2008-07-11 - Rider Down, NW11

Tynan, it is not about deference, it is about common decency and not saying things that can hurt other peoples feelings. You wouldn't dream of making racist comments in a public forum so why do you consider it acceptable to make comments offensive to Christians.

I consider it acceptable to speak my mind on religion as freely as I find it acceptable to speak my mind on racism. I will not hold back if my views clash with those of a BNP campaigner because of any sense of 'common decency', I will tell him what I think of his views as readily as I will tell a Calvinist what I think of his malevolent nonsense.

The reason I took offence is because my wife is a Christain and I know that that she would be offended by this. You argument is basically I can say what I want because offence is not the same as hurt well try telling that to someone on the receiving end of racial abuse.

So, if I tell a Christian that I think his ideas are nonsense this is akin to racism ?

I can't speak for every race that has been exploited or persecuted, but I think when fate was being dealt out (presumably by the Judeo-Christian god) the millions of African's headed for slavery would have happily swapped all that for an afternoon with me telling them that their cargo cult is nonsense.

My advice to Christians would have to be HTFU. If their philosophy is so precarious, so delicate and frail, so unable to shoulder criticism, this should give them pause to wonder why.