Association of your values with Devil / Satan: is it offensive?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Geez, are you the same poster who went on and on about feeling duped by that Shen Yun show? Atheist here, and I think you need to get a grip and let it go. Who the heck cares whether your belief system is associated with the devil in some people’s religions? Since I don’t believe in it, whatever, it’s like being associated with the tooth fairy or something.

They 100% are. And for those that are confused, no one in OP’s thread in the Entertainment forum said he didn’t have morals. You do not need to be religious to have morals. Otherwise we wouldn’t have millions of stories of religious men acting without morals.

Thank you for admitting the bolded part. I never claimed anything about what was said on the other thread. I just wanted to separate this discussion from that thread because there were several people saying that atheists should not be offended by any association with the Devil (because the Devil doesn't exist for them). It happens that I personally don't agree with that line of thought.

DP. From a religious point of view, your morals are meaningless. They likely have a teological origin rooted in observations and outcomes. In most, I hesitate to say all because I am not familiar with every religion, morals are derived from a divine source, either through enlightenment or direct communication with their Supreme Being. This deontological origin is troubling to some, because there is no why. It's just the rules that your religion asks you to follow. From a religious point of view, if your morals don't come from God, the only other choice is the hubris of man. To believe you can know the mind of God is sacrilegious in many religions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s not the association with satan, of.course that is meaningless. It is the suggestion that atheists have no or bad morals that is offensive.

I believe that is the implication: you don't believe in God, you likely don't have a moral compass.

Yes but as stated the satan part is meaningless.

Can you explain why it is meaningless? I believe that any association with Satan / Devil by a religious person is extremely meaningful to them. They definitely imply that there is something really wrong with the item (value, person, group of people) they associate the Devil with.

(sorry for the repost: used the wrong word)

Would you find it meaningful if I compared you to Lex Luthor or Dr. Doom? No, you wouldn’t, because you know those are made up comic book villains. You’d laugh at that comparison, most likely. You would not care even if you knew I was a comic book store owner passionate about the works. It would seem stupid.

Let's say someone addresses you using the word "kutabare". Would you feel insulted?

Nope. I would laugh at their ignorance. That’s not a word used to address someone. It’s not a noun, it’s an expression.
-DP

Let's say it is a Japanese who talks to you like that. Would you still laugh at their ignorance?

Yep. That would make the ignorance more laughable.

Why? This is a legit insult in Japanese.

You don’t seem to understand what it means. You don’t address someone with the word kutabare. Again, it’s not a noun, it’s a phrase you’re telling them to do.

I see, there's been some miscommunication here (and may be my fault). I meant that someone approaches you and says "kutabare", not that someone is calling you Mr. Kutabare. Does that change anything?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Geez, are you the same poster who went on and on about feeling duped by that Shen Yun show? Atheist here, and I think you need to get a grip and let it go. Who the heck cares whether your belief system is associated with the devil in some people’s religions? Since I don’t believe in it, whatever, it’s like being associated with the tooth fairy or something.

They 100% are. And for those that are confused, no one in OP’s thread in the Entertainment forum said he didn’t have morals. You do not need to be religious to have morals. Otherwise we wouldn’t have millions of stories of religious men acting without morals.

Thank you for admitting the bolded part. I never claimed anything about what was said on the other thread. I just wanted to separate this discussion from that thread because there were several people saying that atheists should not be offended by any association with the Devil (because the Devil doesn't exist for them). It happens that I personally don't agree with that line of thought.

DP. From a religious point of view, your morals are meaningless. They likely have a teological origin rooted in observations and outcomes. In most, I hesitate to say all because I am not familiar with every religion, morals are derived from a divine source, either through enlightenment or direct communication with their Supreme Being. This deontological origin is troubling to some, because there is no why. It's just the rules that your religion asks you to follow. From a religious point of view, if your morals don't come from God, the only other choice is the hubris of man. To believe you can know the mind of God is sacrilegious in many religions.

Thank you for the additional background. Now back to the original question: should an atheist feel offended by the association with the Devil, or this association is just a tenderhearted, compassionate compliment?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s not the association with satan, of.course that is meaningless. It is the suggestion that atheists have no or bad morals that is offensive.

I believe that is the implication: you don't believe in God, you likely don't have a moral compass.

