US Military Treatment Of Atheists

[Flint]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

There are roughly 2.1 billion Christians in the world. To say anything that includes "all", and for that matter probably the word "most", is silly. That's 2.1 billion humans, and accurate generalizations are almost impossible.

Originally Posted by Happy Monkey

Do all, or most, Christians do the stuff that rkzenrage is complaining about? If so, then maybe it's not so silly. If not, then they aren't the subject of the complaint.

It's odd. A group of people choose to classify themselves as separate from the rest of humanity, but they also want immunity from criticism - because they claim that there are no defining characteristics to their classification.

If you don't have any characteristics, then you aren't a group. If you do, then you are subject to criticism.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by Flint

It's odd. A group of people choose to classify themselves as separate from the rest of humanity, but they also want immunity from criticism - because they claim that there are no defining characteristics to their classification.

Separate? No, being a Christian doesn't separate them from the rest of humanity any more than driving a red car does.

If you don't have any characteristics, then you aren't a group. If you do, then you are subject to criticism.

Horseshit, you are trying to say all Christians are the same, because they are Christians... all Christians do the same things, think the same, act the same. That's patently ridiculous.
Are all Texans the same, think the same, act the same? I think not.

[Flint]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

...Horseshit, you are trying to say all Christians are the same, because they are Christians... all Christians do the same things, think the same, act the same...

No, I'm not saying that. I've never said that, despite your repeated, hysterical claims to the contrary. Quote me, or fuck off. Your call.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Are all Texans the same, think the same, act the same?

Maybe. Ok, maybe not.

[dar512]

Originally Posted by Flint

It's odd. A group of people choose to classify themselves as separate from the rest of humanity, but they also want immunity from criticism - because they claim that there are no defining characteristics to their classification.

If you don't have any characteristics, then you aren't a group. If you do, then you are subject to criticism.

Well, Flint, I have to say I got pretty much the same thing as Bruce did out of this.

I guess part of the problem is that I can't believe that anyone as intelligent as you seem to be could make this statement. Part of the problem is that there's so much hand-waving and generality throwing in these discussions. Let's walk through an example.

The set of all Christians are those that believe that Jesus is the son of God and that he died in atonement for our sins.

The people who believe in Creationism is a subset of the above set. So some Christians do not believe in Creationism.

So tell me why I should take flak over Creationism, when I don't believe it?

If that's not what you're saying, then maybe you could 'splain yourself better.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by dar512

I guess part of the problem is that I can't believe that anyone as intelligent as you seem to be could make this statement.

He's trolling, as usual.

[dar512]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

He's trolling, as usual.

What's that all about?

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by dar512

What's that all about?

You said you couldn't understand why someone as intelligent as he is would make such a statement.
I said he was intentionally trolling for a reaction. It's his passive aggressive nature.