The Dudeism Forum

http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-910282?hpt=hp_bn1

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When my son was around 3 years old, he used to ask me a lot of questions about heaven. Where is it? How do people walk without a body? How will I find you? You know the questions that kids ask.

     For over a year, I lied to him and made up stories that I didn?t believe about heaven. Like most parents, I love my child so much that I didn?t want him to be scared. I wanted him to feel safe and loved and full of hope. But the trade-off was that I would have to make stuff up, and I would have to brainwash him into believing stories that didn?t make sense, stories that I didn?t believe either.

     One day he would know this, and he would not trust my judgment. He would know that I built an elaborate tale?not unlike the one we tell children about Santa?to explain the inconsistent and illogical legend of God.

     And so I thought it was only right to be honest with my children. I am a non-believer, and for years I?ve been on the fringe in my community. As a blogger, though, I?ve found that there are many other parents out there like me. We are creating the next generation of kids, and there is a wave of young agnostics, atheists, free thinkers and humanists rising up through the ranks who will, hopefully, lower our nation?s religious fever.

And the absolutely jaw dropping amazing first comment from the religious camp....

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She has never experienced God like I have. She has never seen darkness or demons. She does not understand that some people serve Satan. She has no comprehension of his greatness. She has never witnessed his wrath or blessings first hand. Her kids waking up is a blessing. Everyone dies. He killed children in the Bible. I have seen too much and he has done too much for me to doubt. That is her opinion. I have mine. No one knows the day or time of death. If we don't know the time of death, how can we presume length of life. People have kids every day and plan for college.

Who said that they were going to live that long? Our assumptions are not God's fault. That was the day for all of those kids to die. Their parents all moved or stayed in Newtown. No one said their death had to be painless, sensible, or un tragic. He is a compassionate God. Those kids did not suffer. I don't have to understand what he does. He is! That's it.

Because she can't understand Him, He does not exist? Because He does not react the way she wants Him to, He is a myth. She will find out that God is real. She is fulfilling her purpose with that blog. There will always be unbelievers. All we can do is pray for him. Hopefully it won't take her burning in hell to believe.

I've never served Satan, but I was once married to his sister. 

I'm all for people living like they want to live as long as they're not causing harm to others, but some of those xtian folks concern me. After I divorced Satan's Sister she got born again, remarried, and had a couple more spawn, two boys, whom she raised to believe that they are "warriors for Christ" or some such disturbing nonsense. The eldest of them was about six years old when he informed me, proudly and in front of his parents who saw nothing wrong in it, that in the end times it would be his job to roam the land slaying non-believers -- like me. I wonder what will happen if some bat shit crazy radio preacher down in Texas (where they live) convinces those two little miscreants and their ilk that the time has come.

Quote from: RighteousDude on January 16, 2013, 05:05:00 PM
I've never served Satan, but I was once married to his sister. 

I'm all for people living like they want to live as long as they're not causing harm to others, but some of those xtian folks concern me. After I divorced Satan's Sister she got born again, remarried, and had a couple more spawn, two boys, whom she raised to believe that they are "warriors for Christ" or some such disturbing nonsense. The eldest of them was about six years old when he informed me, proudly and in front of his parents who saw nothing wrong in it, that in the end times it would be his job to roam the land slaying non-believers -- like me. I wonder what will happen if some bat shit crazy radio preacher down in Texas (where they live) convinces those two little miscreants and their ilk that the time has come.

Yes to behold the effect is to behold the purpose. When people pursue something they insist is "Good" and end up that turned around it is no accident. The Christian response for instance..

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Who said that they were going to live that long? Our assumptions are not God's fault. That was the day for all of those kids to die. Their parents all moved or stayed in Newtown. No one said their death had to be painless, sensible, or un tragic. He is a compassionate God. Those kids did not suffer. I don't have to understand what he does. He is! That's it.

