Anyone else a Christian??

[SUNYAggie]

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Yes 🙂 I'm a baptist christian, and am also involved as Vice President of the Christian Club here at my college

 

[Pointer1330]

athiest FSM lover.

For those of you who just heard of FSM, on the site make sure you read the letter http://www.venganza.org/about/open-letter/ written to the school board about teaching religion in schools. Its so great. Its the basis for how it was started and you def can't miss out on it.

Yeah - I agree with Electrophile, that's offensive and rediculous. I'm not on here to convert anyone or argue about religion, but the FSM website is pure trash.

 

[BlacKAT33]

i haven't read any posts of people trying to convert others. i think you guys are taking this too seriously. if you dont find FSM entertaining than just ignore it instead of putting a negative spin into the thread and calling us offensive. theres nothing wrong with a little free spirited humor

 

[nyanko]

I guess I just dislike the attitude that you are somehow more intelligent and free thinking now that you have left that silly childish theism thing behind. That attitude is what offends me just as much as holier than thou Christians. Just a thought or two from a "free thinking" follower of Jesus. 🙂

I think that perhaps some of the mocking and distrust of organized religion has to do with the perception of intellectual elitism and liberalism that you're talking about here, but it isn't all there is to it. To someone who doesn't believe in a higher power, the whole idea of subjugating yourself to and living your life for said being is ridiculous and preposterous, so we satirize it. I mean, why should you personally be offended by people mocking your beliefs, unless you aren't able to separate your person from them?

Despite our overrepresentation on the Internet and in many science related fields, irreligious people are still a minority in the United States and in the world, and are by and large seen as amoral and lacking ethics and character. I'm speaking on a general population level here - there are obviously exceptions and variation - but to a majority of religious people, "moral" is inextricably linked with or at the very least guided by what their religion espouses as such. That's fine, those are their beliefs, but if they then vote based on these beliefs, "separation of church and state" becomes a big problem. You don't need to look much further than the political minefield that was CA Proposition 8 and the arguments for it to realize that it is a real issue. And that's what breeds the perception that religious people are "group thinking."

 

[david594]

That's fine, those are their beliefs, but if they then vote based on these beliefs, "separation of church and state" becomes a big problem.

Thats a non issue for me since I don't vote. 😱

 

[Electrophile]

I think that perhaps some of the mocking and distrust of organized religion has to do with the perception of intellectual elitism and liberalism that you're talking about here, but it isn't all there is to it. To someone who doesn't believe in a higher power, the whole idea of subjugating yourself to and living your life for said being is ridiculous and preposterous, so we satirize it. I mean, why should you personally be offended by people mocking your beliefs, unless you aren't able to separate your person from them?

Despite our overrepresentation on the Internet and in many science related fields, irreligious people are still a minority in the United States and in the world, and are by and large seen as amoral and lacking ethics and character. I'm speaking on a general population level here - there are obviously exceptions and variation - but to a majority of religious people, "moral" is inextricably linked with or at the very least guided by what their religion espouses as such. That's fine, those are their beliefs, but if they then vote based on these beliefs, "separation of church and state" becomes a big problem. You don't need to look much further than the political minefield that was CA Proposition 8 and the arguments for it to realize that it is a real issue. And that's what breeds the perception that religious people are "group thinking."

So wait...you want people to see your point of view for things like prop 8 (which I do agree with...my uncle and the man of honor from my wedding are both gay, so I didn't really mind one way or the other if they wish to get married), but you ridicule them by mocking them? Well, no wonder they want nothing to do with it.

Being just as angry and full of hate back wins no one over to your side. You don't get people to think about your position by mocking them which provokes anger and defensiveness. You do it through thoughtful and respectful dialogue. Heck, kinda like Jesus would have done. I may be a very moderate person both politically and theologically, but I do take my beliefs very seriously. You can satirize a certain type of people (even my pastor satirizes televangelists), but when you mock a whole system of beliefs and act like everyone is a closeminded idiot if they even remotely fit in that belief system, that's not cool.

 

[cowgirla]

What happened to keeping this light and nonjudgemental and interesting?

I'm outta here. I'll stick with the HP/TL talk. I wouldn't get into a religious "debate" on a website for a million dollars (or a garaunteed vet acceptance!). Nor would I touch some of the previous statements with a ten foot pole...

Adios!

 

[lmscout]

I set up this post to see if I had any fellow brothers/sisters in Christ who were headed in a similar career direction. I am sorry that it turned into a debate which I had a hard time following...😕

Please, if you are a Jesus Follower, respond.

