| Jan 27 @ 12:35 AM |
The Egotistical Nature of Religion (Part II)
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Godless
Posts: 647
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A very handsome and tall gentleman walked into my store the other day. I've seen him hundreds of times, a regular at the store. For the first time, he struck up conversation with me... when he left, there were hoots and hollers from cusotmers and employees alike, all agreeing that he was flirting with me.
The conversation was benign, a sort of first meeting kind of conversation where we asked and answered general questions about age, employment, original state - that sort of thing. When I noticed all eyes (and there were plenty of eyes) were upon us, I put down my MOT and walked over to shake his hand. This was my effort to get him out of my store because I was a little embarrassed.
"Well, it was nice talking to you. I hope you have a wonderful evening," I said, and shook his hand.
"God bless you," he said.
It strikes me as odd that a total stranger in a neutral setting would venture to assume that talking about a God is appropriate. Here in Texas, the bible belt is so thick with believers that it is a natural assumption you are a Christian, no matter who you are. There is no consideration or thought to speech at work, in public, in government, in professional settings... it's all just out there. Anyone who is anyone talks to individuals and masses on a "spiritual" level as if it is a natural part of life in which everyone partakes. It's not. And those with the egos to be so inconsiderate are just rude and overbearing.
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| Jan 27 @ 1:48 AM |
The Egotistical Nature of Religion (Part II) |
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kjac
Posts: 5,510
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"God bless you," he said.
The proper response would be-
Try as they may, try as they might
Who steals me gold won't live through the night
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| Jan 27 @ 6:18 AM |
The Egotistical Nature of Religion (Part II)
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mrobvious444
Posts: 1,607
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100 times the nerve of that ego manic !!!
bible belt is so thick with believers
total stranger in a neutral setting
a natural part of life in which everyone partakes. It's not. And those with the egos to be so inconsiderate are just rude and overbearing.
 contradictions..........
bless his soul 
You may Be a Victim of Minority ......
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| Jan 27 @ 6:20 AM |
The Egotistical Nature of Religion (Part II) |
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KAOS2007
Posts: 6,745
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That's it! A total stranger saying "God Bless You"? The neeeeeervvvvvvvvvve. 
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| Jan 27 @ 7:50 AM |
The Egotistical Nature of Religion (Part II)
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ServantOfChrist2
Posts: 4,180
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I do not understand the big deal.
If you have absolutely no belief that such any sort of a god actually exists, then why would it bother you that anyone says anything about such a being??
Would it bother you if someone were to say something like: "By the rings of Saturn, I hope your promotion comes through."
Or how about if someone were to say: "I hope the Easter bunny is good to you this year" . You're probably of the belief that the Easter bunny, (or Santa Claus), are both fictional beings. But does that knowledge cause you to react in such a way??
I'm of the belief that the problem is of your own creation. 
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| Jan 27 @ 8:34 AM |
The Egotistical Nature of Religion (Part II) |
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hammertime
Posts: 14,071
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Anyone saying anything about the Easter bunny doesn't actually believe they exist unless they're a child. A mother telling her kid about the tooth fairy doesn't believe there is a real tooth fairy but the kid believes there is. Jesus or the tooth fairy, pick your delusion. One is a fable, the other a myth.
And for "God bless you". Its mostly used for when someone sneezes. I say it all the time. When someone sneezes I say "God bless you" and sometimes I make it short and just say "bless you". Its just custom and tradition and it seems important to people for you to acknowledge they sneezed. But no sane person actually believes a sneeze requires a "god bless you" but once they did. As superstitions go they believed that a sneeze meant you were losing part of your soul and this was a serious problem. You couldn't stop the sneeze but you could say "God bless you" to help them get their soul back...Sounds stupid doesn't it? Well so does stoning a woman because she had an orgasm or speaking in tongues or having invisible friends. Its just a matter of what superstition is desired.
Now if I was in a similar position as Godless and it wasn't just a polite god bless you but a more overt pushing of their belief upon me I might say something in return like "Zeus blesses you" or "Horus Debussy Jones' bless you because I love watching reactions. Perhaps even funnier, Godless should say back, "Richard Blesses You" and when they say "Richard who?" She could say "Richard Dawkins blesses you" and just love watching their jaws dropping. Now that would be really funny and definitely getting even. Also, if you don't feel like these people would go so far to actually throw you in a fire you could say back, "Blessed Be" which is the Wiccan equivalent. You can always use your imagination.
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| Jan 27 @ 9:57 AM |
The Egotistical Nature of Religion (Part II)
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Godless
Posts: 647
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You're probably of the belief that the Easter bunny, (or Santa Claus), are both fictional beings. But does that knowledge cause you to react in such a way??