Yes but as stated the satan part is meaningless.

Can you explain why it is meaningless? I believe that any association with Satan / Devil by a religious person is extremely meaningful to them. They definitely imply that there is something really wrong with the item (value, person, group of people) they associate the Devil with.

(sorry for the repost: used the wrong word)

Would you find it meaningful if I compared you to Lex Luthor or Dr. Doom? No, you wouldn’t, because you know those are made up comic book villains. You’d laugh at that comparison, most likely. You would not care even if you knew I was a comic book store owner passionate about the works. It would seem stupid.

Let's say someone addresses you using the word "kutabare". Would you feel insulted?

Nope. I would laugh at their ignorance. That’s not a word used to address someone. It’s not a noun, it’s an expression.
-DP

Let's say it is a Japanese who talks to you like that. Would you still laugh at their ignorance?

Yep. That would make the ignorance more laughable.

Why? This is a legit insult in Japanese.

You don’t seem to understand what it means. You don’t address someone with the word kutabare. Again, it’s not a noun, it’s a phrase you’re telling them to do.

I see, there's been some miscommunication here (and may be my fault). I meant that someone approaches you and says "kutabare", not that someone is calling you Mr. Kutabare. Does that change anything?

Nope. Some approaching me telling me to F Off highlights that they are nuts and not someone to engage with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Geez, are you the same poster who went on and on about feeling duped by that Shen Yun show? Atheist here, and I think you need to get a grip and let it go. Who the heck cares whether your belief system is associated with the devil in some people’s religions? Since I don’t believe in it, whatever, it’s like being associated with the tooth fairy or something.

They 100% are. And for those that are confused, no one in OP’s thread in the Entertainment forum said he didn’t have morals. You do not need to be religious to have morals. Otherwise we wouldn’t have millions of stories of religious men acting without morals.

Thank you for admitting the bolded part. I never claimed anything about what was said on the other thread. I just wanted to separate this discussion from that thread because there were several people saying that atheists should not be offended by any association with the Devil (because the Devil doesn't exist for them). It happens that I personally don't agree with that line of thought.

DP. From a religious point of view, your morals are meaningless. They likely have a teological origin rooted in observations and outcomes. In most, I hesitate to say all because I am not familiar with every religion, morals are derived from a divine source, either through enlightenment or direct communication with their Supreme Being. This deontological origin is troubling to some, because there is no why. It's just the rules that your religion asks you to follow. From a religious point of view, if your morals don't come from God, the only other choice is the hubris of man. To believe you can know the mind of God is sacrilegious in many religions.

Thank you for the additional background. Now back to the original question: should an atheist feel offended by the association with the Devil, or this association is just a tenderhearted, compassionate compliment?

I’m not atheist so let me flip this in order to answer. If an atheist told me that I’m a moron for believing in God, that there is no God, God ruins the world, my afterlife is just being worm food, etc, then no I won’t be offended. I don’t care - you can believe what you want. I’m happy and am assured with my faith.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s not the association with satan, of.course that is meaningless. It is the suggestion that atheists have no or bad morals that is offensive.

I believe that is the implication: you don't believe in God, you likely don't have a moral compass.

Yes but as stated the satan part is meaningless.

Can you explain why it is meaningless? I believe that any association with Satan / Devil by a religious person is extremely meaningful to them. They definitely imply that there is something really wrong with the item (value, person, group of people) they associate the Devil with.

(sorry for the repost: used the wrong word)

Would you find it meaningful if I compared you to Lex Luthor or Dr. Doom? No, you wouldn’t, because you know those are made up comic book villains. You’d laugh at that comparison, most likely. You would not care even if you knew I was a comic book store owner passionate about the works. It would seem stupid.

Let's say someone addresses you using the word "kutabare". Would you feel insulted?

Nope. I would laugh at their ignorance. That’s not a word used to address someone. It’s not a noun, it’s an expression.
-DP

Let's say it is a Japanese who talks to you like that. Would you still laugh at their ignorance?

Yep. That would make the ignorance more laughable.

Why? This is a legit insult in Japanese.

You don’t seem to understand what it means. You don’t address someone with the word kutabare. Again, it’s not a noun, it’s a phrase you’re telling them to do.

