tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4307187040250193857.post5352657669456120835..comments2024-03-20T03:33:22.357-07:00Comments on Skeptophilia: Reason vs. extremismGordon Bonnethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06003472005971594466noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4307187040250193857.post-89833975085784046662013-01-04T05:20:51.199-08:002013-01-04T05:20:51.199-08:00I'm a recovering catholic, but I can't tel...I'm a recovering catholic, but I can't tell you why people don't speak out or why the almighty church itself doesn't comment on these toxic individuals. <br /><br />I have a question myself. Aside from the complete absurdity and horrifying ideas in these quotes, can someone explain to me how gay marriage destroys freedom of speech and freedom of religion? Isn't it freedom of religion that makes gay marriage possible? I don't follow the logic. Shocking, I know. And if it wasn't for freedom of speech, we wouldn't have to listen to these extremists in the first place. It's the price we pay for freedom I guess.Lori Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02226334466911750255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4307187040250193857.post-38742230835340747512013-01-03T13:10:01.831-08:002013-01-03T13:10:01.831-08:00I think it would be interesting to look into some ...I think it would be interesting to look into some sociology of religion studies on numbers and percentages... would those espousing the views you quote above be a small minority, about half, a majority of Christians? It's kind of hard to say, in a way, because different people would define "Christian" differently - there are members of my family who would take issue with my claim to the name, due to my liberal/humanist views. <br /><br />And there are voices out there that are trying to speak *as Christians* to the reactionary fear-mongering that you cite above; Sojourner magazine is one; another is the recent blossoming of student and alumni groups on Christian campuses advocating for acceptance within Christianity of homosexuality - I've been really excited and encouraged to see that happening. <br /><br />It's also hard to "open a space for dialogue," as you say, when any challenge to the views above are summarily dismissed. I don't know. It's hard to explain what it's like to be inside that hermetically sealed world view... but I've been there. I'm glad I escaped... but I often also feel a profound sense of loss. There was comfort in the certainty. Too bad it was mostly hogwash (IMO). <br /><br />I love this quote from Anne Lammott - "the opposite of faith is not doubt; it is certainty." E. Phantzihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05812948199658356521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4307187040250193857.post-10207257499607866702013-01-03T07:50:58.866-08:002013-01-03T07:50:58.866-08:00Actually I think St. Paul's name should change...Actually I think St. Paul's name should change back to "Pig's Eye Landing." :-)<br /><br />Who knows what'll happen by 2060? It'll be a weird world by then. But Conservative Christians are marginalizing <i>themselves</i> by being increasingly out of touch with reality -- hence the increasing stridency and desperation. They're losing influence, so they feel a need to build a high wall of fear around the people over whom they still hold sway.<br /><br />The influence of religion generally seems to be declining. It might be that a lot of churches will sell off properties, due to lack of financial support from members. Churches also get automatic non-profit status, tax exemptions, and so on, without having to do the financial disclosures that other tax-exempt organizations have to. So many abuses have come to light, and so many churches have essentially turned into political organizations, that I suspect a lot of people are getting fed up, so this might change within the next 40 years.<br /><br />Muslim president -- why not?<br /><br />Or maybe all issues of taxes and property and so on will become irrelevant when the machines start running everything. I don't know.Tyler Torkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11460706772136362593noreply@blogger.com