While delusional and psychotic it does walk hand in hand with a LOT of what the Bible tells us and more of what the followers make from that.
The most pertinent part is the "I don't have to understand what he does. He is! That's it."
That is what makes it possible for a person to truly believe that roaming around killing people is good.
When saying something is enough to make it true, it leads to bad things. Always. It is not the source of morality but the surrender of it. We have a moral compass. Religion is there to render it useless so that people will do as they are told.

The Bible belt. What does it give us?
Just check out the "good God fearing" people below.
Use to be a common thing to have a lynching and the whole town would turn out.
And one thing absolutely for sure is that these people were very very very religious.
Bible belt. The Klan identifies it's self as a Christian organization and with good reason.
They follow the dogma.

Quote from: BikerDude on January 17, 2013, 07:57:16 AM
Yes to behold the effect is to behold the purpose.

I wouldn't expect anything different from a culture that believes itself to be created by and is reverent of a pathological narcissist. But what else could their god be, having been created in man's image? And of what use is a god that doesn't support those at the head of the hierarchy?

This is what I get for having never been indoctrinated into a religious order, I guess. No respect for authority. 

Weren't they supposed to follow Jesus, not God?

(I know, I live near Texas, you'd think I would know this or at least understand it. But I don't.) I work in a health care setting run by a... conservative church (who have certain views that frankly effin' scare me) and the amount of horse shit I have to hear every week about how the world is going to end soon ("Hallelujah!" Ugh!) would probably blow my mind if I hadn't decided that being more Dudelike is the way to deal with it.

But yeah, those "Christian crusader" types scare me the most.

In closing, I think it's sad that it took me close to eight years of living out here (after spending most of my life on the East Coast) to see a church sign that finally "got" what Jesus' message was all about. It said "Love one another". The church down the road, meanwhile, said the country was going straight to hell for picking a Democrat for president. You can guess which church gets more traffic. 

Quote from: BikerDude on January 17, 2013, 07:57:16 AM

Yes to behold the effect is to behold the purpose.

That would imply that if someone dies of an infection following surgery, that was the surgeon's purpose. Possible but unlikely.

For a woman to raise her children without God merely underlines the fact that we live in a cursed world. It is within our nature, as a result of that curse, to remove God from our thinking. Everything this woman desires for her children are available from God, provided she submits to Him through Jesus Christ.

BTW, the above was supposed to appear as a quote from the article.

Oh yeah, and don't forget to deliver your little boys to the local catholic priest. I heard a thing on the radio about how all the high ranking fazoolis from the catholic church had a meeting in the vatican about where to draw the line on the kid-fucking. One guy said that it should be one strike and you're out and made the motion accordingly.
It died for lack of a second.

Here's a little quote from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association, 4th Edition Text Revision (also known as DSM-IV TR):

QuoteDiagnostic Criteria for 297.1 Delusional Disorder:

A. Nonbizarre delusions (i.e., involving situations that occur in real life, such as being followed, poisoned, infected, loved at a distance, or deceived by spouse or lover, or having a disease) of at least 1 month's duration.

B. Criterion A for Schizophrenia has never been met. Note: Tactile and olfactory hallucinations may be present in Delusional Disorder if they are related to the delusional theme.

C. Apart from the impact of the delusion(s) or its ramifications, functioning is not markedly impaired and behavior is not obviously odd or bizarre.

D. If mood episodes have occurred concurrently with delusions, their total duration has been brief relative to the duration of the delusional periods.

E. The disturbance is not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance(e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition.

A lot of use of the word 'Bizarre' in there. What does Bizarre actually mean? The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as an adjective which means "very strange or unusual", noting that it derives from an Italian word "Bizzarro", meaning angry.

Belief in supernatural entities somehow manages to avoid being classed as delusional because religious experience and religious activities occur in everyday life. People go to church, talk inside their heads to someone who isn't there, and then hand over a chunk of their change on the way out of the door. Because lots of them do it every week, that doesn't count as bizarre.

It seems 'very strange or unusual' to me, anyway.

