I’ve never liked anyone to tell me why I’m “wrong” in my belief system or lack thereof, because as has been said, its a very personal thing to most people, and it often is a source of strength in people’s lives. That doesn’t just apply to Christians, mind you. I deride any and all who feel the need to force their beliefs on me, and I’d happily mock atheists who are on their high horse as much as Christians. I’ve seen lots of posts and links on Facebook by some of the folks on here recently about Christianity, Atheism, and what’s right and wrong, and it walks that line between disagreement and the same zealousness they mock in the other side. Not to say that after the murder on the weekend and some of the reactions, some of its not warranted as the extremists speak up, but its not always an easy line to walk. Thankfully, after catching up on some posts on here, it seems to be tempered for the most part, but it can easily cross the line….

…especially when Joe says it.

I also mock Blogo’s veganism, my own weight gain, and my dog’s whining.

Huh, I might actually be kind of a jerk…

I have indeed mocked Christianity. You are right about this. The extra step that you take is to assume that I am therefore mocking the people who are believers, and that’s just not how it is. Really, I guess you’re just going to think what you think and I have to accept that there’s nothing I can do about that. It does upset me to think that I am considered a “Hitchensian” but short of ceasing to discuss this topic altogether there’s nothing more I can do about that.

If I am the one person to whom you are referring, please be at ease, I am not “upset” by the mockery, or perceived mockery. I just am calling a spade a spade in my view. Now to be clear, out of all the times you touch on Christianity, your “sincere investigation” to “mockery” ratio is pretty good. You do however use mockery in regards to Christians from time to time.

When you spoke of vegetarianism, you didn’t want to say you “judged” meat eaters, but in the end, you kinda came around to it. I suspect this stems from the fact that you are a person who cares a great deal about others feelings, and doesn’t want to hurt anyone if you can at all avoid it.

Again, there are very few points you’d have to address to move yourself completely out of the “mockers” camp, “HZJD” being the most obvious.

~I.

As for upsetting people, that’s the hallmark of a free society. Freedom doesn’t mean much if people are only free to do (and talk about) things that everyone is comfortable with.