9/11 changed America's attitude toward religion
POSTED BY: Niki2
UPDATED: Thursday, August 1, 2024 18:05
VIEWED: 6534
PAGE 4 of 5
Gawd, Mal4, I wish I'd been there then! I've suggested doing so a number of times, to no avail. I try to ignore him as much as possible, and if others did too, it would be easier. As it is, it's just easier to mock him or clarifies his lies. You know, I've said over and over again pretty much what you did, that he's here just to push buttons by saying outlandish things to get attention. You're right, and I'll try to be more like you...again. It's just hard, when he and Mike threadjack so many threads into their own private arguments.
Puleeeeze don't leave again, or at least not until you're totally disgusted (if possible), I miss your voice so much and we need all the sane adults we can get!
Eta: after reading your most recent post: "It is EXACTLY our Raptor!", as I've been saying all along.
Hippie Operative Nikovich Nikita Nicovna Talibani,
Contracted Agent of Veritas Oilspillus, code name “Nike”,
signing off 
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Quote:I too have enjoyed lurking these in the past, but I only read Mike's replies. To use the art term: it's like seeing the negative space around Rappy. Interesting.
Originally posted by Niki2:
It's just hard, when he and Mike threadjack so many threads into their own private arguments.
(To share an out-there conspiracy theory - I've wondered if Mike is inventing Rappy just to make it so easy for him (Mike) to look good in an argument...
)ETA: Mike, if you're checking in here - I hope those fires aren't anywhere near you!
Quote:Thank you! School is starting up so I'm going to busy soon and likely won't post much, but I'll check in when I can. A lot of interesting info comes out of this place.
Puleeeeze don't leave again, or at least not until you're totally disgusted (if possible), I miss your voice so much and we need all the sane adults we can get!
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hmm-burble-blah, blah-blah-blah, take a left
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Indeed, it endlessly amuses me to envision this place as combination debate forum/mosh pit, where you HAVE to be able to argue your point, as opposed to places where you can wheedle a sympathetic mod to silence opposition.
I *treasure* this place for that, flaws and all.
-Frem
I do not serve the Blind God.
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Been a mite busy lately. When I saw the title I thought this had the potential for some very interesting discussion. Maybe it still does...
I've no data backing up what I'm about to say, just casual observation, but I think Raptor is a prime example of how 9/11 has changed how we view atheism. The arrogant stance that he is the only one who sees things rationally and others must be deluding themselves because, after all, they have plenty of practice believing in 'fairy tales.' Left or right, they do often come off as authoritarian.
But then again, this is just casual observation, so the extremes are likely all that stands out to catch our attention. Perhaps extremsim is simply on the rise and both 9/11 and 'Christo-Americanism' are symptoms of a larger problem spanding many ideaologies.
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I'd agree with that, remember even Atheism has its extremists, heaven knows Anarchism does, to my everlasting ire...
And fear tends to bring them to the fore, right now we live in a world of fearful people, anything from downright undeniable threats in the case of the muslim extremists who we're trying to bomb into oblivion - who quite rightly fear we're trying to exterminate them, to pissants terrified that if any option BUT their theology/philsophy even exists, they'll be unable to force people into it - all whipped up by a media that makes it's money off fearmongering and sensationalism.
My answer to most of it though ?
Apathy.
Most of the crap folks are trying to scare me with, only leaves me concerned about the folks trying to do so, and what *their* motivations and intentions are.
Funny addendum to that, tonite while doing rounds a pinecone fell off a tree and landed near me, and I reflexively looked in the OTHER direction first, then quickly back to where it landed - automatically suspecting the "obvious" is my NATURE, it seems.
-Frem
I do not serve the Blind God.
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Quote:
Originally posted by mal4prez:
OK, damn, a second post...
I was also entertained by it, when I thought Rappy was a real person. I doubt that now. I think he (if it is a he) might be completely fabricated.
My ex, back in the early days of internet chats, used to hang out in a religious group and every once in a while post something that got them all batshit. Now, he was an atheist, but really didn't care one way or another about their debates. He just liked the feeling of power.
I'm just saying, it sounds a lot like our Rappy. In fact, he might *be* my ex... yeek LOL!
I'm real alright, I am a 'he', and thankfully am NOT your ex.
" I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend. "
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Excellent point, Happy:Quote:
It's funny, Frem, when I read that my first thought was "That makes sense. I think 9/11 scared the whole damned world, not just us, and fear usually brings extremism to the fore, even those of us who don't normally engage in it". So I agree, I think that may be PART of what makes Raptor who he is, tho' I think he might just possibly be as much of an extremist anyway...maybe it just brings them out of the woodwork because they suddenly have an audience? I dunno.
Perhaps extremsim is simply on the rise and both 9/11 and 'Christo-Americanism' are symptoms of a larger problem spanding many ideaologies.
Hippie Operative Nikovich Nikita Nicovna Talibani,
Contracted Agent of Veritas Oilspillus, code name “Nike”,
signing off
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Mal4Pres, I'd laugh my arse off if Raptor was indeed your ex and you hadn't known it all this time.
:)
I think Happy is on to something, extremism seems to surface more when scary things happen. I think though that some people go the opposite way and figure they will be apathetic, if the world is falling apart then why should they believe in anything, so they start running around andnot planning ahead or making good choices. Obviously it is the former, rather than the latter, that we are discussing here, but I see both in the world today.
"A completely coherant River means writers don't deliver" KatTaya
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Hello,
I remember when the Gulf oil spill happened. I remember how Mr. Raptor was. So giddy, so excited.
THIS IS THE WORST THING EVER!
Counting down the moments. Is it too soon? Is it too soon?
HOW COULD SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPEN?! THE WORLD WILL NEVER BE THE SAME!
Not yet. Not yet. Wait for it... wait for it...
GOD DAMN YOU, OBAMA! YOU HAVE BETRAYED THE AMERICAN PEOPLE! YOU ARE THE WORST PRESIDENT EVER!
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9/11 didn't make Raptor. It just presented an opportunity for a flower to bloom.
--Anthony
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“If you are not free to choose wrongly and irresponsibly, you are not free at all”
Jacob Hornberger
“Freedom is not worth having if it does not connote freedom to err. It passes my comprehension how human beings, be they ever so experienced and able, can delight in depriving other human beings of that precious right.”
Mahatma Gandhi
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