But look at the rest of the criteria:

A - I believe that a white guy with a beard who lives in the sky is watching everything that I do and judging me on it. I also believe that I have an eternal soul which he is going to reward or punish based on my performance here on Earth. My evidence for this is a heavily edited book that has been translated at least a dozen times. I was brought up to believe this since I was a small child, incapable of critical thinking, and I expect to die holding these beliefs.

B - I am not hallucinating about this. If I was, I would go and see a doctor and get medicated. I don't go and see a doctor about my belief in someone who I can't see or hear but who created me and knows everything about me, because there's nothing wrong with that.

C - I go to church every week (a lovely building that cost about 20 times as much as my house) and hand over a serious wedge of my salary to the representative of the supernatural entity I cannot see or hear but I know exists. I could have bought a new car or donated to UNICEF with that money, but the supernatural guy comes before the real tactile and visible stuff. Oh, and when I get home I might pledge some more of my money to his representative on the TV - call now! We accept MasterCard!

D - I don't have mood episodes. God is love, worship is joy, but his wrath and anger is terrible as is his compassion and mercy. Mood swings? No, no no no...

E - I don't take drugs or substances. Apart from the bread and wine, which (according to your own religion's preference) may either represent the flesh and blood of a 2,000 year old Jew, or may actually become the flesh and blood of a 2,000 year old Jew. Nothing bizarre about that though.

I don't want to medicalise most of the world and treat them for a disorder. But I do want more people to think that belief, in particular literal belief, in the Abrahamic religions has as much credibility as the belief that Elvis was abducted by aliens, or as David Icke proposes, the British Royal family are in fact twelve foot snake-headed aliens.

When you've got kids telling you quite calmly that at the End of Days they will be killing non-believers for Jesus, or you've got two dickheads killing a soldier in the street in broad daylight for Allah, you have to ignore their wider religious background and start saying 'these particular kids, these particular adults have been brainwashed, and may well be or end up as dangerous psychopaths'. No deference to religious freedom is required: these people are nuts and need to be treated accordingly.

Here endeth the lesson. Go in peace.

Are any of your posts in keeping with the purpose of this part of the forum? Or are they in line with Dudeism at all?

Looks like your just flooding it with Anti-Christian rhetoric, propaganda, and broad stroked Theophobic rants (like that... I think there's a PC word for everything nowadays:)

This kind of stuff isn't even supposed to be on our radar... sounds like there are some deep unresolved issues... Maybe you guys should hang up your bathrobes if you can't abide in yourselves and refrain... Dudes come from all walks of life and even those from one zone are different from those saying they are from the same place. This is supposed to be about the First Draft Dudeist Ways of The Jesus.

https://youtu.be/cyLdtG7KZvw

ChristianDude,

I think you are missing the point here, Man. So allow me to put my 66 posts to good use and explain. The definition of Abide is to accept and/or tolerate, that includes the things you don't agree with. You say you're not hear to preach Christianity and yet you go after anyone who doesn't view Jesus with the same rose tinted glasses as you. Many of the people on this page hold a negative view of mainstream, organized religion for one reason or another and it's nobody's place to tell them that they are wrong.

I, for one, believe that the Abrahamic religions are the worst thing that ever happened to the human race. If I had the power to change one thing I would go smash Abrahams head with a rock and spare the world the next 3000 years of ignorance and intolerance that followed his little chat with God. Even though that's how I personally feel I still have no right to try and say you should feel the same, or to even call you out for thinking differently. Just like you have no right to tell me I'm wrong. You may disagree with me, which is just fine but just because you disagree that doesn't make me or anyone else that doesn't share you views less of a Dudeist.

From what I can tell by reading your posts nobody has tried to push you out or change your Christian views and yet every post that speaks negatively about Christianity has you in there telling people that they don't understand Dudeism.  If someone's views offend you then don't listen to what they have to say, nobody here is going to, or should, censor themselves because their words go against your beliefs.

Sage advice rando dude, for someone to say things shouldn't be on our radar, implies we should turn a blind eye to another side of the coin.

If anything, doing just that, would lead to having a less informed, biased argument for the topic in question. Much like ignoring the fallout, or talking to the hand.

