Good News! Words mean whatever you want them to mean!

[Heddi]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by JNelson6563 (a host of the Atheists & Agnostics group).

Comes straight from the horse's mouth

http://www.democraticunderground.com/121877952#post7

And when I say "horse," I'm only using it as an interchangable word for "poster," since according to that horse, I mean poster, words don't mean anything at all!

Atheism is the same as religion...who cares what it's called? Even if the meanings are completely different!

Church is the same as "informal gathering of like-minded friends". Don't matter that the word "church" has a specific meaning...use it to mean whatever you want it to mean because IT DOESNT MATTER WHAT ITS CALLED!!!

It's like Mad Libs....

Now, whenever someone asks "what church do you go to," as an Atheist, you don't have to worry about losing your job, your friends, or being kicked out of your family, since you can now use the word "church" to mean any old thing.

Example:

So, Heddi, what church do you and your family attend?

Oh!, we go to the Beverage Place every Friday and Saturday night.

That doesn't sound like a church to me. Sounds more like a bar with an amazing beer selection.

Oh!, does it really matter what it's called?

[trotsky]

1. Just remember:

Some folks will bristle at ANY attempt to put a label on them, but then turn around and choose whatever word they want to describe someone else.

And they are utterly incapable of seeing the hypocrisy.

[Heddi]

6. You're absolutely right

This is the same person that will stomp feet and have a near aneurysm if you *dare* suggest that she is either a believer, or a nonbeliever. In *that* instance, words have specific meanings, and don't you dare use an inappropriate label on HER! THAT IS WRONG! (also don't use words like "controlling," "overbearing," or "self-appointed arbiter of the world and if you have a problem with that then you're a harrassing stalker bully1!!1&quot

But when it comes to whether atheists go to a church (which they don't) or what they call a gathering of like-minded people (not a church), then meh. words don't matter. Who cares what it's called...

Apparently, labels are only important when they pertain to her. Otherwise, who gives a shit what a gathering, or a person, or a group is called? J

It shows not only the hypocrisy, but the disdain and contempt she has for others with differing views.

And this plays *right* into the tired old canard that "Atheism is a religion!!!!" because hey! we go to church, right???? RIGHT???

[backscatter712]

2. I rather like the Church of Ethanol!

There's something worth worshipping!

[LostOne4Ever]

13. +10000 (nt)

[RevStPatrick]

3. This is all so confusing to me...

When I get home this evening, I will have to ask the tadpole beerbong to whom I am married what she thinks about this.

[skepticscott]

4. Cool! I guess I can interpret "Leave me alone"

to mean "please feel free to show everyone how lame and useless my posts are"

[cleanhippie]

9. Apparently, she has the only ignore button that doesn't work.

That or she feels that she is so self-important that those she wants to ignore but can't, for she must monitor what they are saying, must leaver her alone.

I think she has a better chance of holding a fart in her hand...

[Curmudgeoness]

11. .................

Shit, cleanhippie, I now have coffee up my nose.

[Warpy]

5. Well, it does bother me that the London gathering

has felt it necessary to call itself a church. They might have called it a fellowship or a celebration or a meeting like the Quakers. "Church" makes my skin crawl, too many negative associations.

My online friends did go in London a few weeks ago and reported it was a hoot, fun and uplifting, a combination pep rally and sing along.

In the meantime, the OP in the thread you linked to seems more upset that there is no religious gingerbread encrusting the walls than a bunch of atheists are meeting and having a good time. I hope s/he never visits the Old North Church in Boston, a very simple, elegant and bare structure with only an unadorned cross to proclaim its purpose inside and out.

It seems the London meetings lack originality in a lot of ways. For instance, I'd have been more inclined to arrange the seating in concentric circles.

[cleanhippie]

8. Beverage Place? In Seattle?

I find myself there occasionally. Maybe we should have a pint sometime.

[Heddi]

10. Oh dear! We just moved to Philadelphia

but we were there religiously :snicker: I loved that place. Right down the road from our house. I didn't know you were in the area...we lived out that way for 11 years. Last summer (or lack thereof) finally got to me, and I had to move to Sunnier pastures

[defacto7]

12. For that matter,

Igneous forthright is commingled in sport dog. Passage with ink makes trees impetuously pregnant so bushes don't climb telephone poles.

[uriel1972]

14. Should I be scared that that almost makes sense to me?... nt

[defacto7]

15. Yes it shouldn't not. No.

[uriel1972]

16. The rythym is right and the words fit in order, but the whole doesn't make sense...

Does that make sense?

[defacto7]

17. The beauty and magic

of nonsensery! The cadence and even the feeling of meaning can be intact and be utter nonsense. Read some post modernist writings. I love that stuff!

http://www.elsewhere.org/pomo/

on edit: be sure to read the end of the article.

[ScottLand]

18. I've always enjoyed our holiday - The Day Of Maximum Occupancy

[JNelson6563]

19. Locking.

Maybe this would have been better if posted in the forum that prompted this discussion in the first place. Here in the AA group it's against the SOP.

Julie