Mocking and Ridicule of Fundies

I'm a frequent contributor to news-site comment pages. Namely, news-sites who post stories on subjects I care about. Here is a recent one I've flogged in several places: FCKH8

When I first started patrolling comment boxes looking for the latest bigot or intellectually dishonest person to correct, I would try my best to remain civil, to state my case in a solid manner hoping they would see the "light" or, in the least, to show a different side and give rise to an honest discussion.

This never really works... ever.

A holocaust denier bringing up his views in a job interview would be a really bad idea. This is because, not only will they not be taken seriously, but they will open themselves to harsh ridicule. Statements based on blind religious fundamentalism should be held to the same critical standard. When people say stupid shit because of their religion, I now feel the need to point out that their unfounded claims are going to encounter serious scrutiny. And, if I can find a spot, I'm going to let the jabs fly.

From my most recent exchange:
Dave - "It isn't surprising that gays are intolerant & hateful."
Me - "It isn't surprising that Christians are intolerant & hateful."
See what I did there? Your just spouting silly retoric without justification.
Where did you get your incredibly bad reasoning skills? ... They were making FUN of christian bigotry and closemindednes... The only intolerant & hateful people in this argument are those who spread lies and hate in order to press their own beliefs on others."
Dave -"By your actions, you're supporting what I've said.
Me - "Umm, nothing [I] said proved your above statement. You said "hateful & intolerant" and your point is still dumb and unfounded. What you can assert however, is that we are resorting to mockery and ridicule which, anti gay groups deserve when they spout their bigotry. Half the fun is making points the other half is mocking you small minded fundies while having a good laugh at your expense. Just like we do against racists or sexists, yes we compare you to them."

Now, I don't know if this guy was a Christian or not. But I didn't care. He had said "homos" are hateful for w/e the fuck reason and I felt like laying into him. I personally didn't care if I changed his mind. Asking someone such as this to change their minds is like asking my dog to do the dishes... They will approach it with the exact same level of comprehension. Mostly I am aiming to change the minds of others reading our exchange. Hopefully, some other fundie read it and it altered their point of view or made them think.  Hopefully? Maybe that one person was going to post something similar, but now sees that it will only lead to people like me mocking their stupid beliefs. I can only hope it did.

Offending Religious Sentiment

Here in America you can be charged with a crime if you impersonate a government official.  And It matters weather or not you were just making fun of the type of official, (that would be a freedom of speech violation) unless you tried to get special treatment to attempt illegal shit while doing so. Which makes sense, and its purpose has nothing to do with possibly offending any officials. But for some reason in Maltese Nine people might be charge with a crime. The same type of charge we have here...but it extends to church and religious officials. Why? Seriously, why?

the behavior was “not simply a case of people dressing up as Christ or the saints” but more a question of public indecency and offending religious sentiment.

Offending your religious sentiment? What about your religion offending and completely disregarding gay sentiment? What about verses in your bible calling for the death of homosexuals? What about unequal rights for women all over the world? What about its advocation of slavery, stoning, genocide and technological deceleration? No, you don't deserve a "don't pick on me" card. As long as you get your morals from a book that leads to and advocates beliefs that keep society from evolving and making itself better you will be mocked...and I will laugh.

P.S. Tim Minchin doesn't like the Pope.

I apologize for being an ignorant twat all those years ago.

This is via a recent facebook note I put up. Content pending, I'll be equally sharing all posts here with my facebook notes.

A common occurrence I've seen among "enlightened" people, including some of my favorite philosophers, is a public apology for any transgressions that may have occurred at a time in their life when they "had all the answers".  This is my "oh shit, sorry" letter.

I apologize:



To gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people:  When I was younger I preached your hearts were filled with gross perversions and it was through your own free will and sin that you were gay.  I participated in "Cure the Gays" prayer circles.  I stood by as ridicule and hate were spewed from people I chose to look up to or call my friends, even if I felt it was wrong. I was told it was God's will, which is much more important than ours. I shamefully passed down these horrible points of view to younger generations of youth and I sincerely hope that they see reason now after my unsubstantiated bigotry.  I apologize for signing multiple petitions to prohibit gay marriage and suppress gay rights.  I deeply apologize for saying these things with no rational justification what-so-ever.

To Non-Christians and atheists:
I ridiculed or tried to convert on mission trips.  I was once pig-headed enough to think that my reasons for believing in something were better than anyone else's... they aren't.  I was confused and it never truly occurred to me why I disapproved of other peoples gods. If I had ever stopped to think about it, I would have realized why they don't believe in mine*. I'm sorry I said that you are going to hell to be tortured forever. That was bullshit. (put simply)  I now find it morally reprehensible to assert that someone disserves anything of the sort for simply holding different beliefs under the same evidence as I hold mine and I refuse to put any stock in a God who would do something even close to that.

To the Wiccan girl who was made fun of by my friends and me for an entire school semester while adults did nothing to shut us up:  We inflicted upon her a mental torture that some kids experience, but not for that length of time without any outside help.  I very deeply regret the stupid and ignorant things that were said.  I realize this technically fits into the apology above, but I'm convinced it deserves its own space due to its content.

For not investing more time and money into worthwhile charity work:  I've spent most of my life tending to the comforts of my own mental and physical state.  Since my college days, after all my comforts have been taken care of on a weekly basis, there has been plenty of either money or time to spare.  I give myself no real excuses and will strive to give more of my excesses to those who cannot provide themselves simple comforts.

For allowing and accepting sexual repression in various forms including women's rights:  I'm sorry for signing a petition to stop funding for Planned Parenthood. I'm sorry for aiding the struggle to encourage young men to feel ashamed for masturbating.  Making someone feel sick inside for doing something so natural (even more awesome when done with a partner) I am ashamed of.

I'm truly sorry.  I once thought it was a good thing for the world to push my own beliefs, I now view as dangerous, unto others.  I wasn't making the world a better place, I was making it a bitter hate-full place and being a bigoted douche' bag while I was at it.  It is now my prerogative to ensure that "my" absolute certainties of belief and faith are replaced with reason, logic, facts and sound moral thought.

From Craig to Dawkins, from Buddha to Nietzsche, from The Bible to The Koran, they all point out some of the very same simple facts:  I am born, I live (for a short while), then I die and what I do during life is extremely important.  For me it is deciding that my importance in this life is to chase knowledge in all its forms while helping all others in their chase of life and liberty.

From the pinnacle of my intelligence (from the bottom of my heart is to imply
I think with my feelings, which I no longer do) I apologize.

Sincerely,
JoeNavy