I see, there's been some miscommunication here (and may be my fault). I meant that someone approaches you and says "kutabare", not that someone is calling you Mr. Kutabare. Does that change anything?

Nope. Some approaching me telling me to F Off highlights that they are nuts and not someone to engage with.

You must have a very thick skin if you don't get offended by someone cursing you. I am surprised that you get offended by someone telling you that you have no or bad morals. Is that where you draw the line?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s not the association with satan, of.course that is meaningless. It is the suggestion that atheists have no or bad morals that is offensive.

I believe that is the implication: you don't believe in God, you likely don't have a moral compass.

Yes but as stated the satan part is meaningless.

Can you explain why it is meaningless? I believe that any association with Satan / Devil by a religious person is extremely meaningful to them. They definitely imply that there is something really wrong with the item (value, person, group of people) they associate the Devil with.

(sorry for the repost: used the wrong word)

Would you find it meaningful if I compared you to Lex Luthor or Dr. Doom? No, you wouldn’t, because you know those are made up comic book villains. You’d laugh at that comparison, most likely. You would not care even if you knew I was a comic book store owner passionate about the works. It would seem stupid.

Let's say someone addresses you using the word "kutabare". Would you feel insulted?

Nope. I would laugh at their ignorance. That’s not a word used to address someone. It’s not a noun, it’s an expression.
-DP

Let's say it is a Japanese who talks to you like that. Would you still laugh at their ignorance?

Yep. That would make the ignorance more laughable.

Why? This is a legit insult in Japanese.

You don’t seem to understand what it means. You don’t address someone with the word kutabare. Again, it’s not a noun, it’s a phrase you’re telling them to do.

I see, there's been some miscommunication here (and may be my fault). I meant that someone approaches you and says "kutabare", not that someone is calling you Mr. Kutabare. Does that change anything?

Nope. Some approaching me telling me to F Off highlights that they are nuts and not someone to engage with.

You must have a very thick skin if you don't get offended by someone cursing you. I am surprised that you get offended by someone telling you that you have no or bad morals. Is that where you draw the line?

I don’t. You’re engaging with multiple posters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Geez, are you the same poster who went on and on about feeling duped by that Shen Yun show? Atheist here, and I think you need to get a grip and let it go. Who the heck cares whether your belief system is associated with the devil in some people’s religions? Since I don’t believe in it, whatever, it’s like being associated with the tooth fairy or something.

They 100% are. And for those that are confused, no one in OP’s thread in the Entertainment forum said he didn’t have morals. You do not need to be religious to have morals. Otherwise we wouldn’t have millions of stories of religious men acting without morals.

Thank you for admitting the bolded part. I never claimed anything about what was said on the other thread. I just wanted to separate this discussion from that thread because there were several people saying that atheists should not be offended by any association with the Devil (because the Devil doesn't exist for them). It happens that I personally don't agree with that line of thought.

DP. From a religious point of view, your morals are meaningless. They likely have a teological origin rooted in observations and outcomes. In most, I hesitate to say all because I am not familiar with every religion, morals are derived from a divine source, either through enlightenment or direct communication with their Supreme Being. This deontological origin is troubling to some, because there is no why. It's just the rules that your religion asks you to follow. From a religious point of view, if your morals don't come from God, the only other choice is the hubris of man. To believe you can know the mind of God is sacrilegious in many religions.

Thank you for the additional background. Now back to the original question: should an atheist feel offended by the association with the Devil, or this association is just a tenderhearted, compassionate compliment?

I’m not atheist so let me flip this in order to answer. If an atheist told me that I’m a moron for believing in God, that there is no God, God ruins the world, my afterlife is just being worm food, etc, then no I won’t be offended. I don’t care - you can believe what you want. I’m happy and am assured with my faith.

If you want to flip the question, let's add some fictitious background. The atheists were in charge of the world and they prosecuted you for your beliefs throughout the history. You could be imprisoned, tortured, and / or burned alive because your beliefs. After millennia of prosecution, you are finally free to talk about your God and practice your religion. But there are still those people who call you a moron for believing in God, that there is no God, God ruins the world, my afterlife is just being worm food. Would that offend you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Geez, are you the same poster who went on and on about feeling duped by that Shen Yun show? Atheist here, and I think you need to get a grip and let it go. Who the heck cares whether your belief system is associated with the devil in some people’s religions? Since I don’t believe in it, whatever, it’s like being associated with the tooth fairy or something.

