When Christians Attack

Well, it finally happened. Some "loving" christian decided they didn't like my window sticker and vandalized my car over the weekend.

I won't go into details, but they made it very clear the sticker (which honestly isn't offensive, and makes a subtle point about Xtianity) was the focus of their scorn.

These cowards decided to do this over Friday night as I slept rather than come knock on the door to ask me about it or plead their point to the contrary with a well thought out note. No, these neanderthals would rather use bully tactics, making it very clear they didn't want "my kind" in that particular neighborhood, they created a mess which I awoke to find the next morning. And I spent about 2 hours cleaning off, that which was able to be cleaned, in front of my friend's garage.

What happened next, I didn't see coming. As I was angrily cleaning and repairing, 2 gentlemen were making their way around the neighborhood ...bibles in hand. As I saw them make their way around, I secretly hoped they would pass us by. Because I KNEW what I would say. I normally have a "live and let live" attitude, but not on THIS particular day.

Long story short. When they got up to the curb my friend hurriedly walked out to them trying to buffer my angst. They ask "doing a little car cleaning?"

"No, we had a little bit of vandalism last night" My friend replied.

"Really? I hate to hear that" Said the bible thumper.

To which I responded "well, I've come to expect it, really."

...and so it began. He asked what church we attend, my friend answered with the name of his, I kept silent. I was hoping they would hand us a tract and keep walking. That wasn't to be the case because he decided to engage me in the conversation.

He turned to me and asked if I attend a church.. and I responded (naturally) "Absolutely not."

And then we got into it. Anyone who has been in this position knows how the rest goes so I will spare you.

In short time I was able to poke holes in their reason for being there which really seemed to catch them off guard, and after about 5 minutes asked them to leave because they were getting angry and I was not in the mood to escalate beyond a simple discussion at my friend's house (since he is a Xtian). I point and counter-pointed in a surprisingly calm and positive way despite what had happened. And the last thing I said was "well, the burden of proof is really on you though, isn't it?" To which, they didn't seem to respond too well. In fact, when they were walking off, the one who remained quiet turned and started barking at me like a little dog, waving his finger and condemning me. All the while while droning on about how god talks to him and he hears voices and other things that would get them condemned to an insane asylum if it wasn't under the guise of religion. Thanks for proving my point little chiwawa, now move along. For a second I was about to ask him if he ever posts to a certain "boring" blog Laughing

.

I want to thank those who did this. For you remind me exactly of the ignorance and cowardice we are to face and oppose in certain religious circles if there is ever to be a new renaissance of art and reason in this country.
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...no one ever need identify himself as a non-astrologer or a non-alchemist. Consequently, we do not have words for people who deny the validity of these pseudo-disciplines. Likewise, “atheism” is a term that should not even exist.
-Sam Harris

Sorry to hear about the vandalism, Sanjuro. I suppose a sanity suvival mechanism drops us into a "live and let live" mode for much of the time. When something like this happens it's a reminder that the bible thumpers have nothing less than world domination in mind, as outlined in their instruction manual. I suppose breaking your window was no sin since you are an infidel. Again, sorry this happened.
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"When the spider-bats return to Capistrano, I want to be waiting for them" -Roger Zelazny

Sanjuro wrote: Well, it finally happened. Some "loving" christian decided they didn't like my window sticker and vandalized my car over the weekend.

I'm truly sorry to hear that, friend. What sort of monetary costs are involved? Did you report this to police and insurance folks?

Just wondering...
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"We probably could have saved ourselves, but we were too damned lazy to try very hard ... and too damn cheap" -- K. Vonnegut (message to be carved into the Grand Canyon as a note to aliens visiting in the future)

I'm curious. What WAS the window sticker you had on your window?
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"Has it ever occurred to you that nothing ever occurs to God?"

BecauseHeLives wrote: I'm curious. What WAS the window sticker you had on your window?

"I heart BHL" Just kidding. Actually it was A darwin/evolve fish.
Funny, Ive never thought to vandal any of the hundreds of xtian fish on other people's cars.
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...no one ever need identify himself as a non-astrologer or a non-alchemist. Consequently, we do not have words for people who deny the validity of these pseudo-disciplines. Likewise, “atheism” is a term that should not even exist.
-Sam Harris

SouthernFriedInfidel wrote:
I'm truly sorry to hear that, friend. What sort of monetary costs are involved? Did you report this to police and insurance folks?

Just wondering...

You know, I don't really trust the police to be honest. Most of them are cut from the same cloth and I didn't want to deal with that on top of everything else.

