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20th December 2011, 01:05 PM
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#1 |
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New Blood
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 13
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What should my line be when someone says this?
Once in awhile a christian may say something to me mostly online that prompts me to let them know in one comment or another that I am not a Christian and I don't believe in all that stuff.
The most annoying response to that to me is - "I will pray for you". What is your response when you hear this? Please don't waste His time? Ok then I'd like a Lexus? I wish I could pay my therapist in those? How do you respond to mother hen reactions? |
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20th December 2011, 01:10 PM
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#2 |
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Thinker
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 133
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Originally Posted by Curiositist
However, if we're to attack them about it for no real reason, those responses you gave are fine. |
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20th December 2011, 01:11 PM
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#3 |
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Graduate Poster
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,714
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Quote:
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20th December 2011, 01:22 PM
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#4 |
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Carrot Mohel
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Right here, obviously.
Posts: 8,302
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"Hey great, that's so swee - oh, I thought you said 'pay.'"
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__________________
www.mightierthanthepen.wordpress.com |
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20th December 2011, 01:39 PM
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#6 |
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Philosopher
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,622
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Love that Dessi.
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__________________
“Do not argue with an idiot they drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.” ― Mark Twain |
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20th December 2011, 01:48 PM
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#7 |
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Scholar
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 56
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"OK." Who am I to get in the way of their private crusade? As long as they keep it private.
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20th December 2011, 01:54 PM
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#8 |
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Illuminator
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,656
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"Your time would be better spent doing something constructive."
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__________________
"Nature abhors a moron." -- H. L. Mencken |
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20th December 2011, 01:59 PM
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#9 |
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Thinker
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 133
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Originally Posted by steve s
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20th December 2011, 02:01 PM
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#10 |
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Philosopher
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 8,012
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Originally Posted by Dessi
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20th December 2011, 02:02 PM
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#11 |
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Carrot Mohel
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Right here, obviously.
Posts: 8,302
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"Do you believe God wants us to have free will? If so, what exactly are you trying to accomplish?"
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__________________
www.mightierthanthepen.wordpress.com |
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20th December 2011, 02:03 PM
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#12 |
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Penultimate Amazing
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Belgium (Flatland)
Posts: 31,441
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Originally Posted by Curiositist
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__________________
Yesterday upon the stairs I met a man who wasn't there He wasn't there again today I wish that he would go away. |
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20th December 2011, 02:06 PM
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#13 |
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Master Poster
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,494
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"Pray for what, exactly?"
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20th December 2011, 02:07 PM
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#14 |
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New Blood
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 13
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Originally Posted by David Swidler
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20th December 2011, 02:17 PM
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#15 |
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Philosopher
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 9,869
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Double post
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20th December 2011, 02:19 PM
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#16 |
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Philosopher
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 9,869
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Originally Posted by dafydd
 My serious answer: "Alright, thanks." It's clear at that point we aren't going to change each others' mind. They genuinely think I'm headed for a bad spiritual end and don't wish that for me. Also that comment usually means they're not planning on talking about it anymore at the time, which is often a plus, so why throw that plan off course with a remark intended to continue to engage them in disagreement, regardless of how clever it is? I'm not worried that they'll mistakenly believe I've had a sudden change of heart. I'm just thanking them for their concern, which is a reasonably polite thing to do. |
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20th December 2011, 02:20 PM
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#17 |
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Philosopher
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Dublin (the one in Ireland)
Posts: 7,095
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Originally Posted by Dessi
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20th December 2011, 02:21 PM
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#18 |
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Thinker
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 133
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Originally Posted by David Swidler
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20th December 2011, 02:45 PM
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#19 |
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Graduate Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Right outside Raleigh, NC
Posts: 1,038
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I just say thanks, but, from now on, I'm gonna use the Lexus line.
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No, his mind is not for rent To any god or government. Always hopeful, yet discontent, He knows changes aren't permanent, But change is. |
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20th December 2011, 02:48 PM
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#20 |
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Opinionated Jerk
Moderator 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: New York
Posts: 11,882
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Originally Posted by Curiositist
I usually say, "It's really not necessary." |
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Follow me on Twitter! @LossLeader This force is receiving all the right to vote through the use of magic. - Miernik Wieslaw <NEW> VOTE FOR ME JUST BECAUSE <NEW> |
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20th December 2011, 02:50 PM
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#21 |
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Increasing entropy since 1970
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: On the Clapham omnibus
Posts: 3,509
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"If you think it will help."
