracle , it may stronger his/her faith or if you show him/her a well prepared video of atheism , this may change his/her mind and he/she can start to not believe . I never find propaganda guilty but these who believe in it .
But insult is another thing to discuss.

Edited by General, 20 July 2007 - 19:19.

[Whitey]

Well in that case, that kinda nags me but meh...

[Cheesehead3557]

Quote

You want free speech? Let's see you acknowledge a man whose words make your blood boil, who's standing center stage and advocating at the top of his lungs that which you would spend a lifetime opposing at the top of yours. You want to claim this land as the land of the free? Then the symbol of your country can't just be a flag; the symbol also has to be one of its citizens exercising his right to burn that flag in protest. Show me that, defend that, celebrate that in your classrooms. Then, you can stand up and sing about the "land of the free".
-Andrew Shepherd "The American President"

Quote

I disapprove of everything you say but will defend to the death your right to say it.
-Voltaire

That aside this is just plain stupid. I am an atheist myself and if it weren't for the fact that all atheists have nothing in common but a lack of belief in God I would feel insulted. Its nothing, but radical propaganda meant to convert others through peer pressure. That being said conversion is not something you should even attempt as they have nothing to truly convert people to. When a group calls themselves the rational defense squad you would hope they would at least be rational themselves... I can see something like this when it comes to outright denial of proven scientific facts, but...

Somehow I see people banning together in groups like this, till the group collects a bunch of money from members gets a building and declares itself the "Church of Atheism". Here they could gather and umm... uhh... discuss how they all don't believe and how they can live their lives and accordance with not believing and sing hymns about not believing. What is this world coming to. With or without religion in this world I guess idiots will gather in ways where two minds are definitely not better than one.

[spiderspag]

Meh. It's just a (rather amusing) dig at the neo-Christian movement which is strangling America to death at the moment.

[Razven]

This is freedom of speech at its worst, the ability to smear crap on the Internet without having to pay the cost. There is no proof, there is no support, it's about as truthful and provocative as a man throwing shit at others in the middle of New York City.
Not funny, not entertaining. I call it Hate Speech and would like everyone who thinks that whoever posted this is just a ignorant little man who does not respect religion or other's feelings to file it as Inappropriate hate speech.

[Golan]

Hate speech? Neither the video nor their main page really decrys Christianity. Just because some people adhere to single lined orders, it´s not a grand scale demagogy campaign...

[Whitey]

*Spidey, I really don't see a neo-Christian movement... same with this neo-Conservative revolution, or neo much of anything. Elaborate.

[Golan]

Guess he means something like this...

[Razven]

Golan, on 21 Jul 2007, 18:38, said:

Hate speech? Neither the video nor their main page really decrys Christianity. Just because some people adhere to single lined orders, it´s not a grand scale demagogy campaign...

It's not how relevenat the complaint is, it's how many complaints are sent out. Given enough time and numbers, any video can be deleted by a dedicated group. I do not support the abuse of the system, but removing that video would be doing the public a service.

[Golan]

So? The mere fact that religion can be practiced in public means just about the same for atheists. Every person showing his/her believe effectively denys an atheists believe. So wouldn´t banning the display of religious affilation/believe in public do the public a service aswell?

[Whitey]

Here's the thing, its not atheism if they feel they must convert. It is a belief and thus somewhat of a religion to an extent. So converting to atheism is being no longer an atheist, or its just useless because if they are converted, their fate is still the same as yours...

So what ever.

[Thinker]

Rayburn, on 20 Jul 2007, 0:56, said:

retry_1, on 20 Jul 2007, 3:45, said:

sory mate, but really, if someone's stupid enough to let youtube influence their religious decisions, do you really want them to be in your religion anyway? people like that give all religions a bad name including atheism yes, they are young kids who are easily influenced, but really, i highly doubt they are really beliving what they are saying, they just want to look 'cool'

Pure agreement, I mean it's fucking YouTube, if you let THAT influence your stance on such a serious and complicated matter such as religion, you deserve to be the fool you made of yourself by listening to it.
As for those who initiated this farce, it's contemptible to say the least. I can't stand those radical atheists who think they are better than all religious people, claiming that they are the proud few who didn't fall for dogmatism and shit. This does NOT mean that I dislike all atheists, only the arrogant ones. One can believe in "God" - or generally a higher being - without being religious or - as some of said radicals might say - a tool of the religious leadership. In the nearer past, I came to the conclusion that none of all organised religions suits me personally. Yet, I'm not faithless, I do believe in a higher being. I am not atheist but I'm not religious in the traditional sense so to say. My faith consists of science and philosophy and it does share some aspects of other religions such as the basic rules...Not killing people and stuff like that.
Regardless, those who came up with this "challenge" are despicable. Instead of telling people to think about their believes, they just tell them to dump them. They impose their view on others and that makes them no better and no different than RELIGIOUS radicals who might even use violence to spread their message.

