I don't need to be saved.

[greg]

I have to register my slight disappointment that snyprrr is a christian - I thought you'd be something really esoteric and outlandish if anything (the vibe I got from your far out posts!!)

Snyprrr is really just Stockhausen who came back to Earth after his soul was resurrected by a mad alien scientist who lives around Sirius.

[drogulus]

there is an established, albeit controversial costly signaling theory of religion.  Works very well in explaining the cultural advantages.  It is not a sexual selection strategy (at least not directly).  Take Islam, which came about in an area of constant tribal warfare.  The religion allowed the constuction of larger social groups than tribal kin groups, which conferred an advantage as the larger groups had greater military force.  However to eliminate free riders, adherents had to do several costly behaviors such as give up alcohol and pray 5 times a day.

      I agree this favors costly beliefs. It doesn't make the belief false, but it does show there are good reasons why beliefs can thrive without being true. Also it suggests a behaviorist understanding. A group adopts behaviors about diet, alcohol, dress, and the supernatural to create solidarity and differentiate themselves from others. Behaviors aren't true or false, they perform functions.

Snyprrr is really just Stockhausen who came back to Earth after his soul was resurrected by a mad alien scientist who lives around Sirius.

     I figured it was something like that. Siriusly, I did.

     Either that or you've been watching too much Robot Chicken.

     

[Satzaroo]

When I was growing up in a predominately Irish/Italian enclave, a few of the neighborhood kids would call me "Jew bagel" or "dirty Jew" or "Christ killer." My typical response was to run away from these bigoted bullies. Since then, any prejudice against me because I am Jewish has become more muted. Instead of hateful epithets, I receive condolences from Christians who worry about the state of my soul: I am to be pitied for not believing that Jesus is the Son of God; it's a terrible shame that I am going to be damned, unless, of course, I accept Jesus as my Savior. I politely acknowledge that I understand their concerns; they feel compelled to spread the gospel to nonbelievers. Nonetheless I unequivocally tell these well intentioned Christians that I will always remain a Jew; I will not forsake my ancient heritage. Offended as I might be, I have the common decency not to say that according to my religion, Jesus was a false messiah. Nor am I presumptuous enough to mention how much I might condemn modern-day Christians because fanatical Christians in the name of Christ have massacred Jews, Muslims, and one another over the centuries. Since childhood, I have had no use for any kind of religious indoctrination--whether it be preached by rabbi, priest, minister, Buddhist monk, imam, or shaman. This is my dream for humanity: I pray that one day we will all embrace one universal ecumenical faith that has room for a variety of beliefs, where no dogma trumps or triumphs over another one.

[DavidW]

That's TWO relatives now that I had to unfriend from Facebook because they think horror writers need to be saved and won't stop spouting off to me about Jesus, etc. And this is after I haven't talked to them in YEARS. These kind of people give real Christians a bad name.  0:)

The power of Christ compels you... the power of Christ compels you... the power of Christ compels you...