stephlovik
Joined Sep 2015
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stephlovik's rating
I am a agnostic. That means that I do not believe in the existence of any god or gods. We could argue till the sun goes cold about this. Some say I'm "an atheist who lacks conviction/pride.", some think my opinion simply isn't worth anything because I "don't have the right and proper belief in gawd!" Let me just say that as I see it based on the definition. An agnostic is a person who holds a personal view of lack of specific belief on a topic. This is simply how it is defined. On the other hand Atheist as defined is a belief there is/are no god(s). This is a subtle distinction. Most agnostics and theists alike can't see the difference which is why 99% of atheists more properly fit the definition of agnostic rather than atheist but still call themselves the latter. And with that out of the way lets address this show.
As a long time BMW fan I felt it was a forgone conclusion that the Mathewes in GMW were sure to be non-denominational Christian just as they were in BMW. This is not a problem. Christians are just as human as any other homo sapiens on this spinning rock (sorry young earth creationists and flat-earthers, I respect Christians but you guys are idiots.) In fact a great many of my favorite people in history, alive today or in fiction are so-called believers.
For me the problem presents itself in the course of this episode the obvious thread that the writers wanted to convey two mutually exclusive ideas. In telling that religion is a personal choice they speak to it being a story of understanding, tolerance and co- habitation with those who disagree with us about such matters. But they then proceed to make it a conversion story that conveys to our children that people are worth more for believing.
This is honestly the most egregious thing you could do in an episode that holds up Jefferson as one of the great historical role-models. A man who not only believed in freedom OF religion but more importantly freedom FROM religion. It is our inalienable right to believe in a god or not to. To believe in Yaweh or the Shiva. To believe in Jesus or not. Far too often in our modern society is the establishment clause of the first amendment overlooked. But it is, in my opinion, by far the most important right secured by the first amendment. If Kim Davis the Christian can tell Adam & Steve Jones they are not allowed to be married because of her personal religion then what is to stop Mohamed the Muslim from telling her she is not allowed to buy ham because it is against his belief? Or Hakaku the Buddhist from telling her she can not hunt because killing is against his religion?
If we give any one religion the power to rule we give away all that freedom is. As a red blooded Patriot I can not abide the idea of a Christian nation any more than I can an Atheistic nation. We must be secularists as the founders intended. We must embrace the fundamental rights of all citizens regardless of belief or disbelief.
We are all of equal worth is what I'm trying to get at.
As a long time BMW fan I felt it was a forgone conclusion that the Mathewes in GMW were sure to be non-denominational Christian just as they were in BMW. This is not a problem. Christians are just as human as any other homo sapiens on this spinning rock (sorry young earth creationists and flat-earthers, I respect Christians but you guys are idiots.) In fact a great many of my favorite people in history, alive today or in fiction are so-called believers.
For me the problem presents itself in the course of this episode the obvious thread that the writers wanted to convey two mutually exclusive ideas. In telling that religion is a personal choice they speak to it being a story of understanding, tolerance and co- habitation with those who disagree with us about such matters. But they then proceed to make it a conversion story that conveys to our children that people are worth more for believing.
This is honestly the most egregious thing you could do in an episode that holds up Jefferson as one of the great historical role-models. A man who not only believed in freedom OF religion but more importantly freedom FROM religion. It is our inalienable right to believe in a god or not to. To believe in Yaweh or the Shiva. To believe in Jesus or not. Far too often in our modern society is the establishment clause of the first amendment overlooked. But it is, in my opinion, by far the most important right secured by the first amendment. If Kim Davis the Christian can tell Adam & Steve Jones they are not allowed to be married because of her personal religion then what is to stop Mohamed the Muslim from telling her she is not allowed to buy ham because it is against his belief? Or Hakaku the Buddhist from telling her she can not hunt because killing is against his religion?
If we give any one religion the power to rule we give away all that freedom is. As a red blooded Patriot I can not abide the idea of a Christian nation any more than I can an Atheistic nation. We must be secularists as the founders intended. We must embrace the fundamental rights of all citizens regardless of belief or disbelief.
We are all of equal worth is what I'm trying to get at.