Re: Immaculate conception

"number6" <snumber6@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote

>> I don't harass religious people and I don't propose denying them their
>> right to believe their goofy fairy stories. That would be bigotry.

>refering to another's belief's as goofy fairy tales ... is bigotry ...
>relating it as such ... is harassment ...


The problem with the term "bigotry" is that it doesn't differentiate
between 
inherent traits and people's choices and/or actions. So technically, a 
disdain for pedophiles constitutes bigotry and (hopefully) that makes all
of 
us here bigots in that regard. I'm the first to say nobody should be 
discriminated against for physical characteristics beyond their control or

for actions that don't negatively affect anybody else. But when someone 
*chooses* to believe in an invisible entity, I treat that belief the same 
way I treat someone's belief in aliens or the way I would treat robgood's 
theories.


>> I only oppose religion to the extent that it impacts my life

>and how has any religious person affected your life ???


Well, for starters, there are enough Jews in my poker game that we can't 
order pepperoni pizza.


>any more than
>your lack of belief affected theirs ??

Obviously I can't speak for anybody else, but my non-beliefs only become 
known to people when the subject of religion has been broached (which
isn't 
by me). Fortunately, here in Los Angeles most people don't wear their 
religion on their sleeve so I really don't even know what (or how strong) 
many of my friends' religious beliefs are. But I can say with confidence 
that the only way my lack of beliefs has ever affected anybody is in the 
form of discussion.


>Sorry ... but insulting and minimizing another's beliefs by calling
>them goofy fairy stories is bigotry ... I'll call you and anyone else
>out on it ...

You're entitled to feel that way but I hope you apply that evenly to 
people's beliefs, no matter how wacky they may seem to you. Otherwise, 
you're a hypocrite.


>you are indeed a bigot ... and the fact that you don't hang black
>people ... unless they interfer with you doesn't make you a less of
>one ... (i substituted black for religious to make the point) ...


The fact that you would think you could use someone's skin color as a 
substitute for someone's choices shows that you really don't get the
point.