More American Politics!

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 9:29 pm

Mayhem wrote:
Veilan wrote:Oh c'mon, Jehova's Witnesses are about as christian as capital punishment is (hint for G.O.P. groupies: not at all).
I stayed with my wifes Jehovah's Witness cousins in Canada. They were really cool, took us out to dinner and hockey games (insisted on paying) and tried to get us drunk

Thats essentially what ive found. Most are good people to know, i suppose some (like my father) aren't. His rationale was "Well they aren't going to get up on sundays by themselves, so ill make them come".

Mulu · Post by **Mulu** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 10:21 pm

ç i p h é r wrote:There was a national happiness survey conducted some months ago. We had a thread about it here in these forums. You'll have to dig that up to get a link to the data, but I believe it was any faith, not just Christianity. Could be wrong though.

You know, revisiting this, the whole "religious people are happier because they are not doomsayers" makes no sense at all, given that they are the ultimate doomsayers. Judgement Day is coming! Then again, I suppose they look forward to the apocalypse with glee. Contemplating the total destruction of the Earth makes them happy!

Mulu · Post by **Mulu** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 10:22 pm

Burt wrote:
Mulu wrote:
Veilan wrote:From reading your posts, I certainly wouldn't believe that .
Gripping makes me happy.
Fixed.

Oh I get it, it's a masturbation reference, right? Tee hee hee!

ç i p h é r · Post by **ç i p h é r** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 10:30 pm

Mulu wrote:You know, revisiting this, the whole "religious people are happier because they are not doomsayers" makes no sense at all, given that they are the ultimate doomsayers. Judgement Day is coming! Then again, I suppose they look forward to the apocalypse with glee. Contemplating the total destruction of the Earth makes them happy!

I'd say unafraid rather than glee, but anyway, I was referring to those happy folks up there in Scandinavia. Of course, it could just be that they drink a lot. It makes me happy.

NickD · Post by **NickD** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 10:44 pm

Huh. I remember reading that Finland is 95% Lutherian. And I've seen some stats saying that other Scandinavians are 80%+ christian. However, this website puts Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Estonia (strictly speaking not a Scandie, but close enough to Finland to count) in the top 10 agnostic/atheist/non-believer in God countries in the world.

Veilan · Post by **Veilan** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 11:23 pm

Probably a difference between what people are officially registered as and what they would respond if you asked them.

Burt · Post by **Burt** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 11:43 pm

Mulu wrote:
Burt wrote:
Mulu wrote:
Veilan wrote:From reading your posts, I certainly wouldn't believe that .
Gripping makes me happy.
Fixed.
Oh I get it, it's a masturbation reference, right? Tee hee hee!

Yes. Off topic is full of wankers.

Mulu · Post by **Mulu** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 12:22 am

Burt wrote:Yes. Off topic is full of wankers.

I wondered why it was the only forum I ever see you post in!

Joos · Post by **Joos** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 9:38 am

NickD wrote:Huh. I remember reading that Finland is 95% Lutherian. And I've seen some stats saying that other Scandinavians are 80%+ christian. However, this website puts Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Estonia (strictly speaking not a Scandie, but close enough to Finland to count) in the top 10 agnostic/atheist/non-believer in God countries in the world.

90 percent of my friends are baptised, however, most would never call themselves believers. If I had a choice, I would un-baptise, but that is not a possibility I am afraid.

fluffmonster · Post by **fluffmonster** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 1:02 pm

All you have to do is say "Jesus is not a divine being and is not the literal son of God." Boom, baptism washed away and you can once again join the ranks of the heathens.

Mulu · Post by **Mulu** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 3:02 pm

Yeah, but then the Mormons will re-baptize you at death!

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints vicariously baptizes people regardless of race, sex, or creed. This includes both victims and perpetrators of genocide, including Adolf Hitler.

There's no escape!

Out of curiosity I googled "undo baptism" and was surprised at the variety of responses. The Catholic Church claims it's impossible, you are forever baptized and part of the body of Christ. For that matter it's a sin to leave the Catholic Church for another denomination (apostasy). Calvinists seem to think something similar, that baptism is owned by god, and therefore can only be renounced by god, and then blather on about regeneration and the teeth of the vine, whatever that means. Puritans (they still exist? ) say that any step into unbelief will undo a baptism. There are various pagan religions that will "de-baptize" you, for a fee. At least one will even write a letter to your church explaining that you have left the faith. I suspect it isn't a kind letter. I saw some reference to being bathed in bull's blood to undo a baptism, but the link was dead. Most atheist responses to the question fall into the "if you're an atheist it was just water on your head" category.

The things people spend their time on. Makes playing D&D look mature.

HATEFACE · Post by **HATEFACE** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 4:44 pm

There's no escape!

You're mad as the Hatter my good sir.

So what! if people can unbaptise themselves or not, or go and get baptised. So what! What you're essentially debating is whether or not its good or evil to dip your head. So adolf hitler was baptised, big deal, nazisim incorperated a shit-load of christianity into its dogma. - Doesn't stop a vast majority of people, theists, and non-theists alike from hating the bastard. What I'm trying to say is that people can't baptise themselves nor can they un-baptise themselves when its completely irrelevant. It's strange that you seem unable to unfuck yourself and you continueally refuck yourself by focusing on the main-stream of christianity rather than the rogue sects that do! do damage, nor paying any mind to islamic-terrorism, scientology, or other faiths of menevolant intent. (sects, cults etc.) I expect too much from a man who views scientology and christianity in the same camp. Continue on with your nit-picking of minor violations.

Mayhem · Post by **Mayhem** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 4:50 pm

I wasn't christened, though I doubt that has any bearing in my later becoming an atheist.

Conversely, I am a godparent and my own son was christened, because my wife wanted him to be - and it was no skin of my nose if it made her and her famly happy.

Pretty much the same reason we had a church wedding, really - and the building is so much nicer than the average registry office.

(Interestingly the vicar that did the christening used to be an atheist before he found comfort in the church, and freely admits it).

Mulu · Post by **Mulu** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 5:24 pm

HATEFACE wrote:There's no escape!

You're mad as the Hatter my good sir.

I was being facetious, though your response was amusing to read.

HATEFACE · Post by **HATEFACE** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 5:30 pm

Mulu wrote:
HATEFACE wrote:There's no escape!

You're mad as the Hatter my good sir.
I was being facetious, though your response was amusing to read.

I'm sorry, I can't seem to tell with you.