They 100% are. And for those that are confused, no one in OP’s thread in the Entertainment forum said he didn’t have morals. You do not need to be religious to have morals. Otherwise we wouldn’t have millions of stories of religious men acting without morals.

Thank you for admitting the bolded part. I never claimed anything about what was said on the other thread. I just wanted to separate this discussion from that thread because there were several people saying that atheists should not be offended by any association with the Devil (because the Devil doesn't exist for them). It happens that I personally don't agree with that line of thought.

DP. From a religious point of view, your morals are meaningless. They likely have a teological origin rooted in observations and outcomes. In most, I hesitate to say all because I am not familiar with every religion, morals are derived from a divine source, either through enlightenment or direct communication with their Supreme Being. This deontological origin is troubling to some, because there is no why. It's just the rules that your religion asks you to follow. From a religious point of view, if your morals don't come from God, the only other choice is the hubris of man. To believe you can know the mind of God is sacrilegious in many religions.

Thank you for the additional background. Now back to the original question: should an atheist feel offended by the association with the Devil, or this association is just a tenderhearted, compassionate compliment?

I’m not atheist so let me flip this in order to answer. If an atheist told me that I’m a moron for believing in God, that there is no God, God ruins the world, my afterlife is just being worm food, etc, then no I won’t be offended. I don’t care - you can believe what you want. I’m happy and am assured with my faith.

If you want to flip the question, let's add some fictitious background. The atheists were in charge of the world and they prosecuted you for your beliefs throughout the history. You could be imprisoned, tortured, and / or burned alive because your beliefs. After millennia of prosecution, you are finally free to talk about your God and practice your religion. But there are still those people who call you a moron for believing in God, that there is no God, God ruins the world, my afterlife is just being worm food. Would that offend you?

No. As I said, I don’t care - you can believe what you want. I’m happy and am assured with my faith.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s not the association with satan, of.course that is meaningless. It is the suggestion that atheists have no or bad morals that is offensive.

I believe that is the implication: you don't believe in God, you likely don't have a moral compass.

Yes but as stated the satan part is meaningless.

Can you explain why it is meaningless? I believe that any association with Satan / Devil by a religious person is extremely meaningful to them. They definitely imply that there is something really wrong with the item (value, person, group of people) they associate the Devil with.

(sorry for the repost: used the wrong word)

Would you find it meaningful if I compared you to Lex Luthor or Dr. Doom? No, you wouldn’t, because you know those are made up comic book villains. You’d laugh at that comparison, most likely. You would not care even if you knew I was a comic book store owner passionate about the works. It would seem stupid.

Let's say someone addresses you using the word "kutabare". Would you feel insulted?

Nope. I would laugh at their ignorance. That’s not a word used to address someone. It’s not a noun, it’s an expression.
-DP

Let's say it is a Japanese who talks to you like that. Would you still laugh at their ignorance?

Yep. That would make the ignorance more laughable.

Why? This is a legit insult in Japanese.

You don’t seem to understand what it means. You don’t address someone with the word kutabare. Again, it’s not a noun, it’s a phrase you’re telling them to do.

I see, there's been some miscommunication here (and may be my fault). I meant that someone approaches you and says "kutabare", not that someone is calling you Mr. Kutabare. Does that change anything?

Nope. Some approaching me telling me to F Off highlights that they are nuts and not someone to engage with.

You must have a very thick skin if you don't get offended by someone cursing you. I am surprised that you get offended by someone telling you that you have no or bad morals. Is that where you draw the line?

I don’t. You’re engaging with multiple posters.

My bad, I assumed that I was talking to the same poster. I guess you will stay in the first category with an additional note "Pretty much nothing can offend me"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Geez, are you the same poster who went on and on about feeling duped by that Shen Yun show? Atheist here, and I think you need to get a grip and let it go. Who the heck cares whether your belief system is associated with the devil in some people’s religions? Since I don’t believe in it, whatever, it’s like being associated with the tooth fairy or something.

They 100% are. And for those that are confused, no one in OP’s thread in the Entertainment forum said he didn’t have morals. You do not need to be religious to have morals. Otherwise we wouldn’t have millions of stories of religious men acting without morals.

