Why Hard-Line Religionism Is Toxic

FundieSmacker wrote:

<quoted text>
Me neither, and I think our thread's fundie control freak is taking a break. Must have been at least in part to his ASSumption I couldn't list the books of the bible. I suppose I could have listed the ones the RCC ripped out of it when it didn't fit their version of the fantasy. Some "unaltered" bible, eh, Ocean?

lol "Unaltered," my...um...eye.:-)

S.I.N.= Self Inflicted NONSENSE

http://www.evilbible.com

There are five enormously heavy burdens of being a "good christian," which applies to all other hard-line faiths as well, including Islam.

1. Fear
2. Guilt
3. Oppressive rituals and rules (a very long list)
4. Tithing (the church takes your money)
5. Small-minded thinking

What rational person wants to carry any of THOSE burdens around for the rest of their life? I certainly don't, and I don't know any secularists who want to either.

What makes the christian fundies go ballistic are those of us who point out to others what those burdens are, and how much better our lives are WITHOUT them. That's not good for the church "leaders" (aka dictators), who are already seeing a huge loss of their toxic influence, and not coincidentally, a big loss of MONEY as well.

S.I.N.= Self Inflicted NONSENSE

Ocean56 wrote:

There are five enormously heavy burdens of being a "good christian," which applies to all other hard-line faiths as well, including Islam.
1. Fear
2. Guilt
3. Oppressive rituals and rules (a very long list)
4. Tithing (the church takes your money)
5. Small-minded thinking
What rational person wants to carry any of THOSE burdens around for the rest of their life? I certainly don't, and I don't know any secularists who want to either.
What makes the christian fundies go ballistic are those of us who point out to others what those burdens are, and how much better our lives are WITHOUT them. That's not good for the church "leaders" (aka dictators), who are already seeing a huge loss of their toxic influence, and not coincidentally, a big loss of MONEY as well.
S.I.N.= Self Inflicted NONSENSE

Well said!:)

Great opening post, Ocean56.

I am an agnostic but raised Catholic. I remain uncertain as to the existence of anything beyond us or an afterlife, which is the most honest answer I can give. If someone held a gun to my head and told me to choose right now, I'd have to lean toward a 'no'(atheism) because there is absolutely no evidence whatsoever to the contrary.

I completely respect everyone's right to their beliefs. My family and many of my friends are Catholic. They practice their beliefs but would never think to impose them on other people.

My problem is with the fundies because most of them are self-righteously and arrogantly judgemental, labeling atheists and agnostics as "evil" and condemning them to that eternal lake of fire simply because we believe differently. Though I criticize fundies on many threads, I do not engage in juvenile scare tactics in an attempt to strong-arm them into my way of thinking. It is this "fear of the Lord" strategy that I find despicable and offensive, trying to use intimidation to compel people to think their way. How ironic that it is I that am labeled evil.

Fish wrote:

Great opening post, Ocean56.
I am an agnostic but raised Catholic. I remain uncertain as to the existence of anything beyond us or an afterlife, which is the most honest answer I can give. If someone held a gun to my head and told me to choose right now, I'd have to lean toward a 'no'(atheism) because there is absolutely no evidence whatsoever to the contrary.
I completely respect everyone's right to their beliefs. My family and many of my friends are Catholic. They practice their beliefs but would never think to impose them on other people.
My problem is with the fundies because most of them are self-righteously and arrogantly judgemental, labeling atheists and agnostics as "evil" and condemning them to that eternal lake of fire simply because we believe differently. Though I criticize fundies on many threads, I do not engage in juvenile scare tactics in an attempt to strong-arm them into my way of thinking. It is this "fear of the Lord" strategy that I find despicable and offensive, trying to use intimidation to compel people to think their way. How ironic that it is I that am labeled evil.

Thanks, Fish, your compliment is greatly appreciated. And I completely agree with the last part of your statement about the "fear of the Lord" mentality that seems to make christian fundamentalists so angry at nonbelievers. If their Lord is supposed to be the kind and loving God they claim to be, then why should anyone be fearing it? That is the part I have yet to hear or read an intelligent response to.

