Did you know this.......?

[goodlife]

The early Christians were persecuted, even as Jesus had been. (John 15:20; 17:14) Historian John L. von Mosheim called first-century Christians “a set of men of the most harmless inoffensive character, who never harboured in their minds a wish or thought inimical to the welfare of the state.” Dr. Mosheim stated that what “irritated the Romans against the Christians, was the simplicity of their worship, which resembled in nothing the sacred rites of any other people.” He added: “They had no sacrifices, temples, images, oracles, or sacerdotal orders; and this was sufficient to bring upon them the reproaches of an ignorant multitude, who imagined that there could be no religion without these. Thus they were looked upon as a sort of atheists; and, by the Roman laws, those who were chargeable with atheism were declared the pests of human society.”

[venator]

.... and furthermore, I can suggest a religion you may care to persecute,, please - just click on this - Ab Editor <[:-)>

[Zeuhl]

<<Stafford-Clark;

“The passion with which they will defend this . . . is yet further vivid evidence of the emotional necessity of belief" .............

Cobblers!>>

Indeed Naomi.

The Stafford Clark quote (who is he? and who says he's an authority anyway) does not bear any intelligent scrutiny - like much of what goodlife copies and pastes onto here.

If someone argues for something (eg atheism or democracy or the superiority of scrambled eggs over fried) with “passion" there is no direct correlation with an "emotional necessity of belief".

Atheism is a viewpoint based on rational thought and consideration of available evidence. By definition, it is the opposite of 'belief' which does not rely on rational thought or evidence.

Some people believe in The Tooth Fairy. I can't be positive, but based on the evidence available to me I very much doubt it exists and could argue that passionately. To try and suggest that this viewpoint shows a 'necessity to believe' The Tooth Fairy doesn't exist is plainly ridiculous. And pointless.

If people want to believe in stuff that the rest of us are happy to do without - fine. But don't try and gain comfort by trying to include the rest of us in some variant of your fantasy.

[Davethedog]

venator - and?? Does that make you A) right? B) Special? Not that it matters
but I was a member of Mensa in the 80's but gave up when I realised that it was full of supercilious people who wanted to boast how "clever" they were.

The fact that you subscribe to a diety without any proof proves your not as clever as you would like to believe.

[bondgirl007]

i think people put posts up like this just to cause a aguement

[Ankou]

no way ?!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!

[bondgirl007]

:D

[goodlife]

I think people put posts up like this just to cause a argument yes
With Some people believing in The Tooth Fairy and Cobblers sound like Atheism .

[naomi24]

^^ What?

[bondgirl007]

prove to me that there is a god then

[Zeuhl]

<<With Some people believing in The Tooth Fairy and Cobblers sound like Atheism>>

That isn't even an intelligable sentence.

Does the OP use an automated word generator to churn out that nonsense or is it a bunch of chimps?

Either way there is clearly a malfunction.

[bondgirl007]

the tooth fairy is rear it was my mum, there is no god

[MarkRae]

Get thee behind me, Satan!

[annadomino]

No Bondgirl, MY mum was the tooth fairy, and my dad was Father Christmas .

[MarkRae]

> Does the OP use an automated word generator

Maybe this one...? http://www.eilands.com/vjon/

[rowanwitch]

My Grandad is Death and my real name is Susan Sto Helit

[bondgirl007]

haha LOL this post is becomming a joke

[Ankou]

have generator i word a random.

but it keeps playing up. i think yoda sold me a duffer.

[RATTER15]

Atheism is a Non belief, how can that relate to being religious?

Goodlife you are clutching at straws like Sith123, you are wasting your time and doing your faith a dis-service by babbling a load of nonsense that means very little.

[bondgirl007]

well said ratter :)

[Ankou]

dunno about clutching at straws, certainly clutching at the hearts and minds of atheists though!

goodlife has a fwiend you know, in wome. his name is wodewick.