Actually I wanted to remove it as quickly as possible to minmimize any more damage. Some of the scratched parts I can buff out with my random orbital and some I can't. My insurance is high enough thanks very much. Cool

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...no one ever need identify himself as a non-astrologer or a non-alchemist. Consequently, we do not have words for people who deny the validity of these pseudo-disciplines. Likewise, “atheism” is a term that should not even exist.
-Sam Harris

The glass was chipped, but I planned on replacing the windshield anyway in the spring. So no sweat. But it did take forever to get this cleaned.
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...no one ever need identify himself as a non-astrologer or a non-alchemist. Consequently, we do not have words for people who deny the validity of these pseudo-disciplines. Likewise, “atheism” is a term that should not even exist.
-Sam Harris

I might add Sanjuro. If there is anything I can do to help you get your car back to the way it was I am willing to help you out any way that I can.
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"Has it ever occurred to you that nothing ever occurs to God?"

How do you know that "evolve" doesn't simply mean religion should evolve to fit the world it exists in to create better harmony with science and new discoveries? You assume a lot I think.
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...no one ever need identify himself as a non-astrologer or a non-alchemist. Consequently, we do not have words for people who deny the validity of these pseudo-disciplines. Likewise, “atheism” is a term that should not even exist.
-Sam Harris

Sanjuro wrote: How do you know that "evolve" doesn't simply mean religion should evolve to fit the world it exists in to create better harmony with science and new discoveries? You assume a lot I think.

Is that what it means to you? I think the vast majority of people (especially the Christian group) do not see that emblem as meaning that and I doubt you'll see that on any cars in a church parking lot.

C'mon Sanjuro... you know what meaning you meant it to portray.
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"Has it ever occurred to you that nothing ever occurs to God?"

BecauseHeLives wrote:
Is that what it means to you? I think the vast majority of people (especially the Christian group) do not see that emblem as meaning that and I doubt you'll see that on any cars in a church parking lot.

C'mon Sanjuro... you know what meaning you meant it to portray.

Seriously, for a very long time it indeed did simply mean to simply evolve with the times. I think the very word is a threat to people now though. However, it's no more abrasive than having to read something about god, abortions, or soul saving on other cars. I see countless numbers of those a day. So its ok for them to express who they are, but a simple symbol is not? I don't go bat-shit crazy when I see that.

Funny ain't it that Christians demand the right to display a symbol of torture anywhere and everywhere they want, smother their cars with fish and "Jesus Love Me" stickers - yet see a statement of someone else's beliefs as provocative. If it were the other way round they'd be screaming 'persecution'

I sympathise with you. And that's why I don't have a Darwin fish or FSM on my car. I've had to deal with Christian Love too, it gets expensive. But my boat does have a Pirate Fish on it. You have to be Pastafarian to recognise it.

Hey... I'm all for the right to express yourself even if it might offend others. But, the evolve fish is more than just offensive. Its taking a CHRISTIAN symbol and defiling and ridiculing it. That is what likely inflames some people. Saying that you are displaying the symbol only to show your worldviews is somewhat dishonest IMO.
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"Has it ever occurred to you that nothing ever occurs to God?"

More than offensive? Since when has a fish been an sacred graven image of Christianity? It's not as if it's a cartoon of Jesus.

A Person wrote: More than offensive? Since when has a fish been an sacred graven image of Christianity? It's not as if it's a cartoon of Jesus.

Oh for about 1900+ years.
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"Has it ever occurred to you that nothing ever occurs to God?"

Tee hee. I just caught one Smile

A Person wrote: Tee hee. I just caught one Smile

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"Has it ever occurred to you that nothing ever occurs to God?"

BecauseHeLives wrote: Hey... I'm all for the right to express yourself even if it might offend others. But, the evolve fish is more than just offensive. Its taking a CHRISTIAN symbol and defiling and ridiculing it. That is what likely inflames some people. Saying that you are displaying the symbol only to show your worldviews is somewhat dishonest IMO.

Saying that your symbol is "defiled" and that such an act is more than offensive indicates that you see your symbols as being somehow "better" than others' or perhaps even "holy."

Yes, I have an "evolve" fish on my car, but it's there only to tweak the noses of certain folks who are prone to getting their noses tweaked over such things.

I'm glad that you've said that you wouldn't condone what happened to friend Sanjuro's car. But the fact that you consider his symbol to be a provocation to what these thugs did says some pretty unsavory things, I think. Unsavory, but hardly surprising or new.
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"We probably could have saved ourselves, but we were too damned lazy to try very hard ... and too damn cheap" -- K. Vonnegut (message to be carved into the Grand Canyon as a note to aliens visiting in the future)

Sanjuro, I'm sorry to hear about all this man. It's really sad when a simple thought process can cause so much intolerance and hate. These are the same kind of people responsible for segregation and slavery before that. And christians think they're persecuted?
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Carl Sagan:
"I don't want to beLIEve. I want to know."

"Faith is to the human what sand is to the ostrich.
Unknown

The Darwin fish is offensive? I never thought it was any worse than a Kerry/Gore sticker. Razz

Seriously though, I didn't realize it was such a sore subject.

Although I will say there's someone I work with that puts <>< on all their e-mails. I suggested that doing so may not be a good business idea. They got very bent out of shape.
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Procrastinate now, don't wait until later.

Did you point out that it represents the vulva of the Earth Goddess? Twisted Evil