Jan Ardena said:
1 - Real fear cannot be overcome with mere words. If fear has been overcome then it becomes transparent for all to see.
2 - I fail to see where you have the right to assert that all religious people are simple and gullable, especially in light of the fact that you're understanding of what religion and scriptures is terribly influenced by what everyone else spouts, also without realising that you're ignorance has been easily uncovered.
Maybe if you elaborated on your claims,giving examples and experiences which we can all share in, i would be prepared to change my mind.
3 - Do you actually have anything intelligent to say?
1 - That's hilariously incoherent, and a terrible analogy, yet I do agree. However, I fail to see what it has to do with the statement it is supposed to refute...?
2 - Meaningless rhetorical questions about "rights" [I was not born with "rights" - these are a human construct, not something which existed in nature before the evolution of Homo erectus. The truth (which can be found through many different doorways) is not bound by arbitrary social distinctions or handouts], and your ham-fisted efforts to pompously declare my words "ignorant" without providing any substantive reasons
why aside, I will attempt a brief elaboration.
Some links:
http://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/webbin/gutbook/lookup?num=4363
http://www.fns.org.uk/ac.htm
Read Sections 8 to 10 of the first essay.
Say what you will to demonize Nietzsche and thus attempt to discredit his ideas, these books paint the psychological portrait of Judeo-Christianity. Understanding this, you might see that Christians are a death-fearing lot, and seek whatever solace from their own mortality that they can find. I would never generalize all religious practitioners as being "gullible", but when looking for easy answers to hard questions, or an escape out of terrible situations (in this case, escape from a life which holds nothing but struggle for a person or people not constitutionally equipped to deal with it), most people will begin to believe whatever you tell them;
* if this happens to include some rather strange events, like someone being raised from the dead, or the ocean bisecting itself at a wave of a hand, then you will maybe be halted for a moment in skepticism, but think to yourself, "Well, it
was pretty hot in those deserts. Who
knows what mirages they thought they saw?"
Basically, religious stories of this sort are exactly that: stories. Metaphor. Symbolic representations of the truth (as perceived by that religion). Parables to describe esoteric concepts with which to guide oneself through life. When people begin to interpret these symbolisms literally, insanity is manifesting itself.
3 - Do you have anything other than Pavlovian reactions to a little good-humoured mockery?
* - Somewhat related is a description of Stockholm Syndrome, thusly:
STOCKHOLM SYNDROME
The Stockholm Syndrome is an emotional attachment, a bond of interdependence between captive and captor that develops 'when someone threatens your life, deliberates, and doesn't kill you.' (Symonds, 1980) The relief resulting from the removal of the threat of death generates intense feelings of gratitude and fear which combine to make the captive reluctant to display negative feelings toward the captor or terrorist. In fact, former hostages have visited their captors in jail, recommended defense counsel, and even started a defense fund. It is this dynamic which causes former hostages and abuse survivors to minimize the damage done to them and refuse to cooperate in prosecuting their tormentors.
"The victims' need to survive is stronger than his(sic) impulse to hate the person who has created his(sic) dilemma." (Strentz, 1980) The victim comes to see the captor as a 'good guy', even a savior. This condition...occurs in response to the four specific conditions listed below:
-A person threatens to kill another and is perceived as having the capability to do so.
The other cannot escape, so her or his life depends on the threatening person.
-The threatened person is isolated from outsiders so that the only other perspective available to her or him is that of the threatening person.
-The threatening person is perceived as showing some degree of kindness to the one being threatened.
-It takes only 3-4 days for the characteristic bond of the Stockholm syndrome to emerge when captor and captive are strangers. After that, research shows, the duration of captivity is no longer relevant.
