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[Cmerrill]

Oh the irony of telling kids Santa isn't real while he preaches about the adult Santa, Jesus.

Lol.

 

[Air]

Because then it makes even having a conversation about spirituality (as it relates to Christian doctrine) a non-starter.

I disagree. I think there's plenty you can discuss about the religion, it's philosophies and spirituality. That you think it's a non-starter shows your lack of curiosity about the actual message Jesus preached.

 

[CarpeDeezNutz]

Can someone else link the video since OP won't.

You want to give this dude bragging about how many views his video has some more clicks?

 

[Mammoth Jones]

Not seeing the problem there.

It doesn't matter. The same guy screaming "Gods not real!!!" in an equally obnoxious manner would be just as much of an asshole. See: r/atheism

 

[necrosis]

"this holiday isn't about some imaginary bearded man in the north pole; it's about an imaginary, omnipotent bearded man who was killed in the middle east thousands of years ago"

 

[Volimar]

OP posts about pastor behaving unwisely due to ridiculing the Santa tradition at children.

OP compares believing in God to believing in Santa.

Okay.

Way to set the tone.

GAF has a sizeable atheist community. OP is much more likely to find support than you will.

 

[Fahzgoolin]

Not seeing the problem there.

Educate yourself then. There is a massive difference, whether you agree with religion or not.

When are people going to learn that such flippant, ignorant, disrespectful statements do nothing but antagonize or stifle a discussion?

I believe in God, but find the pastor's behavior foolish and embarassing. Am I supposed to go in here and be okay that God is compared to Santa? Why is this behavior okay on GAF? It shouldn't be.

 

[necrosis]

Am I supposed to go in here and be okay that God is compared to Santa?

yes

 

[buttery fistful]

Educate yourself then. There is a massive difference, whether you agree with religion or not.

When are people going to learn that such flippant, ignorant, disrespectful statements do nothing but antagonize or stifle a discussion?

I believe in God, but find the pastor's behavior foolish and embarassing. Am I supposed to go in here and be okay that God is compared to Santa? Why is this behavior okay on GAF? It shouldn't be.

you don't have to be okay with it, but you surely must understand why that "behavior" is tolerated on GAF

 

[Permanently A]

Am I supposed to go in here and be okay that God is compared to Santa? Why is this behavior okay on GAF? It shouldn't be.

what other opinions should we ban while we're at it?

 

[RoKKeR]

Man, what a proper asshole. Despicable, honestly.

 

[Hyun Sai]

Sounds like a worshipper of the devil.

 

[JasonUresti]

Educate yourself then. There is a massive difference, whether you agree with religion or not.

When are people going to learn that such flippant, ignorant, disrespectful statements do nothing but antagonize or stifle a discussion?

I believe in God, but find the pastor's behavior foolish and embarassing. Am I supposed to go in here and be okay that God is compared to Santa? Why is this behavior okay on GAF? It shouldn't be.

Why shouldnt the Christian God be compared to Santa Claus? Or Jesus compared to Santa Claus?

To me Santa Claus is a wonderful example of how Jesus and company should be treated. A positive piece of myth making that we can take and apply valuable life lessons and thinking from, a symbol of hope and charity and general positivity that we can rally around and use to enhance ourselves, and a fun bit of pretend that we can gain enjoyment from celebrating without actually believing he is real.

 

[Volimar]

Educate yourself then. There is a massive difference, whether you agree with religion or not.

When are people going to learn that such flippant, ignorant, disrespectful statements do nothing but antagonize or stifle a discussion?

I believe in God, but find the pastor's behavior foolish and embarassing. Am I supposed to go in here and be okay that God is compared to Santa? Why is this behavior okay on GAF? It shouldn't be.

Sorry dude but "Those atheists on NeoGAF" isn't the hill you want to die on. Just try to tread water through the smugness and ignore them because those kinds of posts aren't going anywhere.

 

[Fahzgoolin]

you don't have to be okay with it, but you surely must understand why that "behavior" is tolerated on GAF

I really don't. The muslim community is respected and protected, the LGBT community is respected and protected, the atheist community is respected and protected, etc. All the while I respect and try to understand those people and I and other believers on GAF are supposed to assume we will be ridiculed openly.

what other opinions should we ban while we're at it?

I don't want anyone banned. I'm usually quiet about this issue and thought it was an appropriate time to challenge it. I'll just bow outta here like normal. I want to engage with you all and learn to love all people, but I guess the internet is just a bad place to look for that.

 

[Dash_Riprock]

He probably voted Trump.

Educate yourself then. There is a massive difference, whether you agree with religion or not.

I have yet to met a religious person that explains to me said difference in a way that doesn't resort to passive aggressive insults and/or putting an air of smug moral superiority...

 

[JC Lately]

Once again, I find myself quoting Discworld:

Susan: “All right," said Susan. "I'm not stupid. You're saying humans need... fantasies to make life bearable."

Death: REALLY? AS IF IT WAS SOME KIND OF PINK PILL? NO. HUMANS NEED FANTASY TO BE HUMAN. TO BE THE PLACE WHERE THE FALLING ANGEL MEETS THE RISING APE.