S.I.N.= Self Inflicted NONSENSE

Ocean56 wrote:

<quoted text>
Thanks, Fish, your compliment is greatly appreciated. And I completely agree with the last part of your statement about the "fear of the Lord" mentality that seems to make christian fundamentalists so angry at nonbelievers. If their Lord is supposed to be the kind and loving God they claim to be, then why should anyone be fearing it? That is the part I have yet to hear or read an intelligent response to.
S.I.N.= Self Inflicted NONSENSE

There are a lot of things I can't get an intelligent response to! Anytime I corner a fundie with a logical conundrum that can't be explained, they start doing what I call the 'fundie dance.' It manifests itself in several ways. Here they are in order of my favorites:

1. The desperate lashout involving threats of fire and brimstone; the eternal lake of fire

2. Endlessless chanting of bible talking points to avoid answering. If you are familiar with John Guz, he epitomizes this tactic.

3. Back-pedaling

4. Diversionary tactics such as:

a.) trying to change the subject
b.) emphasizing something else out of context
c.) responding to my questions with questions

There are other fundie dance strategies as well, but these are the most common.

Good thread. Have a great night!

Fish wrote:

<quoted text>
There are a lot of things I can't get an intelligent response to! Anytime I corner a fundie with a logical conundrum that can't be explained, they start doing what I call the 'fundie dance.' It manifests itself in several ways. Here they are in order of my favorites:
1. The desperate lashout involving threats of fire and brimstone; the eternal lake of fire
2. Endlessless chanting of bible talking points to avoid answering. If you are familiar with John Guz, he epitomizes this tactic.
3. Back-pedaling
4. Diversionary tactics such as:
a.) trying to change the subject
b.) emphasizing something else out of context
c.) responding to my questions with questions
There are other fundie dance strategies as well, but these are the most common.
Good thread. Have a great night!

Very very true. Thanks.:)

Fish wrote:

<quoted text>
There are a lot of things I can't get an intelligent response to! Anytime I corner a fundie with a logical conundrum that can't be explained, they start doing what I call the 'fundie dance.' It manifests itself in several ways. Here they are in order of my favorites:
1. The desperate lashout involving threats of fire and brimstone; the eternal lake of fire
2. Endlessless chanting of bible talking points to avoid answering. If you are familiar with John Guz, he epitomizes this tactic.
3. Back-pedaling
4. Diversionary tactics such as:
a.) trying to change the subject
b.) emphasizing something else out of context
c.) responding to my questions with questions
There are other fundie dance strategies as well, but these are the most common.
Good thread. Have a great night!

I love the "fundie dance" term, let's have some fun with it, using some of your descriptions (I'm drawing blanks at the moment lol).

1. FUNDIE JITTERBUG: The desperate lashout involving threats of fire and brimstone; the eternal lake of fire.

2. FUNDIE CIRCLE DANCE: Endlessless chanting of bible talking points to avoid answering.

3. FUNDIE CHARLESTON: Back-pedaling

4. FUNDIE HUSTLE: Diversionary tactics such as:
a.) trying to change the subject. b.) emphasizing something else out of context c.) responding to my questions with questions

So, anytime we come across any of the above, let's call it. It's a variation on the old "Fundie Bingo" game.:-)

S.I.N.= Self Inflicted NONSENSE

Darn, I forgot to add something. Anyone, feel free to add to the list, as there are probably a few that I forgot. No need to limit ourselves to just four kinds of fundie dances.:-)

S.I.N.= Self Inflicted NONSENSE

Ocean56 wrote:

Darn, I forgot to add something. Anyone, feel free to add to the list, as there are probably a few that I forgot. No need to limit ourselves to just four kinds of fundie dances.:-)
S.I.N.= Self Inflicted NONSENSE

How about...

THE FUNDIE TWIST: Posting a reply to a question or challenge with nothing other than pointing out errors in spelling, grammar or syntax.

Ocean56 wrote:

Darn, I forgot to add something. Anyone, feel free to add to the list, as there are probably a few that I forgot. No need to limit ourselves to just four kinds of fundie dances.:-)
S.I.N.= Self Inflicted NONSENSE

Now I understand! I am an atheist - because I can't dance! It is all so clear to me now.

And here all this time I thought it was because I had an epiphany about the legitimacy of the bible.

