Maddie Posted December 13, 2023 Ok think I'm done here. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wandelaar Posted December 13, 2023 10 hours ago, Sanity Check said: Discussion has always been something I'm good at. It comes easy to me. What is hard is improving in areas where I struggle. Strengthening weak links in the chain. I think most can relate to this. Your problem might be that you are incapable (or more likely unwilling) to recognize in what areas you struggle. Debating without allowing for the option that you might be wrong on this or that is not a sign of strength. It might however allow you to pose as a winner, which speaks to those who are into the whole cult of personality thing. This is not the road that was taken by either the philosophical Taoists or the early Christians. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maddie Posted December 13, 2023 1 hour ago, wandelaar said: Your problem might be that you are incapable (or more likely unwilling) to recognize in what areas you struggle. Debating without allowing for the option that you might be wrong on this or that is not a sign of strength. It might however allow you to pose as a winner, which speaks to those who are into the whole cult of personality thing. This is not the road that was taken by either the philosophical Taoists or the early Christians. It's easy to "win" your own game if you're both the participant and the referee. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wandelaar Posted December 13, 2023 (edited) 19 hours ago, Sanity Check said: Discussion might be considered a form of brain competition. It's perfectly possible to "win" a discussion by stubbornly engaging in endless lying and/or by using fallacies and debating tricks. The former method needs hardly any brains at all, while the latter only needs some tactical insight. Discussions that are engaged in as such a form of brain competition seldom lead to improved understanding of either party. It's a game for inflated egos and unscrupulous politicians. Quote If you favor ignoring me and avoiding discussion. Aren't you proving me right, when I say atheists do not like to compete? No - if one cares to actually learn something by having a discussion (instead of just "winning") than one will carefully choose with whom one will have a discussion and with whom one doesn't. On the old Original Dao forum there were lots of decent right-wing members with whom one could have interesting discussions. Thus it's not a question of political position, but rather of mutual respect and concern for careful and factually based argumentation. Loosing in such a discussion will actually constitute a win in understanding, and thus would be nothing to be ashamed of. This is the complete opposite of discussing as a form of brain competition. Serious people will avoid the latter, except maybe occasionally when in a playful mood or to train one's tolerance for stupidity. Edited December 13, 2023 by wandelaar 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Master Logray Posted December 13, 2023 17 hours ago, Cobie said: Please sit down as this may come as a shock to you. The USA is not the world. From 2000 to the present, the global Christian population increased at 1.18% , atheists 0.29%. Is it due to population growth? The market share seems to be a better guide. @Sanity Check Why was the question involve China in the first place? I wonder people at the time of Jesus and before even knew China exist? 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sanity Check Posted December 13, 2023 (edited) 31 minutes ago, Master Logray said: @Sanity Check Why was the question involve China in the first place? I wonder people at the time of Jesus and before even knew China exist? When I first began learning about taoism. I realized there were many things in taoism that were virtually identical to christian teachings. With phrasing and words being slightly different. This isn't the best example but I did make at least one prior thread about this: After realizing this I began trying to interpret verses in the bible within taoist frameworks to see if relevant meanings could be contained in the words that had been missed due to translators not connecting ancient christian mysticism with eastern traditions. I didn't put much time or effort into this. But my initial findings are that some of the prophecy in the bible could refer to china and cultivation practices. Many others have also reached similar conclusions. The internet has been spammed with youtube clips and articles from around 2018 onwards. Although it seems they're contained within a bubble where you have to reach the conclusion & search for it to find them easily. I don't think its important. Its not like the average person cares about preventing disasters or what the real facts are. The number of people who care about things like truth are very small. I thought maybe there might be a few here who cared but the responses I received so far say no one does. And that's fine, I respect the choice. Edited December 13, 2023 by Sanity Check Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cobie Posted December 13, 2023 (edited) 2 hours ago, Master Logray said: Is it due to population growth? The market share seems to be a better guide. The figures I quoted are the “market share”.https://goodfaithmedia.org/global-christian-population-projected-to-reach-3-3-billion-by-2050/ Edited December 13, 2023 by Cobie Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nungali Posted December 13, 2023 23 hours ago, Sanity Check said: Its the observed precedent in terms of history. Christians favor competition. They have faith God will give them the strength to compete. This is why christians are fans not only of MMA but also things like capitalism which reinforce market competition. Atheists by contrast favor non competition. They don't like the idea of competing against others in sports, business or elsewhere. This is their motive for being the biggest supporters of trends like socialism which take from those best at competing to give rewards to those who are least competitive. Like communist atheist countries dont strive for a medal count in the Olympics ? