The Legrand Family

PittieCity wrote: Let's just do away with all churches and the like.

To be replaced with what - coffee shops, so we can all have bad breath and bad attitudes?

Cool The Kid wrote: [quote=PittieCity]Let's just do away with all churches and the like.

I'm not religious at all, but I assume you're posting within the contiguous US... we have this little document called the Constitution...

To be replaced with moral intelligence. And yes, I believe the constitution also guarantees free speech, first on the list.

homeowner wrote: Why is it that Athiests are always hellbent on making someone believe in the absence of a God? You have the right to believe what you want so why not extend that curtesy to everyone else?

I don't think this one atheist speaks for all atheists. Also, since atheism is not a religion, there's no need to capitalize it.

As far as being "hellbent" on making others believe as they do, atheists are pretty far down on the list compared to other belief systems in the US. I've never been woken up on a Saturday morning by an atheist ringing my buzzer trying to convert me.

It was meant as a joke "in the spirit" of atheism addressing the above thread (concerning the exploitation of religion amongst other things). However, considering all the praise god/Jesus contained within this thread, I am surprised that my joke could ruffle so many feathers.

Why can there exist no debate between the religious and the non-? Why is it that one side can knock on your door with pamphlets, scream nonsense on the subway and hire lobbyists to protect their interests, but the other side is considered "offensive" for undermining religious fervor? THAT is offensive.

i side with Pittie City on all matters, foreign and domestic

I made an account simply to comment on this thread.

I think it's ridiculous to even suggest that atheists are "hellbent" on pushing their beliefs on religious people, when I am constantly approached by people of all religious denominations for various reasons. I'd like to add that as an atheist, I think it's sad that so many religious people are not open to debating their beliefs. I don't care what you have faith in, I just think there should exist a voice of opposition (a devil's advocate, if you will ), and it irritates me that I don't get to question anyone's answers just as I would with ANY other philosophical topic.

whynot_31 wrote: I know this because I do not believe in hell.

That could just mean you're a Jew. I was a Jew once...

whynot_31 wrote: [quote=Mamacita]So, how about that kooky LeGrand family?? (trying to keep on topic)

Okay, okay...

Soooo, where do I get West African spices? Oh, and I think I just heard gunshots... Are we living in a safe neighborhood.

Cute dog btw "whynots"

Yes it's possible. A moral code is specific to an individual. A religion is not solely a moral code; and even if it was, I would-- if I were religious-- consider that code a default of sorts to build off of. I don't think there's anything wrong with faith, just homogenization.

Capt-
If you haven't read Bowling Alone, you should.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowling_Alone

The Crown Heights Orthodox community may be the polar opposite of what you are feeling and describing.

Bowling Alone actually puts forward the arguement that the breakdown of our cultural insitutions (such as bowling clubs....) is at the root of the anomie.

....it points to the decline of attendance at religious services as a symptom and cause of the problems as well.

I'm open minded as whoever or whatever will step up. .....Religion works for a lot of people, and has achieved a lot of good stuff (and bad stuff) over the course of history. Bring it.

I do not seek to be a religious or moral leader.

Hence, I will merely accept your donation without asking for your servitude.

Although I really hate the TED treatment of Sarah Silverman... [-X