Ethics of Giving My Sister "The God Delusion" or a similar book for her confirmation

[Rust]

Originally Posted by Midge

Apparently, he would accept it graciously, thank them and not say a word about it.

Wouldn't you? Would you really be upset if your cousin/sister sent you a book? if you would have a problem, then either you're really fucking sensitive, or you have a pretty fucked up relationship with your family.

[Proots]

Originally Posted by Rust

Wouldn't you? Would you really be upset if your cousin/sister sent you a book? if you would have a problem, then either you're really fucking sensitive, or you have a pretty fucked up relationship with your family.

If it was done as to deliberately question my beliefs, I wouldn't get angry at them, but I would thank them and ask them why they felt it was necessary. I'm not afraid to communicate with my family.

I'm sorry, I don't know you - so it's really all assumptions. But, I find it really, really hard to believe, that if a family member who was very religious, kept giving you religious text books that you wouldn't say a single word outside of "thank you" to them about it.

If that's all you would say, then you're a coward.

[Rust]

Originally Posted by Midge

I'm sorry, I don't know you - so it's really all assumptions. But, I find it really, really hard to believe, that if a family member who was very religious, kept giving you religious text books that you wouldn't say a single word outside of "thank you" to them about it.

If that's all you would say, then you're a coward.

Kept giving me books? Where are you pulling this from? Who said anything about "keep giving her/him books"? You're changing what is being said in the OP and in this example.

If someone kept sending me books then sure, I would say something about it. I would ask them to stop or at least ask them why they were doing it. I still wouldn't get angry about it so long as it was being done politely.

But again, that's not the case here. There are no multiple books over multiple cases. There is one book. A gift.

[Proots]

Originally Posted by Rust

Kept giving me books? Where are you pulling this from? Who said anything about "keep giving her/him books"? You're changing what is being said in the OP and in this example.

If someone kept sending me books then sure, I would say something about it. I would ask them to stop or at least ask them why they were doing it. I still wouldn't get angry about it so long as it was being done politely.

But again, that's not the case here. There are no multiple books over multiple cases. There is one book. A gift.

So, if a relative who you know is religious - who knows very well that you're not religious gave you the Bible for Christmas, you wouldn't take that to mean anything at all? You wouldn't say a word?

[Rust]

Originally Posted by Midge

So, if a relative who you know is religious - who knows very well that you're not religious gave you the Bible for Christmas, you wouldn't take that to mean anything at all? You wouldn't say a word?

Haven't I answered this already?

Of course I'd take it to mean something. Clearly they disagree with my position and are interesting in me reading about their side of the argument.

But so long as they handled it politely (e.g. without saying "You're going to hell, you're a heathen" blah blah blah) I would politely say thank you, put it in my bookshelf and that's it.

Why would I get angry or upset about that?

[Proots]

Originally Posted by Rust

Haven't I answered this already?

Of course I'd take it to mean something. Clearly they disagree with my position and are interesting in me reading about their side of the argument.

But so long as they handled it politely (e.g. without saying "You're going to hell, you're a heathen" blah blah blah) I would politely say thank you, put it in my bookshelf and that's it.

Why would I get angry or upset about that?

You're a liar! For shame! SHAME! FOR SHAME!

[neon]

this process of highlighting the illogical nature of her belief system, even though it's just religion, throwing it in her face, and painting her judeo-xtian beliefs in a bad light just seems doomed to failure to me. work around this defect, maybe start with a soft science book, then steer her towards maybe something a little more meaningful, perhaps a philosophy-lite popular text. but then again we live in a dangerous world, any sort of belief system is better than nothing.

[The Pat-Man]

Originally Posted by neon

this process of highlighting the illogical nature of her belief system, even though it's just religion, throwing it in her face, and painting her judeo-xtian beliefs in a bad light just seems doomed to failure to me. work around this defect, maybe start with a soft science book, then steer her towards maybe something a little more meaningful, perhaps a philosophy-lite popular text. but then again we live in a dangerous world, any sort of belief system is better than nothing.

and so the the thread ended, for shame.