Thank you for admitting the bolded part. I never claimed anything about what was said on the other thread. I just wanted to separate this discussion from that thread because there were several people saying that atheists should not be offended by any association with the Devil (because the Devil doesn't exist for them). It happens that I personally don't agree with that line of thought.

DP. From a religious point of view, your morals are meaningless. They likely have a teological origin rooted in observations and outcomes. In most, I hesitate to say all because I am not familiar with every religion, morals are derived from a divine source, either through enlightenment or direct communication with their Supreme Being. This deontological origin is troubling to some, because there is no why. It's just the rules that your religion asks you to follow. From a religious point of view, if your morals don't come from God, the only other choice is the hubris of man. To believe you can know the mind of God is sacrilegious in many religions.

Thank you for the additional background. Now back to the original question: should an atheist feel offended by the association with the Devil, or this association is just a tenderhearted, compassionate compliment?

I’m not atheist so let me flip this in order to answer. If an atheist told me that I’m a moron for believing in God, that there is no God, God ruins the world, my afterlife is just being worm food, etc, then no I won’t be offended. I don’t care - you can believe what you want. I’m happy and am assured with my faith.

If you want to flip the question, let's add some fictitious background. The atheists were in charge of the world and they prosecuted you for your beliefs throughout the history. You could be imprisoned, tortured, and / or burned alive because your beliefs. After millennia of prosecution, you are finally free to talk about your God and practice your religion. But there are still those people who call you a moron for believing in God, that there is no God, God ruins the world, my afterlife is just being worm food. Would that offend you?

No. As I said, I don’t care - you can believe what you want. I’m happy and am assured with my faith.

Can you see why an atheist might be offended by association with the Devil though?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Geez, are you the same poster who went on and on about feeling duped by that Shen Yun show? Atheist here, and I think you need to get a grip and let it go. Who the heck cares whether your belief system is associated with the devil in some people’s religions? Since I don’t believe in it, whatever, it’s like being associated with the tooth fairy or something.

They 100% are. And for those that are confused, no one in OP’s thread in the Entertainment forum said he didn’t have morals. You do not need to be religious to have morals. Otherwise we wouldn’t have millions of stories of religious men acting without morals.

Thank you for admitting the bolded part. I never claimed anything about what was said on the other thread. I just wanted to separate this discussion from that thread because there were several people saying that atheists should not be offended by any association with the Devil (because the Devil doesn't exist for them). It happens that I personally don't agree with that line of thought.

DP. From a religious point of view, your morals are meaningless. They likely have a teological origin rooted in observations and outcomes. In most, I hesitate to say all because I am not familiar with every religion, morals are derived from a divine source, either through enlightenment or direct communication with their Supreme Being. This deontological origin is troubling to some, because there is no why. It's just the rules that your religion asks you to follow. From a religious point of view, if your morals don't come from God, the only other choice is the hubris of man. To believe you can know the mind of God is sacrilegious in many religions.

Thank you for the additional background. Now back to the original question: should an atheist feel offended by the association with the Devil, or this association is just a tenderhearted, compassionate compliment?

I’m not atheist so let me flip this in order to answer. If an atheist told me that I’m a moron for believing in God, that there is no God, God ruins the world, my afterlife is just being worm food, etc, then no I won’t be offended. I don’t care - you can believe what you want. I’m happy and am assured with my faith.

If you want to flip the question, let's add some fictitious background. The atheists were in charge of the world and they prosecuted you for your beliefs throughout the history. You could be imprisoned, tortured, and / or burned alive because your beliefs. After millennia of prosecution, you are finally free to talk about your God and practice your religion. But there are still those people who call you a moron for believing in God, that there is no God, God ruins the world, my afterlife is just being worm food. Would that offend you?

No. As I said, I don’t care - you can believe what you want. I’m happy and am assured with my faith.

Can you see why an atheist might be offended by association with the Devil though?

At some point, you have to care only about yourself and your own beliefs and not care what other people think. People are different and have different beliefs. We can’t control other people’s beliefs: we just have to live our own lives the way we choose.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Geez, are you the same poster who went on and on about feeling duped by that Shen Yun show? Atheist here, and I think you need to get a grip and let it go. Who the heck cares whether your belief system is associated with the devil in some people’s religions? Since I don’t believe in it, whatever, it’s like being associated with the tooth fairy or something.

