DeistPaladin
New Member
I just ran across an ad where a company seems to feel that being "Christian Owned" is a selling point. Actually, living as I do in Bible Belt America, it probably is. As one who's never been a believer, it's sometimes easy for me to underestimate the bigotry of some Christians. My initial reaction was "WTF does your irrational beliefs in the metaphysical have to do with your products or services? Do you call upon the power of prayer or the Holy Spirit to make sure your products work?"
The implication here is that a business owned by a "good Christian" will be more honestly and effectively run than by one managed by drug-addled, sex-crazed amoral scummy atheists who obviously have no sense of decency without the fear of Hell in their hearts.
I'm sure everyone is aware of the prison population statistics or how more atheistic societies have fewer problems than pious America with crime or other troubling social indicators. Yet the perception that piety and irrational belief promote morality persist as strongly as the religious beliefs themselves.
My father advised me to never trust anyone who wears his religion on his sleeve, that he's likely either a con-artist or overcompensating for some moral weakness. I unfortunately had to learn the hard way that he was right. The only Christian friend I ever had betrayed my confidence, lied to me and then refused to apologize.
True moral character is built upon a foundation of honesty. Honesty with others is built on the foundation of being honest with yourself. This means being willing to face harsh realities as they are instead of indulging in fantasies or persisting in comforting delusions despite the contrary evidence. How can I trust someone who boasts of his/her irrationality, hypocrisy and self-deception?
Christianity further muddies our moral judgment by demonizing harmless activities as "evil" while lauding non-productive or even destructive actions as "good". The primary "evils" the Bible and Koran seem obsessed with are apostasy, blasphemy and idolatry. Homosexuality, or love between those with similar body parts, is the favorite "moral" crusade of modern Christians. Meanwhile, useless activities like prayer and rituals are seen as virtues. Stem cell research, which could help alleviate so much suffering, is "evil" while abstinence-only sex education, a sure-fire way to increase teen pregnancy and the spread of STDs, is "good". All this is to ignore the torture, terror and bloodshed inspired by pious devotion over the ages.
To the Christian who would ask me why I should be moral if I don't believe in a rewarding, punishing, personal god, I would ask why he or she should be moral since they have such an easy out for all of their transgressions. All they have to do is apologize to their imaginary friend, instead of the one they've wronged, and all is forgiven. This assumes they even recognize their own bad behavior, since anyone who can rationalize their absurd beliefs can just as easy justify their own actions.
I'm so fucking pissed.
How about these ad tag-lines:
"Rationally Owned Business: We rely on proven science and technology"
"Rationally Owned Business: If we screw up, we'll apologize to YOU and make it right instead of asking Jesus to forgive us."
"Rationally Owned Business: We're ready to prove ourselves."
The implication here is that a business owned by a "good Christian" will be more honestly and effectively run than by one managed by drug-addled, sex-crazed amoral scummy atheists who obviously have no sense of decency without the fear of Hell in their hearts.
I'm sure everyone is aware of the prison population statistics or how more atheistic societies have fewer problems than pious America with crime or other troubling social indicators. Yet the perception that piety and irrational belief promote morality persist as strongly as the religious beliefs themselves.
My father advised me to never trust anyone who wears his religion on his sleeve, that he's likely either a con-artist or overcompensating for some moral weakness. I unfortunately had to learn the hard way that he was right. The only Christian friend I ever had betrayed my confidence, lied to me and then refused to apologize.
True moral character is built upon a foundation of honesty. Honesty with others is built on the foundation of being honest with yourself. This means being willing to face harsh realities as they are instead of indulging in fantasies or persisting in comforting delusions despite the contrary evidence. How can I trust someone who boasts of his/her irrationality, hypocrisy and self-deception?
Christianity further muddies our moral judgment by demonizing harmless activities as "evil" while lauding non-productive or even destructive actions as "good". The primary "evils" the Bible and Koran seem obsessed with are apostasy, blasphemy and idolatry. Homosexuality, or love between those with similar body parts, is the favorite "moral" crusade of modern Christians. Meanwhile, useless activities like prayer and rituals are seen as virtues. Stem cell research, which could help alleviate so much suffering, is "evil" while abstinence-only sex education, a sure-fire way to increase teen pregnancy and the spread of STDs, is "good". All this is to ignore the torture, terror and bloodshed inspired by pious devotion over the ages.
To the Christian who would ask me why I should be moral if I don't believe in a rewarding, punishing, personal god, I would ask why he or she should be moral since they have such an easy out for all of their transgressions. All they have to do is apologize to their imaginary friend, instead of the one they've wronged, and all is forgiven. This assumes they even recognize their own bad behavior, since anyone who can rationalize their absurd beliefs can just as easy justify their own actions.
I'm so fucking pissed.
How about these ad tag-lines:
"Rationally Owned Business: We rely on proven science and technology"
"Rationally Owned Business: If we screw up, we'll apologize to YOU and make it right instead of asking Jesus to forgive us."
"Rationally Owned Business: We're ready to prove ourselves."