['Ed Rush]

Originally Posted by Rust

Why? My points have been on-topic and they've addressed the ridiculous reasons given here for not going through with the simple act of giving her sister a book and a kind letter.

Don't like the way I post? Who gives a shit?

I know you don't give a shit. Don't like my advice? Who gives a shit?

Don't dissapoint me bro, latch onto something in my reply and let's break our conversation down to the nano-level. Let's turn this thread into a debate on semantics instead of obvious context....oh wait...

[Obbe]

Originally Posted by Rust

But so long as they handled it politely (e.g. without saying "You're going to hell, you're a heathen" blah blah blah) I would politely say thank you, put it in my bookshelf and that's it.

What if they were arrogant? Would that put a little sand in your vagina?

[Irukanji]

Originally Posted by ArmsMerchant

So, what you are saying is, your mind is made up and you do not wish to be confused with facts?

Fact is, there are numerous thoughtful and intelligent posts in this thread.

No, actually. I addressed the OP, in OP's thread, without regard to the rest of the typical replies when somebody wants to do something which differs from the norm.

I can say with certainty that most of the thread is 2 groups of people taking a different stances and preaching at each other that theirs is right because of X.(X being whatever is suitable to reply with).

Plus, from the 2 posts above mine, I have came to these conculsions;

1. Rust is getting trolled, again.
2. The thread is derailed from the main topic.

So, in regards to 2, "What is the main topic?". Simple. The main topic is the "Ethics of giving my sister a copy of 'The God Delusion' and/or a similar book". People have taken it unto themselves to become butthurt by this gesture, when it is clear he is trying to save his sister from the mental trap that is religion. People frequently turn to religion when they realise the majority of science is harder than any of the Bible. Long story short;

People choose religion because it is easy, requires no mental input to look past the good looking facade, and keeps them in a false state of happiness.

""OH NOES, NUMBERS, BETTER GO AND READ THE BIBLE. Hey this fairy tale is alright, it reminds me of Harry Potter but I can't read that anymore because of magic and shit, so I'll just read this new book also full of magic and paranormal shit but I can't read the other one because of magic and paranormal shit"

Perfect logic, amirite?

[Captain Falcon]

[Rust]

Originally Posted by 'Ed Rush

Don't dissapoint me bro, latch onto something in my reply and let's break our conversation down to the nano-level. Let's turn this thread into a debate on semantics instead of obvious context....oh wait...

Well you surely didn't disappoint here; predictably you trotted out the semantics card when nobody has debated semantics in this thread.

[Rust]

Originally Posted by Obbe

What if they were arrogant? Would that put a little sand in your vagina?

Maybe a grain or two, sure. Why? Did the OP say he was going to be arrogant to his sister?

[Obbe]

Originally Posted by Rust

Maybe a grain or two, sure. Why? Did the OP say he was going to be arrogant to his sister?

No, I just find it ironic that such an arrogant person (you) cares at all about being polite. Why would it put sand in your vagina? Why should it matter how polite or rude they are?

[Rust]

Originally Posted by Obbe

No, I just find it ironic that such an arrogant person (you) cares at all about being polite. Why would it put sand in your vagina? Why should it matter how polite or rude they are?

Yeah, this thread isn't about me Obbe. Stop trying to derail with with your trolling. Do you have something to say about giving someone a card and a book, or not?

[Obbe]

Sure, I actually have a question to ask. Why does it matter how the person giving the book acts? I mean, if the book is correct, isn't that enough? You said that if the person giving the book isn't polite, it could put sand in the other persons vagina. Why would it? What did you mean?

[Proots]

Originally Posted by Obbe

Sure, I actually have a question to ask. Why does it matter how the person giving the book acts? I mean, if the book is correct, isn't that enough? You said that if the person giving the book isn't polite, it could put sand in the other persons vagina. Why would it? What did you mean?