 

[DickVetPlease]

Technically Jewish, but I really only appreciate it for the family tradition and culture. I guess i'm agnostic, or something.

And people need to lighten up about the FSM thing. I get mocked all the time for being jewish.

 

[BlacKAT33]

I set up this post to see if I had any fellow brothers/sisters in Christ who were headed in a similar career direction. I am sorry that it turned into a debate which I had a hard time following...😕

Please, if you are a Jesus Follower, respond.

only jesus followers can post? i think you received a lot of information about Christian groups in vet school and others just like you. no need to block certain people from a thread.

something about the way you worded that post really creeps me out

i also dont think religious threads are appropriate for this forum (besides, with your popular religion, its obvious you wont be the only christian in vet school)... i went along with it for a while but now, i'm out

 

[Electrophile]

And people need to lighten up about the FSM thing. I get mocked all the time for being jewish.

I wouldn't mock you for being Jewish. In fact, I still get annoyed every time I hear that freakin' Black Eye Peas song... 🙄

 

[Truby]

Bible believing (Jesus Following) Christian here OP. I get where you're coming from, it's nice to know if there will be people of the same faith going in the same direction.

 

[No Imagination]

BTW, I don't support intelligent design, particularly as something that should be taught in schools and I also dislike religion getting overly involved in politics (personal beliefs will always influence someone's decisions, but over involvement is typically not a good thing) either. I guess I just dislike the attitude that you are somehow more intelligent and free thinking now that you have left that silly childish theism thing behind. That attitude is what offends me just as much as holier than thou Christians. Just a thought or two from a "free thinking" follower of Jesus. 🙂

While I understand what you are saying, and sort of agree with you Electrophile, keep in mind, the FSM movement was initially designed to keep ID and Creationism (I added an "and" instead of a "/" there to be nice) out of public schools. The idea was, if you were going to teach ID, then make the "First Cause" God, and Alien, a Supercomputer of unknown origin, or the FSM).

FSM has since taken on a form all its own, which as a scholar of religious theory/studies, I would think you of all people would find intriguing and worth analyzing, instead of being offended. I personally view it (FSM) as a fundamental change in the thinking of a growing majority of people, and reflects a growing dichotomy of non-secular vs. secular rational people, and certainly worthy of study.

 

[aspiringDVM]

[Heaves sigh] I knew this was going to happen.

 

[jpeterman13]

only jesus followers can post? i think you received a lot of information about Christian groups in vet school and others just like you. no need to block certain people from a thread.

something about the way you worded that post really creeps me out

i also dont think religious threads are appropriate for this forum (besides, with your popular religion, its obvious you wont be the only christian in vet school)... i went along with it for a while but now, i'm out

I didn't care for the wording of his/her post either, I'm going to assume that it wasn't meant that way. Two things never to talk about...religion or politics.

 

[Electrophile]

Yes, I understand what it's saying and I do not want ID taught in schools, but I also equate it with saying that any sort of theism is nothing but cyclical logic (i.e.-it's true because we say it's true). Don't get me wrong, I also enjoy satire (for instance, Dogma is one of my all time favorite films), but FSM seems to hit too far below the belt. Like I said, I really rarely get offended, but the smugness with FSM rubs me the wrong way, just like the smugness from anyone of any religion rubs me the wrong way because it essentially means you've shut off your brain and can't/won't learn from anyone else.

 

[MaChien]

only jesus followers can post? i think you received a lot of information about Christian groups in vet school and others just like you. no need to block certain people from a thread.

something about the way you worded that post really creeps me out

i also dont think religious threads are appropriate for this forum (besides, with your popular religion, its obvious you wont be the only christian in vet school)... i went along with it for a while but now, i'm out

i dont want to start a argument, or anything.... but she never said only jesus followers can post. she said fellow jesus followers respond,(not sure why respond to what?) but the original post was asking to see how many of us were christians, which, isn't really pre-vet, vet, or animal related, so dosn't really belong on this forum.

and for the people getting their panties in a bunch over the FSM thing, if this has offended you guys and its just words.....thats just sad, the early christians were murdered, fed to lions, etc.

Maybe just suck it up? Its really not that bad. I don't remember ever reading in the bible that in the world everyone was going to be excepting and kind and free cookies for everybody! Actually it says christians are supposed to have it hard, thats how you know your a real christian.(have studied the bible, koran, and a bunch of other religions)

and to the origional post, I do believe in the God of the christian bible, but don't consider myself a christian,

p.s. yay for free speech!

