en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/621919 Comments by shadowcasting http://shadowcasting.org/archives/1291#IDComment80975371 Yep. Love Jesus and Mo. The name mostly came from the domain being available, but a connection to Platonic allegories would definitely sound much more intellectual. But, you are correct. Neo-Platonism was heavily merged into christianity through early gnosticism. Plus, the idealism espoused by Plato can easily lead to absolutism. When it is combined with a gnostic viewpoint that denigrates the physical world in preference for some higher spiritual realm, people tend to suffer. So, yeah, I'm not much of a fan of the whole Neo-Platonism thing. Thanks for the comment. Sorry about the feedback page. I'll see if I can get that working. Sat, 19 Jun 2010 16:58:14 +0000 http://shadowcasting.org/archives/1291#IDComment80975371 http://shadowcasting.org/archives/1125#IDComment79319046 Oh, yeah. Muslims are dumb for believing that an angel dictated a book to some asshole named Muhammad, but catholics aren't morons. Catholics only believe that some asshole rose from the dead 2000 years ago. Plus, they regularly pretend to eat his flesh and drink his blood. Yeah. That makes perfect sense, and it isn't the least bit creepy. Not at all. Oh no. Gay people can't have kids. Well, except for all the ones who do. Plus, it's not like there are any kids in the world in need of adoption or anything. But you're right. Two married law-abiding citizens that cannot have kids is just as destructive as the assholes who fly planes into skyscrapers for the glory of allah. Maybe someday, you can return to the bizarro world where the thoughts in your head actually make sense. Wed, 9 Jun 2010 16:26:32 +0000 http://shadowcasting.org/archives/1125#IDComment79319046 http://shadowcasting.org/archives/1120#IDComment79317658 When people make extraordinary claims, the burden of proof is on them. Do you feel a need to disprove the existence of leprechauns? Wed, 9 Jun 2010 16:13:22 +0000 http://shadowcasting.org/archives/1120#IDComment79317658 http://shadowcasting.org/archives/1026#IDComment63581009 At least hell will be populated by people who know how to spell. Heaven not so much. Tue, 23 Mar 2010 02:49:01 +0000 http://shadowcasting.org/archives/1026#IDComment63581009 http://shadowcasting.org/archives/1166#IDComment57161091 Why thank you, and welcome to my angry blog. This is the place where I let off steam to keep my head from exploding in a fiery conflagration. Please don't be sorry. I love your blogs, and it is always great to meet a fellow ex-mormon. I should say again that my anger had nothing to do with your article. Speaking of collecting gays, the one person I really felt sorry for was Ted Fairchild from the Salt lake Tribune article. He did seem like the token gay guy at the party. I know from personal experience how much shame the mormon church can pile onto someone, and I also know how a person can desire acceptance to the point that they are willing to deny who they are. It is horribly sad that he thinks he has found a home among people who will never really accept him for who he is. It is a great thing that gay kids can find an ally in people like your mother, and I'm glad you were able to leave while preserving your relationship with her. I have met a few people for whom leaving meant a severing of family ties as well. Thank you, again, for the comment, and I wish you all the best. Wed, 17 Feb 2010 02:08:46 +0000 http://shadowcasting.org/archives/1166#IDComment57161091 http://shadowcasting.org/archives/941#IDComment39972468 All very good points. Although I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for this to happen. The YouTube video is from KSL in Salt Lake City, UT which is owned by the mormon church. The only reason I know this is because I had the misfortune to grow up in Utah. The day that KSL presents anything critical of the mormon church will be the same day that Fox news becomes fair and balanced. Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:08:15 +0000 http://shadowcasting.org/archives/941#IDComment39972468 http://alliedatheistalliance.blogspot.com/2009/08/give-up-yer-aul-sins-irish-children.html#IDComment30716770 It's funny how christians are often on the side of censorship when it comes to violence in video games, movies, or books. Yet, they think nothing of exposing kids to the violence of the crucifixion story. The older I get, the more I am bothered by the religious indoctrination of children. Being raised in a religious household, I have been through the period of disillusionment that comes with leaving religion. It can be very hurtful to realize that you were lied to as a child. For many people though, being lied to is the least of their problems. In many cases, the lies are accompanied by outright manipulation and coercion. From telling kids that they will suffer in hell for eternity, to instilling a deep sense of shame, to outright corporal punishment, the children are indoctrinated with an iron fist. As a parent, I have sat through my share of "children's television". It is pretty obvious that most of these shows are made by large corporations who use the shows as a means to profit. When a company manipulates children through a TV show in order to create revenue, people get upset. We even have laws that limit this behavior somewhat. Although, I wish we had more. Religion, on the other hand, gets a free ride once again. Religious people can tell children the most ridiculous things without any evidence to justify it. They can push ideas on a child that are harmful or psychologically damaging, and no one says a word about it. I will take sponge bob over jesus any day. If someone tried to tell kids that sponge bob is real, we would see that person as the nut job they are. Fri, 14 Aug 2009 02:59:13 +0000 http://alliedatheistalliance.blogspot.com/2009/08/give-up-yer-aul-sins-irish-children.html#IDComment30716770