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Zocrates
I rank, therefore I am
Joined: 07 Feb 2006
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 Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 10:14 pm Post subject: Re: Questions: for non chrisitians 16-24. |
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| supertwiggs wrote: | | a. How do you describe your religious background and church involvement if any? |
My parents had both had bad experiences with religion growing up so they didn't feel compelled to bring us up that way. My mom just continually saw people act up 6 days a week and go to church on sunday and my dad pretty much found out that it was all BS later on.
So I didn't grow up with christmas, easter still to this day means nothing to me, halloween, tooth fairy, etc etc. and I don't see that as any big loss. I do see the positive side to christmas and wouldn't object to it if my fiance would want to celebrate it with our kids down the road.
I've attended more church recently than I did growing up. I've taken numerous people up on their invitations and every last one of them actually seemed more and more ridiculous each time.
| Quote: | b. To you, what is God like? Describe God. If they do not believe in God, don't ask
the next several questions, but ask . . . To you, what is important in life? |
I find my personal safety and happiness to be important. I want to be able to financially be in a situation where I can raise my family, see the world, laugh, and soak everything in while I'm here.
| Quote: | | e. Describe what the term/name Jesus Christ means to you? |
I see jesus as the most famous fictional character of all time. Even if jesus was an actual real person, I still see the stories written about him as complete exaggerations.
| Quote: | | f. If you were to attend a church or youth group, what would be important to you? |
To listen to what people actually believe. I find it fascinating that someone can believe everything they are told without any evidence whatsoever other than that another human being has been "appointed" by other human beings (or often themselves) to be the "voice of god".
| Quote: | | g. From your perspective, what are some of the major problems you see with churches and youth ministries? |
Well the main problem with youth ministries is that kids are being force fed information at a very young age. A five year old should not be making a decision whether or not to pray to jesus christ.....and if they're not given the opportunity to MAKE the deicsion for themselves, then that's wrong.
Church can bring people together, but it's also one of the more polarizing institutions in the world....if not the greatest. And I am completely against anything that further separates people, especially without any other justification than "I feel like my god is the real god".
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AtheistEngineer
AE
Joined: 07 Jul 2005
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| Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 10:25 pm Post subject: Re: Questions: for non chrisitians 16-24. |
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a. How do you describe your religious background and church involvement if any?
Both my parents are agnostic/atheist, let me make up my own mind, even took me to church when I was a kid, after I asked them (kids at school ridiculed me for not going, so I thought I'd check it out). Needless to day, I didn't like church that much and stopped having them take me after a short time. I had tons of friends as a kid who were of all kinds of religious backgrounds, so I got a little taste of everything.
b. To you, what is God like? Describe God. If they do not believe in God, don't ask
the next several questions, but ask . . . To you, what is important in life?
The God concept is silly to me. To me, what is important in life is to have as many experiences as you can, find things you love, and help advance the human race. Enjoy it on your own terms.
e. Describe what the term/name Jesus Christ means to you?
The name of a guy who some people believe to be the son of God, who died and came back to life, defied all laws of physics, and has a beard and wears sandals all the time.
f. If you were to attend a church or youth group, what would be important to you?
To leave as quickly as possible.
g. From your perspective, what are some of the major problems you see with
churches and youth ministries?
Where do I start... |
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baddogma
antitheist
Joined: 01 Feb 2006
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Location: Colorado
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| Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 8:23 am Post subject: Re: Questions: for non chrisitians 16-24. |
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| transientangent wrote: | | Jane Austen wrote: |
They speak for god and don't leave much up to interpretation. They use groupthink psychology a lot, too. I once attended a youth group meeting where, when they found out I was waning in my belief for god, refused to give me a lollypop (everyone else got one  ) |
That's pretty fucked up right there. How could they not think that maybe this was an insincere way to win belief? |
lol. Wow, I would have told them to shove the lollypop where the sun don't shine!