 

[Willowhand]

I don't think there's anything wrong with having discussions related to religion, but it's important to bear in mind that for some people, God means life, love, and indescribably more. You may not feel the same way about God, but most people seem to have several things which they hold close to their hearts and live mindfully of -love of family, a desire to contribute to a cause they are passionate about, a wish to succeed at something that is important to them. When it feels like someone is slighting or attacking your heart-treasure and the path you have chosen to walk in life, whatever that may be, it can feel like a very personal insult. I certainly don't think anyone here was trying to be offensive, but personally, it made me feel a little lonely to hear all the belittling comments.

 

[twelvetigers]

I think that we're all gonna make excellent vets someday, no matter what we believe. 😉

 

[lalzi22]

I think that we're all gonna make excellent vets someday, no matter what we believe. 😉

cheers!

 

[MaChien]

I don't think there's anything wrong with having discussions related to religion, but it's important to bear in mind that for some people, God means life, love, and indescribably more. You may not feel the same way about God, but most people seem to have several things which they hold close to their hearts and live mindfully of -love of family, a desire to contribute to a cause they are passionate about, a wish to succeed at something that is important to them. When it feels like someone is slighting or attacking your heart-treasure and the path you have chosen to walk in life, whatever that may be, it can feel like a very personal insult. I certainly don't think anyone here was trying to be offensive, but personally, it made me feel a little lonely to hear all the belittling comments.

what i'm saying is, if you proclaim to be a christian, then you shouldn't be so easily offended, you know somthing is wrong when more people are agreeing with you then are against you, last time I checked the bible somthing like

Mat 7:14Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.



which means you should be used to more people not agreeing with you than agreeing. Basically, toughin' up. If you guys are getting offended by an online disccusion, how the H-E double hockey sticks are you going to deal with people not agreeing with your ideals in the real world? Not everyone is going to tell you everything you believe is right, when they believe the opposite, and not everybody is going to be nice. Yes, it seems like athiests can be a bit snide when talking about religion, but it seems like "christians" escpecially tend to get super offended whenever there beliefs are challanged. Maybe when your feeling a "personal" attack you could go read your bible and reassure yourself that its not so bad, no one has tried to put you in a vat of boiling oil.

Just my take, won't post anything else.... I promise!

 

[MaChien]

cheers!

DOUBLE CHEERS!!!!!!!!!!! ok now no more posts~😀

 

[nyanko]

So wait...you want people to see your point of view for things like prop 8 (which I do agree with...my uncle and the man of honor from my wedding are both gay, so I didn't really mind one way or the other if they wish to get married), but you ridicule them by mocking them? Well, no wonder they want nothing to do with it.

You didn't respond to any points I made in my post one bit, as per usual. I was explaining why there's a perception of group-thinking amongst Christians as a whole, and...I don't know what you took it to mean. I'm glad you aren't closed-minded about gay marriage, but that doesn't really change the fact that the only reasons anybody could give for being against it were directly related to their religious beliefs, and enough people voted based on this in a fairly liberal state to ban it.

For the record, I didn't really see the FSM stuff as quite appropriate for this thread, but from my point of view it's a bit odd that it offends you on a personal level. That is because by their nature, religious beliefs normally are quite integrated into a devout believer's whole life, and I don't really run that way. If someone mocks my interests and beliefs, it's pretty easy for me to just write it off as a "different strokes for different folks" thing, so I literally can't comprehend being offended by it in such a manner.

 

[Willowhand]

what i'm saying is, if you proclaim to be a christian, then you shouldn't be so easily offended, you know somthing is wrong when more people are agreeing with you then are against you, last time I checked the bible somthing like

Mat 7:14Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

which means you should be used to more people not agreeing with you than agreeing. Basically, toughin' up. If you guys are getting offended by an online disccusion, how the H-E double hockey sticks are you going to deal with people not agreeing with your ideals in the real world? Not everyone is going to tell you everything you believe is right, when they believe the opposite, and not everybody is going to be nice. Yes, it seems like athiests can be a bit snide when talking about religion, but it seems like "christians" escpecially tend to get super offended whenever there beliefs are challanged. Maybe when your feeling a "personal" attack you could go read your bible and reassure yourself that its not so bad, no one has tried to put you in a vat of boiling oil.

Just my take, won't post anything else.... I promise!

By this logic, then people who claim that hardship builds strength of character shouldn't mind having rocks thrown at their heads 🙄.

