Religion: Catholics, Episcopalians, Atheists, All Are Welcome!

[MissThundercat]

I have trouble with the so-called Dawkins Scale. 1 means you're a strong theist, 4 means you're pure agnostic, and 7 means strong atheist. But I don't believe anyone rates themselves a straight 1, straight 4, or straight 7. Even the strongest theists I know have doubts.

[Kepler]

I have trouble with the so-called Dawkins Scale. 1 means you're a strong theist, 4 means you're pure agnostic, and 7 means strong atheist. But I don't believe anyone rates themselves a straight 1, straight 4, or straight 7. Even the strongest theists I know have doubts.

I'll take a 6.

[MissThundercat]

I rate somewhere between 3 and 5.

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

I'll take a 6.

Same

[LynahFan]

6.999999999 for me, with God’s existence hanging on by the skin of its teeth only because of the logistical technicality that you can’t prove a negative. I am as certain that there is no god as I am that there is no bengal tiger in my bathroom right now. No, I can’t see into the bathroom to be able to prove it, but everything I have learned throughout my life tells me that it is very, very, very unlikely.

[Kepler]

6.999999999 for me, with God’s existence hanging on by the skin of its teeth only because of the logistical technicality that you can’t prove a negative. I am as certain that there is no god as I am that there is no bengal tiger in my bathroom right now. No, I can’t see into the bathroom to be able to prove it, but everything I have learned throughout my life tells me that it is very, very, very unlikely.

Russell's teapot.

That is why I took a 6. If all real numbers are permitted then I am a 6.99999 with the 9s marching off into the sunset (but not infinitely because Carnap says 6.9 repeating is 7 and he's both smarter and weirder than I).

[LynahFan]

Russell's teapot.

That is why I took a 6. If all real numbers are permitted then I am a 6.99999 with the 9s marching off into the sunset (but not infinitely because Carnap says 6.9 repeating is 7 and he's both smarter and weirder than I).

Yeah, but given the Drake equation, I actually think it’s more likely that someone accidentally left a bit of porcelain floating somewhere in space than it is that a tiger got into my bathroom, so I went with that.

I remember my mind being blown in 7th grade when I first encountered the proof that .9999 repeating equals 1. Been so long that I just kind of accept it now - like gravity. That should blow our minds every single day, but we’re too used to it to notice how freaky and phenomenal it is.

[Kepler]

Yeah, but given the Drake equation, I actually think it’s more likely that someone accidentally left a bit of porcelain floating somewhere in space than it is that a tiger got into my bathroom, so I went with that.

I remember my mind being blown in 7th grade when I first encountered the proof that .9999 repeating equals 1. Been so long that I just kind of accept it now - like gravity. That should blow our minds every single day, but we’re too used to it to notice how freaky and phenomenal it is.

I always liked the rationale for reducing near impossibility to impossibility: at a certain point it becomes more likely that you have gone insane and are imagining it.

[Kepler]

From stories people here have told I think Minnesotans are going to appreciate this joke.

There was a Baptist missionary who became stranded on a desert island.

After a number of years he successfully flagged a passing ship. His rescuers came ashore and one of them asked what had happened to land the missionary there. The missionary told his tale of how he had managed to survive all alone on the island for the whole time.

Intrigued, the rescuer then asked about the four buildings he could see on a nearby hill. The missionary said the building on the far left was his sleeping quarters, the building next to it was his kitchen, and the building on the far right was his church. Puzzled, the rescuer asked about the fourth building the missionary had not mentioned.

Immediately, the missionary became red in the face, the veins in his neck became visible, and appeared on the verge of a stroke. As soon as he was able, he shouted out "that is the church I used to attend!"

[MissThundercat]

At this point, I would take a private Confirmation service. I could pick the music, the Scriptures, invite chosen family (I'd even invite Kep and Fade), and make sure there were yummy treats after.

[MissThundercat]

Today, I saw the best and the worst of people:

About 4:45 PM ET today, there was a group gathering at City Hall in Holland in support of adding LGBT to the non-discrimination ordinance for employment and housing. After about 45 minutes, things wound down a bit and I was sitting on the steps when my friend Ryan shows up to sit on the steps with me. About 5:45, this fundie shows up passing out flyers asking if I want to know what the Bible says about homosexuality. I respond I'm trans, so I will politely decline. Fundie Flyer Lady hears this and thinks this is an invitation to debate my existence. Ryan (agnostic) starts making fun of her, and she's getting visibly agitated. Meanwhile, my Mom friend Emily (affirming Christian) says "as a saved Christian, I will give you a Mama hug," referring to me. Flyer Lady, realizing she was outgunned, walked away in defeat.

Afterward, Emily, Ryan, a lovely black woman, and a couple bystanders ask if I'm okay. I respond I am, largely thanks to them. There are good people in Holland.

[Kepler]

Remove the religious tax exemption, reason number 350,000.

[Kepler]

At this point, I would take a private Confirmation service. I could pick the music, the Scriptures, invite chosen family (I'd even invite Kep and Fade), and make sure there were yummy treats after.

I might burst into flame but I'd risk it.

[Deutsche Gopher Fan]

Remove the religious tax exemption, reason number 350,000.

A church in CA That is defying newsoms order received between 350k-1M in the PPP .

tax the eff out of them before bulldoze

[MissThundercat]

I found out the Diocese (West Michigan) of my church does not have a Bishop right now; he's been suspended for a year or so due to extramarital affairs.