Actually, yes. These references do tend to make me recoil, because they are frauds perpetrated on children - a practice of which I am most unfond. Now, if people were referring to the reality that their God was a myth and poking fun the way they poke fun at the Easter Bunny, I may not think it was so egotistical.
I'm of the belief that the problem is of your own creation.
I am of the thought that your God is a creation of mankind. The same way the world outside of Scientologists thinks that Tom Cruise is a whack job and dangerous for espousing his beliefs so openly, I think Christians in this neck of the woods are so wrapped up in their myths that they think everyone should be wrapped up in the same myth.
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| Jan 27 @ 11:52 AM |
The Egotistical Nature of Religion (Part II) |
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hammertime
Posts: 14,071
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I think Christians in this neck of the woods are so wrapped up in their myths that they think everyone should be wrapped up in the same myth. The bible belt is comprised of small town mentality. Church congregations form this same small town mentality. Much of the bible belt is comprised of rednecks who have a history of racial bigotry, KKK and slavery. Even their Christian universities, institutions of religious ignorance were also places for racial bigotry. So in terms of being wrapped up in myths of their own creation they see you as the opposition if you don't believe in what they do. Now, outside of the bible belt their is a similar mentality of righteousness which means they are right and everyone else is wrong. You will notice the most ignorant of people are the most resistant to education and social progress.
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| Jan 27 @ 12:02 PM |
The Egotistical Nature of Religion (Part II)
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st93
Posts: 303
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It strikes me as odd that a total stranger in a neutral setting would venture to assume that talking about a God is appropriate.
yes I agree...the situation you describe was a personal assault
a person imposed/assumed thier religeous belife onto you
you have every right to feel insulted........
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| Jan 27 @ 12:12 PM |
The Egotistical Nature of Religion (Part II) |
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hammertime
Posts: 14,071
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Its a touchy subject. Personally I wouldn't feel insulted they realize I'm not of their belief which I would clear up right away but if they attempt to indoctrinate me they'll wish they didn't. Its just a matter of crossing the line. I don't care what people believe as long as they don't push it upon others. Unfortunately Christians want to spread their belief because they don't respect boundaries despite how ridiculous they make themselves look.
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| Jan 27 @ 12:36 PM |
The Egotistical Nature of Religion (Part II)
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SweetNapaGuy
Posts: 4,565
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As I've said a time or two in these forums, I pay more attention to the message the actions of a person says. It's more likely to be an accurate reflection of their beliefs than that which they say.
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| Jan 27 @ 12:39 PM |
The Egotistical Nature of Religion (Part II) |
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BandTMom
Posts: 28,448
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Actually the man said "God". That is not necessarily Christian.
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| Jan 27 @ 1:19 PM |
The Egotistical Nature of Religion (Part II)
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Angel54214
Posts: 14,074
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goddess....I see the salutation as meaning "Wishing You Good Fortune" or "Good Luck"
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| Jan 27 @ 7:31 PM |
The Egotistical Nature of Religion (Part II) |
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Godless
Posts: 647
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You're right mom. I would venture to guess, because of my locale, that he is Christian, but I don't make that assumption.
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| Jan 27 @ 7:39 PM |
The Egotistical Nature of Religion (Part II)
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BandTMom
Posts: 28,448
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Of course if he chased you around the store shouting, "Jesus saves" you would have no doubt.
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| Jan 27 @ 10:10 PM |
The Egotistical Nature of Religion (Part II) |
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mrobvious444
Posts: 1,607
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Soooooooo what dose a person say in place of Oh GOD ......Oh GOD.....
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| Jan 28 @ 7:08 AM |
The Egotistical Nature of Religion (Part II)
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Godless
Posts: 647
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I prefer "Oh Shit!" myself.
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| Jan 28 @ 7:33 AM |
The Egotistical Nature of Religion (Part II) |
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mrobvious444
Posts: 1,607
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That's good to know ....... 
so .... are you going to let your god fearing Man get away 
 Huh...
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| Jan 28 @ 6:45 PM |
The Egotistical Nature of Religion (Part II)
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Godless
Posts: 647
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But, of course!
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| Jan 28 @ 7:43 PM |
The Egotistical Nature of Religion (Part II) |
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BandTMom
Posts: 28,448
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I've got one for you.
Today I was bringing a patient back for surgery. She said, "Wait. I have to ask if you are a 'born again Christian'" Obviously she wasn't going to et me in her surgical suite if I answered "no". Since it is part of my job to alleviate patients fears, I told her "yes".
What I really wanted to ask her is what does my "religion" have to do with the quality of care I would give her?
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