They 100% are. And for those that are confused, no one in OP’s thread in the Entertainment forum said he didn’t have morals. You do not need to be religious to have morals. Otherwise we wouldn’t have millions of stories of religious men acting without morals.

Thank you for admitting the bolded part. I never claimed anything about what was said on the other thread. I just wanted to separate this discussion from that thread because there were several people saying that atheists should not be offended by any association with the Devil (because the Devil doesn't exist for them). It happens that I personally don't agree with that line of thought.

DP. From a religious point of view, your morals are meaningless. They likely have a teological origin rooted in observations and outcomes. In most, I hesitate to say all because I am not familiar with every religion, morals are derived from a divine source, either through enlightenment or direct communication with their Supreme Being. This deontological origin is troubling to some, because there is no why. It's just the rules that your religion asks you to follow. From a religious point of view, if your morals don't come from God, the only other choice is the hubris of man. To believe you can know the mind of God is sacrilegious in many religions.

Thank you for the additional background. Now back to the original question: should an atheist feel offended by the association with the Devil, or this association is just a tenderhearted, compassionate compliment?

I’m not atheist so let me flip this in order to answer. If an atheist told me that I’m a moron for believing in God, that there is no God, God ruins the world, my afterlife is just being worm food, etc, then no I won’t be offended. I don’t care - you can believe what you want. I’m happy and am assured with my faith.

If you want to flip the question, let's add some fictitious background. The atheists were in charge of the world and they prosecuted you for your beliefs throughout the history. You could be imprisoned, tortured, and / or burned alive because your beliefs. After millennia of prosecution, you are finally free to talk about your God and practice your religion. But there are still those people who call you a moron for believing in God, that there is no God, God ruins the world, my afterlife is just being worm food. Would that offend you?

No. As I said, I don’t care - you can believe what you want. I’m happy and am assured with my faith.

Can you see why an atheist might be offended by association with the Devil though?

At some point, you have to care only about yourself and your own beliefs and not care what other people think. People are different and have different beliefs. We can’t control other people’s beliefs: we just have to live our own lives the way we choose.

You may be able to live your life the way you choose, but not everyone can. Do you remember the fight to keep religion out of science classes? There is a supermajority of religious nuts on the supreme court who started ruling based on their religious beliefs. It is easy to suggest that everyone can live their lives the way they choose when that is clearly not an option.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't be offended. I'd know that person was mentally ill, and feel sorry for them. What a sad, scary, frightening, and depressing life that person must lead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Geez, are you the same poster who went on and on about feeling duped by that Shen Yun show? Atheist here, and I think you need to get a grip and let it go. Who the heck cares whether your belief system is associated with the devil in some people’s religions? Since I don’t believe in it, whatever, it’s like being associated with the tooth fairy or something.

They 100% are. And for those that are confused, no one in OP’s thread in the Entertainment forum said he didn’t have morals. You do not need to be religious to have morals. Otherwise we wouldn’t have millions of stories of religious men acting without morals.

Thank you for admitting the bolded part. I never claimed anything about what was said on the other thread. I just wanted to separate this discussion from that thread because there were several people saying that atheists should not be offended by any association with the Devil (because the Devil doesn't exist for them). It happens that I personally don't agree with that line of thought.

DP. From a religious point of view, your morals are meaningless. They likely have a teological origin rooted in observations and outcomes. In most, I hesitate to say all because I am not familiar with every religion, morals are derived from a divine source, either through enlightenment or direct communication with their Supreme Being. This deontological origin is troubling to some, because there is no why. It's just the rules that your religion asks you to follow. From a religious point of view, if your morals don't come from God, the only other choice is the hubris of man. To believe you can know the mind of God is sacrilegious in many religions.

Thank you for the additional background. Now back to the original question: should an atheist feel offended by the association with the Devil, or this association is just a tenderhearted, compassionate compliment?

As I tried to explain, your morals are literally offensive to many religions. It doesn't matter that your morals overlap theirs to some extent. You hold them for the wrong reasons. Lucky for you, you live in a country that tolerates religious, including none, diversity. But whether it offends you, is up to you.