I really don't think you've ever had anything to apologize for on this subject. I've found you very careful and clear about what you believe and what it is that you object to.
The people who are raising a fuss are like the histrionic hypocrites who scream "all lives matter!" when they encounter a "Black Lives Matter" slogan. No matter how many times it is explained to these racist half-wits that it is not a zero-sum game where the only way one person can have their rights respected is if someone else's rights are degraded, they still assume that one cannot respect black lives except by denigrating other people.
It strikes me as much the same with supposedly religious people who delaminate whenever someone criticizes the grotesquely neo-fascist excesses of Christian Dominionism/Nationalism. It stands out even more starkly given how careful you've always been to contextualize and bracket the scope of your criticisms.
This has always fascinated me. Even in my own family, on both sides, the implied expectation is that I'm to cater to the sensibilities and sensitivities of believers. My own are evidently of less concern because I HAVE no beliefs as a humanist/atheist/whatever.
Sometimes I feel like if I bend over backwards any more, I'm going to end up in traction.
Even my wife does this to me sometimes, though I know it's unintentional and well-meaning.
There are times when I want to scream, because everyone wants their tender sensibilities respected, but give no real thought to mine. Not that I'm all that sensitive, mind you, but the double standard gets a bit old.
Just assume the best of me as a default and that should solve this whole problem, yeah? Instead, people, including on both sides of my family, appear to be insecure enough in their beliefs that they can't believe the words of one lone humanist/atheist/whatever are a threat to anyone. Hell, I'm barely a threat to myself. :-)
I too have been down this path of hypocrisy. Grandpa was a loving democratic reverend, but he left the gospel at the office. Grandma used to tell her three boys, “don’t play with that, you’ll make it sick.” Dad got fired from his job conducting the choir, because he did a jazzy version of some song at the Christian church. Apparently Jesus is atonal. So the Red Sea parted and we made an Exodus to the land of free thinkers, Atheism. So now we’re just guilt free hedonists. Amen!
For me, it was realizing that one's religion is largely a function of where one is from. If you're from North America, you're probably Christian. If you're from the Middle East, you're likely Muslim. If you're from Southeast Asia, you're probably Buddhist or Hindu. If you're from Wisconsin, you're probably a Packers fan...and you're going straight to Hell. :-)
That was kind of the idea, David...or were you not paying attention? I was trying to address some pushback I've received from certain readers. Yes, it was "impressively self-centric"...by design.
That there are a lot of Christians more interested in being “right” than in worshipping Jesus Christ. And that there are too many who are “American Christians” before they’re “Christian Americans.” If you read what I rode, that’s my central argument. 😊
I really don't think you've ever had anything to apologize for on this subject. I've found you very careful and clear about what you believe and what it is that you object to.
The people who are raising a fuss are like the histrionic hypocrites who scream "all lives matter!" when they encounter a "Black Lives Matter" slogan. No matter how many times it is explained to these racist half-wits that it is not a zero-sum game where the only way one person can have their rights respected is if someone else's rights are degraded, they still assume that one cannot respect black lives except by denigrating other people.
It strikes me as much the same with supposedly religious people who delaminate whenever someone criticizes the grotesquely neo-fascist excesses of Christian Dominionism/Nationalism. It stands out even more starkly given how careful you've always been to contextualize and bracket the scope of your criticisms.
This has always fascinated me. Even in my own family, on both sides, the implied expectation is that I'm to cater to the sensibilities and sensitivities of believers. My own are evidently of less concern because I HAVE no beliefs as a humanist/atheist/whatever.
Sometimes I feel like if I bend over backwards any more, I'm going to end up in traction.
Even my wife does this to me sometimes, though I know it's unintentional and well-meaning.
There are times when I want to scream, because everyone wants their tender sensibilities respected, but give no real thought to mine. Not that I'm all that sensitive, mind you, but the double standard gets a bit old.
Just assume the best of me as a default and that should solve this whole problem, yeah? Instead, people, including on both sides of my family, appear to be insecure enough in their beliefs that they can't believe the words of one lone humanist/atheist/whatever are a threat to anyone. Hell, I'm barely a threat to myself. :-)
I too have been down this path of hypocrisy. Grandpa was a loving democratic reverend, but he left the gospel at the office. Grandma used to tell her three boys, “don’t play with that, you’ll make it sick.” Dad got fired from his job conducting the choir, because he did a jazzy version of some song at the Christian church. Apparently Jesus is atonal. So the Red Sea parted and we made an Exodus to the land of free thinkers, Atheism. So now we’re just guilt free hedonists. Amen!
For me, it was realizing that one's religion is largely a function of where one is from. If you're from North America, you're probably Christian. If you're from the Middle East, you're likely Muslim. If you're from Southeast Asia, you're probably Buddhist or Hindu. If you're from Wisconsin, you're probably a Packers fan...and you're going straight to Hell. :-)
impressively self-centric
That was kind of the idea, David...or were you not paying attention? I was trying to address some pushback I've received from certain readers. Yes, it was "impressively self-centric"...by design.
faith in Jesus is NOT religion, despite the overwhelming diatribe and polarization to the contrary
That's your view and you're certainly welcome to it...and thank you for proving my point.
What is the point you’re trying to make
That there are a lot of Christians more interested in being “right” than in worshipping Jesus Christ. And that there are too many who are “American Christians” before they’re “Christian Americans.” If you read what I rode, that’s my central argument. 😊
Your intent is masked a bit by a feeling of “the truth is what I say it is”
As you are a proclaimed atheist, my immediate thoughts run toward your motivation in the first place ✌🏼
😊😊😊😊