Some teens say atheism rational choice

Atheism as defined by the group, American Atheists, is a lack of belief in gods.

[Reason Personified]

The emperor has no clothes and again the children see it and say it. Faith would have made them believe in the invisible clothing, If only someone had taken the time to indoctrinate them properly, the fundies could have proudly claimed yet another 10% of each childs future earnings. Say amen Can you see it jebus? Thou hath said "Show Me The Money" and there it goes out the door

[DebJ]

"Reality sucks and there are questions we just can't answer." Now that is one smart young man, why use a crutch if you can stand on your own two feet?

The delusion that there is someone who knows all the answers and will let us know too someday is dangerous IMHO. People complacently follow like sheep and leave the truth seekers, the pioneering spirits for the safety of being part of the flock.

[P Smith]

The religious industry is a lot like the tobacco industry: if they can't advertise to children and get them addicted before youths are 20 years old, they'll never get them. This is why the pedopriests and pederast pastors are so insistent on molesting children with religion, because they could compete on a level ideological and philosophical playing field.

[P Smith]

P Smith wrote:

The religious industry is a lot like the tobacco industry: if they can't advertise to children and get them addicted before youths are 20 years old, they'll never get them. This is why the pedopriests and pederast pastors are so insistent on molesting children with religion, because they could compete on a level ideological and philosophical playing field.

I meant to say:

"This is why priests and pastors are so insistent on molesting children with religion, because they could _never_ compete on a level ideological and philosophical playing field."

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"He wouldn't write 'argh', he'd just say it!"
- Roman soldier, from Monty Python's "Life Of Brian"

[Perez]

P Smith wrote:

The religious industry is a lot like the tobacco industry: if they can't advertise to children and get them addicted before youths are 20 years old, they'll never get them. This is why the pedopriests and pederast pastors are so insistent on molesting children with religion, because they could compete on a level ideological and philosophical playing field.

It's too bad that many men claim to be serving God then end up raping little kids. I can't blame athiests when they bash Christianity because they have seen or else have heard of the hypocrisy of pastors, priests and other christinas so many times Christians do just the oppisite of what they believe. But we must remember despite many Christians are hypicrites dosen't mean all of them are hypicrites.

[nina]

Perez wrote:

<quoted text>It's too bad that many men claim to be serving God then end up raping little kids.....

they convince themselves they are just showing their love and being godly means they have the authority to do what they want

but, they are certainly the best argument against religion

and no religion is immune from pedopriests

it seems that that power being a religious leader gives, gives them a lot of license

[Perez]

nina wrote:

<quoted text>
they convince themselves they are just showing their love and being godly means they have the authority to do what they want
but, they are certainly the best argument against religion
and no religion is immune from pedopriests
it seems that that power being a religious leader gives, gives them a lot of license

Actually I disagree with you on the 1st part I think that preists and pastors know it's wrong but they say to themselves well no one will learn about it because I already told that little kid that it's a secret between me and him/her. Besides the urge to do it( you know what I mean) is so bad I will just do it once with mthis little girl/boy then I will never do it agian. Any priest or pastor that has that urge should get some help. Religion can be very disgusting.

[Bob of Quantum-Faith]

Perez wrote:

<quoted text>Actually I disagree with you on the 1st part I think that preists and pastors know it's wrong but they say to themselves well no one will learn about it because I already told that little kid that it's a secret between me and him/her. Besides the urge to do it( you know what I mean) is so bad I will just do it once with mthis little girl/boy then I will never do it agian. Any priest or pastor that has that urge should get some help. Religion can be very disgusting.

I don't agree: I think that these priests have been told so many times that they are "special" and that they are "direct ministers from god", that they soon begin to believe that crap.

And it's just a short step from being told they are "god's special ministers" to "they can do whatever they want, because *they* are god's special ones"

And being "special" whatever they do is automatically "blessed by the grace of god"....

Few people consider their *own* actions evil-- they **always** manage to find a way to justify what it is they were going to do anyhow.

Religion just makes it easier to justify atrocity.

Much easier.

[TirzhaZ]

I can only hope that when my daughter is in high school she is surrounded by rational teens like those in this article.

[DebJ]

TirzhaZ wrote:

I can only hope that when my daughter is in high school she is surrounded by rational teens like those in this article.

She'll surround herself with those of like mind. Help her learn critical thinking skills now.

[TirzhaZ]

DebJ wrote:

<quoted text>
She'll surround herself with those of like mind. Help her learn critical thinking skills now.

She's not quite three, but she's submerged in a logic-filled house. I'm a biology major, my husband is a computer science major with a love of robots and all things space-related. I read her a children's bible that I've had since I was little because the children's version has some good, non-bloody fairy tales! She'll be pretty well-rounded. I just hope the high school in my neighborhood doesn't start teaching intelligent design as science! I'm thinking atheism and rational thought will only be more abundant in 11.5 years when she enters high school. I hope :)

[jack13]

Perez wrote:

<quoted text>It's too bad that many men claim to be serving God then end up raping little kids. I can't blame athiests when they bash Christianity because they have seen or else have heard of the hypocrisy of pastors, priests and other christinas so many times Christians do just the oppisite of what they believe. But we must remember despite many Christians are hypicrites dosen't mean all of them are hypicrites.

