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When your in Germany....

Wait... Why would it take a while for a German computer to bring English pages? They use the same alphabet (minus umlauts and that "ss" that looks like a B. Deutsch ist nicht ein einfach [insert German word for "language".])

Post by: Mirai, Aug 19, 2007 in forum: The Spam Zone
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The myth and double-standard of "militant" atheism

Cin said: ↑

Atheism is a generally new belief and idea, christianity has been around a very long time. Whoever wrote that whole thing, they said it themselves. Every new idea must suffer critisism and trials before it can be properly accepted. To say it's unfair that atheism is questioned, and to say that it should be the other way around, like they were saying, is hypocritical. I'll admit, they have a point, but I don't think they realize that what they're saying attempts to take away the right to be saying what they're saying.
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He's not saying that atheism shouldn't be questioned. He's saying it shouldn't be demonized and hated.

Post by: Mirai, Aug 19, 2007 in forum: Debate Corner
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The myth and double-standard of "militant" atheism

*taken from a Myspace thread made by a member named ..::[Free Your Mind]::..*

In the 12th century after the supposed birth of a man who may or may not have existed, may or may not have been capable of performing magic, and who was probably not white but is portrayed as a white man anyway, the Catholic church began a series of campaigns against pagans, non-Christians, and anybody else labeled as heretics for not agreeing with them, giving thousands of people a simple choice: convert or die. Others only got one choice: die.

In the middle of the 20th century, one man decided that some people did not have the same right to life as the rest of us, and argued that such a right should be strictly determined by whether or not a person belonged to a particular religion that he apparently had a strong distaste for. Unfortunately he argued this point very violently, with guns and gas chambers instead of words and logic (most likely because logic was not on his side). When he did take the time to express his views, he gave the following justifications: "I believe that I am acting in accordance with the will of the Almighty Creator: by defending myself against the Jew, I am fighting for the work of the Lord," and "My feelings as a Christian points me to my Lord and Savior as a fighter...how terrific was His fight for the world against the Jewish poison." Millions of innocent Jewish men, women, and children died because of a mere difference in opinion.

In the first year of the third millennium, nineteen Islamic extremists hijacked four commercial jet liners with the intent to crash them into prominent American buildings and send the world a message. Three planes hit their marks, while one was brought to the ground by a group of heroic passengers who sacrificed themselves to save many others. 2,974 people died, excluding the hijackers. Through the fire and smoke, the message was clear: the western world is not Muslim; the western world is filthy and dangerous; the western world must go.

Since that time, a small, but vocal, group of people who do not subscribe to any religious doctrine and do not believe in any supernatural force or being began to speak out about the potential dangers of religion. In addition to the obvious tragedies described above, religious fundamentalists had been trying for years to halt progress in science, education, health, and civil rights whenever it disagreed with them. In many cases, their legislation passed. For speaking out against this legislation, and trying to gain a little equality in a nation that considered them the least trustworthy out of all minorities for no particular reason aside from a lack of belief in things for which their is no evidence, these outspoken individuals were swiftly stamped with a label that they will not soon shake off: militant atheists.

Along with Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and hundreds of people who I have never met in person but still consider to be dear friends nonetheless, I am proud to declare myself a member of this group which has been so grossly mislabeled. The double standard is blatant and appalling. Consider how far a group of religious fundamentalists must go to be considered anything close to "militant," while we carry the same burden for simply being critical of those unsupported beliefs which are held dear by many people. The Catholic church was not militant until it literally launched a crusade to inflict violence upon those who did not agree with them. The Nazis were not militant until they opened the gas chambers and started marching innocent people inside with guns to their backs. Muslims are not militant until they flew planes into buildings and strapped bombs to their chests. And I was not militant until I opened my mouth and suggested that perhaps belief in God is not the most healthy thing for society.

I have no doubt why such a blatant double-standard exists: in establishing such a double-standard, religious moderates have strengthened the previously existing taboo against critically examining religious belief. For executing my own critical examinations, it was recently suggested to me that I am "at least as dangerous as any religious fundamentalist." I have never been violent towards those who disagree with me. I have never tried to force or even suggested legislation that would make society conform to my own beliefs regarding the dangers of religion. I have simply had an unpopular opinion that I am not in the least bit uncomfortable in expressing; an opinion that is apparently somehow inherently "just as dangerous" as murder by the simply act of mere utterance.

