Pray For Atheists

DogmaticLefty · 13-02-2010 1:17pm #1

Does anyone else here pray for atheists? I do. I find it helps temper my hostility towards them in their quest to take over society. Yes, they must be treated with compassion and respect (being human beings created in the likeness of God and all...), but I will not compromise with them when they try to spread their false ideology and impose it on the rest of us. The burka ban in France is the thin end of the wedge and this kind of ideology must be opposed if religious freedoms are to be upheld.

Tomorrow, I'll be saying a special prayer for the removal of aggressive atheism and aggressive secularism from society.

Genghiz Cohen · 13-02-2010 1:23pm

If you think prayers help, please don't waste your time on me, instead pray for Haiti or some other noble cause.

Interesting point though; You say Atheists want to take over society, a society ruled by your religion, when in fact all Atheists (should) want is for all faiths/lack of to be treated equally.

chozometroid · 13-02-2010 1:23pm

DogmaticLefty wrote: »

Does anyone else here pray for atheists? I do. I find it helps temper my hostility towards them in their quest to take over society. Yes, they must be treated with compassion and respect (being human beings created in the likeness of God and all...), but I will not compromise with them when they try to spread their false ideology and impose it on the rest of us. The burka ban in France is the thin end of the wedge and this kind of ideology must be opposed if religious freedoms are to be upheld.

Tomorrow, I'll be saying a special prayer for the removal of aggressive atheism and aggressive secularism from society.

We should all pray for atheists, definitely. They are not a lost cause.

By secularism, are you referring to the separation of church and state?

chozometroid · 13-02-2010 1:27pm

Genghiz Cohen wrote: »

If you think prayers help, please don't waste your time on me, instead pray for Haiti or some other noble cause.

Interesting point though; You say Atheists want to take over society, a society ruled by your religion, when in fact all Atheists (should) want is for all faiths/lack of to be treated equally.

You are right to include the "should" in your statement, because many atheists feel the world would be a much better place if people didn't hold religious beliefs. They see it is a stumbling block for the advancement of society.

Genghiz Cohen · 13-02-2010 1:31pm

chozometroid wrote: »

You are right to include the "should" in your statement, because many atheists feel the world would be a much better place if people didn't hold religious beliefs. They see it is a stumbling block for the advancement of society.

Well, kind of.
If everybody kept their beliefs to themselves, never stopped anyone else in the street to try and convert them, never protested against medical procedures because some one in a funny hat told them to, would never threaten someones life because of a cartoon and didn't stop others from getting on with their lives however they wanted, then that would be plenty. I'm sure even the most militant of Atheist/Muslim/Christian/whatever will agree.

Herbal Deity · 13-02-2010 1:36pm

DogmaticLefty wrote: »

quest to take over society

chozometroid · 13-02-2010 1:38pm

Genghiz Cohen wrote: »

Well, kind of.
If everybody kept their beliefs to themselves, never stopped anyone else in the street to try and convert them, never protested against medical procedures because some one in a funny hat told them to, would never threaten someones life because of a cartoon and didn't stop others from getting on with their lives however they wanted, then that would be plenty. I'm sure even the most militant of Atheist/Muslim/Christian/whatever will agree.

Seems reasonable, but I wonder, what sort of evangelism would be appropriate, if any at all, seeing as "spreading the gospel" is the overarching mission given to any Christian?
Would Jesus' method of helping others and sharing the gospel whilst doing so be unintrusive enough?

Genghiz Cohen · 13-02-2010 1:40pm

Genghiz Cohen wrote: »

Well, kind of.
If everybody kept their beliefs to themselves, never stopped anyone else in the street to try and convert them, never protested against medical procedures because some one in a funny hat told them to, would never threaten someones life because of a cartoon and didn't stop others from getting on with their lives however they wanted, then that would be plenty. I'm sure even the most militant of Atheist/Muslim/Christian/whatever will agree.

Also, the big one for non RC parents, if you could raise your child anywhere in the county and be safe in the knowledge that there is a place in the local national school.

DogmaticLefty · 13-02-2010 1:47pm

Genghiz Cohen wrote: »

Also, the big one for non RC parents, if you could raise your child anywhere in the county and be safe in the knowledge that there is a place in the local national school.

You'd better get saving so. You pay a premium to live beside the best schools.

