An atheist chaplain

[Cow Poke]

I am referring to the new chaplain at Harvard. Not Jeffrey, or for that matter, Jacob.

My sincere apologies - I jumped to a wrong conclusion.

(see how simple that is?)

[Hypatia_Alexandria]

My sincere apologies - I jumped to a wrong conclusion.

(see how simple that is?)

Your assumption was understandable given that there are many people with the name Epstein.

[Cow Poke]

Your assumption was understandable given that there are many people with the name Epstein.

But I misspoke, and apologized, because I was wrong. It's the decent thing to do.

[Darth Executor]

Imagine not believing in God and becoming... a humanist. 0 personality. 0 soul. 0 imagination. Literally "White liberalism: the religion".

Tragic.

[Hypatia_Alexandria]

Imagine not believing in God and becoming... a humanist. 0 personality. 0 soul. 0 imagination. Literally "White liberalism: the religion".

Tragic.

There is an alternative to that line of thinking.

Who wants to be a moral sheep coerced into being humane by fear?

[rogue06]

There is an alternative to that line of thinking.

Who wants to be a moral sheep coerced into being humane by fear?

If you are "coerced into being humane" then you are doing it wrong. Truly finding God makes you want to be more humane.

[Hypatia_Alexandria]

If you are "coerced into being humane" then you are doing it wrong. Truly finding God makes you want to be more humane.

I disagree that in order to be a humane and compassionate human being it is necessary to believe in a construct premised somewhat loosely on an ancient near eastern deity.

I would also contend that some versions of the Christian god are coercive, i.e. Believe in me or face the eternal torment to which I will commit you.

[rogue06]

I disagree that in order to be a humane and compassionate human being it is necessary to believe in a construct premised somewhat loosely on an ancient near eastern deity.

Well then I guess it is a good thing nobody made that assertion

I would also contend that some versions of the Christian god are coercive, i.e. Believe in me or face the eternal torment to which I will commit you.

Have you ever asked a devout Christian if they feel in any way coerced to do good? When you find God your outlook and attitude change.

[Hypatia_Alexandria]

Well then I guess it is a good thing nobody made that assertion

The comment was made "Imagine not believing in God" and I assume that the god of which Darth Executor wrote was a version of the Abrahamic deity.

Have you ever asked a devout Christian if they feel in any way coerced to do good?

That depends on what you consider to be a "devout Christian".

When you find God your outlook and attitude change.

Judging from much of the the behaviour I have come across on various religious sites on the web I can only opine that if that is indeed the case, it is generally not a "change" for the better.

[rogue06]

[...]


Judging from much of the the behaviour I have come across on various religious sites on the web I can only opine that if that is indeed the case, it is generally not a "change" for the better.

That you receive a less than welcoming response wherever you go is certainly of no surprise.

[Hypatia_Alexandria]

That you receive a less than welcoming response wherever you go is certainly of no surprise.

Did I specifically mention behaviour towards myself?

[Hypatia_Alexandria]

That you receive a less than welcoming response wherever you go is certainly of no surprise.

As to the rest of my post, what do you consider to be a "devout Christian"? And how do you consider finding God has improved your outlook and attitude towards the world and your fellow human beings?

[Sparko]

As to the rest of my post, what do you consider to be a "devout Christian"? And how do you consider finding God has improved your outlook and attitude towards the world and your fellow human beings?

You shoulda met him BEFORE he became a Christian!

[rogue06]

You shoulda met him BEFORE he became a Christian!

And I tend to be nicer online

And yet, I tend to get along with most everyone.

[NorrinRadd]

As to the rest of my post, what do you consider to be a "devout Christian"? And how do you consider finding God has improved your outlook and attitude towards the world and your fellow human beings?

I will confess that age and life experience have significantly affected me in the negative direction since the early years after my conversion in early 1980.