I think one aspect of being a dude is to have a well reasoned opinion to matters and discussing them openly is a good way to broaden perspective, even if only in the pursuit of knowledge.

Quote from: RandoRock on April 11, 2016, 06:17:04 AM
ChristianDude,

I think you are missing the point here, Man. So allow me to put my 66 posts to good use and explain. The definition of Abide is to accept and/or tolerate, that includes the things you don't agree with. You say you're not hear to preach Christianity and yet you go after anyone who doesn't view Jesus with the same rose tinted glasses as you. Many of the people on this page hold a negative view of mainstream, organized religion for one reason or another and it's nobody's place to tell them that they are wrong.

I, for one, believe that the Abrahamic religions are the worst thing that ever happened to the human race. If I had the power to change one thing I would go smash Abrahams head with a rock and spare the world the next 3000 years of ignorance and intolerance that followed his little chat with God. Even though that's how I personally feel I still have no right to try and say you should feel the same, or to even call you out for thinking differently. Just like you have no right to tell me I'm wrong. You may disagree with me, which is just fine but just because you disagree that doesn't make me or anyone else that doesn't share you views less of a Dudeist.

From what I can tell by reading your posts nobody has tried to push you out or change your Christian views and yet every post that speaks negatively about Christianity has you in there telling people that they don't understand Dudeism.  If someone's views offend you then don't listen to what they have to say, nobody here is going to, or should, censor themselves because their words go against your beliefs.

Oh... I am sorry... I didn't realize that this forum entitled "Under the Influences/The Jesus" was for speaking negatively about Christianity. And that disagreeing meant openly and aggressively saying or sharing negative things about others religions in a place that appeared to be a place to ruminate on it's positive elements contributing to Dudeism.

I... too have a negative view of mainstream Christians. But hitting them in the face with it in a place labeled for... again... discussing its contributions to Dudeism... IS UN-Dude... not my opinion... straight up common courtesy, good ol' horse sense. If I am among other Dudeists... I should not expect to have them conduct themselves in a manner that requires me to Abide/Accept/Tolerate negative behaviors and opinions that in and of themselves are intolerant, bigoted, etc... Are those Dudely behaviors? I don't care if you disagree with me... it's our conduct that defines whether we at any given moment are more or less of a Dudeist (even The Dude blew it occasionally). But, you won't find me trolling around in topical portions of the Forum bashing or disparaging any contributing belief system (or promoting one against another) or lack thereof outside of Dudeism (especially in a forum designed for them... and especially now that I have an idea of what goes where). If you can't get that... "Fuck it!" :) I guess everything referencing anything that might in any way imply that Christians are welcome in Dudeism or in any way have anything that contributes to it rewritten, destroyed, or deleted.

If anything to do with Christians, Christianity, Jesus offends you... and you don't want to listen to what someone has to say that references it in a positive way... in the context of Dudeism (in a place designed for doing just that)... and you want to get stuff off your chest that you apparently can't abide (probably for good reason... like I said... I am not a big supporter of what passes for Christianity)... do it somewhere it's on topic... Like:

• "Your Dirty Undies: Need a place to bare your soul and confess your undudeness? Post your confessions here."
• "Over The Line!"
• "Oh, Jesus, what's that smell, man!?"
• "Is that some kind of Eastern thing?: Have a philosophy? A belief? An ethos? Or do you beliefs in nossing, man? Talk about it here"
• "Human Paraquat: Bunch of assholes getting you down? Real reactionaries? Fucking amateurs? You can rant about it here."

Or maybe form a "Dudeist who can't abide Christianity" thread... :) Or heck... even a thread actually meant to debate the merits or lack thereof of what The Dudely Lama references as

"There was a lot that was very Dudeish about Christianity's original, uncompromised first draft."

You say "Many of the people on this page hold a negative view of mainstream, organized religion for one reason or another and it's nobody's place to tell them that they are wrong."
Yet others quite precisely say that (what they think my beliefs are... because clearly they don't) are absolutely wrong... not even close to sugar coating it. I am not even referencing anything non-literary or Theistic... and don't plan to in these forums.

