Religion

Well said.
And I really wanted to annoy myself by, for no reason at all, quoting this entire passage, since people do that and it looks silly.

 

I believe the relevant part of the conversation is the social dynamic I described in the last part of my post. If one thinks in terms of raw numbers, it's hard to argue against Miss Tery's point. Because you meet a lot more people who are Christians than not, the majority of the idiots you meet are going to be Christians. This, combined with the idea that anyone who has taken the time to evaluate things enough to be an atheist or agnostic know that they are going to be more closely watched or judged for their beliefs (or lack of) constitutes some support for the dynamic she describes. I just don't blame the religion itself for what amounts to a common social dynamic.

 

Can someone hook me with some odds here? Football season is winding down and I'm looking to move to another venue.

 

But she was not speaking in terms of total numbers (e.g., there are more white people in prison than black people), she was speaking in terms of averages and in general, which implies that your typical atheist is smarter, more polite, etc. than your typical Christian.

Which is bullshit.

 

Those were two things I got out of it, and certainly wanted to say when she was dodging earlier.
Of course, to her, it seems, atheists are more likely her friends, so she's taking her friends over the average idiot. Just like any other generalization, it has little to do with the generalization - yankees are rude, southerners are inbred rednecks, jews are dyslexic idiots.
It's perspective, or lack thereof, and I guess ignorance, like the Iran comment.
Basically, yes. People who are more self-aware and able to judge themselves without bias from the outside, can be kinder and more conscientious. But certainly, being able to act superior comes regardless of race, and just like I know my share of Baptists who act the part, I know a lot of Atheists that act taht part and _tery's certainly one as well. It's a character flaw, not a tenet.

 

Would you really want to bet agaist God?

 

Who said I was betting against? Some atheist might give me good numbers on the money line.

 

I dunno about that. The money does, after all, say "God" on it. :beatup2:

 

Not fear at all which is what makes living this life no loss. Living with my belief in God provides a completeness to my life, gives me a deeper purpose and a strength that I was not able to achieve alone. Some may see it as weak but I just call myself blessed. Agnostics & atheists sometimes say they have no need for God or religion yet they seem to always be on a quest for the bigger better deal - guess that hole cannot be filled with anything they find.

I wouldn't ridicule a person suffering from depression for needing to take a prescription - I don't expect anyone to ridicule me for needing my relationship with God.

 

I guess it would depend heavily on the doctrine of the religion in question, and probably on one's interpretation of "The Golden Rule" as well. Usually it's hard to know what another individual would prefer.