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Moloth
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| Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 9:02 am Post subject: Re: Questions: for non chrisitians 16-24. |
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| baddogma wrote: | | transientangent wrote: | | Jane Austen wrote: |
They speak for god and don't leave much up to interpretation. They use groupthink psychology a lot, too. I once attended a youth group meeting where, when they found out I was waning in my belief for god, refused to give me a lollypop (everyone else got one ) |
That's pretty fucked up right there. How could they not think that maybe this was an insincere way to win belief? |
lol. Wow, I would have told them to shove the lollypop where the sun don't shine! |
i have that vid.
Mmmm... girls in pig-tails with lollipops...
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Last edited by Moloth on Tue Feb 30, 2026 13:61 am; edited 426 times in total |
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BarkAtTheMoon
O Captain, my Captain
Joined: 20 Dec 2004
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Location: Wilmington, DE
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| Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 9:14 am Post subject: Re: Questions: for non chrisitians 16-24. |
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Is it just me, or are all these questions, including the first bunch, utterly ridiculous to be asking a bunch of atheists? I'm kind of curious where you're going with this, supertwiggs? Are you writing a paper or something for bible school?
| supertwiggs wrote: |
a. How do you describe your religious background and church involvement if any?
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Grew up going to an Episcopal church, and God only came up in our family at church on Sunday and saying the blessing before big family meals(holidays) when my grandparents were there.
| Quote: |
b. To you, what is God like? Describe God. If they do not believe in God, don't ask
the next several questions, but ask . . . To you, what is important in life?
c. What do you think is important and not important to God?
d. What do you think it takes to be straightened out with God?
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I don't believe. The supernatural is fictional. Family, friends, sports, etc., all the things I enjoy doing and make me happy.
| Quote: |
e. Describe what the term/name Jesus Christ means to you?
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Again, fictional, mythical. There were plenty of preachers wandering around that era, and the stories were probably based on some of them, but none of them walked on water, rose from the dead, was the son of God, etc.
| Quote: |
f. If you were to attend a church or youth group, what would be important to you?
g. From your perspective, what are some of the major problems you see with
churches and youth ministries? |
I try not to unless I have to (usually Christmas Eve & maybe Easter). Churches dying out and losing members is a good thing in my opinion. It means people are waking up and taking responsibility for their lives.
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baddogma
antitheist
Joined: 01 Feb 2006
Posts: 9923
Local time: 8:15 AM
Location: Colorado
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| Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 10:05 am Post subject: Re: Questions: for non chrisitians 16-24. |
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| Moloth wrote: | | baddogma wrote: | | transientangent wrote: | | Jane Austen wrote: |
They speak for god and don't leave much up to interpretation. They use groupthink psychology a lot, too. I once attended a youth group meeting where, when they found out I was waning in my belief for god, refused to give me a lollypop (everyone else got one ) |
That's pretty fucked up right there. How could they not think that maybe this was an insincere way to win belief? |
lol. Wow, I would have told them to shove the lollypop where the sun don't shine! |
i have that vid.
Mmmm... girls in pig-tails with lollipops... |
Still Pics or it don't exist!
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baddogma
antitheist
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Location: Colorado
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| Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 12:03 pm Post subject: Re: Questions: for non chrisitians 16-24. |
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| Quote: | | [quote="BarkAtTheMoon"]Is it just me, or are all these questions, including the first bunch, utterly ridiculous to be asking a bunch of atheists? I'm kind of curious where you're going with this, supertwiggs? Are you writing a paper or something for bible school? |
Non-Christians might still believe in god/s.
I thought the same thing, then re-read the title.