LOL

Ocean56 wrote:

<quoted text>
I love the "fundie dance" term, let's have some fun with it, using some of your descriptions (I'm drawing blanks at the moment lol).
1. FUNDIE JITTERBUG: The desperate lashout involving threats of fire and brimstone; the eternal lake of fire.
2. FUNDIE CIRCLE DANCE: Endlessless chanting of bible talking points to avoid answering.
3. FUNDIE CHARLESTON: Back-pedaling
4. FUNDIE HUSTLE: Diversionary tactics such as:
a.) trying to change the subject. b.) emphasizing something else out of context c.) responding to my questions with questions
So, anytime we come across any of the above, let's call it. It's a variation on the old "Fundie Bingo" game.:-)
S.I.N.= Self Inflicted NONSENSE

That's great, Ocean! Hilarious!!! Perhaps our new internet speak will stick on other forums. Hey,all the internet shorthand like LOL, LMAO, etc. was started by one person at some point in time!

ImAnEvilCarrot wrote:

<quoted text>
How about...
THE FUNDIE TWIST: Posting a reply to a question or challenge with nothing other than pointing out errors in spelling, grammar or syntax.

Hey Carrot, that's a good one!

How about the Fundie Typo Twist? Nah, I like yours better.

Ocean56 wrote:

<quoted text>
I love the "fundie dance" term, let's have some fun with it, using some of your descriptions (I'm drawing blanks at the moment lol).
1. FUNDIE JITTERBUG: The desperate lashout involving threats of fire and brimstone; the eternal lake of fire.
2. FUNDIE CIRCLE DANCE: Endlessless chanting of bible talking points to avoid answering.
3. FUNDIE CHARLESTON: Back-pedaling
4. FUNDIE HUSTLE: Diversionary tactics such as:
a.) trying to change the subject. b.) emphasizing something else out of context c.) responding to my questions with questions
So, anytime we come across any of the above, let's call it. It's a variation on the old "Fundie Bingo" game.:-)
S.I.N.= Self Inflicted NONSENSE

..."Come on baybehhh...let's do the fundie Twist!..."

..."Do the fundie Hustle! Do the fundie Hustle!"...

Say, is a Fundie Circle dance akin to the circle...oh I better not...;>)

FundieSmacker wrote:

<quoted text>
..."Come on baybehhh...let's do the fundie Twist!..."
..."Do the fundie Hustle! Do the fundie Hustle!"...
Say, is a Fundie Circle dance akin to the circle...oh I better not...;>)

Hey FundieSmacker, please don't try to insert 'Safety Dance' from the 1980's! What garbage that was!

Oh wait, I think I'm seeing possibilities anyway...oh no!...

f.f.f.f.-u.u.u.u.-n.n.n.n.-d.d .d.d.-i.i.i.i.-e.e.e.e.

fundie daaaaaaannnnnccccee!!

You can dance if you want to
You can leave your world behind
Because if friends don't dance........

Oh never mind. That's bad.

Hey Ocean56, if you ever say "Uh-oh, you're jitterbugging" on another thread, I'll know exactly what you're talking about!

lol

ninetailedfox wrote:

Im not a fan of christianity, most of its adherants become serial killers, rapists, and the like. The ones that don't are few and far between.
Im an agnostic pagan. bash me if you want. sighs.

Hmm... methinks you might like it too much! No bashing for you!

Fish wrote:

<quoted text>
Hey FundieSmacker, please don't try to insert 'Safety Dance' from the 1980's! What garbage that was!
Oh wait, I think I'm seeing possibilities anyway...oh no!...
f.f.f.f.-u.u.u.u.-n.n.n.n.-d.d .d.d.-i.i.i.i.-e.e.e.e.
fundie daaaaaaannnnnccccee!!
You can dance if you want to
You can leave your world behind
Because if friends don't dance........
Oh never mind. That's bad.

Nah that was great! We should start doing lyrics from tunes like that. Good old "Men Without Hats". LOL

How about the 'Fundie Shuffle' where they shuffle the context of your post like a deck of cards and the result is a whole different meaning?

BTW, excellent opener Ocean! Agreed completely.

Some1 Else wrote:

How about the 'Fundie Shuffle' where they shuffle the context of your post like a deck of cards and the result is a whole different meaning?
BTW, excellent opener Ocean! Agreed completely.

Perhaps to the tune of the Curly Shuffle! Remember that 80's gem? lol