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nungali Posted December 13, 2023 23 hours ago, Sanity Check said: The scientific approach would be to propose a better explanation than the one I offered for observed historical trends like christians being mma fans/capitalists while atheists trend towards mma haters/socialism. But sure, if you like that better, why not. The scientific approach would be to cite the Bible passages in the first place . You state no initial facts or references and now you want a 'scientific approach ' to something that is 'in there ...its in the Bible , but I won't say where . " ??? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nungali Posted December 13, 2023 8 hours ago, Maddie said: It's easy to "win" your own game if you're both the participant and the referee. Dont be harsh Maddie ... after all , it only Homer Simpson 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nungali Posted December 13, 2023 Christians in MMA ^ ridiculous , Jesus could not tap because ... well, his hands where rather preoccupied . besides , it was more a call out to the corner and the manager ; 'Why are not you guys not throwing in the towel ?! ' or 'My father why have you forsaken me ? ' Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wandelaar Posted December 13, 2023 Where in the New Testament does it say that competing in Sport Tournaments and getting rich and famous by competing in business occupations are worthy goals? The path proposed by Jesus seems rather antithetical to all that. But let me know if I'm wrong by supplying some relevant NT quotes. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cobie Posted December 13, 2023 (edited) 5 hours ago, Master Logray said: … I wonder people at the time of Jesus and before even knew China exist? There always was an exchange of ideas through the Silk Road. It connected the East and the West (Europe) starting from the Han dynasty 130 B.C.E. (until the Ottoman empire closed it in the 15th century). Edited December 13, 2023 by Cobie 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sanity Check Posted December 13, 2023 1 hour ago, wandelaar said: Where in the New Testament does it say that competing in Sport Tournaments and getting rich and famous by competing in business occupations are worthy goals? The path proposed by Jesus seems rather antithetical to all that. But let me know if I'm wrong by supplying some relevant NT quotes. Jon Jones has a tattoo on his chest that may answer this question. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." -Philippians 4:13 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sanity Check Posted December 13, 2023 (edited) 2 hours ago, Nungali said: The scientific approach would be to cite the Bible passages in the first place . It would be rude if people do not want to be exposed to such things. Some love truth & knowledge. They know it can be used to make better choices and elevate standard of living. Others hate truth and knowledge. They are offended by it. Knowing your demographics can be useful in this day and age. Edited December 13, 2023 by Sanity Check 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sanity Check Posted December 13, 2023 1 hour ago, Nungali said: Christians in MMA ^ ridiculous , Jesus could not tap because ... well, his hands where rather preoccupied . besides , it was more a call out to the corner and the manager ; 'Why are not you guys not throwing in the towel ?! ' or 'My father why have you forsaken me ? ' Mmhmm. This used to be a very common joke in the years 2000 to 2007. Digging up the classics, are we? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wandelaar Posted December 14, 2023 @Sanity Check More irrelevant nonsense. I'm gone, you win. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChiDragon Posted December 14, 2023 On 12/12/2023 at 4:58 PM, Maddie said: Ok think I'm done here. 1 minute ago, wandelaar said: @Sanity Check More irrelevant nonsense. I'm gone, you win. Two down, more to go! 1 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sanity Check Posted December 14, 2023 (edited) 1 hour ago, wandelaar said: @Sanity Check More irrelevant nonsense. I'm gone, you win. Its the response you deserve for asking unreasonably broad questions outside the scope of the discussion. To avoid a burden of proof present in validating your own stance. Edited December 14, 2023 by Sanity Check 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sanity Check Posted December 14, 2023 (edited) 1 hour ago, ChiDragon said: Two down, more to go! It doesn't matter. There is a lot that can be known about people from their responses. This thread and its result change nothing, that was not already known, before the thread was made. Edited December 14, 2023 by Sanity Check 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nungali Posted December 14, 2023 19 hours ago, Sanity Check said: Mmhmm. This used to be a very common joke in the years 2000 to 2007. Digging up the classics, are we? yes ... here is another one . I was asked not to tell my bad jokes at a lunch I was invited to . We had potato salad . I asked my host if she ever made baked potato salad . She said she liked it but no she did not make it as she did not now how to dress that type of potato salad . I offered " No need to .... just ...... " wait for it " ..... leave the jackets on the potatoes . " Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nungali Posted December 14, 2023 17 hours ago, Sanity Check said: Its the response you deserve for asking unreasonably broad questions outside the scope of the discussion. To avoid a burden of proof present in validating your own stance. Ummmmm .... " There is more than one prophecy in the christian bible. Which might predict the fate and future of current era china.I won't explicitly name them." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nungali Posted December 14, 2023 I knew this " Abrahamic Religious discussion'' forum was going to 'pay off' . 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cobie Posted January 9 On 12/12/2023 at 11:48 PM, Sanity Check said: … baptized within the christian faith … Shia LaBoeouf converted to Catholicism https://www.timesofisrael.com/jewish-born-actor-shia-labeouf-converts-to-catholicism-intends-to-become-deacon/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