Genghiz Cohen · 13-02-2010 1:47pm

chozometroid wrote: »

Seems reasonable, but I wonder, what sort of evangelism would be appropriate, if any at all, seeing as "spreading the gospel" is the overarching mission given to any Christian?
Would Jesus' method of helping others and sharing the gospel whilst doing so be unintrusive enough?

Well you guys do have some of the finest buildings in Europe as places of worship.

(Very nice one in Barcelona actually.)
Feel free to advertise, like anyone else trying to promote something, but don't stop people living as they please. That is all. I have no problem with the guy in the street reading scripture, as long as he doesn't accuse anyone of being damned for not listening. Just another busker really, collecting souls rather than coins.

PDN · 13-02-2010 1:49pm

Genghiz Cohen wrote: »

never protested against medical procedures because some one in a funny hat told them to

'Medical procedures' can include anything from having your tonsils removed to female genital mutilation (often falsely called female circumcision), abortion, forcible sterilisation of gypsies, or the kind of medical experiments conducted by the Nazis in Dachau.

If you think 'scientists' should have a free hand to carry out whatever medical procedures they feel like without people having a right to express their objections (be they informed by reigion or by other ways) then your idea of secularism is not mine.

Also, although I'm not a Catholic, I'm glad that some atheists can engage in rational discourse and don't resort to snide comments about funny hats.

Genghiz Cohen · 13-02-2010 1:49pm

DogmaticLefty wrote: »

You'd better get saving so. You pay a premium to live beside the best schools.

Not the best schools. Any school. Remember RC schools can exclude children because of their faith. If it's a decision between a RC child and a non-RC child, we all know who will get picked and why.

DogmaticLefty · 13-02-2010 1:55pm

Genghiz Cohen wrote: »

Not the best schools. Any school. Remember RC schools can exclude children because of their faith. If it's a decision between a RC child and a non-RC child, we all know who will get picked and why.

Do you think the trustees of Catholic schools establish and provide resources to them up just for something to do?

Canis Lupus · 13-02-2010 1:56pm

DogmaticLefty wrote: »

Does anyone else here pray for atheists? I do. I find it helps temper my hostility towards them in their quest to take over society. Yes, they must be treated with compassion and respect (being human beings created in the likeness of God and all...), but I will not compromise with them when they try to spread their false ideology and impose it on the rest of us. The burka ban in France is the thin end of the wedge and this kind of ideology must be opposed if religious freedoms are to be upheld.

Tomorrow, I'll be saying a special prayer for the removal of aggressive atheism and aggressive secularism from society.

I hope you don't forget to include everyone not of your religion as well.

Genghiz Cohen · 13-02-2010 1:58pm

PDN wrote: »

'Medical procedures' can include anything from having your tonsils removed to female genital mutilation (often falsely called female circumcision), abortion, forcible sterilisation of gypsies, or the kind of medical experiments conducted by the Nazis in Dachau.

Good thing we can have a vote on these issues and let the people decide.
Also Godwin.

PDN wrote: »

If you think 'scientists' should have a free hand to carry out whatever medical procedures they feel like without people having a right to express their objections (be they informed by reigion or by other ways) then your idea of secularism is not mine.

Good thing I don't then, yes?

PDN wrote: »

Also, although I'm not a Catholic, I'm glad that some atheists can engage in rational discourse and don't resort to snide comments about funny hats.

Snide comment pointed out by a snide comment. Even though my comment was lighthearted and not intentionally snide in any way.
Why is it that a funny hat remark instantly invokes the Pope?

You wear a funny hat PDN do you not, as a bishop and all.

Genghiz Cohen · 13-02-2010 2:02pm

DogmaticLefty wrote: »

Do you think the trustees of Catholic schools establish and provide resources to them up just for something to do?

So you're saying it's right to exclude a child based on what his/her parents believe. Yes?

PDN · 13-02-2010 2:20pm

Genghiz Cohen wrote: »

Good thing we can have a vote on these issues and let the people decide..

Yes, which is why we don't have abortion in this country. Because last time the people voted they decided not to allow it.

Also Godwin.

Godwin is an ass. His 'law' does not apply in a forum where ethical issues are discussed.

You wear a funny hat PDN do you not, as a bishop and all.

If the weather gets particularly cold I wear a woolly hat in the mornings when I walk the dog - but I don't think my role as a bishop has anything to do with it. I heartily dislike the idea of religious leaders wearing special garments - but I'm too well mannered to poke fun at them.

PDN · 13-02-2010 2:21pm

DogmaticLefty wrote: »

Do you think the trustees of Catholic schools establish and provide resources to them up just for something to do?

