Religion
Related: About this forumYes, white atheists should be judgmental towards black Christians
By James Kirk Wall, today at 4:52 pm
Being judgmental can be good or bad. Arguably the greatest pillar of philosophy are the two words know thyself. Who we are is determined by what we judge to be right, and what we judge to be wrong. The more we think about these things, the more we understand ourselves. Knowing who we are means that when situations arise that require action, we respond immediately. We know where to stand, we know what to do.
The reason that judgmental is often perceived as a bad word is its commonly associated with being petty, dogmatic, arrogant, shamelessly ignorant, and overly critical. We remember when we were judged in such an obnoxious way and how unfair it was. But the greatest regret often isnt being wrongfully judged, its not having the ability to defend ourselves at the time. Dont we commonly look back and fantasize about what we should have said in those instances?
When being judgmental, my goal ideally is to provide benefit to myself and others. Opening ideas to scrutiny is part of any journey towards truth. Who has the better argument? If I have the better argument, abandon yours and adopt mine. If you have the better argument, I should abandon mine and adopt yours.
I once judged suicide as being a selfish act. My opinion was challenged by those who spent time researching and working with people who suffered from deep depression. After being exposed to aspects that I hadnt properly considered previously, my opinion changed. My view of the subject of suicide has expanded, it has matured. This was made possible through argumentation; expressing ideas and having those ideas challenged.
http://www.chicagonow.com/an-atheist-in-illinois/2016/06/yes-white-atheists-should-be-judgmental-towards-black-christians/
Condescending bullshit.
Doubling down on prior condescending bullshit.
http://www.chicagonow.com/an-atheist-in-illinois/2016/06/should-white-atheists-be-judgmental-towards-black-christians/
bravenak
(34,648 posts)rug
(82,333 posts)Not by a long shot.
bravenak
(34,648 posts)Or else.
rug
(82,333 posts)Besides, this isn't GDP.
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)Truly sad when people must self-censor to avoid the minefield.
bravenak
(34,648 posts)This topic is one that really gets me going. I am an atheist but I do not like the idea of nongod bothering people who are not interested. Blacks have a history with the church where that was ALL we had. Even I grace the pews at times whether I believe it or not. I like gospel music, i like proverbs and psalms. It's just so overbearing, you know. Let peope be and they will decide what they want to do or think or believe. Even getting rid of belief does not mean the church does not perform vital functions in our community. They do.
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)And yes, the church can be a community that provides what the larger community, white society in this case, does not. So who is to judge?
In our area the religious service was always in French. Language was part of our community as well as our heritage.
My problem with the article was how utterly condescending the author was to all of the ignorant believers.
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)I would add.... condescending. Some atheists are extremely condescending to believers. Some of these militant type, fundamentalist atheists are just as intolerant as the believers that they mock.
They have their own saints, these militant, fundamentalist atheists, and they revere these atheist saints as much as some believers revere there own holy people.
I repeat, BS.
Actually, your post is rather self descriptive. You always come in here with your nose in the air just eager to slam atheists.
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)say about believers.
Some, I repeat some, non-believers are just as intolerant, just as rude as the believers that they criticize.
rug
(82,333 posts)What was he trying to demonstrate? That equal opportunity offense shows consistency?
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)Equally offensive to believers no matter the color. And quite condescending to non-whites.
Cartoonist
(7,323 posts)Oh, and he speaks for himself. There may be others who agree with him, but he does not speak for atheists.
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)are you calling him rude and ignorant?
How about intolerant?
Cartoonist
(7,323 posts)He was clearly headed into racist land.