You really have to ask yourself why did these men pick out this career field? This is especially true of priests. Many are control freaks who think they alone, speak for some god. They are the most dangerous. Others do so as they find it does not take a lot of work to preach to the choir. Others are gay and find victims easier to come by in a church. Next time you are talking to a religious leader, ask him why he picked out that vocation.

[Headhunter 300M]

jack13 wrote:

<quoted text>
Others are gay and find victims easier to come by in a church.

I think a better term would be pedophile rather than gay. Gays, by definition, don't seek out "victims" anymore than an average heterosexual, they seek willing partners of an appropriate age.
I think forced celibacy is going to have disasterous results no matter what...but agree that many likely join the priesthood to cover sexual dysfunction, percieved or not.
A gay man brought up to believe that he is an abomination might join to please their god, a pedophile might join to find victims and exploit them, both cases a recipe for disaster but the gay man goes in somewhat of a victim himself...and doesn't necessarily become a molestor, just a tortured person.
Not trying to nit-pick, but our gay friends deserve better.

[TirzhaZ]

Headhunter 300M wrote:

<quoted text>
I think a better term would be pedophile rather than gay. Gays, by definition, don't seek out "victims" anymore than an average heterosexual, they seek willing partners of an appropriate age.
I think forced celibacy is going to have disasterous results no matter what...but agree that many likely join the priesthood to cover sexual dysfunction, percieved or not.
A gay man brought up to believe that he is an abomination might join to please their god, a pedophile might join to find victims and exploit them, both cases a recipe for disaster but the gay man goes in somewhat of a victim himself...and doesn't necessarily become a molestor, just a tortured person.
Not trying to nit-pick, but our gay friends deserve better.

Well said.

[Bob of Quantum-Faith]

Headhunter 300M wrote:

<quoted text>
I think a better term would be pedophile rather than gay. Gays, by definition, don't seek out "victims" anymore than an average heterosexual, they seek willing partners of an appropriate age.
I think forced celibacy is going to have disasterous results no matter what...but agree that many likely join the priesthood to cover sexual dysfunction, percieved or not.
A gay man brought up to believe that he is an abomination might join to please their god, a pedophile might join to find victims and exploit them, both cases a recipe for disaster but the gay man goes in somewhat of a victim himself...and doesn't necessarily become a molestor, just a tortured person.
Not trying to nit-pick, but our gay friends deserve better.

Agreed.

[Perez the conservitive]

jack13 wrote:

<quoted text>
You really have to ask yourself why did these men pick out this career field? This is especially true of priests. Many are control freaks who think they alone, speak for some god. They are the most dangerous. Others do so as they find it does not take a lot of work to preach to the choir. Others are gay and find victims easier to come by in a church. Next time you are talking to a religious leader, ask him why he picked out that vocation.

Yeah well he is not gonna say to me well I became a priest/pastor to have sex with little boys/girls.I do understand on what your saying there are some pastors/priests who are complete nutjobs.

[Perez the conservitive]

Oh right why I changed my name is because I was on the political part of this site a while ago so thats why I changed a bit of my name.

[jack13]

Headhunter 300M wrote:

<quoted text>
I think a better term would be pedophile rather than gay. Gays, by definition, don't seek out "victims" anymore than an average heterosexual, they seek willing partners of an appropriate age.
I think forced celibacy is going to have disasterous results no matter what...but agree that many likely join the priesthood to cover sexual dysfunction, percieved or not.
A gay man brought up to believe that he is an abomination might join to please their god, a pedophile might join to find victims and exploit them, both cases a recipe for disaster but the gay man goes in somewhat of a victim himself...and doesn't necessarily become a molestor, just a tortured person.
Not trying to nit-pick, but our gay friends deserve better.

You are right. I mis-spoke. Women have been hit on by their religius leaders and I am sure girls have been molested by these same men. My error.

[DebJ]

TirzhaZ wrote:

<quoted text>
She's not quite three, but she's submerged in a logic-filled house. I'm a biology major, my husband is a computer science major with a love of robots and all things space-related. I read her a children's bible that I've had since I was little because the children's version has some good, non-bloody fairy tales! She'll be pretty well-rounded. I just hope the high school in my neighborhood doesn't start teaching intelligent design as science! I'm thinking atheism and rational thought will only be more abundant in 11.5 years when she enters high school. I hope :)

I'd say she's off to an excellent start and you have very little to worry about (except for the normal things mothers worry about).
As one lady said, "Discipline them when they need it and love them whether they need it or not."

[Divine Alien]

Some people are just happy being lack in belief of God. Happy go lucky. Why do yhey have to care about any present of spiritual deity? Why should God be a busy body in their every affairs dwelling in this world. Enjoy life today and let it pass for tomorrow.