Five Stupid Things About Fundamentalist Christianity

LTC (Join to see) - he's got a whole series of Five Stupid Things that pretty much cover all areas of life, not limited to religion.

Capt Gregory Prickett A "true" (saved) Christian is not the same as a true Scotsman Fallacy at least from a theological perspective. Logical human fallacies don't really apply to eternal truth. The entire conversation about "truth" and what is it, is a much broader and deeper subject though.

If the generally accepted points of Calvinism do not "impress" you it is because you have not been called yet. I understand. There was a point in my life I was at the same place you are. I am not suggesting you are a three headed monster for not having the same belief system I do. Only that your vitriol toward Christianity (perhaps all religions) is not healthy or reasonable and only makes you look intolerant. Not trying to patronize you but I know you are a well read and educated person based upon what I read that you post. The venom toward religion and those that believe is an area you could stand some work on (all of us have those).

The canon of scripture and sola scriptura are some of the reasons for the Protestant Reformation started by Martin Luther and his 95 thesis. We have major splits in Christendom, in part, due to the interpretation and use of books outside the canon of scripture. Certainly there is not unanimity on the use, interpretation or acceptance of scripture across the main denominations or there would be no reason for all of them to exist. Most of Christendom agree on the major tenants of Christianity. There are enough differences though that there have been splits over the centuries (like many faiths).

Not trying to beat a dead horse here. I appreciate we do not agree on this topic but life will go on for both of us.

Cpl Jeff N. - sorry, but it is exactly the same fallacy. As to the differences in churches? The fact that there are 44,000 different sects of Christianity argues against the truth of your god.

You also have the mistaken idea that I have some sort of hatred towards religion, I do not. The fact that I recognize the moral problems with the Christian god is not hatred or vitriol, although many Christians believe it is so. You are free to believe what you wish to believe, and I support your right to do so, just as I support the rights of other religions to do so. But I don't have to believe any of them, and I'm free to point out each religions problems.

That's one of the reasons I could never be a Calvinist, because of the problems in theology of Calvin, as well as his own actions, particularly as in respects to Michael Servetus. I'm sorry, but what was done there, based solely on a difference of theology, was wrong, and if he could do that, it calls into question his entire basis of theology.

Capt Gregory Prickett I will leave you to make the last comment after this if you like. If you posted a video about any other group (race, ethnicity, sex, national origin etc.) dripping with this much hatred, vitriol, ridicule (pick your word) you would be called out for it as a bigot or worse. You know it and I know it. It is safe to do it against Christians these days as it was safe to do against others in the past.

I am not going to argue/reargue the Servetus issue as it is 500 years old and done in a time where heresy was punishable by death. Judging people that lived 500 years ago by todays standards and approach is not exactly reasonable. If your primary basis for rejecting Calvinism, which is only a hermeneutical exposition of biblical doctrine, is because it has his name attached to it then you must also reject Martin Luther's thesis and the entire protestant reformation. That is fine but your rejection should have not be based upon John Calvin's action but should be based upon theological/hermeneutical evidence explanation not that "I don't like John Calvin".

Cpl Jeff N. - first, were I to be a Christian, I would be Orthodox. In my opinion that church is the only one which has maintained the original traditions of the church. Both Luther and Calvin based their protestantism on two major errors. One, they came out of the Roman tradition, which was already in error over Augustine's concept of original sin, and the filiaque of course, among other errors. Two, they brought the sola scriptura error into their doctrine.

The problem with the hermeneutical exposition of biblical doctrine is that Calvin was simply wrong. Were I Christian, I would have to say that Calvin's heresies have condemned many and saved none. Luther's thesis was also rejected by the Orthodox church--Luther approached the Orthodox Church and was turned away after he refused to acknowledge the doctrinal errors of Lutheran belief.

However, I'm not Christian because there is no evidence supporting that god, or at least none that is based on observable evidence.

There are many scientists and engineers that are spiritual or religious people. You basically called them all stupid because they don't share your personal feelings about religion. To me that would seem to be a wee bit intolerant of you. It might be borderline hate speech. What others choose to believe or not believe should not be a concern to you. Opinions on religion are like all other opinions but to a greater extent. And we all know what they say about opinions being like assholes. Everyone has one and they all stink. Why not put a positive message athiest link on here? That way people can choose to be informed in a more positive manner. Heck you might even be able to talk some people into giving up religion. However, I have found that many times people when confronted with insulting views of their beliefs tend to dig in their heels more.

MSgt (Join to see) - Where did I call them stupid? Second, hate speech? Do you like censorship much? You might want to look at the First Amendment - it does not have an exception for speech that you don't like or that you feel is intolerant.

I liked the video and I posted it. If you don't, that's up to you.

you gave the impression that you believe all religious people are stupid by some of your comments and choice of video. The hate speech remark was my feeble attempt at being liberal. I guess only campus loonies are allowed to censor speech. Hey as log as you insult all religions equally knock youself out. I still think you would possibly change more minds to your way of thinking if you post more positive links instead of insulting ones.

I think atheists are soulless heathens that lack any spirituality, creativity, cultural realism or frankly, intelligence. Worship of a creator or supreme being is a rational and evolutionary part of human society everywhere. Respect for your fellow human beings is fundamental to a cohesive society. Arrogant supremacy and lack of emotional intelligence creates friction and will eventually leave those individuals alone and alienated from society. I think you have the freedom to express your opinion, but I have complete freedom to provide an opposing view. Calling something "stupid" that others may hold dear is senseless.