http://jessicasideways.com/blog/143-praise-for-the-littlest-atheist/ "May you - Work like you don't need the money, love like you've never been hurt, dance like no-one is watching, screw like it's being filmed, and drink like a true Irishman" - Anonymous Wed, 07 Jan 2009 02:22:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 http://jessicasideways.com/blog/143-praise-for-the-littlest-atheist/comment-page-1/#comment-63 Jessica Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:27:33 +0000 http://jessicasideways.com/?p=143#comment-63 I guess I am a little more pragmatic in that regard. I feel that I should call it as it is and anything that is used to actively harm people and ruin their lives should be advocated against quite fiercely, IMHO. I have no reservations about calling it as I see it because parents teach this stuff to children as truth. They teach them that if they actually stop believing in "Gentle Jesus", the same person will roast you in hell for all eternity. Listen to the bullshit long enough and you will start to deny that it's torture or a threat. Personally, I think it's the worst thing one can do to a child. I guess I am a little more pragmatic in that regard. I feel that I should call it as it is and anything that is used to actively harm people and ruin their lives should be advocated against quite fiercely, IMHO. I have no reservations about calling it as I see it because parents teach this stuff to children as truth. They teach them that if they actually stop believing in “Gentle Jesus”, the same person will roast you in hell for all eternity. Listen to the bullshit long enough and you will start to deny that it’s torture or a threat. Personally, I think it’s the worst thing one can do to a child.

]]> http://jessicasideways.com/blog/143-praise-for-the-littlest-atheist/comment-page-1/#comment-62 Martin Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:23:32 +0000 http://jessicasideways.com/?p=143#comment-62 While I tend to avoid the word bullshit I do so simply as a social convention and in order not to stop a discussion. But it's my little lie when I <b>don't</b> use it. The term 'bullshit story' is an apt description where something doesn't pass the stink test and furthermore is used to deceive and hurt people, or where myth takes over as oppressive 'reality' to which one must bow or suffer consequences. Because that's what we're talking about: not abstract philosophy but harsh consequences from indoctrination, false teachings, and coercion. While I tend to avoid the word bullshit I do so simply as a social convention and in order not to stop a discussion. But it’s my little lie when I don’t use it. The term ‘bullshit story’ is an apt description where something doesn’t pass the stink test and furthermore is used to deceive and hurt people, or where myth takes over as oppressive ‘reality’ to which one must bow or suffer consequences. Because that’s what we’re talking about: not abstract philosophy but harsh consequences from indoctrination, false teachings, and coercion.

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