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In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. I don't appeal to the masses, and they don't appeal to me. - Graham Parker Calling modern day fundamentalists medieval is giving them about a thousand years of philosophical advancement they do not have. - Jorghnassen |
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20th December 2011, 02:54 PM
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#22 |
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Penultimate Amazing
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: vuori
Posts: 27,106
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Originally Posted by Curiositist
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Jesus ... wasn't he the bloke who turned fish into wine and made the lepers multiply? -KateHL Violence is more acceptable than incest. I have been told to keep this in mind. |
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20th December 2011, 02:59 PM
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#23 |
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Master Poster
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,494
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Originally Posted by Marquis de Carabas
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20th December 2011, 04:47 PM
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#24 |
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Penultimate Amazing
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Sorth Dakonsin
Posts: 11,378
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"You don't need to do that. Just forgive me."
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__________________
Science doesn't lie. |
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20th December 2011, 05:34 PM
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#25 |
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Medusa
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Scotland, Yurp
Posts: 1,618
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Originally Posted by Resume
I think there's a time and a place to argue, if I get the occasional religious comment in the street or from a colleague then I try and remain polite, in the OP case I'd probably reply 'if you feel it necessary' or pretend I didn't hear and change the topic, but if someone takes that too far, comes into your 'space', hassles you about it or tries to inflict anything on you then I think they deserve to receive feedback equivalent to what they mete out, eg if they come out with irrational statements then you are free to correct them. Over the last couple of days I've been a bit of a bad atheist and replied to some people making uncalled for religious statements on a Hitchens Facebook page, extremely disrespectful I felt, and, in that context, I felt free to respond in a blunt manner. I've ended up with some delusional person trying to save my soul, emailing me a video clip warning about some guy who claims to have spent 20 minutes in hell one night. I replied with a comment about the dangers of eating a lot of cheese before going to sleep, hoping to put him off, but my 'saviour' has just replied with about 20 bible quotes and saying he really wants me to reconsider. This is unsolicited email in my space, so, while I figure out from fb help how to block my saviour, I have no qualms being blunt and addressing him in the same way he addressed me cheers joolz |
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20th December 2011, 05:41 PM
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#26 |
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Graduate Poster
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Lost and lonely...will you be my friend?
Posts: 1,717
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I usually just tell them "Alright, if it will make you feel better."
I try to never turn down kindness, even if it's of a sort that I really don't want or need. There's too little kindness in the world as it is. |
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A quick reminder to all participants that although incomprehensibility is not against the Membership Agreement, incivility is. Please try and remember this, and keep your exchanges polite and respectful. -arthwollipot |
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20th December 2011, 06:03 PM
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#27 |
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Master Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,493
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Originally Posted by Dessi
Perfect 
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__________________
"I don't know if God exists, but it would be better for his reputation if he didn't." - Jules Renard "In every country and in every age, the priest has been hostile to liberty. He is always in alliance with the despot, abetting his abuses in return for protection of his own." - Thomas Jefferson |
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20th December 2011, 06:08 PM
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#28 |
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Illuminator
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 4,531
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generally I go for "thankyou!"
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no, i don't think i need to read naturalistic literature more accurately, to be convinced its true. - Gibhor |
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20th December 2011, 06:20 PM
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#29 |
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121.92-meter mutant fire-breathing lizard-thingy
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northern St. Louis County, Missouri.
Posts: 13,349
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Originally Posted by Curiositist
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__________________
World War II Diplomatic and Political Resources Hyperwar, WWII Military History Kido Butai did not transmit. 木戸舞台は、無線メッセージを送信しませんでした |
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20th December 2011, 06:20 PM
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#30 |
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If Charlie Parker Was a Gunslinger, There'd Be a Whole Lot of Dead Copycats
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Seattle
Posts: 6,128
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Depends on context. If that's the response to me citing something, or explaining something, or generally something designed to cut off a conversation, I go with an eye roll and laughter. If it's someone's proposal for a way to 'help', I'll usually go with "I'm not sure I'm comfortable with that". Allergy to being talked about behind my back, I guess, even if no one's listening.
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Creativity is more than just being different. Anybody can plan weird; that's easy. What's hard is to be as simple as Bach. Making the simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. - Charles Mingus |
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20th December 2011, 06:40 PM
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#31 |
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Philosopher
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: 16 miles from 7 lakes
Posts: 8,416
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Originally Posted by joolz
I think there's a time and a place to argue, if I get the occasional religious comment in the street or from a colleague then I try and remain polite, in the OP case I'd probably reply 'if you feel it necessary' or pretend I didn't hear and change the topic, but if someone takes that too far, comes into your 'space', hassles you about it or tries to inflict anything on you then I think they deserve to receive feedback equivalent to what they mete out, eg if they come out with irrational statements then you are free to correct them.
