hoagster
God 
I love atheists because they don’t try to takeover the government to force their lack of beliefs on others.
Wonky@godpod Oh, I like this one!
TassieTrainNerd #VoteYes@godpod we're a pretty chilled bunch by and large 😉
Brian R. Sala 🍻@godpod
Apparently you have not heard of China?
Brendan OhUiginn@godpod @docbrianS China isn’t forcing atheism on its population. They officially recognize several religions including Catholicism, Protestantism, and Islam.
Their Constitution says a lot of things that aren't true. E.g.,
“Citizens of the People’s Republic of China shall enjoy freedom of speech, the press, assembly, association, procession and demonstration” (Article 35).
@godpod @docbrianS
True, and Article 5 says that they shall be governed by the rule of law, but the government frequently breaks their own laws.
And yet religions like Taoism, Confucianism, and folk religions are a deep and significant part of culture in China. Chinese who claim to be atheism make up just under half the population. The rest believe in many forms of religion.
@BOhUiginn @godpod
Agreed that there are many believers. But not publicly so in the Party. Religiosity is highly suspect, no? And in some cases (e.g., Uyghurs), cause for oppression.
Agreed that there are many believers. But not publicly so in the Party. Religiosity is highly suspect, no? And in some cases (e.g., Uyghurs), cause for oppression.
@docbrianS @godpod Religiosity is public displayed by about half the population. While certain forms of public displays of belief are banned, religiosity is not. And many within the party see Chinese folk religions and the Chinese culture as inseparable. The Chinese government suppresses and oppresses devout believers not BECAUSE it’s atheist, but because it sees that belief as a threat to its absolute authority.
👑🦉🗡@docbrianS @godpod yeah op probably didn't consider that. would've been more correct to say humanism
Martin Dennehy@docbrianS @godpod Yup. This is a very America take, which proves god must be an American
Paul@docbrianS @godpod Fair call
LisaAnnOr the Soviet Union
Math Lover@docbrianS @godpod while true that for a long while China didn’t support religion, that isn’t the case now. Plenty of active religious communities openly practicing throughout China including Buddhist, Christian, Muslim groups. Also, the current Chinese government didn’t start with atheism as a motivating factor.
All that may be true, but the Cultural Revolution still happened. Abrahamic religions suffered significantly during that period. And Uyghurs today suffer significantly, mostly due to their religion.
@docbrianS @godpod Absolutely. But that was quite a long time ago. China today is not the same as China then. It wasn’t Abraham religions suffering in particular but much of the country and for many reasons such as having the wrong family, being a teacher or professor, landowner, and many other things. Society was in complete chaos and many died and suffered from all parts of society.
There are maybe 80-100 million Christians in China presently. It isn’t a country where religion is banned.
There are maybe 80-100 million Christians in China presently. It isn’t a country where religion is banned.
@Mathlover @godpod
I think you are seriously discounting the efforts of the regime to control religious practice, e.g. through the Catholic Patriotic Church, and significant efforts to suppress House churches in some areas. The Chinese State is no friend of free religious expression or belief.
I think you are seriously discounting the efforts of the regime to control religious practice, e.g. through the Catholic Patriotic Church, and significant efforts to suppress House churches in some areas. The Chinese State is no friend of free religious expression or belief.
@docbrianS @godpod why is your source of information?
@Mathlover
The Economist provides ample coverage of China, from which you can find plenty evidence of the Chinese government attempting to control Christian religious practice through its manipulation of both Catholic and Protestant institutions and (admittedly sporadic) efforts to suppress independent churches.
Or, you know, you could read up on Wikipedia.
@docbrianS maybe you could listen to actual Chinese people or live in China for a time as I did or have family there as my husband does and talk with them. Perhaps you could take college courses about China as I have. Maybe you don’t know everything on this particular topic.
Whatever China is doing regarding religion, it certainly isn’t pushing atheism on people given the many Chinese who are part of organized religions. Your original claim sounded to me as though you were saying that
I am happy to learn that China today is a paradise. Thanks for enlightening me.
@docbrianS not paradise. But not what you are thinking in seemingly black and White terms. I don’t like their fo of government. However, there are things that are better there than here and vice versa. You appear to have a one dimensional view that China is all bad. That’s not the case.
@Mathlover
You have way over-inferred my views from this thread.
It started from a somewhat tongue-in-cheek reply to godpod's jest about non-religious state regimes.
It is irrefutable that the Chinese regime has sought to control or suppress rival sources of social organization and power whenever and wherever it has seen a threat to the Party.
The Party wields huge economic and social power. And it has deterred, suppressed, interfered with and sought to control much religious practice since the oppression of the Cultural Revolution. The evidence is obvious, from what it has done to Uyghurs and Tibetan Buddhists, to Catholics and Protestants.
None of that reflects anything at all about Western states. I made no claim that things are perfect here in the US, or elsewhere in the West.
Magenta@godpod so do we get free chocolate in heaven then?
MyMiloCat+MydogNoodles@godpod As one of those Unbelievers, happy to be of service
tsomof (your majesty)@godpod good point @God
CeltMacGann@godpod The pious aren't on the whole a peaceful lot are they? Design flaw?