They could run their schools how they wanted if they did indeed provide all the resources. But so long as they expect me to subsidise them as a taxpayer then they should avoid discriminating against my children.

seanybiker · 13-02-2010 2:28pm

Im atheist myself, I dont go around going on about it all the time because I find it pointless. Nothing wrong with a debate but alot of what I read in the atheist part of this site just wrecks my head. I dont push my non belief on people and mock those who do believe. Basically if you want to pray for athiests(i can only speak for myself and not all athiests) and that makes you happy then please feel free to pray for me/us, it wont do me/us any harm so I cant see any problems in it. Live and let live etc.

DogmaticLefty · 13-02-2010 2:41pm

PDN wrote: »

I heartily dislike the idea of religious leaders wearing special garments - but I'm too well mannered to poke fun at them.

I think clerical dress rocks. Saw Cardinal Pell wearing a capa magna in Cork there last year. He wore his gloves and his hat (it's a white thing that looks like a mitre, but it's not - I can't remember the exact name) during the sermon. He needed at least 10 altar boys just to make it from the main door to the altar.

DogmaticLefty · 13-02-2010 2:41pm

seanybiker wrote: »

Im atheist myself, I dont go around going on about it all the time because I find it pointless. Nothing wrong with a debate but alot of what I read in the atheist part of this site just wrecks my head. I dont push my non belief on people and mock those who do believe. Basically if you want to pray for athiests(i can only speak for myself and not all athiests) and that makes you happy then please feel free to pray for me/us, it wont do me/us any harm so I cant see any problems in it. Live and let live etc.

Yeah you do.

chozometroid · 13-02-2010 2:44pm

DogmaticLefty wrote: »

Yeah you do.

Are you talking about him specifically, or atheists in general?

Turtwig · 13-02-2010 2:53pm

If you want to say prayers for me and its with good intentions then I'm not going to say anything against someone well wishing me. But, my position in life (while sh1tty last year) is much better and rather comfortable. So I'd encourage you share your prayer time with those that really need them. Not me. Pray for my return to the faith on and off if you feel you must, but don't let it distract from more important stuff.:)

chozometroid · 13-02-2010 3:06pm

Malty_T wrote: »

If you want to say prayers for me and its with good intentions then I'm not going to say anything against someone well wishing me. But, my position in life (while sh1tty last year) is much better and rather comfortable. So I'd encourage you share your prayer time with those that really need them. Not me. Pray for my return to the faith on and off if you feel you must, but don't let it distract from more important stuff.:)

You are priceless, so your salvation is just as important as anything else in this world. That said, you will be prayed for, as I would love to see someone from the A&A forum in the city of the Living God.

ChocolateSauce · 13-02-2010 3:35pm

DogmaticLefty wrote: »

Tomorrow, I'll be saying a special prayer for the removal of aggressive atheism and aggressive secularism from society.

When our snowball keeps getting bigger, will you accept that prayer doesn't work (or at least that you chose the wrong god?).

Turtwig · 13-02-2010 3:40pm

chozometroid wrote: »

You are priceless, so your salvation is just as important as anything else in this world.

?

I was trying to emphasise the exact opposite. I see my salvation as meaningless compared to the struggles that others face.

PDN · 13-02-2010 3:41pm

ChocolateSauce wrote: »

When our snowball keeps getting bigger, will you accept that prayer doesn't work (or at least that you chose the wrong god?).

Your snowball will share the fate of all snowballs in this climate.

chozometroid · 13-02-2010 3:42pm

Malty_T wrote: »

?
I was trying to emphasise the exact opposite. I see my salvation as meaningless compared to the struggles that others face.

I was trying to emphasize the opposite. Perhaps your stuggles are meaningless compared to the struggles of others, but not your salvation.

dvpower · 13-02-2010 3:43pm

DogmaticLefty wrote: »

Does anyone else here pray for atheists? I do. I find it helps temper my hostility towards them in their quest to take over society.

Pray harder!

Turtwig · 13-02-2010 3:43pm

chozometroid wrote: »

I was trying to emphasize the opposite. Perhaps your stuggles are meaningless compared to the struggles of others, but not your salvation.

Oh, right.:)

ChocolateSauce · 13-02-2010 4:55pm

PDN wrote: »

Your snowball will share the fate of all snowballs in this climate.

Aye, the state of our finances is more important right now!

Pray For Atheists

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