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http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/12/27/israeli-girl-draws-thousands-online-supporters-after-being-harassed-by-jewish/#ixzz1hjMrZj32?test=latestnews

Grown men, trying to scare and harrass 8 year old girls, another thing in this world that pisses me off beyond what I can express in words.

Give them flamethrowers. no one herrasses an 8 yr old with a flamethrower!

Fundamentalism of itself is harmless, it is in fact a more honest approach to religion by attempting to apply it.

There are plenty of fundamentalists out there, and the press has no interest in them. So people unthinkingly consider that when the word fundamentalist is used in contextual reference to bigoted extremist fundamentalist then some might narrow mindedly believe that no other type of fundamentalism exists.

Francis of Assissi, Catherine of Sienna and Mohammandas Ghandi were all fundamentalists; as are hundreds of thousands more likely ten of millions of other harmless or benign figures.

If fundamentalism equals fanaticism in anyones mind, perhaps it is because that mind is not big enough to see beyond what the press is feeding them.

Orlanth wrote:Fundamentalism of itself is harmless, it is in fact a more honest approach to religion by attempting to apply it.

There are plenty of fundamentalists out there, and the press has no interest in them. So people unthinkingly consider that when the word fundamentalist is used in contextual reference to bigoted extremist fundamentalist then some might narrow mindedly believe that no other type of fundamentalism exists.

Francis of Assissi, Catherine of Sienna and Mohammandas Ghandi were all fundamentalists; as are hundreds of thousands more likely ten of millions of other harmless or benign figures.

If fundamentalism equals fanaticism in anyones mind, perhaps it is because that mind is not big enough to see beyond what the press is feeding them.

I guess these people and others like them of different religions applying the term to themselves doesn't count?
Sorry if the perception seems narrow minded to you, but I'm not on about people that genuinly honor respect and love that is preached in most religions.
What I despise are those that give themselves a lable that denotes getting back to the roots and using their twisted version to grab for power, cause hate and create a climate of fear.

Speaking purely anecdotally here, the majority of fundamentalists I've met have been either stupid or asshats to some degree. When you're encouraged not to think for yourself and to just take someone else's word it's going to be hard to double-check if you're doing the right thing.

Most fundamentalists are, indeed, asshats as Cannerus so adroitly put it.

I'm not really surprised by this news piece at all. Nobody should be.

SlaveToDorkness wrote:Give them flamethrowers. no one herrasses an 8 yr old with a flamethrower!

Now here's a man who knows how to cut to the heart of the matter.

Cannerus_The_Unbearable wrote:Speaking purely anecdotally here, the majority of fundamentalists I've met have been either stupid or asshats to some degree.

I've had the same experience with self-proclaimed Atheists.

Does that mean "Atheist" is just a codeword for "ass"?

Hint: no.

Yes, this guy is an asshat. But that doesn't mean his religious beliefs make him an asshat.

biccat wrote:

Cannerus_The_Unbearable wrote:Speaking purely anecdotally here, the majority of fundamentalists I've met have been either stupid or asshats to some degree.

I've had the same experience with self-proclaimed Atheists.

Does that mean "Atheist" is just a codeword for "ass"?

Hint: no.

Yes, this guy is an asshat. But that doesn't mean his religious beliefs make him an asshat.

It's the way they act on their beliefs to bring suffering to others. The point about athiests is well taken, though.

Note that at no point did I exclude Atheist Fundamentalists Extremism in all forms is poison. A small bit of room has to be left for salt.

The Knesset just needs to cut their stipends and force them to find employment. It solves two of thier problems: the UO pricks aren't leeching off the taxpayers and using all thier free time to make a nuisance of themselves, and it will probably lower thier birthrate actually having to work to be able to eat is EXHAUSTING.

Cannerus_The_Unbearable wrote:Note that at no point did I exclude Atheist Fundamentalists Extremism in all forms is poison. A small bit of room has to be left for salt.

I think it's fair to say that some athiests and fundamentalists are essentually two sides of the same coin. Both are more than willing to go to OTT measures to make miserable the lives of those who don't subscribe to their religious views.

Don't forget sugar!

A spoon full of sugar makes the poison go down, the poison go down, the poison go down.

<Begins dancing around the room>

Some Atheists can be just as fanatical as those they claim to despise. It's a shame that people have forgotten the old enlightenment value of tolerance. I'm not religious myself, but I've nothing against people of whatever faith. It's a shame more of society didn't have that outlook.

Orlanth wrote:Fundamentalism of itself is harmless, it is in fact a more honest approach to religion by attempting to apply it.

I don't think fundamentalists are any more, or less, honest than any other religious believer. They may more openly appeal to honesty, but that doesn't mean they're actually being honest. The number of cases in which a vehement Christian fundamentalists speaks to the evils of homosexuality while sneaking off to the local bath house speaks to this.

Orlanth wrote:
If fundamentalism equals fanaticism in anyones mind, perhaps it is because that mind is not big enough to see beyond what the press is feeding them.

They aren't equivalent, but they generally walk hand-in-hand. For example, Francis of Assissi would likely be referred to as a fanatic were he to do as he did today.

Of course, fanaticism isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Relapse wrote:

Cannerus_The_Unbearable wrote:Note that at no point did I exclude Atheist Fundamentalists Extremism in all forms is poison. A small bit of room has to be left for salt.

I think it's fair to say that some athiests and fundamentalists are essentually two sides of the same coin. Both are more than willing to go to OTT measures to make miserable the lives of those who don't subscribe to their religious views.

