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One of my best friends proudly calls himself a catholic. We sometimes debate issues of religion and he come across as being more assertive/self-assured/arrogant. This causes me to feel a bit frustrated that my arguments are not heard or considered. His is the usual ‘something rather than nothing’ point of view and I think he wants to cling to a childish notion of heaven due to a great tragedy that occured in his childhood. He sent me a text message on Christmas morning saying ‘Jesus loves you!’. What a peculiar thing to say! What would you say to someone who proclaims such a thing? I considered it an unnecessary statement and while I know that he was just being playful and cheeky, I gave him no retaliation (only a simple ‘merry christmas’). Just a little anecdote about my Christmas experience which was an otherwise lovely time spent with family.
Your friend is not smart and because of this his brain does not allow him to comprehend complex issues nor does he care to listen to them if he is arrogant and self assured about religion. So do not get frustrated with him. He can become more intelligent with patience and wisdom though. Then he can understand the given issues.
Your friend is not smart and because of this his brain does not allow him to comprehend complex issues nor does he care to listen to them if he is arrogant and self assured about religion. So do not get frustrated with him. He can become more intelligent with patience and wisdom though. Then he can understand the given issues.
I would not assume that a person is not smart simply because they have a set of religious beliefs. Isaac Newton, for example, was a believer. The OP’s friend could indeed be ‘not smart’, but, it hasn’t really been demonstrated one way or the other yet.
Your friend is not smart and because of this his brain does not allow him to comprehend complex issues nor does he care to listen to them if he is arrogant and self assured about religion. So do not get frustrated with him. He can become more intelligent with patience and wisdom though. Then he can understand the given issues.
I would not assume that a person is not smart simply because they have a set of religious beliefs. Isaac Newton, for example, was a believer. The OP’s friend could indeed be ‘not smart’, but, it hasn’t really been demonstrated one way or the other yet.
Newton could of been smarter. Meanwhile his friend is not Newton.
I actually consider my friend to be quite intelligent, especially where matters of politics, history and musicianship are concerned. He often enlightens me in these areas and we are good friends who laugh a lot together. I am just curious as to what others might say in response to a statement like’Jesus loves you’. What sort of response was he hoping for and what sort should be given?
While it is true in principle that anyone, Newton included, could become a bit better at processing information and become a little smarter, I would be at a loss to point to someone of that era that would notice that Newton had become smarter. You could have placed him in any room on the planet at that time and he would have been the smartest person in it. My point was merely that it is a mistake to assume that someone that is a believer is also stupid. I know many believers that are dumber than a coal bucket. I was born and raised in Texas, and have lived here all of my life. One thing that we have in ample supply around here, and are never at risk of running out of, is stupid, stupid believers. But, they aren’t all stupid. The only information that I have concerning the original poster’s friend is that he is apparently christian, is said to be pretty bright, and by inference, he is a musician and does not mind reading a book occasionally. None of this says ‘automatically an idiot’ to me, but, all I have to go on is the testimony of one person, which I also don’t know.
As far as how to respond to something like Jesus loves you goes, I really don’t know enough about either one of you to recommend anything. I do know that I would have a spontaneous response to something like that, but, the form of the response would depend on a few variables, such as how much I like the person, how well I know them, and how much, if any, I mind angering them.
Eh, everyone thinks everyone is intelligent now a days. I hear that word getting thrown around a lot.
Do you consider yourself intelligent, Daniel and what are your reasons for believing so? Perhaps what you are hearing are comments on your lack thereof. Have you heard the words ‘rude’ or ‘cunt’ getting thrown around much lately?
Okay, consider this hypothetical situation. You are strolling down Main Street when you approach a smiling stranger who engages eye contact and says ‘Jesus loves you’. Given that this friendly looking person seems eager to elaborate on their comment and you are in no hurry, do you enter a discussion or question them on their intentions? If so, what would you ask them or what would you tell them? Should this type of person be ignored? I find it interesting that some people feel compelled to include others in their superstitions/delusions.
Eh, everyone thinks everyone is intelligent now a days. I hear that word getting thrown around a lot.
Do you consider yourself intelligent, Daniel and what are your reasons for believing so? Perhaps what you are hearing are comments on your lack thereof. Have you heard the words ‘rude’ or ‘cunt’ getting thrown around much lately?
Eh, everyone thinks everyone is intelligent now a days. I hear that word getting thrown around a lot.
Do you consider yourself intelligent, Daniel and what are your reasons for believing so? Perhaps what you are hearing are comments on your lack thereof. Have you heard the words ‘rude’ or ‘cunt’ getting thrown around much lately?
Yes and my reason is my reason.
Fair enough. Oh and excuse my harsh language but I couldn’t resist. I appreciate your involvement.
Okay, consider this hypothetical situation. You are strolling down Main Street when you approach a smiling stranger who engages eye contact and says ‘Jesus loves you’. Given that this friendly looking person seems eager to elaborate on their comment and you are in no hurry, do you enter a discussion or question them on their intentions? If so, what would you ask them or what would you tell them? Should this type of person be ignored? I find it interesting that some people feel compelled to include others in their superstitions/delusions.
Jesus loves you!
1. Not any more. Haven’t you heard? We’ve split up.
2. Does he? But that’s silly - he doesn’t even know me.
3. Yes, I know. But don’t go telling everyone. He’s still in the closet you know. His mother would disown him if she found out.
4. Damn! Still hanging around is he? Don’t know what else I can do to get rid of that guy.
Die fröhliche Wissenschaft (Rob) - 01 January 2012 09:22 PM
cunjevoi - 01 January 2012 08:47 PM
Okay, consider this hypothetical situation. You are strolling down Main Street when you approach a smiling stranger who engages eye contact and says ‘Jesus loves you’. Given that this friendly looking person seems eager to elaborate on their comment and you are in no hurry, do you enter a discussion or question them on their intentions? If so, what would you ask them or what would you tell them? Should this type of person be ignored? I find it interesting that some people feel compelled to include others in their superstitions/delusions.
Jesus loves you!
1. Not any more. Haven’t you heard? We’ve split up.
2. Does he? But that’s silly - he doesn’t even know me.
3. Yes, I know. But don’t go telling everyone. He’s still in the closet you know. His mother would disown him if she found out.
4. Damn! Still hanging around is he? Don’t know what else I can do to get rid of that guy.
Etc
Those were great Rob! Yes, taking the “Jesus love” in a homosexual context can really open the discussion to some wonderful responses. If the one saying it is a man, you can always say something like “And I suppose he loves you too, the bastard!” or “Sure he does, but how is he at giving head?” or “I know but I’m breaking up with him anyway!”
