1990: Atheists United

[Michael's Servant]

With Michael Khalili

Make a difference not voting, Atheists United and why Jesus Christ is a bad person, another Justin Bieber/n-word video, Jonah Hill apologizes on Jimmy Fallon, Alanis Morissette wasn’t singing about Dave Coulier, Gwyneth Paltrow has more inane thoughts

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[MichaelApproved]

1. 2014 Stand-Up-Athon Voting - Comedy Talk Show & Podcast
2. Select option 4 (Michael Khalili)
3. Click the Vote button

Hookers and blow!

[Scumhook]

Originally Posted by MichaelApproved

1. 2014 Stand-Up-Athon Voting - Comedy Talk Show & Podcast
2. Select option 4 (Michael Khalili)
3. Click the Vote button

Hookers and blow!

lmfao <3

[MichaelApproved]

Here's the link to the most patriotic shirt ever

[Keith]

Picture that beauty without sleeves.

Sold!

And to think that before this I never would have worn a shirt during sex...

[Latch]

OK, a lot to cover. I've listened to the bit discussing Jesus, but haven't listened further yet. You're playing the Justin Beiber stuff right now, so I think this topic is done. Read the last paragraph to get my sum up if you don't want to read this whole thing...

I think Chemda got what I was going for and brought up some good points about separating Jesus the person and Jesus the superhero, and someone observing Jesus's actions and words without religion being attached to it. Thanks Chemda! I think you guys (Keith/Michael) believed I was wayyyyy more into Jesus/the Bible/whatever than I really am.

I think there was a guy named Jesus back then who spoke about peace and love. I don't think he was born to a virgin, I don't think he came back after death, walked on water, performed miracles of any sort, etc. But, he was a good talker, and he won some followers. Even if there wasn't a real person named Jesus though, and he was completely made up, who cares? It's a story... I don't think Hansel and Gretal were real either (moral: beware of strangers), but it's the lessons you can gain from some of the things he said/did.

Now, why pay special attention to Jesus? I don't know, like I said, I only went once (it was 8 years ago, that's why I don't remember it too strongly)... I didn't get the feeling they're always talking about Jesus, but maybe they did. That was in Illinois and I'm far from there now, so I can't really go back and check. There *are* plenty of other people to talk about in the world, and I assume they spoke about a lot of those people too on different days, but I can't say for sure.

Michael mentioned it, but each of those Universal Unitarian churches is different. This one was decidedly non-Christian, I felt. They spoke about Christ, but didn't believe he was the "Son of God" or anything special like that.

The whole point of where I started is it was the church-like feeling of community without the religion. Probably, as Michael and Chemda said, similar to his meetings of the atheist group.

Finally, you're right, the bible has a lot of hate, oppression, and wrongness in it. It shouldn't be taken as gospel (hah!), but I don't see it disappearing anytime soon. Ignoring it won't change anything. As Chemda said, Universal Unitarianism (UU) can be a good "stepping stone" to get off religion completely. I think discussing Jesus in a non-religious sense (again, just some guy) can be a good thing. The Bible, although full of religious hate, has stories in it that can be interesting, or help people step away from religion. Cosmos covered it a couple weeks ago, but the great flood of Noah was in other religions/historical texts long before the Bible was written. That's interesting, and if you grew up on only the Bible, it may help you go "hey wait a minute, this is bullshit!" Likewise, considering the bible in a logical way will help you see how it contradicts itself so completely that it can't possibly be true.

I think I got off track. Long story short, I was saying UU seemed to have an OK community with (what I thought was) no religion. I think Jesus (and Matthew, and John, and others) can teach good life lessons, similar to other fables/fairytales/etc. I think (especially organised) religion is bad, and the bible should be seen as an imperfect work. I think if The Church (the KATG one) renames Christmas, we should call it Keithmas.

Sorry for the wall of text. Peace and love, peace and love.

[MichaelApproved]

Originally Posted by Latch

I think you guys (Keith/Michael) believed I was wayyyyy more into Jesus/the Bible/whatever than I really am.

Why be into Jesus at all? There's so much baggage that comes with Jesus and the Bible, it doesn't seem worth scraping off all the crud to get to the "good stuff."

Originally Posted by Latch

I think there was a guy named Jesus back then who spoke about peace and love. [...] it's the lessons you can gain from some of the things he said/did.

Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.

Revelation 2:22-23

Peace, love and kill children with death.

Originally Posted by Latch

Now, why pay special attention to Jesus? I don't know, like I said, I only went once (it was 8 years ago, that's why I don't remember it too strongly)... I didn't get the feeling they're always talking about Jesus, but maybe they did. That was in Illinois and I'm far from there now, so I can't really go back and check. There *are* plenty of other people to talk about in the world, and I assume they spoke about a lot of those people too on different days, but I can't say for sure.

Sounds like Jesus was the only memorable thing from that visit.

Originally Posted by Latch

Michael mentioned it, but each of those Universal Unitarian churches is different. This one was decidedly non-Christian, I felt. They spoke about Christ, but didn't believe he was the "Son of God" or anything special like that.

Who else is he, if not for the Son of God?

Originally Posted by Latch

The whole point of where I started is it was the church-like feeling of community without the religion. Probably, as Michael and Chemda said, similar to his meetings of the atheist group.

Sunday Assembly is trying to give the experience of Church without the religious baggage. The Sunday Assembly Local Assemblies » The Sunday Assembly

Originally Posted by Latch

Finally, you're right, the bible has a lot of hate, oppression, and wrongness in it. It shouldn't be taken as gospel (hah!), but I don't see it disappearing anytime soon. Ignoring it won't change anything.

Ignoring something does change things. Talking about something is still a form of promotion. That's why they say "there's no such thing as bad publicity" because, as long as you're being talked about, you are relevant and are being promoting in some way. If you stop preaching the gospel, people will stop believing in the religion.

Originally Posted by Latch

I think I got off track. Long story short, I was saying UU seemed to have an OK community with (what I thought was) no religion.

They still have religion and a spiritual aspect to them. I believe that it still doesn't teach you good life lessons but it is a watered down version of church.

Originally Posted by Latch

I think Jesus (and Matthew, and John, and others) can teach good life lessons, similar to other fables/fairytales/etc.

The fables and fairytales that I want to expose my children to don't involve stoning people for adultery.

Originally Posted by Latch

I think (especially organised) religion is bad, and the bible should be seen as an imperfect work. I think if The Church (the KATG one) renames Christmas, we should call it Keithmas.

Religion is bad in all contexts. A philosophy based on irrational thinking is harmful.

Originally Posted by Latch

Peace and love, peace and love.

Ditto.

[Keith]

If you take Jesus as just a man as opposed to the Son of God, then aren't you dealing with a schizophrenic at best? Either that or he's a chronic liar.

[Sparrow]

KING OF THE JEWS!!!!!!!

[MichaelApproved]

Originally Posted by Keith

If you take Jesus as just a man as opposed to the Son of God, then aren't you dealing with a schizophrenic at best? Either that or he's a chronic liar.

If he's not the Son of God then he's just a man who had some nice philosophical ideas but was also egotistical, vicious and violent.

For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.

Let go of the baggage. Stop following the teachings of someone who thinks children should be put to death if they don't honor their father and mother.