The best thing about on-line arguments is that you don't have to read them.

fucking this.

also it makes me feel more stupid than usual.

And gay marriage will inevitably lead to legalised bestiality and paedophilia.


Slippery slope arguments are bullshit.

You misunderstand, it was not a slippery slope argument at all. Take for example, your basic Anglican or Catholic church. I don't mean to be specific about denominations but it sets the right atmosphere. The clergyman may well understand and support things like evolution and metaphors in the holy texts (arbitrarily designated, it seems to me), but how often do they actually say it openly to their congregation? How often do they mention before, after or during a reading that this or that is only figurative or poetic, and they should listen to doctors or scientists for details? Ever? How is their flock to know? They could all go an research it themselves, but... seriously.

Sure, the smart ones are going to be well aware of the effort and cause-effect of their doctors' treatment of their children, but when the tale is relayed to the rest of the congregation you know great emphasis is going to be put on the prayers they made in their darkest moments, rejoice in the apparent answering of those prayers and thank god for interceding (as opposed to those doctors?). Is it any wonder people come to believe that prayer is actually useful, that with faith anything is possible, that faith is all you need to alter reality?

And then something stupid happens, and they're all "that's not what our religion is all about, no sir!" Well good job making that clear. Sophisticated religion my arse.

Yes, but it takes up valuable time for members that do, time that could be spent arguing about cow tipping or zoophilia.

Quick hypothetical situation question for the smart people: After a knock on the head, I believe in a silver cockroach called Jim. I believe Jim guides my purpose, and wants due recognition for his efforts. Am I a nutter or have I just invented a new religion?

I talk to my friend Mark about the glory of Jim, and he believes me. He is happy to be considered a follower of Jim. What about now? Are we both nutters or the founders of a religion?

You're the founders of not just a fucked-up religion, but a very fucked-up religion.

Yes.

Well that was conclusive. Thanks y'all.

I'd call it a cult. You need some political clout before it becomes a religion.

How far do you think I could push Jimianism at work? Mondays off? Jim has decreed that thy shall start the week slowly...

There's already a Cult of Jim in the swordfighting society at Glasgow, are you going to have a crusade?

Jim has many names, and many forms. That cult is of an inferior jim, a false jim (Note lack of capitalisation). Jim is a kind being, and will let them have their fun. But on the Day of Jim-udgement, they will have to say they are sorry and stand in the naughty corner.

Hm...

I hate terrorists and extremists...

...but on the same token, I can't stand South Park.

This should be fun to watch!

No, it's not you. Their content is intentionally meaningless and empty, and the problem is that their viewers take the show's content and adopt it as a lazy alternative to becoming politically informed.

I can't stand that shit. The show SHOULD encourage you to investigate for yourself, but they stop at that point because, wouldn't you know it, tweens and teens are fucking lazy.

I still can't believe they reduced alcoholism to a matter of choice... oh, sorry, "disciprine." Takes a hell of a lot more work than that, said the informed viewer.