tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477053899127840506.post5593311168034200354..comments2023-04-03T09:33:55.039-06:00Comments on Ramblings of Sheldon: Undercover Agnostic Update 3: The Sunday School WorkbookSheldon Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17660822618786253558noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477053899127840506.post-50628791161280213382013-01-22T11:40:29.698-06:002013-01-22T11:40:29.698-06:00It is true that black and white thinking is indeed...It is true that black and white thinking is indeed ingrained in us, just look at how people act in political debates. Sheldon Cooperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17660822618786253558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477053899127840506.post-75077445847418871042013-01-20T03:55:00.479-06:002013-01-20T03:55:00.479-06:00The black and white view that Fundamentalist culti...The black and white view that Fundamentalist cultivate of people may be rooted in human nature. We evolved as a tribal species. But, if so, that's one of the weaknesses of most religions, so far as I can see. They do little or nothing to encourage us to overcome the less desirable aspects of our nature. Instead, they tend to condone, justify, and even exploit for their own benefit, those aspects. After which, they tell us they have made us better humans!<br /><br />Here's another example of that -- in addition to the black and white thing mentioned above -- it has been argued by some scientists that rape is an instinctual behavior in humans. That is, it is a behavior so wide spread and ubiquitous at all times through history that we need to consider the possibility we are genetically predisposed to it. If that's indeed the case, how do religions deal with that aspect of human nature? Too many, in my opinion do not deal with it in a wise or humane way. Instead, they blame the victim ("Do not dress immodestly!") which, in some circumstances, can serve as a justification for rape! But of course, they then tell us we are better people for being religious.Paul Sunstonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02462598852553696040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477053899127840506.post-84372067724002679032013-01-19T15:34:08.952-06:002013-01-19T15:34:08.952-06:00Thanks!Thanks!Sheldon Cooperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17660822618786253558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477053899127840506.post-86443247406388951132013-01-19T14:03:46.611-06:002013-01-19T14:03:46.611-06:00Here's part of the week-long series.
http://w...Here's part of the week-long series.<br /><br />http://www.npr.org/2012/01/20/145518098/you-lost-me-young-christians-rethink-faithAhabhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14675629709031865432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477053899127840506.post-58878079402373890372013-01-19T13:29:48.869-06:002013-01-19T13:29:48.869-06:00If I am a part of the "Devil's crowd"...If I am a part of the "Devil's crowd", I must be a disappointment to the Devil. Sure I have this blog, but my lifestyle really hasn't changed all that much. Fundies always think that if you leave their ranks and join "the world", you'll end up becoming a completely hedonistic person with no boundaries. <br /><br />Some people do end up like that for a while after leaving, but it's an over reaction to the new found freedom they have. After a while they calm down. Those people aren't actually the norm, though, of all the people I have known from my generation who left, they are living fairly normal lives by most anyone's standards. <br /><br />No I'm not familiar with that NPR special.Sheldon Cooperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17660822618786253558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477053899127840506.post-51305805405178988532013-01-19T11:56:00.271-06:002013-01-19T11:56:00.271-06:00Fundamentalists also lump evolution supporters, me...Fundamentalists also lump evolution supporters, members of non-Christian religions, environmentalists, feminists, pro-choice people, and the LGBTQ comunity and its allies into the "Devil's crowd". Frankly, I'd rather be part of that crowd than the fundie crowd.<br /><br />I've heard many fundamentalists use "the world" as a perjorative term for anyone who isn't a fundamentalist, particularly at Christian events I've observed for my blog. It's telling that they have such a black-and-white view of society, in which everyone is either a fundamentalist or a member of some monolithic "world" that is out to get them.<br /><br />They really think that people reject their version of Christianity because they haven't heard ENOUGH teaching? Most non-believers I know reject it because they know TOO MUCH about it. Ugh.<br /><br />One last thing -- NPR has been doing a week-long series on young adults who have left their faiths. Since you brought up how people are leaving Christian churches in droves, have you seen it?Ahabhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14675629709031865432noreply@blogger.com