Well, it looks to me , this board is on its last legs .

[floo]

Sadly some of the more extreme theists who used to post on the forum brought the faith into disrepute with their unpleasant bigotry, especially towards gays. Some of them just loved to condemn all those who didn't see it their way to hell, which was horrible! In the past I have invited a few people, including a theist, to join the forum but they were put off by those posters. Of course not all theist posters on R&E are of that ilk, but it is the ghastly ones who make the running, unfortunately. Many of them have been banned because of their behaviour, but the damage is done, I suspect.

[Walter]

For my part, it'd be good if some honest to goodness theists joined who could set out plainly and cogently their arguments for others to discuss. I can't tell whether the theists who have joined have just been unable to do that, or whether theism itself really is devoid of content. Way back when (possibly on the old BBC Board) there was a a catholic priest called Father Patrick who made a good stab at it, but since then it's been pretty thin gruel.

Maybe someone could put up a postcard with this mb's address in their local theology college or something?

honest to goodness theists , isn't that an oxymoron?

[floo]

Maybe we could think of ideas to make the forum more appealing so people are desperate to join us. One idea of mine, having posted on forums for the over 50s, is that we have a special board for us ancient ones to air topics particularly applicable to our stage of life, just a thought.

[Walter]

Maybe we could think of ideas to make the forum more appealing so people are desperate to join us. One idea of mine, having posted on forums for the over 50s, is that we have a special board for us ancient ones to air topics particularly applicable to our stage of life, just a thought.

I like it ,but cant we just use this section we're on now ? btw over 50?

[floo]

I like it ,but cant we just use this section we're on now ? btw over 50?

Well over 50!

[Nearly Sane]

Maybe we could think of ideas to make the forum more appealing so people are desperate to join us. One idea of mine, having posted on forums for the over 50s, is that we have a special board for us ancient ones to air topics particularly applicable to our stage of life, just a thought.

effectively this is a special board of the over 50s. While there are a couple of young whippersnappers, we are look the junior branch of the local Tory party in age.

[floo]

effectively this is a special board of the over 50s. While there are a couple of young whippersnappers, we are look the junior branch of the local Tory party in age.

Well maybe we had better change its name then to 'Debate with Old Fossils'.

[Nearly Sane]

Well maybe we had better change its name then to 'Debate with Old Fossils'.

Sorry, could you speak up a bit!

[floo]

Sorry, could you speak up a bit!

Poor darling, do you need a new battery for your hearing aid?

[john]

I think people have given up trying to have meaningful conversations with "theists" about anything, they just put their fingers in their ears and shout loudly "la la la".

I think theists too have given up talking to non theists, after all when did you last see anyone with a Jesus Saves sandwich board on a street corner or have one knock at your door unbidden.

It is a shame perhaps but these two tribes have no point of contact for meaning full conversation.

The only people I know who ever go to church do so only under pressure to attend weddings, funerals, etc. And then only for social reasons.

And as for Islam no - one discusses anything connected with belief with them out of fear of reprisal.

A shame maybe? buts that's the way it is heading.

Any attempt at compromise is pointless and doomed to failure. 

[floo]

I think people have given up trying to have meaningful conversations with "theists" about anything, they just put their fingers in their ears and shout loudly "la la la".

I think theists too have given up talking to non theists, after all when did you last see anyone with a Jesus Saves sandwich board on a street corner or have one knock at your door unbidden.

It is a shame perhaps but these two tribes have no point of contact for meaning full conversation.

The only people I know who ever go to church do so only under pressure to attend weddings, funerals, etc. And then only for social reasons.

And as for Islam no - one discusses anything connected with belief with them out of fear of reprisal.

A shame maybe? buts that's the way it is heading.

Any attempt at compromise is pointless and doomed to failure.

Not all theists are pushy and opinionated. My three girls are moderate in their views, and definitely not Biblical literalists.

[john]

Floo

Ah yes but have you ever asked them to provide you with sensible evidence for the existence of God, Heaven, the power of prayer. Let alone more complicated things like why didn't God give his message to Aboriginal Australians etc.

[floo]

Floo

Ah yes but have you ever asked them to provide you with sensible evidence for the existence of God, Heaven, the power of prayer. Let alone more complicated things like why didn't God give his message to Aboriginal Australians etc.

It is not a topic we discuss, which is fair enough.