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Mathew
Intern
Joined: 27 Oct 2007
Posts: 38
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Location: Texas
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| Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 4:18 pm Post subject: Re: Questions: for non chrisitians 16-24. |
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| supertwiggs wrote: | If you had answered my first set thanks, here's another set.
a. How do you describe your religious background and church involvement if any?
b. To you, what is God like? Describe God. If they do not believe in God, don't ask
the next several questions, but ask . . . To you, what is important in life?
c. What do you think is important and not important to God?
d. What do you think it takes to be straightened out with God?
e. Describe what the term/name Jesus Christ means to you?
f. If you were to attend a church or youth group, what would be important to you?
g. From your perspective, what are some of the major problems you see with
churches and youth ministries? |
a. I was raised in a very christian family. My mom made me go to church all the time. I was a christian at the time and I loved God, but I still hated going to church. I was involved with my youth group until I was 15.
b. God is a pompous, arrogant, hypocritical dictator who slaughtered thousands of people just because they wouldn't abide by his rules.
c and d. God wants people to either worship him or die. End of story.
e. I'm almost convinced that Jesus never existed, so he means nothing to me.
f. To get out of there as quickly as possible...
g. Trying to take over America and force their "morals" and "values" on every citizen in the country whether they are christian or not.
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BarkAtTheMoon
O Captain, my Captain
Joined: 20 Dec 2004
Posts: 5023
Local time: 7:15 PM
Location: Wilmington, DE
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| Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 4:23 pm Post subject: Re: Questions: for non chrisitians 16-24. |
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| baddogma wrote: | | BarkAtTheMoon wrote: | | Is it just me, or are all these questions, including the first bunch, utterly ridiculous to be asking a bunch of atheists? I'm kind of curious where you're going with this, supertwiggs? Are you writing a paper or something for bible school? |
Non-Christians might still believe in god/s.
I thought the same thing, then re-read the title. |
Well yeah, that's true, but on atheistforums.com? This place is 95% atheist, and the vast majority of theists are Christians AFAIK. Plus, all the youth group stuff kinda points towards Christian (do other religions do shit like that?). Meh, no big deal, just kinda made me go  .
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"The very existence of flame throwers proves that some time, somewhere, someone said to themselves, 'You know, I want to set those people over there on fire, but I'm just not close enough to get the job done.' - George Carlin
"I hope that someday we will be able to put away our fears and prejudices and just laugh at people." - Deep Thoughts by Jack Handey |
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Dragonfall
Intern
Joined: 08 Apr 2007
Posts: 53
Local time: 6:15 PM
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| Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 5:12 pm Post subject: Re: Questions: for non chrisitians 16-24. |
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a. How do you describe your religious background and church involvement if any?
None
b. To you, what is God like? Describe God. If they do not believe in God, don't ask
the next several questions, but ask . . . To you, what is important in life?
What's God?
c. What do you think is important and not important to God?
Cannot answer since God is undefined.
d. What do you think it takes to be straightened out with God?
Cannot answer since God is undefined.
e. Describe what the term/name Jesus Christ means to you?
Some guy who may or may not have lived some time in the past.
f. If you were to attend a church or youth group, what would be important to you?
The abolition of said church.
g. From your perspective, what are some of the major problems you see with
churches and youth ministries?
No intellectual challenge. |
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RyanDzundza
Sock Puppet
Joined: 19 Sep 2007
Posts: 5296
Local time: 11:15 PM
Location: Manchester
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| Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 8:06 pm Post subject: Re: Questions: for non chrisitians 16-24. |
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| supertwiggs wrote: | | a. How do you describe your religious background and church involvement if any? |
was forced to go to mass every sunday by my mum untill about age 10, hated every minute of it, went to catholic shools, hated them, untill finally i managed to go to college and have nothing to do with religion, loved it
| Quote: | b. To you, what is God like? Describe God. If they do not believe in God, don't ask
c. What do you think is important and not important to God?