Unfortunately, as long as this taboo exists, the double-standard will survive. I can only hope that people will eventually come to realize that religious beliefs are ideas, and like any other ideas, they are subject to criticism. All ideas should be closely examined and criticized, whether they are your's, mine, or anybody else's. That is how society progresses. We did not collectively accept that the Earth is round by trying not to offend the overly-sensitive people who preferred to believe otherwise. But somewhere along the line we decided that it is impolite to to critically examine belief in God like we did with the belief of a flat Earth. Critical thinking is how we gain knowledge, and until we can get past the delusion that verbally expressing distaste for religion is on par with crashing airplanes into buildings, I'm sorry to say that progress will be slow indeed.
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I really like this message, but apparently, the R&Pers at Myspace are too lazy to read.

Discuss what you think about this.

Personally, I think it's very true. Where demonized for having an opinion by some, yet they shrug off the crusades.

Thread by: Mirai, Aug 19, 2007, 6 replies, in forum: Debate Corner
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"God loves you. BELIEVE OR HE'LL BURN YOU IN HELL FOR ALL ETERNITY!"

MasterKeyblade777 said: ↑

Um...HELLO! You don't have to burn as long as you follow his ways...i mean....Hitler obviusly didn't follow an that's why he's burning...you can avoide hell.
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According to many here, I'll go to Hell for not believing.

Post by: Mirai, Aug 19, 2007 in forum: Debate Corner
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Evolution vs Religion

Kiburedo said: ↑

First off i'd like to say that Christains aren't like Aethiests or scientists. we don't need tangible proof or evidence right in front of our eyes to make us believe in something, that's where the concept of Faith is derrived from. This religion is based on FAITH, not evidence. no matter how much evidence may be lacking, or no matter how many scientists bash us down, we keep faith. And if counter arguments like evolution and the big bang are enough to convert a christian, then they had NO faith in the first place. and without faith, you can't have a relationship with God.

and secondly, the big bang THEORY, and evolution THEORY, are infact, THEORIES. did you hear me? i'll say it again. THEORIES. A theory is made up to explain something that confuses or baffles a scientist. a magic and arbitrary explosion out of nothingness that magicly happened by two iddy biddy cells that have no thoughts, no motivation, and ultimately no free will of their own, fused together. oh yeah that's way more logical than a divine being that created us. ever think maybe there are somethings that science can't explain?

now i don't think fossils should be a very legit evidenve for evolution. let me tell you a little story: A little boy goes out into his backyard and plays moleman. he finds an oddly shaped twig, or a rock. "wow this kinda looks like a bone." he says to himself. it could be the ancient remnants of an ancient animal! i'll call it, a "Fossil." so he finds more, and puts them together to form the skeleton of the mighty WTFasour. now the WTFasour was a majestic and mighty beast that roamed the ancient plains of Earth millions of years ago. and he shot laserz out of his eyes. sure, why not? his skeletal structure OBVIOUSLY implies this. He gets more molemen, and together they unearth the skeletons of many different kinds of WTFasours. They always wondered how animals came to be what they are today, so they made up a theory that all living things are really just evolved forms of these wtfasours. that they were there in the beginning. Why aren't there any wtfasours today you ask? well....er.... a big FIREBALL CAME AND WIPED THEM OUT! leaving the mammals, which coincedentaly are very simalar to the mammals we have today. but this is no coincidence! you see, they evolved!

And as long as they have enough smoke and mirrors, and people are willing to believe ANYTHING as long as it explains the fact of how everything came to be what it is today scientifically, without the fact that maybe there are some things science can't solve, they'll embrace this concept fullheartedly, cuz they finally have something that goes against everything God told us, with science. which was what they were hoping for all along. The end.
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... Wow... This is why we should teach evolution in schools. Obviously, you have no idea what idea you're talking about.

Evolution for evolution.

Also, do you believe in cells, atoms, or numbers? Newsflash, they're all theories!

A theory in science is not a guess, but a set of tested/testable ideas that explain a phenomena (the phenomena is evolution, the methods are the theories).

The education system of America SUX.

EDIT:

you im think im the one wearing blinders? i see NO evidence whatsoever backing up the bigbang. sure it's nice to think that everything happened by itself so magically, that everything just happened perfectly by mishap. How conveniant it is, to have a theory such as the big bang, which needs NO proof, and NO evidence. You like to think that science was there from the beggining, but it wasn't. Something, or someone, even if not God, had to create it. And im afraid it doesn't take a genious to go dig up bones, but it does to study These so called creatures. Man named them and assumed they knew everthing about them just cuz the found these "bones". No it actually is pretty sad that they wasted years of their lives studying a lie.
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Research.

