watch the golden compass go to hell

[Varient]

Obviously

the Agnostic would be irrate - "WTF didn't you communicate with me and prove your very existence when you knew it was my one problem with the idea of believing in you and it would be simplicity itself for you to do it?!? "

The Deity would be embarrassed - "Wow, my own creation is smarter than I am? What was I thinking, expecting him to devote his life to me when I'm totally invisible/intangible/inaudible ?!?
That's ******ed...he'd have no reason to believe in me over any OTHER mythical story.

LOL.

 

[Varient]

Obviously

the Agnostic would be irrate - "WTF didn't you communicate with me and prove your very existence when you knew it was my one problem with the idea of believing in you and it would be simplicity itself for you to do it?!? "

The Deity would be embarrassed - "Wow, my own creation is smarter than I am? What was I thinking, expecting him to devote his life to me when I'm totally invisible/intangible/inaudible ?!?
That's ******ed...he'd have no reason to believe in me over any OTHER mythical story.

And BTW I'm laughing because in my mind they would take turns looking Irate and embarrassed.

 

[spideyboy_1111]

i personally think the reason the movie isn't doing well in the states is A) were bombarded with fantasy movies as is and B) I don't believe as many US people even knew of the books... the fact the movie is doing well over seas says alot i think.

 

[ShadowBoxing]

But if it turns out that it is true then I lived the truth. Either way, I benefited from it while on Earth.

Funny you should bring this up, Raybia, as I was just thinking about something along these lines.

I've always resolved, if I ever had a time machine, that I'd go back to the time of Jesus. Specifically, his death. It's something I've always wanted to witness firsthand, just being a fly on the wall. A friend, once having this discussion with me asked me why this was the time period I chose, and I said that "I wanted to see if he was for real". So of course smoking gun here is "what would I do if I found out he wasn't?" In my head, honestly I resolved I would return and tell people what they wanted to hear and not necessarily what was true. It's honestly not worth the angst telling people a man who might very well inspire them to do great things was a fraud. Some people live very good, very fulfilling lives because of this Jesus character.

I think a lot of people lose sight of this when scapegoating a religion. In reality religion is just a tool, if can be used for good, it potentially could be used to stab someone's eyes out. I don't see many people railing against Catcher in the Rye for costing us a Beatles member, I really don't see why we must rail against a belief system on top of that. It's possible to be critical of something and also recognize the very clear good that comes of it. A skill, sadly, most lack.

 

[The Chairman]

Funny you should bring this up, Raybia, as I was just thinking about something along these lines.

I've always resolved, if I ever had a time machine, that I'd go back to the time of Jesus. Specifically, his death. It's something I've always wanted to witness firsthand, just being a fly on the wall. A friend, once having this discussion with me asked me why this was the time period I chose, and I said that "I wanted to see if he was for real". So of course smoking gun here is "what would I do if I found out he wasn't?" In my head, honestly I resolved I would return and tell people what they wanted to hear and not necessarily what was true. It's honestly not worth the angst telling people a man who might very well inspire them to do great things was a fraud. Some people live very good, very fulfilling lives because of this Jesus character.

I think a lot of people lose sight of this when scapegoating a religion. In reality religion is just a tool, if can be used for good, it potentially could be used to stab someone's eyes out. I don't see many people railing against Catcher in the Rye for costing us a Beatles member, I really don't see why we must rail against a belief system on top of that. It's possible to be critical of something and also recognize the very clear good that comes of it. A skill, sadly, most lack.

It's very reassuring to hear a non-believer having an objective view of religion yet not resort to trashing it.

 

[jaguarr]

Funny you should bring this up, Raybia, as I was just thinking about something along these lines.

I've always resolved, if I ever had a time machine, that I'd go back to the time of Jesus. Specifically, his death. It's something I've always wanted to witness firsthand, just being a fly on the wall. A friend, once having this discussion with me asked me why this was the time period I chose, and I said that "I wanted to see if he was for real". So of course smoking gun here is "what would I do if I found out he wasn't?" In my head, honestly I resolved I would return and tell people what they wanted to hear and not necessarily what was true. It's honestly not worth the angst telling people a man who might very well inspire them to do great things was a fraud. Some people live very good, very fulfilling lives because of this Jesus character.

