|
TorchHeart -> RE: Bill Mahers New Anti-Religion Movie (8/29/2008 9:21:12 AM)
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: Thessa But just cause Paul did that does that mean its okay for Bill Maher to do it too? I wouldnt think so. I dont think so at all. Why? Because Paul was so much better than everyone else? Hardly! He was a man with problems and issues, himself. Just because he came to believe in God doesn't make his opinion more or less valid. With all due respect, I get the feeling that you believe that if somebody doesn't hold the same beliefs on God that you do (or don't believe in Him at all), they shouldn't be allowed to speak about Him. How is that a good idea??? Everyone has their opinions. Accepting that fact is the first step to being able to understand and then change them (if that is your goal). Look at some of the things you wrote in response to my last post, Thessa. I'm not trying to be mean to you, but you missed the point a couple of times. I read your replies and I see a lot of "that's their problem" or "but they're wrong" as if to say that, since their thinking isn't exactly like your's, their opinion means nothing and they should immediately convert to your beliefs. Have you ever thought that some of them (not all of them) are having the same thoughts about you? Look at the following statement you made: quote:
I know what ur saying there. Thats what they always say - they must take a class on what to say because all of them always say the same thing over and over again. But its not pointless and you know that. They just need to realize it. And this movie wont make a person realize they were wrong - it will make them realize they have a crowd that agrees. 1) "They must take a class on what to say because all of them always say the same thing over and over again." -- I'm sure many of them do have meetings (or classes) to support one another in their beliefs.... just like Christians do. We probably sound to them like we take classes because we say the same thing over and over, again. And they'd be right... except we call our class "church" or "worship service." And when we're there, we support one another in our beliefs by doing similar things in worship of God. 2) "But its not pointless and you know that." -- Yes, I do know that. And so do you. But THEY don't; they believe that it is pointless. Simply saying to someone that praying isn't pointless isn't going to change their mind. I hate maccaroni and cheese. My wife thinks its good. Her simply saying to me that maccaroni and cheese is good isn't going to make me stop thinking that it doesn't taste disgusting. Unless she can convince me to try it or convince me that it is good, I'm not changing my view, and vice versa. 3) "And this movie wont make a person realize they were wrong - it will make them realize they have a crowd that agrees." -- So it won't make them realize that (in your opinion) they're "wrong." What about a show like "The 10 Commandments?" Do you think they might be a little upset about that movie because it doesn't show people like us that we're wrong, and instead makes us realize that we have a crowd that agrees with us? Simply stomping out someone else's right to express a view isn't going to make them change their opinions. In fact, it probably makes their opnions stronger AND it reinforces ideas of their's that Christians are intollerant or not willing to listen to reason.... just as I'm sure you feel that atheists are intollerant and not willing to listen to reason. Do you see where I'm coming from at all here? Instead of looking at these people through your eyes, try looking at life (and yourself) through their's. quote:
ORIGINAL: Thessa Ya know when that comedian George Carlin died i thought the same thing. I thought his bit on religion was funny until i found out that he was actually an atheist - then it wasnt so funny anymore. Its not funny when you know that the person is serious. Thats not what comedy is meant to be. Its not meant to be intentionally hurtful. Just think of where Eddie Murphy would be right now - or Jim Carrey - if they always spoke honestly all the time about what they thought of people. They wouldnt be popular thats for sure, unless its just a popularity based on something negative. I've got news for you... I've done stand-up comedy and I've learned that in all stand-up routines, there is some degree of truth in what the person is saying. Jim Carrey, Eddie Murphy, George Carlin, Denis Leary, Ray Romano, Bill Cosby, Bill Mahar, Ellen Degeneress,... they ALL mix some of their beliefs and opinions and thoughts in with their comedy. That's what makes some of their comedy funny. Because its real, you can related to it better. Whether its about family issues, religion, sex, dating, cars, musicians, death,... most anything... if you don't mix some reality in with it... some part of yourself that you actually believe in or hold strongly to.... chances are that you're not going to connect with your audience. I find it interesting that, until you learned that Carlin was an atheist, you found his jokes about religion humorous. You must have seen the same things he did, or at least been able to relate to the ideas he was proposing, in order to find his material humorous. So what if he was serious about parts of it? He was conveying ideas and making light of what bothered him about religion. And THAT is why he was successful. YOU'VE GOT A GREAT HEART, THESSA. AND YOU OBVIOUSLY LOVE GOD. Those are both admirable qualities and I commend you for them. But, to use them effectively in winning hearts over to God, I personally think you need to have a little more broad view of other people. Just a thought.
|
|
|
|