From: steven@jaynes ( Steve Novak)
Subject: Re: THE RAPE/INCEST MYTH.
Organization: U S WEST Advanced Technologies
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1992 21:18:59 GMT

> = (Richard Pitts) writes:
>>> = (James Purdon) writes:
>>> = (Richard Pitts) writes:

>>>Fear (reverence) of the Lord is the begining of wisdom.

>>We do not, generally, consider those who are afraid to walk under
>>ladders or break mirrors or cross the paths of black cats, on a path
>>to wisdom.  Why should we consider those who are afraid of imaginary
>>beings any differently?  

>You are quite correct with respect to ladders, mirrors and so forth.
>However, you have neglected one aspect of the word fear.  Also, do you 
>recognize any other source (e.g., the Bible) other than yourself as a 
>conduit for conveying knowledge and understanding or do yourself?

Why would a set of outdated writings, full of mistakes, translated into
pablum, written *2000 years* ago, and filled with unlikely fairy tales
be given credence by an avowed atheist?  (Or even anyone else?)  The bible
contains some nice philosophical points and moral guidelines, but that god
depicted in the Old Testament seems like one twisted cookie to me.

I mean, what *else* from 2,000 years ago is given credence by modern man?

>definition: (from The Scribner-Bantam English Dictionary)
>fear n 1. emotion characterized by dread or expectation of harm, 2. REVERENCE
>     FOR A SUPREME POWER, ...
>
>This is the only dictionary I have handy.  If you have one, you may want to
>check the definition yourself.

Um...who cares?  What does this have to do with James' point that your god
is as much an unprovable superstition as fear of the number 13, or
astrology?  Don't go into a Fundie Fog on us now.

>>And why should anyone revere an imaginary being that behaves like an
>>asshole?

>Could you given an example of this and explain how it pertains to the
>discussion.

Get a copy of Loren Petrich's Satanic Verses if you're too blinded to
note biblical inconsistencies yourself.  Here's some excerpts:

----------------

God decides to alughter all but 8 of humanity in Noah's Flood.  Think there
might've been a few innocents there?

Deuteronomy 7:12 - The Holy Land is for the Israelites only; the Hittites,
Girgashites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, etc., are to be
exterminated without mercy.

Numbers 25:16,17, 31:7,8 - An interesting exception to "kill 'em all" - the
Israelites were supposed to kill all the men and married women of the
Midianites - the unmarried virgins the Israelites can keep for themselves.

----------------

Gads, there's just *shitloads* more.  Haven't you ever read the bible,
Richard?  Or do you just ignore the bad spots?

> Do not be deceived.  God is not mocked.

"God is a putz."  Apparently, you're wrong. 

>>Once I was single.  Now I am married.

>How does religion figure in your marriage (or your wedding day)?
>do your wife agree?

(What does THIS have to do with the discussion?)

I don't know about Jim; my wife and I are both atheists, and know we are
together because we want to be, and via a civil ceremony.  Heck, we hit it
off so well we didn't even bother getting married our first 5 years (15
total, now).  

We're an amazingly close couple, and a hell of a lot happier than many 
couples stuck lovelessly together, for instance, because they're Catholics,
or stuck in a marriage without love because of the kids they had together.

-- 
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| Steve Novak |    |"Nothing to do to save his life..."| 
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steven@advtech.USWest.Com
Newsgroups: talk.abortion