Susan: "Tooth fairies? Hogfathers? Little—"
Death: YES. AS PRACTICE. YOU HAVE TO START OUT LEARNING TO BELIEVE THE LITTLE LIES.

Susan: "So we can believe the big ones?"

Death: YES. JUSTICE. MERCY. DUTY. THAT SORT OF THING.

Susan: "They're not the same at all!"

Death: YOU THINK SO? THEN TAKE THE UNIVERSE AND GRIND IT DOWN TO THE FINEST POWDER AND SIEVE IT THROUGH THE FINEST SIEVE AND THEN SHOW ME ONE ATOM OF JUSTICE, ONE MOLECULE OF MERCY. AND YET — Death waved a hand. AND YET YOU ACT AS IF THERE IS SOME IDEAL ORDER IN THE WORLD, AS IF THERE IS SOME...SOME RIGHTNESS IN THE UNIVERSE BY WHICH IT MAY BE JUDGED.

Susan: "Yes, but people have got to believe that, or what's the point—"

Death: MY POINT EXACTLY.

 

[Hyun Sai]

The muslim community is respected and protected.

Allah = God = Santa

Spoiler

Am I already dead ?

 

[outunderthestars]

Educate yourself then. There is a massive difference, whether you agree with religion or not.

When are people going to learn that such flippant, ignorant, disrespectful statements do nothing but antagonize or stifle a discussion?

I believe in God, but find the pastor's behavior foolish and embarassing. Am I supposed to go in here and be okay that God is compared to Santa? Why is this behavior okay on GAF? It shouldn't be.

It isn't my job nor this forum's job to coddle your beliefs. Believe in God, Santa, etc.

I honestly find little to no difference between God and Santa. Both, in my opinion, are myths handed down to children to dictate behavioral norms and have no basis in reality.

You could literally change God to Santa in the Bible and have no change in the factual basis for its existence.

 

[Dash_Riprock]

You could literally change God to Santa in the Bible and have no change in the factual basis for its existence.

Well, it would make certain moments more hilarious.

 

[HardRojo]

But god isn't real either and you don't see me going to church to rub it in everyone's faces. Asshole.

 

[Big Nikus]

I would have earned an assault charge if that man was doing that around my daughter.

Yeah, me too.

 

[lightskintwin]

I'm not seeing your point. I've told stinkles that what we can infer along with logical reasoning should leave most reasonable people to buy in that a historical Jesus existed.

As I said before, around that time only notable people were kept in record. The empire would be motivated to erase such a person from history and that theres at least 1 or 2 sources (you can dispute the trustworthiness of them if you want) is a lot better than nothing. So again, I'm not sure what point you're making. All I said was that the consensus among historians is that a historical Jesus existed.

Y'know what? You're absolutely right.

 

[Daft_Cat]

It doesn't matter. The same guy screaming "Gods not real!!!" in an equally obnoxious manner would be just as much of an asshole. See: r/atheism

Equally obnoxious, perhaps - and just as pushy - but certainly not as cruel or cold-hearted.

 

[outunderthestars]

Equally obnoxious, perhaps - and certainly just as pushy - but not nearly as cruel or mean-spirited.

It would depend. Are they screaming at children? If so then yes they are equally mean spirited.

 

[MUnited83]

the fucking irony lmao

 

[Fahzgoolin]

It isn't my job nor this forum's job to coddle your beliefs. Believe in God, Santa, etc.

I honestly find little to no difference between God and Santa. Both, in my opinion, are myths handed down to children to dictate behavioral norms and have no basis in reality.

You could literally change God to Santa in the Bible and have no change in the factual basis for its existence.

I won't tire you with a detailed Bible lesson, but the Bible itself speaks out against viewing religion as merely a moral code. It's about being in love with your Creator and loving the created. This was one of Jesus's recurring statements and criticisms with the religious elite and leaders of his time.

But I get it. I'll bow out. It's hard to remain silent when my own identity as a person is so often belittled and I guess this just especially didn't sit well with me.

 

[HiredN00bs]

But you can't prove that Santa doesn't exist.

 

[PatThePassive]

Dude looks like hes about to start talking about the yellow king and try signing the kids up for church youth groups.

 

[HiredN00bs]

Educate yourself then. There is a massive difference, whether you agree with religion or not.

The Santa myths we tell today were inspired by historical people as well.

Do you sincerely believe that a couple of dudes in 1st century Galilee actually walked on water? Better put out some milk and cookies!

 

[Daft_Cat]

It would depend. Are they screaming at children? If so then yes they are equally mean spirited.

It doesn't depend on that at all. Not that I'm out to excuse this hypothetical screaming-atheist, but the decision to believe in God ought to be an active, well-understood choice. Capable of being held up to scrutiny and direct challenge - even from dickheads. Equally important is that alternative beliefs be given voice and tolerated - even in extreme situations. Both are important lessons to learn for all - believers included.

Now, quite separate from the life-altering decision to believe in God is the concept of Santa Claus, which is really just a bit of spirited fun for children.

Spoiler

He also happens to exist, but that's beside the point.