Over the last couple of days I've been a bit of a bad atheist and replied to some people making uncalled for religious statements on a Hitchens Facebook page, extremely disrespectful I felt, and, in that context, I felt free to respond in a blunt manner. I've ended up with some delusional person trying to save my soul, emailing me a video clip warning about some guy who claims to have spent 20 minutes in hell one night. I replied with a comment about the dangers of eating a lot of cheese before going to sleep, hoping to put him off, but my 'saviour' has just replied with about 20 bible quotes and saying he really wants me to reconsider. This is unsolicited email in my space, so, while I figure out from fb help how to block my saviour, I have no qualms being blunt and addressing him in the same way he addressed me cheers joolz A report to his ISP is also in order--or "abuse@whatever.com". I've done it, and will continue to do so. |
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"Political correctness is a doctrine,...,which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end." "I pointed out that his argument was wrong in every particular, but he rightfully took me to task for attacking only the weak points." Myriad http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?postid=6853275#post6853275 |
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20th December 2011, 07:23 PM
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#32 |
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The Infinitely Prolonged
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Westchester County, NY (when not in space)
Posts: 13,503
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I've muttered under my breathe "Eh, no you won't".
Most people who say that are probably going to forget you even existed within the next five minutes. |
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WARNING: Phrases in this post may sound meaner than they were intended to be. SkeptiCamp NYC: http://www.skepticampnyc.org/ An open conference on science and skepticism, where you could be a presenter! By the way, my first name is NOT Bowerick!!!! |
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20th December 2011, 07:36 PM
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#33 |
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Penultimate Amazing
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 15,305
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Originally Posted by devnull
Or, "OK" works for me. |
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20th December 2011, 08:28 PM
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#34 |
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Tergiversator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: That's how you get ants
Posts: 17,492
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Use it as a chance to work on your Evita impression.
"Dont pray for me, [insert Name here]!! The truth is i never left you.." Be sure to gesticulate madly for maximum effect. |
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What's the best argument for UHC? This argument against UHC. "Perhaps one reason per capita GDP is lower in UHC countries is because they've tried to prevent this important function [bankrupting the sick] and thus carry forward considerable economic dead wood?"-BeAChooser |
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20th December 2011, 09:05 PM
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#35 |
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Philosopher
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,950
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People said that when I was trying to die. (I didn't succeed.)
I didn't think a snappy comeback was indicated. |
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"It probably came from a sticky dark planet far, far away." - Godzilla versus Hedora "There's no evidence that the 9-11 attacks (whoever did them) were deliberately attacking civilians. On the contrary the targets appear to have been chosen as military." -DavidByron |
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20th December 2011, 09:22 PM
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#36 |
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Philosopher
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Bay of Islands NZ
Posts: 5,843
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Originally Posted by epepke
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20th December 2011, 09:26 PM
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#37 |
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I AM the Red Worm!
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Body: Michigan, Heart: Chicago
Posts: 3,881
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"As long as you're talking to god, ask him if he's cool with all the dead hookers."
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See I'm not a monster, I'm just ahead of the curve. -Joker Working them to death is murder. Making them live like pigs and dying from disease is murder. Shooting them next to a ditch is murder. Digging them up and burning them to hide your murder, is extra credit evil. -beachnut |
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20th December 2011, 09:34 PM
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#38 |
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Man of a Thousand Memes
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,679
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"How about instead you praying that I stop exercising my free will that 'God gave me' in order to believe the same as you, you get onto praying for all the countless people dieing, living in poverty, suffering in oppression, lamenting in disease, persevering in painful agony and toiling endlessly?"
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The major problem with Ocham's Razor is that while the simplest answer may be the best answer that doesn't make it the only answer or the right one. Kopji: A perfect utopia where everyone follows the rules is more like a hell than a heaven. |
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20th December 2011, 11:29 PM
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#39 |
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Graduate Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Mesa, AZ
Posts: 1,380
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I'm a Christian and I think that the "I'll pray for you" comment as described in the OP demonstrates a "holier than thou" attitude. I don't think it's kindly meant at all.
I'm for ignoring it, but if you think a response is required quoting Matthew 7:3-5 seems appropriate.
Quote:
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__________________
Be who you are & say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter & those who matter don't mind. - Dr. Seuss Be yourself no matter what they say. - Sting My needlework blog: http://rainbowpincushion.blogspot.com/ |
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21st December 2011, 12:08 AM
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#40 |
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Guest
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 23,642
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Originally Posted by CelticRose
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