Makes too much absolutely CLEAR sense that I can't believe I am having to spell it out to what are clearly intelligent people gathered together under the pretense of everything I have studied regarding Dudeism and its basic and very loosely defined way of abiding... with Dudes of all backgrounds being welcome and their "contributing philosophical-religious traditions that predate and inform Dudeism". You are clearly demonstrating "ignorance and intolerance" "not knowing what you un-dude" in regards to me. You Dudes don't know my "Christian Views"... and outside of them in a secular form in the context of Dudeism... in this place... you won't ever have to hear them. And as legit as I am sure many of (Nay... I know! Because I guarantee I share many of them... albeit with an eye to attributing to individuals not living what they're preaching vs. blaming their religion or ideology that they are either failing to understand or follow (although many would be of the opinion that they are following it just fine... it just blows)).

I do not care what you believe or have to say... I just want it to be in place reserved for it... and be left to enjoy, contribute too, and abide in a place reserved for Dudeist aligned principles from my point of reference. Where people of that same influence will most likely come right to... and see all the negative crap you guys have filled it with instead of what's listed as being here. Is that too much to ask? Rumor has it... the flip side of this situation and my complaints would not be (and have not been) tolerated... Sounds like some hypocrisy and discrimination to me. Maybe we need some representation... sounds like the old post is vacant (RIP).

For clarification,"This kind of stuff isn't even supposed to be on our radar", was meant to communicate that negative behaviors such as those I listed do not seem very Dudelike and I would not have expected to encounter them from other Dudeist... in what seems like nearly unanimous agreement on them being Dudelike behaviors... especially towards other Dudes... or that could serve to discourage an entire diverse spectrum of potential Dudes.

Arguments... are perfectly acceptable... Is this forum a place for argument according to the topic heading? Again... No... Not a positive affirming part of referencing "Under the Influences" The philosophical-religious traditions that predate and inform Dudeism"

"I think one aspect of being a dude is to have a well reasoned opinion to matters and discussing them openly is a good way to broaden perspective, even if only in the pursuit of knowledge."

I dig your style there... But that is not what has been happening here prior to my arrival... again... not even by a stretch. I have read a HUGE amount of the forums... even went deeper after seeing the trend... have even contacted other members and "The Editorial We" to discuss it. This thing is rolling on... and supposedly self-correcting.

"If someone's views offend you then don't listen to what they have to say, nobody here is going to, or should, censor themselves because their words go against your beliefs."

I agree... for the final time... Please do it somewhere other than the possibly one place meant to be positive regarding what might even be (in your opinion) a very limited positive contribution to Dudeism. So that those not filled with hatred, disdain, or offence (those sound Dudely) that they can't abide regarding the possibility of there being a fit for a Christian within Dudeism.

All respect and good will...

What are you?  Fuckin' park ranger now?   who gives a shit? Forget about the toe!
The dead Nazarene is not the issue here!

The issue is, the division caused by opposing opinions, that have been raging for centuries.

No one likes being told they're wrong, regardless of which side of the fence they're on. So people disagree, so what?,  accept there's a disagreement and move on, dig each other's styles and accept that we each have our own. It's precisely that kind of division, that has prevented humanity from uniting and while we're squabbling amongst ourselves, the world is falling apart in front of us.

We're all dudes here, rise above it, we all want a better world and sorry Christian dudes, (note the plural), the world IMO would be better off without that kind of paradigm.

Faith blinds reason.

There, happy now? The foot is down!

This is giving me a rash, man!

Another instance of a Christian claiming that criticism of their beliefs is out of bounds. Some would call it Christian victimization complex.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Persecution_complex%23In_Christianity&ved=0ahUKEwi1-tu9q4nMAhUMNT4KHcbGAaoQygQIJzAA&usg=AFQjCNFCugKu9f1UfEVqnFe13hoBCwI8mA&sig2=Gx7GOL-MFrXcbc2Ou5UccA