d. What do you think it takes to be straightened out with God? |
dont belive god is real, but if it was real and the bible is true god is pure evil
| Quote: | | e. Describe what the term/name Jesus Christ means to you? |
some guy who was deluded and had fcuked up family values, even Mary once tried to tell him he had lost it
| Quote: | | f. If you were to attend a church or youth group, what would be important to you? |
for the organisers to tell the truth about the bible instead of only picking and choosing the bits that are still (kind of) relevant today
| Quote: | g. From your perspective, what are some of the major problems you see with
churches and youth ministries? |
the brainwashing of children by putting the fear of hell into them, the intolerence to homsexuals or anyone else who doesnt agree with them, i find the way people who believe in a certain religion feel compelled to try and 'save' everyone, that damned annoying, and the fact they have started teaching religion as science in some places, i mean, come on creationism is the most fucked up idea ever
obviously there are a lot more problems with churches and religion in general but id be here all day if i were to list them
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supertwiggs
Visitor
Joined: 31 Oct 2007
Posts: 8
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Location: West Virginia
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| Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 12:51 am Post subject: Re: Questions: for non chrisitians 16-24. |
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| BarkAtTheMoon wrote: | | Is it just me, or are all these questions, including the first bunch, utterly ridiculous to be asking a bunch of atheists? I'm kind of curious where you're going with this, supertwiggs? Are you writing a paper or something for bible school? |
I am writing a paper for school, but i also love to see other perspectives. I'm sure you've had enough Jesus shoved down your throats without you being heard. It's time we listen for a change.
I don't think it is utterly ridiculous to be asking atheists these questions. Actually, I think it is the right people to ask. If, by what I believe, I were to not try and understand non Christians and show Christ to them through me, I would be completely wrong and hypocritical of what I say and stand for. I'm sure you think we are all douche bag, brainwashed freaks, and that's fine, that still shouldn't deter me from my goal in this life.
Thanks for asking, and thanks for answering as well. |
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RyanDzundza
Sock Puppet
Joined: 19 Sep 2007
Posts: 5296
Local time: 11:15 PM
Location: Manchester
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| Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 7:58 am Post subject: Re: Questions: for non chrisitians 16-24. |
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| supertwiggs wrote: |
I don't think it is utterly ridiculous to be asking atheists these questions. Actually, I think it is the right people to ask. |
i think asking agnostics about questions 2 and 3 (i think) would of been better, since you put down if you dont believe in god dont answer, might as well of not put the questions in on this board
| Quote: | I'm sure you think we are all douche bag, brainwashed freaks, and that's fine, that still shouldn't deter me from my goal in this life.
Thanks for asking, and thanks for answering as well. |
we dont think that about all christians, there are a few on this board that seem ok, we only think that about idiots like russainreligious, who i havent heard from in a while so i think were in the clear
good luck with your school report
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supertwiggs
Visitor
Joined: 31 Oct 2007
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Local time: 6:15 PM
Location: West Virginia
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| Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 1:02 pm Post subject: Re: Questions: for non chrisitians 16-24. |
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| RyanDzundza wrote: |
good luck with your school report |
thanks
i get way better answers (especially more colorful) from here than i do any where else. and most of the time people are not ridiculously, though i get a good laugh out of some of those off the wall answers.
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"The greatest single cause of atheism in the world is Christians who acknowledge with their lips, walk out the door and deny it by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable."
Bonnie: Somebody save him, he can't swim!
Peter: Oh, he's not even kicking. Kick Joe, kick.
Lois: Peter, he's a paraplegic!
Peter: That doesn't mean he can't hear. Kick Joe, kick! |
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Nimitz
Guest
Local time: 9:15 AM
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| Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 1:28 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | am writing a paper for school, but i also love to see other perspectives. I'm sure you've had enough Jesus shoved down your throats without you being heard. It's time we listen for a change.
I don't think it is utterly ridiculous to be asking atheists these questions. Actually, I think it is the right people to ask. If, by what I believe, I were to not try and understand non Christians and show Christ to them through me, I would be completely wrong and hypocritical of what I say and stand for. I'm sure you think we are all douche bag, brainwashed freaks, and that's fine, that still shouldn't deter me from my goal in this life.
Thanks for asking, and thanks for answering as well. |
SuperTwiggs, remember a great many of us are former Christians. We were as you are now. We once thought as you do.
What are "your" goals in this life? |
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