EdSalti Posted September 9, 2008 Report Share Posted September 9, 2008 The radical fringe has to be paid attention to, because they determine where that center will be in a generation or two. In my experience, that center has been pulled substantially to the irrational side because of the effectiveness of the radical fringe in ramping up the emphasis on the mystical aspects of existence and the altruistic nature of morality. Well, sir, I shall leave you to your watch on the ramparts. I admit there are some strange birds nesting in the fringe. It is comforting to know someone is keeping an eye on them. My wife was raised in the Church of Christ, a name she still can't say without a shiver. She converted long ago to Reform Pagan and is currently working on her 32d degree Crone. A comforting statistic perhaps: From 1990 to 2000, Christianity showed an increase of 5%. Slightly less than the rise of the population at large. Nonreligious/secular beliefs showed a rise of 110%. Hang in there, folks, we may have them on the run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agrippa1 Posted September 9, 2008 Report Share Posted September 9, 2008 Nonreligious/secular beliefs showed a rise of 110%. Hang in there, folks, we may have them on the run. And we all know there's nothing to be scared of in non-religious/secular belief systems. There's a philosopher I read a while back who pointed out that collective ideologies, whether they be religion-based, society-based, race-based, language-based, etc.. are a common danger to individual freedoms. I can't remember off hand the name of that philosopher. Maybe someone here can help me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mammon Posted September 9, 2008 Report Share Posted September 9, 2008 Hang in there, folks, we may have them on the run. Animals strike when they feel threatend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agrippa1 Posted September 10, 2008 Report Share Posted September 10, 2008 (edited) The radical fringe has to be paid attention to, because they determine where that center will be in a generation or two. In my experience, that center has been pulled substantially to the irrational side because of the effectiveness of the radical fringe in ramping up the emphasis on the mystical aspects of existence and the altruistic nature of morality. Don't you think the power of irrationality in religious fringes is directly related to the irrationality of the secular fringes? I see the two ends as reinforcing each other by generating fear of the other. The socialists point to the Christians as dangerous, and the Christians point to the socialists as dangerous. The difference is that the socialists claim rationality on their side, and by doing so diminish the strength of truly rational arguments. The radical Christians can then smear the socialists and the rational with the same brush - "See? Rationality does not apply to life's deeper truth!" So which is the more dangerous? The side that promotes the irrational by rejecting rationality, or the side that promotes the irrational by embracing rationality? (edit - taut.) Edited September 10, 2008 by agrippa1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Andrew Posted December 6, 2008 Report Share Posted December 6, 2008 (edited) Jesus doesn't scare me, but he is rather irritating. I hate how he has to use metaphors to try and say something. Just say it and be done with it! You don't have to start everything with "So, two guys walk into a bar.." And we got that you were telling the truth the first time! It reminds me of the Ayn Rand quote. It goes something along the lines of "Only a dishonest man has to worry about being trusted." Edited December 6, 2008 by Sir Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maximus Posted December 6, 2008 Report Share Posted December 6, 2008 Ain't skeered 'o Jesus. That Allah feller's a mite worrysome though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake_Ellison Posted December 17, 2008 Report Share Posted December 17, 2008 (edited) Why be scared, when everyone says Jesus is the most lovingest Messiah? As a matter of fact, the Phelps-Roper family (Westboro Baptist Church) just recently sent in a brand new Christmas song to one of my favorite shows on XM-Sirius, sharing the holiday cheers with all the children of the world: Mind the sarcasm, it's sharp. [edit] The song is the real deal. Pay attention to the words. Edited December 17, 2008 by Jake_Ellison Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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