Adam Grant@godpod Hold my beer.
John Breen@godpod Atheists (agnostics ?) can respect a god that does not care if they believe. Santa is great even if I don't "believe", it's the idea that's important. But, Santa should be a Black man - that would be cool.
B Bigelow@godpod you’re my kind of god
Sun & Rain@godpod but they all to often do try to force their lack of beliefs
SnipeSearch Toot Team@KeriC9 @godpod they argue in the face of religious bigotry which is different.
When an atheist is angry about a religious post dictating how someone lives. They are defending a freedom.
Atheists do not go door to door asking if you have heard of their lord and saviour "nobody" or have collection plates to spread the word of "nothing" it's a false equivalent.
@tootsnipe @godpod no, they tell me what to believe and I never push my religion on anyone so it's uncalled for.
@KeriC9 @tootsnipe @godpod I will fight for nought. I don't properly follow either. I don't know that context where you have felt pressured. But, it occurs to me that most persons, outgoing, passionate or all of the above, will seem to tell us what we"should" believe. If they asserted more than their passion, I am sorry. Is it possible it was a passionate soul? Or are we talking about bitter fiends?
@tootsnipe @godpod
I stated facts as I and I alone can know what certain people have said to me and yiou have both stated your opinions as facts, calling me a liar i will not tolerate such disrespect. So kindly go to hell.
I stated facts as I and I alone can know what certain people have said to me and yiou have both stated your opinions as facts, calling me a liar i will not tolerate such disrespect. So kindly go to hell.
@KeriC9 @godpod I at no point called you a liar. I offered perspective as to when an atheist fights for atheism. I did not state they don't fight, I explained when they fight, and why it's different.
Your immediate knee jerk response telling me to go to hell, explains exactly why atheists try to strip you of your faith. You are aggressive about it. You are exactly the group that atheists will feel the need to knock down a peg.
You didn't issue facts, you barely gave an anecdote.
@LoveGoodness @KeriC9 @godpod I personally will and I know others who will. Faced with for example people pushing pro life regulations motivated by Christian beliefs or LGBTQ+ Abuse motivated by Christian beliefs I will definitely move to tear down their god.
That being said I have never met an atheist who simply started telling people to be atheist without the other person initiating a faith orientated conversation. There is simply no trigger.
@LoveGoodness @KeriC9 @godpod based on your polite response apologising for their experience and asking what happened and my personal explanation as to when atheists battle. Being met with insults and aggression, I'm fairly certain the individual we attempted to have discourse with is not as neutral as they desired we viewed them. They were fairly fast to anger, when literally nobody said an atheist hadn't argued with them.
@LoveGoodness @KeriC9 @godpod I'm going to drop out of this conversation now I don't really want to get pulled into a toxic religious too and throw, if I wanted that I could be on the bird !!!!
@tootsnipe @KeriC9 @godpod Sure. I am with ya SSTT. This is my experience as well. I am sure there are outliers. I really wish it was all an 'accept-fest'. But, we're getting nowhere fast with the hoping. You sound patient. Hold on loosely, but never let go.
@godpod I enjoy your quips, rules and commandments, will these be in the next Bible? And when can we expect it? There are so many films based on your first few books and I'm interested to see how humanity ends.
TrismegistusMx@tootsnipe @godpod I can't wait for Bible Two: Electric Boogaloo
Not Quite Mike In The Head@godpod Amen to that!
Coltonious@godpod thank you for loving me, even with stipulations, my lord 👏 I will begin to force my beliefs on others
David Phillips@godpod I would say I love you too, but then I wouldn’t be an Atheist.
Steyrshrek@godpod we tend to do the right thing just because it’s the right thing not because we will spend eternity in fiery hell.
JasonD@godpod We also don’t go door to door.
Thomas Lawson 🇨🇦/🇺🇸@godpod Ah, but occasionally they take over pubs and bars and force trivia nights on people.
@godpod I love atheists but only those who have high taste and not the atheist people who will fuck anything with a hole. At least, apply *science* when breeding and stop adding to ugly and idiots population.
Lucifer@godpod that's why we'll always be the minority. We don't give a shit if you believe the same as we do. We need a better marketing team.
Clara Listensprechen@godpod Beware of people named The Truth. That name compensates for something.
Dad Joke 🏴☠️@godpod elect me. I want to leave you alone. Maybe tax some billionaires and spend the money back on the people. We deserve to have nice things.
@godpod But the babies! Soooo tasty!
Phoenix Rising @godpod Hey, guess who? Follow back!
Bonnie Engle@godpod it’s true God, you do love everyone regardless.Good job!
JohnW@godpod "Hi! I'm an Atheist! I was gonna force my beliefs upon you, buuuttt.... I really don't have any so you're good."
Author J. R. Damon@godpod maybe they should start
RadicalWoman111@godpod
Atheists are often more generous than followers of religion. I've known two small business owners who had to file bankruptcy because the churches and church leaders, in a town boasting 22 churches, wouldn't pay their bills.
Such GOOD Christians.