THE THEIST OBSESSION . . .

I don't know why you feel obliged to apologize. I exculpated you on this matter.

I know it was not directed at me...but I wanted to be sure I understood your question.

What were you asking again?

For those reasonable posters here who would like to continue to discuss the topic, i urge you to ignore the trolls.

But you are so fun to play with Setanta. I don't want to ignore you.

Oh.
I thought I was excommunicated.

You need bishops or some other manner of high and mighty preacher for that.

Why do some people see "trolls" everywhere?

For the same reason atheist are obsessed with Christian; liberals with conservatives and vice versa; creationist with evolutionist and vice versa.
They are all conflicting points of view and humans are competitive animals.

That was beautiful Frank. Who can doubt thqat we are genetically disposed (designed ??) to love such things.

Welcome back!

I always figured those that are obsessed with those who have a different worldview are often those that have no idea that their entire worldview might just be wrong, regardless of how much evidence they have gathered to support it.

My feelings exactly, George!

Reported as spam. How's that for feedback.

Of course you have talked about it. Otherwise you would not have perceived her as a theist. I guess you could have concluded that she was a theist if you saw a religious book in her house or observed her going to a church but I'm guessing you perceived it in everyday interaction if you have shared as much as you say.

The idea that theism does not affect your life outside of 'religious talk' is an overly limited conception of what theism ought to be.

Did you call me a liar?

I have known that woman for 55 years. Within the first five, I was a bridesmaid at her wedding, in a catholic church, right about the time I was leaving religion. No, we didn't talk about it at the wedding time, it was all about bride's maid dresses. If I say we have never talked about it since, I am not kidding. Your impertinence is noted. Your presumption is annoying.

She is into christmas decor, but I don't know her own takes after the wedding years, then or now at this point. Not my business. She has a fair sized family and is into making the good old house home. She is also very smart in science. Even I, long time non religion person, had put up a tree or two because I had lost my parents and still had family ornaments, and later, a nice big Opuntia ficus indica plant with some ribbons... for the season. Have you heard of Saturnalia?

The Opuntia was hard to drag in the house, took the both of us, oww-ie.

You missed my point entirely. People communicate their beliefs in a hundred subtle ways without specifically making it the subject of conversation. I haven't talked about politics with most of my friends, but of course I know what theirs are and they know mine.

If you don't think this is true and If I take you at your word that the only clue you perceived about her being a theist is the fact that she was married in a church, then you don't have any basis for knowing whether she is a theist or not.

Sorry to have annoyed you.

From 50 years of on and off communications, I still have no idea and won't ask. She rescues many animals, has illustrated childrens' books, and surgeons' books and a least one paleontologist's. I will guess she is a semi hemi demi believer, but I've no idea.

Also, I don't care. I'm simply answering your assumption that I must know.

I believe you. So we can be sure that neither you nor your friend has 'The Theist Obsession'.

'K.

Yeah, I hear ya. I wouldn't even want to take a wild-ass guess why that could possibly be, eh?

One thing does seem certain though: Ya done been

VICTIMIZED, yet again, sho nuff.