I think a lot of people lose sight of this when scapegoating a religion. In reality religion is just a tool, if can be used for good, it potentially could be used to stab someone's eyes out. I don't see many people railing against Catcher in the Rye for costing us a Beatles member, I really don't see why we must rail against a belief system on top of that. It's possible to be critical of something and also recognize the very clear good that comes of it. A skill, sadly, most lack.

I think some people give religion as a whole a bad rap, but more often than not the majority of the people I know with an axe to grind on the subject have their issues with the zealots and liars who either feel compelled to push their religion down everyone's throat or act holier than thou about everything, or the people who do use religion as a means of justifying the very evil, twisted things they say and do. I know that's where my issues with organized religion lie. I'm fully aware that it can also provide a very healthy and beneficial moral framework and support structure for those that need it. I'm also fully aware that a lot of otherwise good people get duped by unscrupulous power figures in certain religious organizations and get pulled into some pretty bad groupthink situations, and it saddens me to see those kind of folks getting sucked into that sort of thing. But for every church that brings these kinds of issues to the table, there are a hundred that just go about their usual business of worship and don't bother anyone else, and I have a lot of respect for that.

jag

 

[Zoken]

A mind Picture:

Devout turned Aggie passes from this world.

Finds himself facing his personal view of his primary deity prior to his turning away from his religion.

Both stand facing each other -

The Ag sez ,...... "Well" in mild surprise.

The Deity replies,..... "Well?" In the form of a question.

At this point one looks mildly embarrassed,.... the other looks mildly Irate.

Which one has which expression and why?

V.

The Diety says: So you still have trouble believing in me?

Agnostic: Well, you didn't leave any proof... I wasn't sure.

Diety: Proof? Proof?! Do you know how Me-damn complicated your circulatory system was to design? *Pinches bridge of nose* I don't know what to do with you kids some times...

Agnostic: *Looks around*So... I'm going to Hell?

Diety: For what?! You've been a good person. You have a few minor sins on your soul, a year or so in purgatory and you're in... Damn Fallwell. *now mumbling to self* ******* convinced you people I hate you.

Agnostic: So... purgatory?

Diety: Through there, *points* Looks like a waiting room. The magazines are a bit out of date, but pretty good.

Agnostic: *pauses* about reincarnation...

Diety: If you want... *looks at a datebook* right now we have a Laotian girl, a honduran boy, and an American... *sighs* hermaphrodite. how many times do I have to have people tell them... *Looks at agnostic* if you go back female, don't smoke during pregnancy.

Agnostic: I think I'll just go to puratory now...

Diety: Good... oh, and tell everyone there I arranged for some entertainment... Ratpack's playin' tomorrow night.

 

[S_H_F_4839]

It really is shocking isn't it? That a man would devote his life goal to undermine Christianity. This is horrible and sick.

Not necessarrily shocking, but definitely sad that people in general do this, not just christians or anti christians because they dont understand a particular belief, would devote so much time to proving it wrong. I mean I have always been taught treat others the way you would like to be treated so I may not understand someone elses beliefs, but it is not my place to undermine or attack them because of my ignorance, and I think the same should be said for all those that attack christianity.

 

[hippy fascist]

I've said it before and I'll say it again

This is why religion and government should be seperate

America is controlled by christianity to ridiculous extremes

Religion is a choice, the second a religion gets involved with goverment said choice is removed.

How exactly is it any different to muslim governed countries?

 

[Movies205]

Good grief. Can't anything be just for entertainment anymore?

jag

It's not really a question of can anything just be entertainment. Its whether the greater populace can handle a difference of opinion and the truth of the matter is, no. Which is why Hollywood produces so much stale material since to actually say something leads to such controversy.