Main Entry: 1re·search
Pronunciation: ri-'s&rch, 'rE-"
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French recerche, from recercher to go about seeking, from Old French recerchier, from re- + cerchier, sercher to search -- more at SEARCH
1 : careful or diligent search
2 : studious inquiry or examination; especially : investigation or experimentation aimed at the discovery and interpretation of facts, revision of accepted theories or laws in the light of new facts, or practical application of such new or revised theories or laws
3 : the collecting of information about a particular subject

Post by: Mirai, Aug 18, 2007 in forum: Debate Corner
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An insult to every Texan. Bill Nye ets booed.

dandanrevolutionextreme said: ↑

aaaahhh, texans.......will they never learn????
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I resent that remark.

Post by: Mirai, Aug 18, 2007 in forum: Current Events
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An insult to every Texan. Bill Nye ets booed.

Repliku said: ↑

Another fine example of where religious zealots do not want to hear anything that might just go against the bible. If I were there I would have asked them if they still believed the earth was flat too.

Bill Nye > Texan zealots

Texan zealots: working hard to make sure kids grow up stupid. Hee-haw.
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I know quite a few. We atheistic liberals are rare here in Texas. Yet, I can't help but feel proud to be a Texan. Don't mess with Texas!

Ris said: ↑

(I love your sig Mirai)
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Thank you. I found the pic on myspace.

Post by: Mirai, Aug 17, 2007 in forum: Current Events
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An insult to every Texan. Bill Nye ets booed.

Darkwatch said: ↑

Wow.

Bill Nye > them.

How can Texans be so ignorant? Don't their kids get taught in schools that the moon is just a reflector? So sad.
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Come to think of it, I don't I DID learn that in school. Texas schools = phail. Except Bridge City.

Post by: Mirai, Aug 17, 2007 in forum: Current Events
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Taisetsu na mono

Subarashii chinchin mono!

Boku ga warui! PROTECT MY BALLS!

Dear God! My IQ has been lowered!

Post by: Mirai, Aug 17, 2007 in forum: The Spam Zone
Thread
An insult to every Texan. Bill Nye ets booed.

Linkage.

Bill Nye, the harmless children's edu-tainer known as "The Science Guy," managed to offend a select group of adults in Waco, Texas at a presentation, when he suggested that the moon does not emit light, but instead reflects the light of the sun.

As even most elementary-school graduates know, the moon reflects the light of the sun but produces no light of its own.

But don't tell that to the good people of Waco, who were "visibly angered by what some perceived as irreverence," according to the Waco Tribune.

Nye was in town to participate in McLennan Community College's Distinguished Lecture Series. He gave two lectures on such unfunny and adult topics as global warming, Mars exploration, and energy consumption.

But nothing got people as riled as when he brought up Genesis 1:16, which reads: "God made two great lights -- the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars."

The lesser light, he pointed out, is not a light at all, but only a reflector.

At this point, several people in the audience stormed out in fury. One woman yelled "We believe in God!" and left with three children, thus ensuring that people across America would read about the incident and conclude that Waco is as nutty as they'd always suspected.

This story originally appeared in the Waco Tribune, but the newspaper has mysteriously pulled its story from the online version, presumably to avoid further embarassment.
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Can people get any stupider? This is VERY sad. Not "boo-hoo," but George Bush sad.

Thread by: Mirai, Aug 17, 2007, 25 replies, in forum: Current Events
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Church cancels Memorial for Gay Navy vet

Peace-and-War said: ↑

It is unfair, but about everything being about sex, you are right, all relegions have a strong view on sex. In the west, such as christianity, it is usually said to be a sin if certain requirements aren't met, like marriage.
While in the east, such as taoism, it is usually said to be a special thing but have ways in which to make it more enjoyable to create a better bond.
As far as I know, only the Japenese in history have allowed sex with the same and opposite sex. But if anyone else knows of others would be helpful.
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Well, there were the Greeks who embraced it.

Post by: Mirai, Aug 15, 2007 in forum: Current Events
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Who agrees with 1 Timothy 2:11-15

1 Timothy 2:11-15 said:

A women should learn in quietness and in full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. For Adam was formed first, and then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. But women will be saved through childbearing - if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.
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Before anyone says "Jesus threw that rule out", Timothy is in the New Testament.

Yeaaaahhh... Bible = sexist, much?

Thread by: Mirai, Aug 15, 2007, 7 replies, in forum: Debate Corner
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"God loves you. BELIEVE OR HE'LL BURN YOU IN HELL FOR ALL ETERNITY!"

I'm not atheist to the extreme. I'm actually in the nice spectrum of atheists! Sorry, for the "invisible man in the sky" crack. I was frustrate at the time.

I may not believe in God, but what is God? If God is the emodiement of all things good and love, then am I really against Him? I may reject His fundamental existence, but I try my best to do His works.