For references, here is the video:
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=i7QVbJnSPQE
I find this absolutely distasteful. Such a bunch of small minded fools...

Also youtube is widely known to alot of people like google so i wouldnt let it influence me but it would play a PART so no you wouldnt be foolish if that was PART of your influence. quote on rayburn"My faith consists of science and philosophy and it does share some aspects of other religions such as the basic rules...Not killing people and stuff like that" I think what you trying to say rayburn is that you believe in good morales and what comes up must come come down basically right becuase science contradicts the higher being part?

People's Liberation Army, on 21 Jul 2007, 3:25, said:

This is freedom of speech at its worst, the ability to smear crap on the Internet without having to pay the cost. There is no proof, there is no support, it's about as truthful and provocative as a man throwing shit at others in the middle of New York City.
Not funny, not entertaining. I call it Hate Speech and would like everyone who thinks that whoever posted this is just a ignorant little man who does not respect religion or other's feelings to file it as Inappropriate hate speech.

There not using hate speech but instead mocking it in a distasteful petty way. These little idiots havent experienced life so they of course eat up the first things they see however if they where alittle older and more mature theyd know what they where doing is wrong besides aithism is just another word for a human being who doesnt believe in anything but instead believes in good morales. I also only see rich or middle class people who believe in this aitheism stuff.

Golan, on 21 Jul 2007, 3:38, said:

Hate speech? Neither the video nor their main page really decrys Christianity. Just because some people adhere to single lined orders, it´s not a grand scale demagogy campaign...

They mock it also all aitheist are somewhat friendly normal people and some dont know what aitheism is and make it look like a kkk for religions Me personally im christain so this is a bit insulting.

Edited by Thinker, 22 July 2007 - 02:52.

[CodeCat]

If you're confident in your beliefs, how could anything be insulting? It's not like anything threatens you...

[Crazykenny]

In my opinion this i just wrong

[Golan]

Do you have any specific reasons for this? (Not trying to imply that you have to).

δαίμο&#, on 21 Jul 2007, 22:47, said:

Here's the thing, its not atheism if they feel they must convert. It is a belief and thus somewhat of a religion to an extent. So converting to atheism is being no longer an atheist, or its just useless because if they are converted, their fate is still the same as yours...

So what ever.

Erm, atheism is defined as the believe that there is no god. There can be atheist missionaries as well as people can be in the purest sense converted to atheism. Also, the BC doesn´t actively try to convert people to atheism but only make those that already did convert publicly announce their disbelief.

Thinker, on 22 Jul 2007, 2:39, said:

They mock it also all aitheist are somewhat friendly normal people and some dont know what aitheism is and make it look like a kkk for religions Me personally im christain so this is a bit insulting.

Insulting in what way? I´m sorry, but I don´t quite understand it, could you perhaps clarify a bit?

[Whitey]

Well then now that it has been cleared up:

Why have them publicly announce it? Is it really necessary? The only thing I can see it doing is strengthening their atheistic beliefs through setting their ideals in stone... er... youtube. Point is, it'll be there down the road, and it can't really do them any good.

So once again: I don't see the point but I guess I don't really care now that I fully understand what it is.

[Thinker]

Golan, on 22 Jul 2007, 8:34, said:

Do you have any specific reasons for this? (Not trying to imply that you have to).

δαίμο&#, on 21 Jul 2007, 22:47, said:

Here's the thing, its not atheism if they feel they must convert. It is a belief and thus somewhat of a religion to an extent. So converting to atheism is being no longer an atheist, or its just useless because if they are converted, their fate is still the same as yours...

So what ever.

Erm, atheism is defined as the believe that there is no god. There can be atheist missionaries as well as people can be in the purest sense converted to atheism. Also, the BC doesn´t actively try to convert people to atheism but only make those that already did convert publicly announce their disbelief.

Thinker, on 22 Jul 2007, 2:39, said:

They mock it also all aitheist are somewhat friendly normal people and some dont know what aitheism is and make it look like a kkk for religions Me personally im christain so this is a bit insulting.

Insulting in what way? I´m sorry, but I don´t quite understand it, could you perhaps clarify a bit?

They mocked my religion made it look like a big joke to people and thats the thing I believe in is that clear enough for you?

CodeCat, on 22 Jul 2007, 3:37, said:

If you're confident in your beliefs, how could anything be insulting? It's not like anything threatens you...

