About Jesus

GoldenDoll comments on Dec 3, 2017:

I'm an atheist. How could a palestinian/jewish man who maybe lived more than 2,000 years ago possibly be important to me?

GoldenDoll replies on Dec 9, 2017:

I'm sorry SKDeitch, but I usually eat pseudo-intellectuals for breakfast. You, however, are so pompous that I think I'll save you for dessert. "I am reminded of Cicero when he said" - Oh groan! Who actually says that sort of thing anymore???? And the fact that you didn't realise I was making a joke about "fatuous", is really disappointing. But you kind of made my point.

What is your standard of evidence, regarding religious claims?

GoldenDoll comments on Dec 3, 2017:

I;m sorry I only read a couple of lines and then yawned. Your title is an oxymoron.

GoldenDoll replies on Dec 8, 2017:

Well no dear. An oxymoron has to have two parts. Calling myself an Agnostic is a misnomer.

About Jesus

zanyfish comments on Nov 28, 2017:

If Jesus existed, he sounds like a fine chap. Hitchens, Dawkins et al. are also fine chaps. They have all made us think about our place in this world. The first is a god. The others have advanced critical thinking and/or science and are labelled as heretics. How f*cked up is that?

GoldenDoll replies on Dec 7, 2017:

"A fine chap"? - a man who came with the sword, agreed with slavery, thought women were livestock, and that genocide was a solution for people who didn't agree with him? Fine, indeed.

About Jesus

Benthoven comments on Nov 28, 2017:

I've stopped arguing whether or not Jesus exists. I think to say that he didn't exist is to tap into the same mentality that Christians have when they insist he does. Most bible scholars believe a man named Jesus existed. Who he was, on the other hand, that's where the debate really needs to ...

GoldenDoll replies on Dec 7, 2017:

"Most bible scholars believe a man name Jesus existed". Well, in the words of Mandy Rice-Davies: "They would, wouldn't they"!

About Jesus

JohnSayles comments on Dec 3, 2017:

He existed, at least that's what I believe. And if you're Christian, then yes it's crucial that he did the things the books say he did, it's the crux of the entire belief system. Otherwise, not really no, what he tried to teach I feel should be more important that what he did, but that's just my ...

GoldenDoll replies on Dec 7, 2017:

"What he tried to teach" is important? - Would that be misogyny, slave ownership, or genocide? I worry that the remnants of your religious belief is still influencing you if you believe Jesus was a pleasant and peace-loving character, real or not.

About Jesus

GoldenDoll comments on Dec 3, 2017:

I'm an atheist. How could a palestinian/jewish man who maybe lived more than 2,000 years ago possibly be important to me?

GoldenDoll replies on Dec 4, 2017:

"The character based on him" had nothing to do with it - if Constantine had chosen another of the many baby "religions" around at the time we would be worshipping them, not Jesus. And I'm not fat.

What is your standard of evidence, regarding religious claims?

GoldenDoll comments on Dec 3, 2017:

I;m sorry I only read a couple of lines and then yawned. Your title is an oxymoron.

GoldenDoll replies on Dec 4, 2017:

"Evidence" & "religion". Sorry my answers are so brief. Can't wait for people to catch up.

Why does a large core component of the Black community still cling to the religion of their former ...

Tre98th comments on Oct 23, 2017:

As an African American and an ex-Christian myself, The manipulation goes much deeper than you would think. Much of it isn't just wanting to cling to something much of it is fear. Christian wasn't taught friendly but it was beaten, burned and forced onto Africans. It was convert or die and not ...

GoldenDoll replies on Dec 3, 2017:

Religion was beaten, burnt, & forced onto european people too. Constantine decided christianity would be the most advantageous religion for his position in the roman empire, so people had to convert. Many of my pagan ancestors in England were burnt at the stake and killed if they didn't comply. So it goes with all religions in the beginning, until the brainwashing does the work for them.

On Agnostic: Pay It Forward. Will you accept my challenge?

SKDeitch comments on Dec 2, 2017:

'tis the season I suppose. The fact is I tend to be stingy with compliments and that really should stop.

GoldenDoll replies on Dec 3, 2017:

What season is that? Pagan winter solstice?

Men, Women, and Equality

El-loco comments on Nov 22, 2017:

You need a practical way to get your head together. I am going to be criticised here for having no morals (I don't - just ethics) but I don't give a flying f**k about that. You need to go to a decent prostitute to get your head together. That's not legal in the US so get yourself a week's ...

GoldenDoll replies on Dec 3, 2017:

Sorry but no woman "chooses" to become a prostitute. Typical mansplaining. Yuck./

Men, Women, and Equality

LeighShelton comments on Nov 25, 2017:

there's good, bad and everything in between everywhere across nations and sexes I believe. personally speaking, i think woman are generally mentally stronger with a higher pain thresh hold and men tend to be physically stronger.

GoldenDoll replies on Dec 3, 2017:

Please can we stop using the word "pussy" to mean something weak???? A vagina is all muscle and can push out a baby - if you need a word to describe weakness, look on a man's face after he's been kicked in the nuts and use "testicle"!