 

[jaguarr]

It's not really a question of can anything just be entertainment. Its whether the greater populace can handle a difference of opinion and the truth of the matter is, no. Which is why Hollywood produces so much stale material since to actually say something leads to such controversy.

That was sort of the gist and lament of my initial comment.

jag

 

[hippy fascist]

I don't think it is the greater populace though

I think it's a very LOUD very influential minority

Akll it takes for a TV show to get pulled from the airwaves is around 100 letters of complaint. The problem is no one ever writes letters saying how much they enjoyed a show.

If they did you'd probably see the networks realising that the whiney christians who get offended by any mention of god that isn't pure brown-nosing are the minority and less shows would get cancelled

 

[jaguarr]

I don't think it is the greater populace though

I think it's a very LOUD very influential minority

Akll it takes for a TV show to get pulled from the airwaves is around 100 letters of complaint. The problem is no one ever writes letters saying how much they enjoyed a show.

If they did you'd probably see the networks realising that the whiney christians who get offended by any mention of god that isn't pure brown-nosing are the minority and less shows would get cancelled

Ten years ago I would have agreed with you, but I've seen this massive swing towards organized religion in this country since then, Christianity in particular. It's increased the number of zealots and people who would push their beliefs on others into what I sometimes very much wonder is the majority.

jag

 

[Movies205]

That was sort of the gist and lament of my initial comment.

jag

Just pronouncing it since many make the mistake of assuming that even "stupid" films have no point. Every film has some sort theme, and to write it off as just entertainment can be counter-productive to the ignorant who don't understand that they need to learn to accept other opinions (to a reasonable extent of course).

 

[Movies205]

I don't think it is the greater populace though

I think it's a very LOUD very influential minority

Akll it takes for a TV show to get pulled from the airwaves is around 100 letters of complaint. The problem is no one ever writes letters saying how much they enjoyed a show.

If they did you'd probably see the networks realising that the whiney christians who get offended by any mention of god that isn't pure brown-nosing are the minority and less shows would get cancelled

It really has all to do with perception whether its a 100 or a million it's not going matter, it's harder to voice your acceptance of something rather than your hate for it. It's far easier to get a 1000 people to send angry hate letters than letters saying they have no problem with something. So as long as their crazy zealots, this will always be a problem... Also during my study abroad experience this semester, I met one of these right wing christian zealots from the south... I swear to god, I thought they really didn't exist but they do and its scary knowing there's groups of them in waiting.

 

[hippy fascist]

ultimately, if your faith in god is so unshakeable why would one film be so offensive to them.

I believe in god, and happily debate it with athiests till the cows come home, but I'll stick to my guns and only if someone can convince me with logical reasoning will I change my stance. That doesn't make me want to censor a worthwhile debate though...

 

[jaguarr]

Just pronouncing it since many make the mistake of assuming that even "stupid" films have no point. Every film has some sort theme, and to write it off as just entertainment can be counter-productive to the ignorant who don't understand that they need to learn to accept other opinions (to a reasonable extent of course).

I'm content to let them figure it out for themselves. I spent far too much time preaching to the deaf in my youth.

jag

 

[hippy fascist]

It really has all to do with perception whether its a 100 or a million it's not going matter, it's harder to voice your acceptance of something rather than your hate for it. It's far easier to get a 1000 people to send angry hate letters than letters saying they have no problem with something. So as long as their crazy zealots, this will always be a problem... Also during my study abroad experience this semester, I met one of these right wing christian zealots from the south... I swear to god, I thought they really didn't exist but they do and its scary knowing there's groups of them in waiting.

Recently there's been controversy in england concerning radio 1 censoring "fairytale of new york" by the pogues. The word ****** has been removed from the song

Now radio 1 have come out and defended this saying they felt it was offensive to homosexuals.

Later that day they're talking about it on the radio and they get somewhere in the region of 1500 texts from angry homosexuals

But here's the kicker

Every one of those text messages were saying "how dare you be so condescending as to decide what we as a group find offensive! It's only a freakin word!"