I think you mean militant atheists there.
Not all atheists go around trying to disprove religion.

I personally take the view that religious views are much like genitals (Just roll with the analogy for a moment)

Everyone has them.

A lot of people are proud of them.

Shove them in my face and I will get annoyed.

biccat wrote:

Cannerus_The_Unbearable wrote:Speaking purely anecdotally here, the majority of fundamentalists I've met have been either stupid or asshats to some degree.

I've had the same experience with self-proclaimed Atheists.

Does that mean "Atheist" is just a codeword for "ass"?

Hint: no.

Yes, this guy is an asshat. But that doesn't mean his religious beliefs make him an asshat.

True. It's more like the other way around.

Misogynists find the anti-women aspects of various religions to be a comfort and aid. It grants God's permission to enact and enforce their prejudices within society.

Of course one must make some allowance for the fact that people are born into their religion as a social construct, which makes it difficult to break out of.

Goliath wrote:
I personally take the view that religious views are much like genitals (Just roll with the analogy for a moment)

Everyone has them.

A lot of people are proud of them.

Shove them in my face and I will get annoyed.

I gues it depends on who's genitals are being shoved in my face.

Easy E wrote:

Goliath wrote:
I personally take the view that religious views are much like genitals (Just roll with the analogy for a moment)

Everyone has them.

A lot of people are proud of them.

Shove them in my face and I will get annoyed.

I gues it depends on who's genitals are being shoved in my face.

Okay, maybe that should be changed to, "unless I want them shoved in my face"

The main problem is the Haredi live off the rather generous Israeli welfare system and are exempt from conscription, the latter being a culturally and nationally unifying institution in Israeli society. They've become too isolated, introverted, and extreme.

Harriticus wrote:The main problem is the Haredi live off the rather generous Israeli welfare system and are exempt from conscription, the latter being a culturally and nationally unifying institution in Israeli society. They've become too isolated, introverted, and extreme.

I f that's the line tey're using, then they're falling down on the unification thing rather hard. If they are exempt from service, than a nice stint on the front lines with members of families, like the people they harass is just what the doctor ordered.

I'd consider myself to be an agnostic atheist, and I loathe militant atheists. Man, if people find comfort and fulfillment in religion, how does it hurt you that you need to be a giant ass about it. Live and let live.

Harriticus wrote:The main problem is the Haredi live off the rather generous Israeli welfare system and are exempt from conscription, the latter being a culturally and nationally unifying institution in Israeli society. They've become too isolated, introverted, and extreme.

The Haredi have never had an easy relationship with mainstream Israeli society (being, essentially, anti-Zionist Jews will do that). Indeed, one could argue that things have gotten better over time.

Speaking of annoying atheists, everyone's favorite (living) is at it again.

Cannerus_The_Unbearable wrote:Speaking purely anecdotally here, the majority of fundamentalists I've met have been either stupid or asshats to some degree. When you're encouraged not to think for yourself and to just take someone else's word it's going to be hard to double-check if you're doing the right thing.

Well here is the rub. Where do you get the idea that fundamentalists cannot think for themselves. For a start it makes no sense to believe that, the fundamentalists who cause the most problems do think for themselves, quite clearly. Al Quaeda is not run by unthinking idiots, assuming this is true is what caused the US to underestimate what they could do. Are you still on that page?

Orlanth wrote:

Cannerus_The_Unbearable wrote:Speaking purely anecdotally here, the majority of fundamentalists I've met have been either stupid or asshats to some degree. When you're encouraged not to think for yourself and to just take someone else's word it's going to be hard to double-check if you're doing the right thing.

Well here is the rub. Where do you get the idea that fundamentalists cannot think for themselves. For a start it makes no sense to believe that, the fundamentalists who cause the most problems do think for themselves, quite clearly. Al Quaeda is not run by unthinking idiots, assuming this is true is what caused the US to underestimate what they could do. Are you still on that page?

Why does every thread in OT have to eventually become "Brits vs. yanks"?

CT GAMER wrote:Why does every thread in OT have to eventually become "Brits vs. yanks"?

Lack of imagination.

dogma wrote:

Orlanth wrote:Fundamentalism of itself is harmless, it is in fact a more honest approach to religion by attempting to apply it.

I don't think fundamentalists are any more, or less, honest than any other religious believer. They may more openly appeal to honesty, but that doesn't mean they're actually being honest. The number of cases in which a vehement Christian fundamentalists speaks to the evils of homosexuality while sneaking off to the local bath house speaks to this.

Fundamentalism is ultimately a requirement for honest application of religion. Sadly it doesnt eliminate hypocrasy or guarantee benign lifestyle choices not does it preclude them.

CT GAMER wrote:Why does every thread in OT have to eventually become "Brits vs. yanks"?

I think it stems from some sort of conflict in the past...

CT GAMER wrote:

Orlanth wrote:

Cannerus_The_Unbearable wrote:Speaking purely anecdotally here, the majority of fundamentalists I've met have been either stupid or asshats to some degree. When you're encouraged not to think for yourself and to just take someone else's word it's going to be hard to double-check if you're doing the right thing.

Well here is the rub. Where do you get the idea that fundamentalists cannot think for themselves. For a start it makes no sense to believe that, the fundamentalists who cause the most problems do think for themselves, quite clearly. Al Quaeda is not run by unthinking idiots, assuming this is true is what caused the US to underestimate what they could do. Are you still on that page?

Why does every thread in OT have to eventually become "Brits vs. yanks"?

I am pretty sure Bin Laden is a good example of a fundamentalist who thinks, and one you have probably heard of.