On 2012-06-11 12:24, critter wrote:
"What critter thinks" is only what you said. It ain't me making stuff up.
This statement: "What atheists have taught me is that they are simply prejudiced...." is an inherently prejudicial statement.
"What atheists have taught me" atheists, not some atheists, not many atheists, just atheists, "is that they are simply prejudiced" again, no qualifier- not "that some of them are prejudiced" or "that many of them are prejudiced."
You are assigning this negative trait to the entire group.
That's why I say the statement is an ironic one.
Okay, one could make a semantic argument that because you are basing it on your limited experience with a few atheists that maybe it's not preconveived so doesn't fit the dictionary definition of prejudice- but only until you generalize your opinion to all of the atheists. That's when it becomes a prejudicial statement, because your limited sample doesn't represent the facts.
And the "some of my best friends are atheists" defense is kind of passe
Although, for the record, I never said you have a prejudiced personality- just that you make some prejudiced statements. There is a difference.

On 2012-06-11 12:24, critter wrote:
...because your limited sample doesn't represent the facts...

On 2012-06-10 20:06, kambiz wrote:
Lol, fair call....

I did say I "doubt" an atheist can garner sincerity and logic at the same time. I hope to be proven wrong....

I apologize for any offense caused....lol

I must say there are many Baha'is who may struggle with sincerity and logic sometimes....the point is, when it is pointed out to them, they usually see the light

I personally see the light that my response to Ron was an emotional in that sentence, something I should know better not to do my intention is respect for all, and I let it slip there, so my apologies to you Ron.

However, my question to the atheists still stand. What is the fruit and outcome of the atheist community?

Kam

On 2012-06-10 21:50, tommy wrote:
If everyone has parents then the universe must have a dad and a pretty smart one as nature is never wrong.

On 2012-06-11 12:41, Jeff the Unamazing Hack wrote:

Quote:

On 2012-06-10 20:06, kambiz wrote: Lol, fair call.... I did say I "doubt" an atheist can garner sincerity and logic at the same time. I hope to be proven wrong.... I apologize for any offense caused....lol I must say there are many Baha'is who may struggle with sincerity and logic sometimes....the point is, when it is pointed out to them, they usually see the light I personally see the light that my response to Ron was an emotional in that sentence, something I should know better not to do my intention is respect for all, and I let it slip there, so my apologies to you Ron. However, my question to the atheists still stand. What is the fruit and outcome of the atheist community? Kam

One of the fruits and outcomes of a belief in science is obvious. When you see your doctor, does he pray for you or treat you with modern medicine? Francis Collins, one of the founders of the human genome project is religious, but his religion contributed nothing to his researh. It was his sincerity in that effort and his knowledge (logic) in science. Speaking of sincerity though, I can't recall how many religious folks said "may god bless you" to me, all the while feeling that the same god is going to condemn me to an eternity of torture in hell. I don't consider that sincere.

On 2012-06-11 12:52, critter wrote:
Okay, well I was eating...

On 2012-06-11 16:36, critter wrote:
I thought the Watchtower was free? I always used to get them from the bus stop.

On 2012-06-11 16:42, mastermindreader wrote:
Remember when the Hari Krishna's would come up to you in the airport and pin a flower on you saying it was a "gift?" Then they'd follow you around until you either coughed up a donation or threatened to deck them.

The funny part was that, after giving them a donation, most people would toss the flower into the nearest garbage can, where it would be retrieved by a Hari Krishna specially assigned to that task so that it could be "gifted" again to the next hapless passerby.

On 2012-06-11 11:55, kambiz wrote:
My main point is that there is no coherence and unity with what atheists can contribute as a collective. It seems to me to be somewhat haphazard and sporadic.

Kam

On 2012-06-11 17:12, R.S. wrote:

Quote:

On 2012-06-11 11:55, kambiz wrote: My main point is that there is no coherence and unity with what atheists can contribute as a collective. It seems to me to be somewhat haphazard and sporadic. Kam

Replace the word "atheists" in your sentence with one of these:

"A-Leprechaunists"
"A-Bigfootists"
"A-Fairyists"

Why should a lack of belief in ANYTHING exhibit coherence and unity and contribute as a collective?

Ron

On 2012-06-11 20:15, kambiz wrote:
Do atheists consider God as a definable identity?

I'm just asking because you seem to equate him to other very definable identities? Leprechauns etc

What are the ranges of understandings of who God is, among the atheists, for you to not believe in Him?

Kam

On 2012-06-11 14:32, mastermindreader wrote:
Kam-

I've just got to ask- You said that you invite Jehovah's Witnesses in when they come to proselytize. Once you get them inside do you start trying to sell them on Baha'i or do you just listen politely and then buy a copy of the Watchtower?

On 2012-06-11 20:23, Jonathan Townsend wrote:

Quote:

On 2012-06-11 20:15, kambiz wrote: Do atheists consider God as a definable identity? I'm just asking because you seem to equate him to other very definable identities? Leprechauns etc What are the ranges of understandings of who God is, among the atheists, for you to not believe in Him? Kam

It's kind of like how a card trick works. All the same if you look at them from one side.

Pick a card?

On 2012-06-11 18:35, gdw wrote:

Quote:

On 2012-06-11 17:12, R.S. wrote: Quote: On 2012-06-11 11:55, kambiz wrote: My main point is that there is no coherence and unity with what atheists can contribute as a collective. It seems to me to be somewhat haphazard and sporadic. Kam Replace the word "atheists" in your sentence with one of these: "A-Leprechaunists" "A-Bigfootists" "A-Fairyists" Why should a lack of belief in ANYTHING exhibit coherence and unity and contribute as a collective? Ron

Precisely. Atheist as a whole have but ONE thing in common, a lack of belief in a god.*

*I am using this definition as it has come to be the meaning through common usage. I am aware of the origination of the term, although, in spite of the historical etymology, looking at the word, the definition of a "LACK of belief," whereas theism is a "belief in," makes more sense, and is consistent with what common usage is becoming.

On 2012-06-11 21:31, kambiz wrote:
Thanks Bob, I will now now out of that exploration.

On another note, I dreamt of you last night Bob, and you introduced me to Lobo....

Lobo was a darn tall fella, so I'm keen to know how tall you are Lobo. Bob, you were funny. We were queuing up for something, not sure what it was but you were cracking me up with gags...

Kam

On 2012-06-11 21:35, LobowolfXXX wrote:

Quote:

On 2012-06-11 21:31, kambiz wrote: Thanks Bob, I will now now out of that exploration. On another note, I dreamt of you last night Bob, and you introduced me to Lobo.... Lobo was a darn tall fella, so I'm keen to know how tall you are Lobo. Bob, you were funny. We were queuing up for something, not sure what it was but you were cracking me up with gags... Kam

. Your mentalism powers are at a respectable 50%. Bob is extremely funny, but I'm only 5'10".

On 2012-06-11 21:40, Jonathan Townsend wrote:
The pack is shuffled.
You name a card.
the pack is spread face down and you touch a card.
The card is face down
It is your card
*If you turn over the card you may gain knowledge but at the cost of faith.
Simple enough?

Try the experiment and check how you feel when the * moment comes.