So, while both individuals are pushy, condescending, and really rather creepy, the man hell-bent on depriving younglings of something so magical, temporary and fundamentally innocent is by far the more vile piece of trash.

Don't believe me? Ask your kids.

 

[Dash_Riprock]

$10 says this preacher never even heard of Saint Nicholas of Myra.

 

[novabolt]

Hitting people with truth bombs and it aint even Christmas Eve yet.

 

[HiredN00bs]

It's hard to remain silent when my own identity as a person is so often belittled and I guess this just especially didn't sit well with me.

It's unfortunate that we so often strongly identify ourselves with our beliefs. It makes it very difficult to course-correct when they end up being untenable, but we need to if we hope to improve ourselves and society.

 

[MUnited83]

OP posts about pastor behaving unwisely due to ridiculing the Santa tradition at children.

OP compares believing in God to believing in Santa.

Okay.

Way to set the tone.

There's about the same evidence of existence for both of them so what's the issue? Believing in either is the same thing.

 

[ChouGoku]

I really don't. The muslim community is respected and protected, the LGBT community is respected and protected, the atheist community is respected and protected, etc. All the while I respect and try to understand those people and I and other believers on GAF are supposed to assume we will be ridiculed openly.



I don't want anyone banned. I'm usually quiet about this issue and thought it was an appropriate time to challenge it. I'll just bow outta here like normal. I want to engage with you all and learn to love all people, but I guess the internet is just a bad place to look for that.

Lol I dont think anyone is getting banned for pointing out the absurdness of actually believing in Islam or any religion. The problem is when you say they are bad and generalizing. Saying lol god isn't attacking you just your belief.

 

[MUnited83]

Educate yourself then. There is a massive difference, whether you agree with religion or not.

When are people going to learn that such flippant, ignorant, disrespectful statements do nothing but antagonize or stifle a discussion?

I believe in God, but find the pastor's behavior foolish and embarassing. Am I supposed to go in here and be okay that God is compared to Santa? Why is this behavior okay on GAF? It shouldn't be.

There is no difference whatsoever. If you believe in a silly imaginary being, you have no right whatsoever to feel superior or more right than people that believe in another silly imaginary being. This isn't hard. Like, you do you, but don't start preaching to people like your imaginary magical belief is superior to anyone else's.

I won't tire you with a detailed Bible lesson, but the Bible itself speaks out against viewing religion as merely a moral code. It's about being in love with your Creator and loving the created. This was one of Jesus's recurring statements and criticisms with the religious elite and leaders of his time.

But I get it. I'll bow out. It's hard to remain silent when my own identity as a person is so often belittled and I guess this just especially didn't sit well with me.

Boo hoo. Don't belittle me, says person belittling people that believe in Santa.

 

[Amalthea]

Irony aside, do you automatically become a street pastor if you're a ranting loon in the streets but happen to scream about Jesus and God as opposed to other nonsense?

 

[Volimar]

Irony aside, do you automatically become a street pastor if you're a ranting loon in the streets but happen to scream about Jesus and God as opposed to other nonsense?

Is it an honorary thing? Like every guy with a boat is a Captain?

 

[the_batman]

this guy obviously has issues.

 

[Sheroking]

The difference, Fahzgoolin and others who feel the same way, is this is not a news article about an atheist busting into a church nativity scene play and yelling "God is not real! Christmas is about Santa!" over and over again. If it were, we would rightly mock him too.

Not because we think your God is real - because he isn't - but because that guy is a douchebag.

I'd also appreciate not comparing your choice of faith (which aligns with the majority) to the LGBT community - who are primarily targeted and marginalized by your faithful peers. K thx.

 

[17 Seconds]

i would have started telling an elaborate story about how i met santa

 

[Machina]

Forgetting the religious aspect, Evangelicals are just flat out cunts.

 

[Leithkorias]

I wonder if these kids will remember this when they do realize that Santa Claus is fake, and what they'll think.

 

[Booser]

"god spoke to me in Mexico" sounds like a legit excuse to ruin children's Christmas' and visit gay bars and porn shops. Guy's a genius.

 

[Darksol]

The magic man who flies in the sky isn't real. Only the magic man who lives in the sky.

 

[Volimar]

"god spoke to me in Mexico" sounds like a legit excuse to ruin children's Christmas' and visit gay bars and porn shops. Guy's a genius.

Sounds like a folk song.

I wonder if these kids will remember this when they do realize that Santa Claus is fake, and what they'll think.

When they realise what?

 

[Izuna]

They're just culturally Christian, not crazily Christian.

 

[Regulus Tera]

But you can't prove that Santa doesn't exist.

I mean have you seen the geographical North Pole? Santa's factory is either underwater or will be in a few years.

 

[zoukka]

There is no difference whatsoever. If you believe in a silly imaginary being, you have no right whatsoever to feel superior or more right than people that believe in another silly imaginary being. This isn't hard. Like, you do you, but don't start preaching to people like your imaginary magical belief is superior to anyone else's.

Grow up.

Yes there is no proof that religious deities exist, but religions are as old as humanity with billions of followers and have shaped our culture as a species. Santa is the mascot for Coca-cola.

Get off your internet cool kid horse and think for a moment before shitposting.