Anyway, I never meant to give the impression of being "super offended." I just wanted to say that it happens to make me feel lonely when people are attacking my values. Isn't that a normal human response? People are rude to each other for various reasons all the time, and it's not something I'm going to lose sleep over when it happens to me. Still, I think it would be a more pleasant world if everyone made an effort to be respectful.

I enjoy and appreciate the general tone of supportiveness on this forum, and I think it's great how people from such different backgrounds are united in a common interest in vet med 🙂

 

[HopefulAg]

I think that we're all gonna make excellent vets someday, no matter what we believe. 😉

Hear hear!

[Heaves sigh] I knew this was going to happen.

It always does. It's like banging your head against a brick wall and not expecting it to hurt this time.

 

[nyanko]

I keep thinking if I touch the stove a different way, or bang my head against a different wall, that the outcome will be different....

I guess that's why I like research so much!

 

[HopefulAg]

'Maybe if I hit the wall from a 42.6 degree angle I'll get maximum deflection and it will lessen the blow by a factor of 2.7' *smack* 'Back to the drawing board'

Exactly why I don't like research 😀

 

[PrimalMU]

 

[DVMDream]

I grew up going to a Mormon church until I was about 9 years old. I have no desire to go back. I disagree with many of their beliefs, but I do not criticize anyone who is Mormon (quite a bit of my family is). I would consider myself a Christian, but I am not a hard-core Christian. (I did find FSM comical, because I know its point was light-hearted humor). I tend to find organized religion slightly scary. (How many wars were started by religious debates? IMO, too many). I remember sitting at an Olive Garden with my aunt, uncle and two cousins. This was before the presidential election and my aunt was against Obama because he wasn’t Christian. She could not see past his religion and focus on his thoughts and ideas. Then my cousin (7 at the time) said, “Obama doesn’t believe in God?” My aunt says, “No he doesn’t” My cousin then says, “But doesn’t that mean he is going to He**?” My aunt says, “Yes.”😱 I was shocked. I do not believe that it is right to teach anyone that just because you are not a part of a certain religion means you are going to He**. I believe that everyone has something that is right for them. Whether you are Jewish, Christian, Mormon, Catholic, Muslim, Hindu, Atheist, etc it should not matter. The only thing that matters is who you are as a person and how you treat others. Believe what is right for you and do not worry what other people think, but do not try to force others to believe what you think is right. Just because democracy works in America, doesn’t mean it would work in China. Just because you are a (insert any religion); doesn’t mean it will work for someone who is (insert any other religion). Also, have your own thoughts. I had a friend who could not let go of her religion and tell me why SHE thinks gay marriage is wrong. She kept quoting the bible and I said ok, but why do YOU think it is wrong. (IMO, I think if you love someone and want to marry them, go for it!) Think for yourself. As long as you are a decent person, it should not matter what you believe in. 🙂

 

[BlacKAT33]

I grew up going to a Mormon church until I was about 9 years old. I have no desire to go back. I disagree with many of their beliefs, but I do not criticize anyone who is Mormon (quite a bit of my family is). I would consider myself a Christian, but I am not a hard-core Christian. (I did find FSM comical, because I know its point was light-hearted humor). I tend to find organized religion slightly scary. (How many wars were started by religious debates? IMO, too many). I remember sitting at an Olive Garden with my aunt, uncle and two cousins. This was before the presidential election and my aunt was against Obama because he wasn’t Christian. She could not see past his religion and focus on his thoughts and ideas. Then my cousin (7 at the time) said, “Obama doesn’t believe in God?” My aunt says, “No he doesn’t” My cousin then says, “But doesn’t that mean he is going to He**?” My aunt says, “Yes.”😱 I was shocked. I do not believe that it is right to teach anyone that just because you are not a part of a certain religion means you are going to He**. I believe that everyone has something that is right for them. Whether you are Jewish, Christian, Mormon, Catholic, Muslim, Hindu, Atheist, etc it should not matter. The only thing that matters is who you are as a person and how you treat others. Believe what is right for you and do not worry what other people think, but do not try to force others to believe what you think is right. Just because democracy works in America, doesn’t mean it would work in China. Just because you are a (insert any religion); doesn’t mean it will work for someone who is (insert any other religion). Also, have your own thoughts. I had a friend who could not let go of her religion and tell me why SHE thinks gay marriage is wrong. She kept quoting the bible and I said ok, but why do YOU think it is wrong. (IMO, I think if you love someone and want to marry them, go for it!) Think for yourself. As long as you are a decent person, it should not matter what you believe in. 🙂

nice post, you're very open minded. just wondering though..im pretty sure obama is christian.. isnt he? oh well, doesnt really matter to me

 

[Shanomong]

.

