Then take the people who believe it seriously, they're still people and they deserve respect even when they wont respect you.
I say bullshit. Respect is earned, not given. Yes, people should be treated in a civil manner except in extreme circumstances, but I'm sick of people demanding that they or their ideas be respected 'just because'. Fuck that. Oh, and if one wants to be taken 'seriously' then they had better not be spouting ridiculous unfounded magical nonsense as if it were fact.
It's symbolism for the fact that man came from dirt and to dirt he will return.
The interesting thing about the bible is it doesn't tell you when it's using symbolism or metaphors and when it's being literal. If you are going to use the argument that this is symbolism or metaphor then we can say that about everything in the entire bible. Oh, and the atoms that make us up didn't come from dirt, they came from stars. Again, the bible is misinformed.
It exists as nothing more then a bit of brightly colored cloth. Going back to the original comparison with Genesis this is like saying the story is real in the sense that it's words on paper.
That's not my point, never was. I'm simply saying that something can be both an actual representation of an event and symbolize something deeper.
The interesting thing about the bible is it doesn't tell you when it's using symbolism or metaphors and when it's being literal. If you are going to use the argument that this is symbolism or metaphor then we can say that about everything in the entire bible.
Read my post, I never said that it was true in fact I said it was symbolism.
Oh, and the atoms that make us up didn't come from dirt, they came from stars. Again, the bible is misinformed.
Once again you miss the point, coming from dirt, again is symbolism for the inevitable death of man. Picking apart the bible like this is a great way to piss people off, nothing more.
I say bull****. Respect is earned, not given.
Or don't respect them and perpetrate a common stereotype of atheists, you're choice not mine.
Oh, and if one wants to be taken 'seriously' then they had better not be spouting ridiculous unfounded magical nonsense as if it were fact.
It's faith man, god damn you have to both know that it isn't fact and that it is at the same time. It's the leap of faith and a corner stone of religion. And no I don't care if you think it's stupid as the majority of the world does not, this does not make it right but it makes it powerful so instead of complaining about it use it to your advantage. Show them they are wrong through positive measures don't just tell them, talk is cheap.
Or don't respect them and perpetrate a common stereotype of atheists, you're choice not mine.
wow, i never thought of it that way, but it is a pretty common stereotype of atheists. i mean all they ever do is bitch that religious people believe in something that in their OPINION is unreal.
i mean all they ever do is ***** that religious people believe in something that in their OPINION is unreal.
Right, heck I don't believe in God anymore but that doesn't mean I have to be a douche about it. Religion isn't the entirety of a person, not befriending someone because of this; it just makes no sense.
i mean all they ever do is ***** that religious people believe in something that in their OPINION is unreal.
Many atheist, including myself, don't care if someone believes in God(s) or not. We care about when they try to use their religious ideas to govern everyone, or when they force their religion upon us.
Many atheist, including myself, don't care if someone believes in God(s) or not. We care about when they try to use their religious ideas to govern everyone, or when they force their religion upon us.
Which is fine, but not respecting someone simply because they believe something else is ridiculous beyond belief.
but not respecting someone simply because they believe something else is ridiculous beyond belief.
I have never met anyone like that. I have met a lot of people similar to me. I will act civil unless someone starts being an ***, then they have shown they don't deserve respect and so I show them none.
You must have missed some of the threads on here then. If a Christian decides to be violent* about what they believe and aren't showing oyu respect it's fair to destroy any argument they have.
*Violent does NOT mean simply telling you about God. If you freak out because they try to start a conversation about it then you mind to open up your mind. Yes you, the atheist/agnostic.
Many atheist, including myself, don't care if someone believes in God(s) or not. We care about when they try to use their religious ideas to govern everyone, or when they force their religion upon us.
despite religious leaders, how exactly can someone "force" religion on you? really all they can do is talk, and if you just walk away usually they go away, except for those damned mormons, THEY NEVER LEAVE!!!
Yes, one cannot "force" religion onto you, although many guidelines and morals we follow today have very close relations and ties to the ones set in certain religions. This isn't always all that bad.
Read my post, I never said that it was true in fact I said it was symbolism.
I did read your post Samy. You stated that the story of man being created of earth was a metaphor. Yet nowhere in the bible does it say what is or is not metaphor. So someone could just as legitimately say that the story of Adam being made from earth was a literal event and use the exact same proof you have to say it was a metaphorical one.
What I was pointing out is that the bible does this throughout, which is the source of much of the confusion surrounding the legends contained within it.
You stated that the story of man being created of earth was a metaphor. Yet nowhere in the bible does it say what is or is not metaphor.
I wasn't using it as an argument though, neither was I using this to excuse the story of creation from the idea that the bible is absolute point. My goal was simply to point out that the bible wasn't simply a bunch of myths with no underlying philosophies or moral guidelines. I believe it was in response to those saying they have never read the bible and weren't planning on it
I wasn't directing my comment about your illustration from Genesis at you per se anyhow. It was more of a musing or reflection on the ambiguity of the bible and how each story could be either literal or metaphorical, yet it neatly sidesteps directing the reader as to which it is. This leaves each reader to draw their own conclusions and further divides people on the issues which it attempts to address. I apologize if the intentions of my statements were unclear.
And in regards to respecting others and their beliefs, I simply do not respect anyone on such a basis. I will, however, be cordial and as polite as possible when dealing with them, which I think we all should do to one another regardless. But respect, to me, is a far cry from simple civility and is not something which is given, or should be expected, until it has been earned. Perhaps I've digressed to nit-picking your usage of the term 'respect' at this point, I'm unsure. I just feel very strongly on the issue of respect and am quite perturbed by the continuing cries that people deserve respect because they are people. I just don't ride that train, sorry.
I just feel very strongly on the issue of respect and am quite perturbed by the continuing cries that people deserve respect because they are people. I just don't ride that train, sorry.
That's fair, I've recently been shocked by the sheer amount of people who cry for liberty of one group without a thought for the rights of the opposition. Perhaps I'm wrong or anti-progressive but I believe that every school of thought, every fear, every aspect of humanity, must be observed before one can come to the conclusion of how to preserve the liberty of all. Choosing one side inevitably undermines the rights of the other.
I simply do not respect anyone on such a basis
Out of curiosity does this include all Christians or just the idiots? I'll be fair I don't like ignorant Christians but I don't like ignorant atheists any better, to me knowing what you believe and practicing said belief is to be respected. Obviously I don't support terrorist actions but to be willing to be martyred for what you believe creates respect for me in you.
Perhaps I've digressed to nit-picking your usage of the term 'respect' at this point
Ah, subjectivity. I respect intelligence and well thought out beliefs whatever they happen to be.
I just feel very strongly on the issue of respect and am quite perturbed by the continuing cries that people deserve respect because they are people. I just don't ride that train, sorry.
I agree, it's just I try to take a holistic view of an individual before I deny them respect. I give respect to all but if you lose it you must gain it back.
That's not my point, never was. I'm simply saying that something can be both an actual representation of an event and symbolize something deeper.
How can it be an actual representation and symbolism?
But respect, to me, is a far cry from simple civility and is not something which is given, or should be expected, until it has been earned. Perhaps I've digressed to nit-picking your usage of the term 'respect' at this point, I'm unsure. I just feel very strongly on the issue of respect and am quite perturbed by the continuing cries that people deserve respect because they are people. I just don't ride that train, sorry.
I would like to add to this that we can respect the person but not necessarily their beliefs.
