Comments on: Merry Christmas!

By: william bishop

william bishop — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 19:55:37 +0000

Exactly, there really is nothing to argue about. It comes down to a difference of opinion, and we are not barbarians to dash each other’s heads in over an opinion. Discussion on the subject is fun ( I actually can argue either side of the discussion equally well, though the other position is very tenuous–and in truth impossible to defend on any rational basis, which means it’s strength is to argue from a position of “faith” and not evidence).

Anyway, you guys have a good weekend, I’m off to the pet store to find some crickets for the kids pet lizard.

By: Crystal

Crystal — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 15:58:14 +0000

William – I appreciate your comment, and I agree, God (my God which is Jesus Christ) is my insurance. He is much more than that but I won’t go into that as I am certain you have a very bright mind and know everything I might say (and would be happy to point out anything you consider a flaw :Grin:). I do appreciate your take on this subject. The beauty of this one specific God, the one I call God and worship, is just the thing you pointed out as a flaw. He isn’t the most logical. Still, I have seen His power so many times in my life that I can not deny His existence. Yes, there have been times when I have had my doubts, but I am always reminded when He comes through for our family right on time. I understand your position having read your previous posts, but I stand by my faith and I respect your position. We each must choose. My only point was to say that if “you” (meaning anyone that may read) is as confident in their choice as I am in mine regardless of if they are right or wrong, then what is there to fuss about? If you feel you are right and you are aren’t worried if you are wrong and I feel I am right, and I am not concerned if I am wrong then we are all making the choice that is best for us. Right? Clearly you are a great person. You are always respectful in your responses, you love your family, you work hard, and treat people right. In that, I have great respect for you and anyone that makes those choices. We simply agree to disagree about this particular subject! I can live with that

By: william bishop

william bishop — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 14:33:19 +0000

Pascal’s wager: “What have I got to lose”. Also called “insurance”.
The downside is that if you’re partially right, and one of the 3,000 extant gods is the one true god ™, then you’re in trouble because you worshipped the wrong god, which is extremely probable in the case that there actually are gods. Remember, yours is not the oldest(by far)…or the most logical. Remember, there have been over 10,000 gods in recorded history, and the abrahamic tradition is mostly cut and paste from other middle eastern gods from that era (check out zoraster and krishna). I believe people follow gods so that they have comfort in the face of the unknown, and if that’s the case, more power to you and yours, I wouldn’t deny anyone that.

That said, I think other than 1 person, we all understood the well wishes, and we certainly hope you and Scott have a GREAT year. I’m a bit pedantic, I always point out the flaws, because that is my job. I make things work, and I do it by finding out first what doesn’t. It’s perfect for my nature, but unfortunately, it’s not conducive to cognitive dissonance, which is pretty much a necessity for religion.

By: Crystal

Crystal — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 02:35:57 +0000

I personally love and respect my husband’s position and faith. Like Scott, I respect everyone’s views, even if they differ from mine. In my mind, that is what being a Christian is all about. I can love everyone, even if I disagree with their views and or their religion. Reading this string of comments on what was supposed to simply be a well wish to everyone to have a Merry Christmas, I am reminded of these lyrics by Nicole Nordeman:

What if you’re right?
And he was just another nice guy
What if you’re right?
What if it’s true?
They say the cross will only make a fool of you
And what if it’s true?

What if he takes his place in history
With all the prophets and the kings
Who taught us love and came in peace
But then the story ends
What then?

But what if you’re wrong?
What if there’s more?
What if there’s hope you never dreamed of hoping for?
What if you jump?
And just close your eyes?
What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise?
What if He’s more than enough?
What if it’s love?

So, I leave you with this…what harm is done if I’m wrong? I lived a life that was positive and helped others and while not perfect, I do try to be a good person that lives a pure life. Now, what if you’re wrong? Clearly, we’re not all right. I’m OK if I’m wrong.

By: william bishop

william bishop — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 20:01:41 +0000

Agreed, I’ve found that the bible itself is the best source for creating agnostics and atheists….

BTW, I’m yanking your beard now Adam. Hopefully you will take it as the good natured joshing it is (though I do hope of course that enlightenment will always add to it’s members–but I hold no ill will towards the followers of any religion, they are all equally interesting to me.)

By: Adam Gross

Adam Gross — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 17:26:21 +0000

Just ran across your blog and I wanted to say that it’s cool to see a Christian who’s out there in the tech community representing his beliefs. Of course there will always be people out there who want to trash your beliefs, but that’s more their problem than yours. And I’m not sure if you want to waste your time with Bart Ehrman’s stuff, like the other guy suggested. We used some of his books as our “textbooks” at religion classes at the University of Michigan and although it was interesting as a case study in what some influential people believe, it certainly was horribly slanted and at various times completely off base.

By: slowe

slowe — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 05:06:38 +0000

Well said, William.

By: william bishop

william bishop — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 04:48:12 +0000

BTW, that comment was aimed at “I know how to read”, not at scott. There are some people who know how to read, but in fact do not do so, and so they go off half-cocked, and end up shooting themselves in the buttocks in a fit of apoplexy.

By: william bishop

william bishop — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 04:46:25 +0000

Dude, lay off. I mentioned a correction or two to the knowledgebase, he read and remarked it. He did not jump up and down, have a fit, or go off into an apologist frenzy because I pointed to contradictions in his religion. I only mentioned it in passing, which was all it deserved. It is not the main focus of Scott’s site, and should not be separated, because 99% of the content is technical.

Scott’s right, if you don’t like something, or disagree, mention it, but don’t be rude about it. It’s religion, there’s room for discussion without getting your knickers in a twist. He’s just trying to be polite and offer well wishes, I’m just trying to tweak his hair a bit, and we move on, courteous and content with the way the world is around us.

Take a chill pill, and relax. It’s his, and billions of other people’s choices what they believe or don’t believe in. Most people know I’m an atheist, but I’m not militant. Militant behaviour is for the nutjobs who go around killing themselves and others…is that what you want to be a part of? Look up the definition of manners. Now, let’s keep up our christmas cheer (not a dirty word), raise a pint to my friend scott, and everyone else on the planet and hope that this year brings in more empathy and concern for everyone. I’ll see your solstice and raise you a happy saturnalia, as would yeshua ha nostri if he were here! Peace on earth, and a cheer with beer!

By: slowe

slowe — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 03:41:53 +0000

A few clarifications:

1. I was not proclaiming what I believe as “fact”; as I said earlier, my post was simply a declaration of my beliefs.

2. At no point did I say that you “must accept” my statements. If you don’t believe in my statements, or if you disagree with my statements, that’s fine. You are welcome to believe what you want, just as I am.

3. Your comment wasn’t about my belief system, it was about me. Perhaps you didn’t understand how your words would come across, but questioning someone’s professional ability because of a difference in religious beliefs hardly seems like the courteous way to handle the situation.

I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt in that you didn’t understand how your comment would come across, and that your intent was really just to point out some additional resources that you find pertinent in supporting your beliefs. if that is the case, then I appreciate you sharing your information.

If, on the other hand, your intent was to imply that because I believe in God and in the Bible that my technical skill or savvy are somehow questionable, then I’ll kindly ask you to refrain from making personal comments such as that in the future.

In either case, I don’t plan to censor my religious statements here, and if that means that I lose a reader as a result, then so be it. I’m sorry that you couldn’t see past the religious differences.