 

[DVMDream]

Yep, but people tended to forget that and jump on the "OMG HE'S A MUSLIM" bandwagon as soon as they were done giving him crap about what his Christian pastor of 20something odd years said. 🙂

I personally blame FNC. Or maybe FSM.... he seems to like to stir up trouble.

This is exactly what my aunt could not see past and then teach the same thing to a child..shudder.

 

[sumstorm]

Onyota'a'ka. though most in america would call that agnositic.

 

[bunnity]

In response to the post about the "heart treasure":

Just want to throw it out there that some of us atheist folks feel very strongly about our convictions as well. A lack of belief in the traditional god is not a lack of belief, and my atheism is very central to me and who I am and how I see the world and choose to act.

And for the record I could technically be considered agnostic or pantheistic or I could give a big long paragraph about what I believe - atheism is just the "best" short answer (yes I sound like a GRE writer). I do believe in many things - just not any type of traditional god and not as part of any religion.

I feel that there is a tendency for the religious folks in my personal experience to assume that they are the only ones whose beliefs are an important central part of who they are, and to assume that my atheistic beliefs are somehow not as sensitive a subject or as important a tenet of my personality. I would not be surprised if other atheists felt this way. Please bear this in mind if this conversation continues...

 

[jpeterman13]

I feel that there is a tendency for the religious folks in my personal experience to assume that they are the only ones whose beliefs are an important central part of who they are, and to assume that my atheistic beliefs are somehow not as sensitive a subject or as important a tenet of my personality. I would not be surprised if other atheists felt this way. Please bear this in mind if this conversation continues...

good post!

 

[BlacKAT33]

In response to the post about the "heart treasure":

Just want to throw it out there that some of us atheist folks feel very strongly about our convictions as well. A lack of belief in the traditional god is not a lack of belief, and my atheism is very central to me and who I am and how I see the world and choose to act.

And for the record I could technically be considered agnostic or pantheistic or I could give a big long paragraph about what I believe - atheism is just the "best" short answer (yes I sound like a GRE writer). I do believe in many things - just not any type of traditional god and not as part of any religion.

I feel that there is a tendency for the religious folks in my personal experience to assume that they are the only ones whose beliefs are an important central part of who they are, and to assume that my atheistic beliefs are somehow not as sensitive a subject or as important a tenet of my personality. I would not be surprised if other atheists felt this way. Please bear this in mind if this conversation continues...

wow, u took the words from me. I could never really express my feelings well but i do believe in some things even though i am athiest and im still in shock with what you wrote because it is exactly what ive always wanted to say in religious discussions but i can never get the words out right. thanks!! 😀😀

 

[Willowhand]

Just want to throw it out there that some of us atheist folks feel very strongly about our convictions as well. A lack of belief in the traditional god is not a lack of belief, and my atheism is very central to me and who I am and how I see the world and choose to act.

Thanks for pointing this out. I don't think it's incompatible with what I was trying to get across in my "heart treasure" comment, that people value different things and that which they hold close to their heart is important to them. Even if I don't believe the same things, I admire people who know what they believe and and live by it; be they monotheistic, polytheistic, animists, atheists, or anyone else.

I also see nothing wrong with being unsure of whether God exists -plenty of devout but honest people (myself included) admit to being unsure sometimes. But to quote C.S. Lewis's Puddleglum, "I'm on Aslan's side, even if there's no Aslan to lead it."🙂

 

[quantized]

I'm a bit surprised as to how many scientifically oriented people are identifying as religious. It has been the opposite in my experience in engineering. Interesting.

In any case, I hold donuts close to my heart. Glazed and frosted donuts with their doughy delicious substructures.

 

[Willowhand]

In any case, I hold donuts close to my heart. Glazed and frosted donuts with their doughy delicious substructures.

You really capture the depth of loving something, quantized 🙄 Thanks for adding a bit of levity.

 

[zeebra44]

Wooo! I was hoping to find a member of the Church of FSM here. 'May we all feel the loving touch of his noodly appendage.' Ramen.

Twelve, you crack me up..