How comfortable are you with the word "Atheist" ?

SarahSiddons comments on Oct 27, 2017:

I identify as a Buddhist which to me is a practice and way of living not a religion. Technically we are atheists because there is no belief in a supreme being. I’m an atheist who considers my meditative and yoga practice ways to develop and spirituality “tune into” life in general. My practice...

GoldenDoll replies on Dec 3, 2017:

How can you follow Buddhism when the Dalai Lama himself said he is glad he wasn't born a woman? And there are totally different (and more onerous) rules for women buddhist priests than male? Unfortunately, even Buddhism is misogynistic.

What moral code do you follow now that you are non-religious?

Janielib comments on Oct 8, 2017:

I suppose I follow the Judeo-Christian ethic. Do unto others and all that.

GoldenDoll replies on Dec 3, 2017:

Kill your children when they're rude to you. Another "ethic" in the bible. Please don't cherry-pick (I know old habits die hard, so you're forgiven...)

What moral code do you follow now that you are non-religious?

unndunn comments on Oct 26, 2017:

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

GoldenDoll replies on Dec 3, 2017:

Except when they're trying to kill you, perhaps.

What moral code do you follow now that you are non-religious?

JabberingJohn comments on Nov 3, 2017:

I have have been influenced a lot by the works of Erich Fromm. In his work, The Sane Society, and other books of his, he clarifies that morality is not based on religion. In fact religion has been a terrible threat to morality in virtually every area or life. The moral code I follow is that ...

GoldenDoll replies on Dec 3, 2017:

Me too! I'm having difficulty using it as a noun - quite a moutful "You're such a casuistrist!"

What moral code do you follow now that you are non-religious?

WayneIvey comments on Nov 5, 2017:

The moral code of survival: if I treat my neighbor and all others with love and respect, the odds of my survival (emotional, physical psychological) are vastly increased.

GoldenDoll replies on Dec 3, 2017:

Except when those neighbours want to knock you on the head and take your stuff.

What moral code do you follow now that you are non-religious?

MichaelPaul comments on Nov 19, 2017:

semi Buddhist moral code. But this is a target not an achievement. Buddhists Five Moral Precepts which are refraining from: harming living things. taking what is not given. sexual misconduct. lying or gossip. taking intoxicating substances such as drugs or drink. Notice how there is no...

GoldenDoll replies on Dec 3, 2017:

Dalai Lama - thankful he was not born a woman. Go figure. And please don't substitute one religious addiction with another.

What moral code do you follow now that you are non-religious?

Nina comments on Sep 28, 2017:

It's a do unto others ....outlook. And a feeling of what goes around comes around. That seems to work for me. I have a conscience. I find so many who call themselves Christians, don't walk the talk.

GoldenDoll replies on Dec 3, 2017:

It's dangerous to use the what goes around comes around code - it lets an awful lot of people off the hook when they do bad things, and we all know it's not true. (And it's almost a "religious" thing! - have faith in somebody/something else sorting out injustices).

What moral code do you follow now that you are non-religious?

Rosebud comments on Oct 19, 2017:

As the Dalai Lama said, "My religion is kindness". You do not need a deity to do the right thing.

GoldenDoll replies on Dec 3, 2017:

The Dalai Lama also said he was thankful he was not born a woman. So please don't hold him up as a moral guide!

Should religion be taught in schools?

basskiller252 comments on Oct 27, 2017:

absolutely not, separation of church and state. we are already fighting tooth and nail to keep religion out schools. if we let it in, it will end up permeating everything!

GoldenDoll replies on Oct 28, 2017:

We have RE in schools here in England. I used to be against it, but now as a supply teacher I see the effect it has on the kids. And they're usually bored by it and it usually turns them off. Which is exactly what we want! I have to admit to planting a few atheist seeds when I cover those RE lessons though - great fun!

How do you tell religious people that you're an atheist?

vimpete_mangod comments on Oct 27, 2017:

I usually tell them that now that I am grown up i tend not to believe fantasy stories as being real life. When they ask why I don't believe in god/jesus etc I let them know that I stopped having imaginary friends when I was 6 Y/O. As johnnyfdny says it is difficult to to have a mature conversation ...

GoldenDoll replies on Oct 28, 2017:

You didn't create it. It's been around a long time.

Would you raise your children religious just to fit in?

Lobster101 comments on Oct 21, 2017:

No.....and neither I will let them watch silly films like Harry Potter or anything with extraterrestrial powers without an ADULT consent.

GoldenDoll replies on Oct 26, 2017:

Silly films like Harry Potter? I positively encourage mine to do so - because of course IT'S MADE UP! Just like religion! It sounds as if you don't trust yourself to be drawn into "extraterrestrial powers"! Harry Potter is an amazing narrative, full of incredible imagery and wonderful storylines - but of course it's fiction, and teaching your children the difference between fantasy and reality is part of our purpose as parents, and teaches them to THINK for themselves.