Because, then that would make it a spiteful jab, not a loving gift.

[Rust]

Originally Posted by Obbe

Sure, I actually have a question to ask. Why does it matter how the person giving the book acts?

Isn't it obvious? If the OP wants to both not offend his sister while at the same time give her information about atheism, then how would it not make sense (or "matter") to be polite? By being polite he's likely to give her the information (i.e. book) while at the same time minimizing the risk of offending her.

[Obbe]

The motivation behind arrogance is less obvious.

[Rust]

Originally Posted by Obbe

The motivation behind arrogance is less obvious.

The OP wasn't planning on being arrogant; he explicitly stated that he was planning on writing a card/letter that was not condescending and nice.

[Kwinnie Bogan]

This doesnt mean that the actions he planned weren't misguided or inappropriate, though - and that's in the same context of his intial preposition. What are you debating?

[Rust]

Originally Posted by Kwinnie Bogan

This doesnt mean that the actions he planned weren't misguided or inappropriate, though - and that's in the same context of his intial preposition. What are you debating?

I still don't see how it is misguided and inappropriate to give a gift to your sister with a nice card that is not condescending.

I agree that it may have the potential of offending here if he handles it badly, but if he already said he's going to try to handle it as politely as possible, what's the problem?

[Obbe]

Originally Posted by Rust

if he already said he's going to try to handle it as politely as possible, what's the problem?

He seems to be worried that it may hurt her anyways.

[Rust]

Originally Posted by Obbe

He seems to be worried that it may hurt her anyways.

I presume that's why he asked for advice, and advice was given that seems to minimize that chance.

[billybob]

it's her choice bro, it's not like she couldn't go pick up that book/a similar book by herself. It's not your call. If you wanted to give some practical advice based on your own experiences to help her through a rough spot, that'd be good. If you think her beliefs are bullshit and she ought to think like you do, you're probably on the wrong track.

[Obbe]

It may hurt her regardless of how he handles it. His very instinct that it may hurt her that drove him to create this thread leads me to believe that on some level, it will hurt her.

I dunno Rust. I'm haven't always been there for my family. We've been through rough times, I haven't always gotten along with my siblings. And sometimes I regret that. But talking helps a lot, and sometimes people don't always want to talk and you have to troll them into talking, but it does help and I think it's a lot better then giving her a cold hard book. How would she receive that? I dunno. Neither do you. But I do, honestly feel that having an actual conversation with his sister would be a way better way to express his opinion. Maybe taking her camping, sitting around the campfire and talking about The Big Questions and the Big Picture. And maybe he wouldn't just teach her about the flaws of religion, maybe he would learn a little something too, about why his sister feels the way she does.

Maybe he wouldn't. I don't know. But I do feel that actually talking to her about it, as scary as that may sound, is a much more brotherly gift than a cold book.

[giggling stoner]

Just give her a copy of God Hates Us All by Slayer

[i poop in your cereal]

I ended up pussing out and got hear the complete hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy instead. To be honest I think it might be even more effective than one of those more kinda of in your face atheism pushers.

[Struwwelpeter]

lol & "ethics"

lol & the word "ethics"

lol & gay ass fucking "ic" suffix words

[p6867]

The god delusion isn't really an in your face atheism pusher. it's just an examination of the evolutionary history and benefits of faith that also discredits many myths on those 2 topics. Hitchhikers guide is awesome though.

Also good call on not using your sisters confirmation and your families happy our girl is growing up day to make some kind of stand. Shit like that is a dick move and you would have regretted it.

[Shrike]

Religion in general is pretty retarded, though I think western Christianity is among the most boring and tedious of religions ever. You get to pray on your knees every day to some disapproving old guy and live a completely boring and dull pious life, and shit all over anyone having any fun.

If I was going to be religious, I would much rather it be a religion with an interesting mythology and belief system, mainly ones with pantheons of gods like the Nordic or Greek religions. Except if you actually believed and practiced one of those religions in current western society, people would think you were a crazy hippy.