 

[twelvetigers]

Oh, you know. 🙄

Cute corgi, btw... I have one of those. Pics in profile. 😀

 

[scb44f]

I'm a bit surprised as to how many scientifically oriented people are identifying as religious. It has been the opposite in my experience in engineering. Interesting.

In any case, I hold donuts close to my heart. Glazed and frosted donuts with their doughy delicious substructures.

Really? 80% of my school is majoring in some sort of engineering, and a clear majority are a part of some sort of religion. There are atheists and agnostics around as well, myself included, but the way I've seen it, engineers (here anyway) want to know the why's and the how's, and believing in God or whoever answers those questions.

 

[Minnerbelle]

the only god I actively believe in is the lab god. it tends to be super angry almost all the time. i try very hard to respect it... but i think it gets a kick out of messing with me...

 

[lalzi22]

the only god I actively believe in is the lab god. it tends to be super angry almost all the time. i try very hard to respect it... but i think it gets a kick out of messing with me...

HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA....have you been spying on my life?? Lab god, why must you torture me so??

 

[snapcall]

There seems to be some confusion here (actually there's a lot of confusion everywhere) about what it means to be agnostic. Whereas atheism and theism refer to beliefs held about the existence or non-existence of a higher power, agnosticism is a belief about the knowledge of a higher power. To be agnostic is to believe that it is not possible for humans to have absolute knowledge of whether or not a god exists. Therefore, it is possible to be an agnostic Christian, an agnostic Jew, an agnostic atheist, etc. I personally am an agnostic atheist. I don't believe that there is a supreme being, and live my life accordingly (ie, not making decisions based on what might get me into heaven or keep me out of hell since neither place exists IMO), but I acknowledge that I could be wrong and would absolutely be willing to change my mind if presented with sufficient evidence (although this is highly unlikely).

As for the presence of Christians in vet med (or any other field, for that matter), of course there are going to be plenty. Christians are still the majority in the US, albeit a decreasing one.

Really? 80% of my school is majoring in some sort of engineering, and a clear majority are a part of some sort of religion. There are atheists and agnostics around as well, myself included, but the way I've seen it, engineers (here anyway) want to know the why's and the how's, and believing in God or whoever answers those questions.

This really surprises me, considering that believing in a god raises many more questions than it answers.

 

[quantized]

Indeed. And most engineers are of the experimental mindset where you have to prove something exists, at least they have been in my experience. There is the occassional religious person, but they are more the exception than the rule. I just find it more interesting than anything that so many people here are identifying as religious. To each their own!

 

[nyanko]

I don't think there's any confusion on the definition of agnosticism. It's very broad.

I don't believe anyone can know definitively whether there are omnipotent or omniscient beings or an afterlife, but it doesn't affect my life either way so it's not worth my time to care. Pretty sure that falls squarely under the umbrella of an apathetic agnostic viewpoint.

I said leaning atheist because in a practical sense, this means my actions, thoughts, moral leanings and personal ethical philosophies are not motivated by any belief in a deity. However, they aren't necessarily predicated on NONBELIEF in one either.

 

[snapcall]

There have been several posts in this thread which implied that agnosticism lies in the middle of a continuum between theism and atheism, so all I wanted to do was point out that that's not the case. In my experience it's a very common misconception, so I just wanted to clear it up. 🙂

 

[scb44f]

This really surprises me, considering that believing in a god raises many more questions than it answers.

For me, it raises many questions. But for people who have faith in some higher power/being/what have you, it answers the common questions of why we're here, how'd we get here, etc. By no means is the entire campus super religious, but most people have some sort of faith in a higher power. (I'm in southern MO though, so that may have something to do with it...?)

 

[causticus]

I really *very rarely* get offended in a religious discussion (getting a bachelor's in religious studies at a big state university, kinda hard if you do get offended often!), but the FSM thing actually does offend me. I am a fairly co-exist, live and let live sort of Christian (some of my favorite books are unChristian and Lord, Save Us From Your Followers). If someone asks me questions, I don't mind talking about it. I am interested in dialogue because I think we can learn a lot from each other. But I don't go out of my way to mock anyone, but the FSM does just that. BTW, I don't support intelligent design, particularly as something that should be taught in schools and I also dislike religion getting overly involved in politics (personal beliefs will always influence someone's decisions, but over involvement is typically not a good thing) either. I guess I just dislike the attitude that you are somehow more intelligent and free thinking now that you have left that silly childish theism thing behind. That attitude is what offends me just as much as holier than thou Christians. Just a thought or two from a "free thinking" follower of Jesus. 🙂

👍 +1