[Nearly Sane]

Not all theists are pushy and opinionated. My three girls are moderate in their views, and definitely not Biblical literalists.

Ditto as regards my theist friends, relations and work colleagues. The idea that i am or should avoid people because they are theist just seems odd.

[Robbie]

What evidence is available that would satisfy someone who does not believe? I've not heard any and wouldn't bother trying to convince someone else.

(john: "I think people have given up trying to have meaningful conversations with "theists" about anything, they just put their fingers in their ears and shout loudly "la la la"." 
Quite.)

Doestn't stop religions &ethics being interesting to talk and learn about.

Maybe God did give message to aboriginal Australians, they have their own beliefs and spirituality.

[john]

You see that is the sort of reply that makes discussion pointless.


"Maybe God did give message to aboriginal Australians, they have their own beliefs and spirituality."

Before Christian settlers arrived in Australia to what extent did the beliefs and practices of the Aborigine's resemble in anyway the message God gave to "the chosen people"?

You haven't thought it through, have you?

[Nearly Sane]

You see that is the sort of reply that makes discussion pointless.


"Maybe God did give message to aboriginal Australians, they have their own beliefs and spirituality."

Before Christian settlers arrived in Australia to what extent did the beliefs and practices of the Aborigine's resemble in anyway the message God gave to "the chosen people"?

You haven't thought it through, have you?

Maybe this god chappy's message is adaptive for different situations?

[john]

Nearly Sane

"Maybe this god chappy's message is adaptive for different situations?"

In which case following The Bible's teachings is pointless.

Like I said You haven't thought this through, have you?

[Robbie]

You see that is the sort of reply that makes discussion pointless.


"Maybe God did give message to aboriginal Australians, they have their own beliefs and spirituality."

Before Christian settlers arrived in Australia to what extent did the beliefs and practices of the Aborigine's resemble in anyway the message God gave to "the chosen people"?

You haven't thought it through, have you?

On the contrary I've thought it through quite deeply.

No I do not believe the faith of the Aborigines resembles the message from God to his 'chosen'. Nor do I believe that their faith is less valid,to them, for that. A pity early Christian missionaries did not have more respect for the beliefs of indigenous populations. Apart from religion, so much ancient culture was suppressed and obliterated all over the world. You don't have to be religious yourself to see that. actions performed in the name of Christianity has a lot to answer for in my opinion.

[Walter]

You see that is the sort of reply that makes discussion pointless.


"Maybe God did give message to aboriginal Australians, they have their own beliefs and spirituality."

Before Christian settlers arrived in Australia to what extent did the beliefs and practices of the Aborigine's resemble in anyway the message God gave to "the chosen people"?

You haven't thought it through, have you?

too right , sloppy thinking should be a crime against humanity.

[Nearly Sane]

Nearly Sane

"Maybe this god chappy's message is adaptive for different situations?"

In which case following The Bible's teachings is pointless.

Like I said You haven't thought this through, have you?

Me, I don't believe in it so the You is specious. As to the question perhaps the message is adaptive and the teachings are too based on their times. You seem to want to have an assumption of absolutism here, and while some Christians might agree with that, some wouldn't. Now you might argue that a god would be able to get everyone to think the same but then what's the point.


At base, though the issue is that you seen to want to ghettoise the religious as people not like you. That seems simply odd to me, and a tiny bit dangerous.

[Nearly Sane]

too right , sloppy thinking should be a crime against humanity.

I think it's a consequence of being human. If you think you don't think sloppily, that be the first evidence you were.

[Walter]

On the contrary I've thought it through quite deeply.

No I do not believe the faith of the Aborigines resembles the message from God to his 'chosen'. Nor do I believe that their faith is less valid,to them, for that. A pity early Christian missionaries did not have more respect for the beliefs of indigenous populations. Apart from religion, so much ancient culture was suppressed and obliterated all over the world. You don't have to be religious yourself to see that. actions performed in the name of Christianity has a lot to answer for in my opinion.

I'm a scholar in Aboriginal beliefs and culture (I spent 23 minutes in the dedicated section of the museum of Brisbane last year ) and they are obviously far more deluded than any Christian I've met.
you can take that to the bank 

[Walter]

I think it's a consequence of being human. If you think you don't think sloppily, that be the first evidence you were.

I thank you !

[Nearly Sane]

I thank you !

No need, your presence is like a slice of Battenburg