Also, isn't believing in God JUST to get into Heaven a little selfish? I mean, if I'm going to believe something, I'm going to believe it because there's proof, not because I'll burn if I don't.

Post by: Mirai, Aug 15, 2007 in forum: Debate Corner
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What do you guys think.

OO, OO ME ME!!

Personality: Intelligent atheist with a good sense of humour and a look that ensures determination.

Looks: 5'4", casual clothes, red scarf that flows in the wind, short, brown hair, green eyes, and glasses.

Post by: Mirai, Aug 14, 2007 in forum: The Spam Zone
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There Are No Sins?

Ienzo said: ↑

You raise a good point. Sins are foregiven but it's the devil who's trying to get you down there. God and Jesus are trying to save you- help you get to Heaven but when you have done some really bad things then the devil shall try all he can to drag you down to hell.

Thats the way I see it but frankly- I don't even believe in Heaven and hell, but I beelieve in God and Jesus.
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So, Satan gave me the critical thinking ability to reject God?

Post by: Mirai, Aug 14, 2007 in forum: Discussion
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There Are No Sins?

Spitfire said: ↑

Its just not asking for repentance on your deathbed, its living through him and preaching his word. Personally I don't think the whole pray while you die thing is legit, or atleast when I studied theology. From exerpts I have read its doing his work, and bringing people to christ. There are sins according to christianity because we are alive and have had your eyes opened because of what happened in Genesis.
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Why can't we just try to bring peace and prosperity to humanity? That deserves something, even if the person doing it is Christian, atheist, Muslim, or whatever.

Post by: Mirai, Aug 14, 2007 in forum: Discussion
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"God loves you. BELIEVE OR HE'LL BURN YOU IN HELL FOR ALL ETERNITY!"

MasterKeyblade777 said: ↑

Wow this is an intense thread:sleepy:. But, I personally think and KNOW that God loves everyone no matter what, and the way to heaven is not just by actions, but also in believing that Jesus is our lord an saviour and that he died on the cross 4 our sins so that anyone who accepts Jesus into he/she's heart will spend an eternity in heaven with God...but whoever dosen't will be spend an eternity in hell with Satan and all his demons...beleive it or not.:D
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... Not.

Read the posts.

This is my opening post:

Mirai said:

Mahatma Gandhi: Great man. Preached for equality and peace and achieved his goals through speech and preached against violence. He did not belong to one religion.

Adolf Hitler: Killed 12 million people as a scapegoat for Germany's troubles. Christian, but didn't think fondly of the church.

Who deserves Heaven, if it exists?
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Why should I burn with Hitler for wanting proof of an invisible man in the sky?

Post by: Mirai, Aug 14, 2007 in forum: Debate Corner
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There Are No Sins?

Peace-and-War said: ↑

I've heard alot of people in different disscussions talk about sins send you to Hell.
But Jesus repents your sins for whatever you have done.

So you can get away with Sins?

You can have sinned throughout your life on puepose knowing the consequences and disobeying Jesus, but still go to Heaven?

Why are their sins then?
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This question always bugs me. If repentence through Jesus (who I don't believe exists) truly brings salvation, then is Hitler saved? He WAS Christian afterall*.

Also,
Disoberying Jesus =/=sin, IMO.
Disregarding morals and common sense to fit your own needs and harm others = sin.

*NOTE: Yes, he was. He may have disagreed with the church a few times, but he DID believe that Jesus was the Messiah.

Post by: Mirai, Aug 14, 2007 in forum: Discussion
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"God loves you. BELIEVE OR HE'LL BURN YOU IN HELL FOR ALL ETERNITY!"

Meh said: ↑

I'm Catholic. God will forgive your sins no matter what. You shouldn't worry about this kind of stuff. And don't make fun of me or my religion; I respect it, and it's not so nice when people slap it like I've seen before.
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Who's making fun of your religion? I haven't seen anyone make of anyone here. Though there are a few cynical atheists *coughcincough* I don't think you have to worry much.

But, keep in my mind: disagreeing and explaining why =/= disrespecting your religion. This is a debate.

Post by: Mirai, Aug 14, 2007 in forum: Debate Corner
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Church cancels Memorial for Gay Navy vet

RoxasNoxas said: ↑

It's not just no belief in God=burn, it's Sin=Burn. Knowing Jesus Christ in a personal relationship=Saved
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So, what you're saying is, we are dirty through no fault of our own, and Jesus cleanses us? Why can't a GOOD person who doesn't believe in God go to Heaven?

Post by: Mirai, Aug 13, 2007 in forum: Current Events

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