Point proven

Editamn, even the hypes being condescending now

Here's a picture to illustrate the missing word

 

[Movies205]

ultimately, if your faith in god is so unshakeable why would one film be so offensive to them.

I believe in god, and happily debate it with athiests till the cows come home, but I'll stick to my guns and only if someone can convince me with logical reasoning will I change my stance. That doesn't make me want to censor a worthwhile debate though...

That's the rational argument... Get into a conversation with either side, athiest zealot or a christian zealot. This particular right winger, so this might be completely contrary to what the rest are like and it might be unfair to generalize an entire group as such but this is simply my experience wtih one, but his entire goal apparently is to convert all to God so that they'll go to Heaven and not Hell. At his college which is run by his sect of christianity, they had a class in other religions and at the end it taught how Christianity is the only right one. These guys are like out on some kind of wild vendetta with the world, its as if unless everyone believes in what they believe it some kind of puts a black mark on their beliefs. They just can not rationalize others having a different opinion which is why most of this stuff happens. Then throw in the fact that the United States is based on puritanical christian foundations, the seperation church and state becomes increasingly blurry since its true the church isn't involved directly with the politics, however the moral and principles from that religion are inevitably interewined with all the decisions being made. This country really hasn't come to terms with all of this hence why every month there some type of outcry from some group.

 

[Movies205]

Recently there's been controversy in england concerning radio 1 censoring "fairytale of new york" by the pogues. The word ****** has been removed from the song

Now radio 1 have come out and defended this saying they felt it was offensive to homosexuals.

Later that day they're talking about it on the radio and they get somewhere in the region of 1500 texts from angry homosexuals

But here's the kicker

Every one of those text messages were saying "how dare you be so condescending as to decide what we as a group find offensive! It's only a freakin word!"

Point proven

Editamn, even the hypes being condescending now

Here's a picture to illustrate the missing word

I'm kind of surprised at that since the British, at least here where I am, really say pretty much anything without any bull**** of political correctness but from hwat I understand its starting to invade the British Isles saddly However when your dealing with abstract notions such as societies or groups of people, rationality goes out the window. Since your now no longer dealing with one sane person but an abstract "group", I mean what the hell is the christian right wing? Decisions are being made based on whether they'll offend a group, not people.

 

[Movies205]

I'm content to let them figure it out for themselves. I spent far too much time preaching to the deaf in my youth.

jag

Wise words

 

[raybia]

I think some people give religion as a whole a bad rap, but more often than not the majority of the people I know with an axe to grind on the subject have their issues with the zealots and liars who either feel compelled to push their religion down everyone's throat or act holier than thou about everything, or the people who do use religion as a means of justifying the very evil, twisted things they say and do. I know that's where my issues with organized religion lie. I'm fully aware that it can also provide a very healthy and beneficial moral framework and support structure for those that need it. I'm also fully aware that a lot of otherwise good people get duped by unscrupulous power figures in certain religious organizations and get pulled into some pretty bad groupthink situations, and it saddens me to see those kind of folks getting sucked into that sort of thing. But for every church that brings these kinds of issues to the table, there are a hundred that just go about their usual business of worship and don't bother anyone else, and I have a lot of respect for that.

jag

I agree and share these same sentiments.

 

[Colossal Spoons]

Oh God(haha)

Some people just need to **** and watch the damn movie

 

[Zoken]

Oh God(haha)

Some people just need to **** and watch the damn movie

Or, you know, NOT watch the movie if it isn't their kind of movie or if, you know, the idea of giving money to a man who's goal in life is to undermine christianity offends them. In those cases, maybe they can not watch the movie?

 

[Colossal Spoons]

Or, you know, NOT watch the movie if it isn't their kind of movie or if, you know, the idea of giving money to a man who's goal in life is to undermine christianity offends them. In those cases, maybe they can not watch the movie?

The movie should be about talking polar bears in armor and other silly fantasy things. I'm sure a lot of people walked out of the movie very surprised at any religious messages. I sure don't know anything about the author of the books