[extropy-chat] Putting God to Rest

[Sondre Bjellås]

>Listen, I think that it's perfectly all right for black people
>to tell jokes about white people, and vice-versa, but 
>only so long as none of the "targets" are within listening
>range. Insults, derogatory remarks, and even jokes put
>people into uncomfortable positions, where often they
>even have to decide whether to be confrontational about
>the slights received.  Sensible and courteous folks simply
>DO NOT say such things in mixed audiences.
>
>For all the derogatory remarks I've made about either
>religious or political views, I must apologize to my targets
>insofar as they feel that they have been placed in such an 
>uncomfortable position. Knowing now that some religious
>people are interested in transhumanist ideas and are even
>here participating in these discussions requires that I---and 
>everybody else---adhere to decorum, and find ways of
>saying what is true without being insulting about it.
>
>Lee

It is not perfectly all right to tell racist jokes to any type of audience. It is not all right to talk trash about females in any situation. Equal rights and opportunities for everyone, and we should all value the individuals based on their acts and performances. If you continue to talk down on females or anyone other generalized group of individuals, you are only making the situation worse.

Religious and political views are personal and chosen opinions (most people don't choose it for themselves, their parents did) and anyone should be open for discrimination, insults and being laughed at for these views.

I love being an atheist and I enjoy every single moment of this life.

/Sondre

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