It doesnt matter if im confident in my beliefs at all. That makes it right for them to mock my beleif? Its just insulting so if someone calls you a faget asshole youd get pretty mad becuase they insulted you it wouldnt matter if they threatned you or not right?

[Cheesehead3557]

Thinker, on 22 Jul 2007, 20:56, said:

Golan, on 22 Jul 2007, 8:34, said:

Do you have any specific reasons for this? (Not trying to imply that you have to).

δαίμο&#, on 21 Jul 2007, 22:47, said:

Here's the thing, its not atheism if they feel they must convert. It is a belief and thus somewhat of a religion to an extent. So converting to atheism is being no longer an atheist, or its just useless because if they are converted, their fate is still the same as yours...

So what ever.

Erm, atheism is defined as the believe that there is no god. There can be atheist missionaries as well as people can be in the purest sense converted to atheism. Also, the BC doesn´t actively try to convert people to atheism but only make those that already did convert publicly announce their disbelief.

Thinker, on 22 Jul 2007, 2:39, said:

They mock it also all aitheist are somewhat friendly normal people and some dont know what aitheism is and make it look like a kkk for religions Me personally im christain so this is a bit insulting.

Insulting in what way? I´m sorry, but I don´t quite understand it, could you perhaps clarify a bit?

They mocked my religion made it look like a big joke to people and thats the thing I believe in is that clear enough for you?

CodeCat, on 22 Jul 2007, 3:37, said:

If you're confident in your beliefs, how could anything be insulting? It's not like anything threatens you...

It doesnt matter if im confident in my beliefs at all. That makes it right for them to mock my beleif? Its just insulting so if someone calls you a faget asshole youd get pretty mad becuase they insulted you it wouldnt matter if they threatned you or not right?

First, organized atheism is a joke as they have nothing in common. No a common disbelief does not count. That would be like a group for people who don't believe in aliens. Second, call me whatever the hell you want. I'll just laugh. Stop caring so much about what other people say and think. Just be yourself. If its obviously not true don't worry. I call myself as an idiot all the time, look at my description: "general idiot". My friends and I even joke as labeling ourselves idiot1, idiot2, idiot3 ect. As an alternate screen name on generals I played as idiot3557 and had a friend as idiot3233.

[Golan]

Thinker, on 23 Jul 2007, 2:56, said:

They mocked my religion made it look like a big joke to people and thats the thing I believe in is that clear enough for you?

I´m sorry, but no, it´s not. The only semi-offensive innuendo of the BC was the "free yourself from stoneage"-comment which is arguably not directed against the Christian church as a whole, but at the issue that one will be forgiven for virtually anything - but the mere thought that God may be a) other than the Bible tells us or b) nonexistent or even possibly nonexistent makes you rot in hell forever.
Mocking, yes I can partly see that, but it´s not any different then any kind of religious people publicly showing their believe. I´ve been handed enough "Jesus will save you"-flyers, Bible verses, invitations to local Church meeting and God knows what to repaper my home at least twice.
Making your religion look like a big joke - no, sorry, this I can´t see.

Edited by Golan, 23 July 2007 - 08:02.

[CodeCat]

Thinker, on 23 Jul 2007, 4:56, said:

It doesnt matter if im confident in my beliefs at all. That makes it right for them to mock my beleif? Its just insulting so if someone calls you a faget asshole youd get pretty mad becuase they insulted you it wouldnt matter if they threatned you or not right?

Whaddaya mean? I am a faget asshole!

[Jamie^]

I dont believe in a God but i dont think it is right what they are doing, i mean no one should be forced into doing anything let alone choose a religion (or no religion) but like mentioned, if you let 1 video make your entire mind up you need some help, but i dont think it should be done!

[Razven]

A invitation to attend a church meeting or a Jesus Saves flyer is okay, it's not offensive in anyway, even it if is, it's about the same as the phrase "In god we trust" on your USD notes.

This youtube video is basically urging for the knee-jerk reaction from many teenagers that want to look cool by committing a sin. It also ties in the "Free stuff if you do this" routine. This is no better than handing out money to people to attend a Church. It is impractical, immoral and offensive to anyone who believes that there is a higher being, be it Allah, God, The Buddah, Luke Skywalker or The_Hunter. One does not "take the higher ground" and think whoever who doesn't or is affected by it immature. Those who take the moral high ground should be the ones to think "hey, this might offend people as it is neither humours or informative, maybe we shouldn't be doing this or this should be stopped."

[spiderspag]

I doubt this is would be any more insulting to a "true believer" than would be telling an Atheist that they are going to hell.