9 February 2013
Okay doke.. I can't be bothered making a rhyme, so will speak through a blog. Some may want to ignore this if inclined towards offence..
I'm aware that the way I question posts may annoy some people, but on the whole I couldn't really give a flying wotsit. I post and comment about things that I am passionate about (as well as mundane topics obv.. There's always room for bodily functions). I don't do this to impress anyone, or in an attempt to make me look good (I'm aware that often, it makes me look a knob), I do it either because it amuses me or I agree or disagree with the theme's tone or subject. I comment a lot, because there's only maybe 2 or 3 posts that slip by without me noticing (sad but true) and I would guess I comment more that the vast majority of Opuss, whether that's praise; scorn; agreement or disagreement. The nature of the beast is that the comments that are deemed to be argumentative get noticed while those of support are often missed, heyho.
I'm fairly open minded, and through debate have changed or amended my opinion on several topics here on Opuss, which I'm thankful to have had the opportunity to do.
Examples of this are the plagiarism debate many moons ago and more recently censorship on cutting posts, both of which were because of reasoned opinions expressed by others without mudslinging or fear of offence.
What a dull place it would be without that opportunity...
Now, onto yesterday's debacle, as a thick skinned Irish Protestant turned atheist, I sometimes find it hard to see when others are being fragile, so failed to see that questioning can lead to meltdowns. My bad.
Two weeks ago I said I would not comment on kids' posts and up to now I've kept my word. I have ignored the cutting stuff and the religious.. However the volume of religious material yesterday was like wafting a cigarette under my nose, I couldn't resist replying and bring a balance to my soul.
Most comments were putting forward opposing views, but I can see how when I replied to 'real men pray' with the comment,'to imaginary ones' it could be seen as mocking. And yes, replying to 'we have god' with 'we have a hulk' was sarcasm, but I don't apologise for using humour, even when it's sarcasm to highlight a point, or reply to a vacuous statement with an equally vacuous answer.
I ended my participation because I remembered they were kids, but again I don't see anything to apologise for. Far worse is here to be read than opposing views on religion.
I also encouraged them never to apologise for their faith as I wouldn't for my lack of it.
As for kids being on Opuss, I still swither about how I feel about that, on balance I think it a positive thing for all, and guess its a choice of the individual and their parents.
Throughout history theists have murdered, destroyed and oppressed. Heretics have murdered and been murdered. There have been Crusades, witch hunts, slaughter on unimaginable scales in the name of gods. Some even say a god once killed over 99% of all life on earth because people disagreed with him.
Now atheists are finding a louder voice, probably due to a combination of not being in fear of being burnt alive and the rise of science.. We are still in the overwhelming minority, (less than 17% in uk and in single figures if the non religious are separated and about 3% worldwide) but get accused of 'attacking' theists, mostly by using various forms of humour including, god forbid, sarcasm. I read one comment that believers share their love in faith while non believers attack... How many atrocities have been carried out in the name of atheism? I'm not sorry my humour offends faiths that condone racism, misogyny, slavery.. Blah blah but I take heart that atheists are labelled 'inconsiderate' in their attacks rather than murderers.
Over the last 16 months, I returned to religion, looking for god, however the more I read, the more I realised the main religions have nothing to offer me. I looked for someone to comfort me and I found that person - me! I looked for god and found atheism/humanity. Some of the questions I ask in public are those that I asked myself, if that makes people uncomfortable then perhaps it's because the answers don't sit well with the cosy Sunday school traditions of religion.
While I'm conflicted because a part of me wishes I could believe, most of me is thankful I have logic and reason and a lack of hatred instead, which outweighs a life devoted to a silent deity in the hope I picked the right one.. I sometimes feel envious towards people who have reached an informed decision and found faith, but I then remember the teachings that I can't stomach and am thankful I found inner peace without Devine intervention.
I also allow myself a get out of hell free card.. If there is a just god then maybe leading a good life will be more important than a belief in him, rather than the unpleasant notion that the reverse is true.. Mind you, the devil must be laughing his tailed ass off, he doesn't need anyone to believe in him and he also gets the souls of all the theists that have been given or opted for the wrong god as their saviour.
Which brings me to the point about finding peace in religion, I have found that peace within me, without religion. In my dying breaths I will not be praying to be saved, I wouldn't know which god to start with! I'm happy for those that are truly at peace with their faith, but if that is blind faith, without ever questioning it, it is of no more value than the happiness of someone born without the faculties to understand the evil of the world and is therefor happy.
What followed later last night speaks for itself, yet more mountains made out of molehills in this stormy Opussian teacup. It is evident where the attacks were made, but I don't find offence in any of it. To be honest, yet again it amuses me.. I can be a smug fecker and I see personal attacks as an admission of a lost debate.
It is a public forum and if one opinion is aired then it could and should merit its counter opinion. Nothing wrong with that.
What a dull place this would be if the only comments were peaches and cream.. In my not so humble opinion.
So there you have it, the word of Burr. Resistance is futile!!!
The Offensive World Of Atheism • Opuss № I