What would he do?

[llcoolphil]

There is nothing in any way light-hearted...in mocking other peeps religious beliefs.

[llcoolphil]

Like many, i find the preaching incredibly offensive

[Ponyegg]

I think sums it all up really:

Source: Edible Dirt (Matt Rosemier): http://eddirt.frozenreality.co.uk/

[W.W.J.D]

I think sums it all up really:

Source: Edible Dirt (Matt Rosemier): http://eddirt.frozenreality.co.uk/

Edited May 25, 2010 by W.W.J.D

[___S_o_m_a__]

W.W.J.D. if I pulled his beard, gave him a wedgie and told him to be gone?

[muddyslingbax]

Please explain as I genuinely dont understand how. If you are a christian, cant you just forgive another christian and if you aren't how can you be offended by something you dont believe in? It'd be like being offended by harry potter. Its like an atheist being offended by a christian telling them they will go to hell - how can you be offeneded at being told you are going somewhere you know doesn't exist?

[eFestivals]

no efests admin wading in either which is disappointing.

I'm just getting warmed up. Patience, patience.

[muddyslingbax]

I'm just getting warmed up. Patience, patience.

[eFestivals]

I'm an atheist, so don't have any leanings towards the preachy opening post, but at the same time, it's quite a double standard efests is showing here.

The stupid, offensive post about homosexuals in the Elton John post ended with the poster being banned almost immediately (although admittedly they were later allowed back on), but here we have comments being made that could equally offend christians, and the moderators sit back and do nothing!

I'm of the view that belief or not in a religion is a matter of personal choice, while one's sexuality is not.

Which puts the two things in completely different places.

But aside from that, we received quite a few complaints about that homophobic post (as well as other, separate, complaints being made in the thread). There's been no complaints at all about this thread.

Edited May 25, 2010 by eFestivals

[Howl]

I think sums it all up really:

Source: Edible Dirt (Matt Rosemier): http://eddirt.frozenreality.co.uk/

Edited May 25, 2010 by Howl

[jimmyk83]

But if many athiests even bothered to look into the theological discussion on such issues, there are of course answers and explantations that date back almost to biblical times.

[sammysundae]

jesus is great and all. but when people tell me who to worship, jesus can suck my balls (apologies to all but the original poster)

[pjadnoo]

But aside from that, we received quite a few complaints about that homophobic post (as well as other, separate, complaints being made in the thread). There's been no complaints at all about this thread.

[eFestivals]

...Given the context of your comment, the implication of what you've said is that it is acceptable for people to mock things which are not of people's choosing, but it's not acceptable to mock things which aren't. By that rationale it's okay to mock issues like, say, suicide?

I'm saying that anything which is down to choice is - within limits - fair game for people to express a detrimental view of, be that disapproval, mocking, laughing at, hatred of, etc, etc, etc.

Of course, if someone was to do so, I'd hope they'd have a rational reason for doing so, and use common sense and respect when expressing their views. Joking about suicide is, I'm sure, a painful thing for someone who's been affected by a suicidal death to hear, but at the same time it's not necessarily a subject that is devoid of humour &/or humourous angles (like anything in life) in a more general sense.

Edited May 25, 2010 by eFestivals

[sammysundae]

i take back my stupid earlier comment. this is a very interesting debate.

i do think that (although this is not the case with all public forums), posting views such as these on this particular public forum, you are effectively opening your views up to ridicule (as i have found on many occasions).

whilst some of the views expressed on here could be deemed offensive to christians, i think it must be accepted that because religion is such a strong issue, views on it are likely to be stronger.

for example, if it was flavours of biscuits being criticized, no one would be offended, because no one really cares that much. the biscuits only bring a small amount of hope to their lives. with religion, i think the offence taken at anti-religious comments is directly proportion to the strength which is taken from the faith itself (just like you might defend yor GF because you love her).

all views are open to criticism and i certainly don't think that religion should be exempt from that (not that i think anyone is saying that). however i think the reason that people are so offended by religious jokes is that you get a lot from it. which kind of balances it out, if that makes sense.

plus, this kind of preachiness makes people angry

[sammysundae]

I'm saying that anything which is down to choice is - within limits - fair game for people to express a detrimental view of, be that disapproval, mocking, laughing at, hatred of, etc, etc, etc.

Of course, if someone was to do so, I'd hope they'd have a rational reason for doing so, and use common sense and respect when expressing their views. Joking about suicide is, I'm sure, a painful thing for someone who's been affected by a suicidal death to hear, but at the same time it's not necessarily a subject that is devoid of humour &/or humourous angles (like anything in life) in a more general sense.

[jonbob]

Non-believers may mock but they will not offend me or God, everyone is welcome in the kingdom of God no matter what they have said or done.

[sammysundae]

Religion is a scam.

[pjadnoo]

I'm saying that anything which is down to choice is - within limits - fair game for people to express a detrimental view of, be that disapproval, mocking, laughing at, hatred of, etc, etc, etc.

Of course, if someone was to do so, I'd hope they'd have a rational reason for doing so, and use common sense and respect when expressing their views. Joking about suicide is, I'm sure, a painful thing for someone who's been affected by a suicidal death to hear, but at the same time it's not necessarily a subject that is devoid of humour &/or humourous angles (like anything in life) in a more general sense.

[ukslim]

I'm of the view that belief or not in a religion is a matter of personal choice, while one's sexuality is not.

[sifi]

Maybe we can get the paedophile hiding pope to headline the festival?

[Howl]

all views are open to criticism and i certainly don't think that religion should be exempt from that

[muddyslingbax]

Really?

I don't believe in any kind of god. That's not a choice. I just don't.

It's not like you can just decide to believe in something just because you'd like to, surely?

[tommmy]

Maybe we can get the paedophile hiding pope to headline the festival?

[eFestivals]

Really?

I don't believe in any kind of god. That's not a choice. I just don't.

It's not like you can just decide to believe in something just because you'd like to, surely?

Yep, that's exactly it - it might not be a fully concious choice like you might choose what you have for dinner, but it's defo choice.

And it's shown more-so as being choice by a quick consideration of what other things you believe in where there's zero evidence for that things existence. Which is no things for 99.9%+ of people.

You can't give it more credence just cos it's old either (which is the angle my kid's school used to give it credibility). Do we still credit a belief in planet gods or other 'ancient myths' as reasonable?

Despite the lack of evidence, it's defo a choice. And even the major religions say that it is.

Edited May 25, 2010 by eFestivals