Religion
Related: About this forumCounterproductive Atheist Memes: Not Enough Lions
May 30, 2015
Posted by Jack Vance at 10:55 AM
"What's wrong with the world today? Too many Christians and not enough lions." You have probably heard this or variations of this statement from various atheists online. It is one of the many anti-theistic memes which seem to circulate constantly on social media. And if you have not encountered this particular meme, you have undoubtedly seen many others about which much of what I have to say here might apply.
This particular meme about Christians and lions is not something I'd be inclined to promote. In fact, it strikes me as being counterproductive. But wait a minute! Don't those saying it have the right to do so? Absolutely, and I have no desire to take away their right to do so. When they say it, aren't they exercising their right to free expression? Yes, and they are certainly free to do this. But just because someone can say something does not mean they should say it. And just because I support the free expression of ideas does not mean that I must promote all ideas I encounter indiscriminately.
In this particular case, I wouldn't promote the meme because it is not an accurate reflection of how I feel. I have no interest in seeing my entire family and almost all of my friends killed by lions. Not only do I have no interest in seeing it, but I would be extremely upset if it were to happen. And since I don't hate people merely for being Christian, I can easily extend this beyond family, friends, and acquaintances. There are plenty of good Christians who I would not like to have killed by lions.
I do not characterize this particular meme as counterproductive merely because it is not an accurate reflection of how I feel about Christians. I'm not sure how its message is supposed to make anyone think or question their religious beliefs. The useful atheist and/or anti-theistic memes all seem to do this. They contain accurate statements and lead to deeper reflection in a way that this one doesn't. And there are many great ones out there that do this quite well.
http://www.atheistrev.com/2015/05/counterproductive-atheist-memes-not.html#ixzz3bwvT8TNs
Response to rug (Original post)
Post removed
Cartoonist
(7,309 posts)A serious lack of humor here.
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)Especially when you can use it to score points against those horrible atheists.
Nice behaviour from so-called tolerant religious people, eh Cartoonist?
skepticscott
(13,029 posts)never seem to weigh in on this when it's their fellow religionistas treating mental illness so cavalierly. Perish forbid that anyone would apply the label "deluded" to a religious believer, though. You-know-who would be all over that...
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)So much for the lectures about ad homs.
Yorktown
(2,884 posts)A guy writing one whole article on one gallows humor joke has far too much time on his hands.
And is -apparently- taken far too seriously. He should lighten up.
If only to run faster if he's faced with a lion
rug
(82,333 posts)Yorktown
(2,884 posts)rug
(82,333 posts)Ideas and facts.
Yorktown
(2,884 posts)Cartoonist
(7,309 posts)He has written similar articles in which he bashes atheists.
rug
(82,333 posts)Yes, that must be it.
AlbertCat
(17,505 posts)A lot of religious people are.
rug
(82,333 posts)AlbertCat
(17,505 posts)Most people don't spend their every waking hour scouring the internet for anti-atheist or pro-Catholic articles. A huge amount of people go about their day....or week.... not giving god or religion a second thought. They certainly don't depend on it for anything for long stretches of time.... until asked, or some ritual comes up.
rug
(82,333 posts)AlbertCat
(17,505 posts)Nah.... Just ignored it.
It was pretty lame.
rug
(82,333 posts)AlbertCat
(17,505 posts)said the guy who posted 1565 posts in the last 90 days....
And your "get the last word in" postings come so fast you are leaving letters out of words
rug
(82,333 posts)Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)Perhaps a go fund me page is in order.
rug
(82,333 posts)Jim__
(14,059 posts)From an artice in the Guardian:
Lordquinton
(7,886 posts)It's an underprivileged group venting.
rug
(82,333 posts)Lordquinton
(7,886 posts)When you forget the topic you posted about.
Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)rug
(82,333 posts)You make a cryptic, incoherent comment.
The group the OP criticizes is described in the first paragraph.
It makes it hard to keep up discussions when you forget to read the first paragraph.
Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)rug
(82,333 posts)Don't you agree, warren?
Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)Case in point, your response to my question. Or as you would say "QED".
Now back to the lions, an issue relevant to the topic of your op.
Wouldn't you agree that there should be more lions?
rug
(82,333 posts)Case in point, your reply.
Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)rug
(82,333 posts)Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)Why can't you answer it?
rug
(82,333 posts)Why can't you see it?
Oh wait, you do, but prefer deflection. I get what the author means about counterproductive.
Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)Oh and please re-read your op to figure out how it is pertinent.
Lordquinton
(7,886 posts)The meme in question is from an opressed group blowing off steam. It's a common poking against privilege.
rug
(82,333 posts)Do you have a privilege against offense?
Lordquinton
(7,886 posts)I hope someday you will, like your realization of your pope's bigotry.
rug
(82,333 posts)Lordquinton
(7,886 posts)Growth is hard. Is obviously touches a nerve with you, your privilege being brought to the front. Your "I'm rubber your glue" rerort shows that you're not thinking clearly here. Maybe step back and think about why you post so many articles about atheists, what about them threatens you? Why are you so offended by them?
rug
(82,333 posts)That is to say, not at all.
Lordquinton
(7,886 posts)Just don't go too far in lashing out, someone might take offence where I'm able to shrug it off here.
rug
(82,333 posts)It's ok, not everyone handles offense well.
Lordquinton
(7,886 posts)You're practicly coming apart at the seams here.
rug
(82,333 posts)AlbertCat
(17,505 posts)Atheists didn't make up the untrue meme about feeding Christians to lions, y'know.
I wonder who did....hmmmmm......?
rug
(82,333 posts)AlbertCat
(17,505 posts)Do you think atheists did indeed make up those stories? That's what the post you are replying is talking about.
You should know that Christians were not fed to the lions like the stories made up that early Christians tell.
Then you won't embarrass yourself.....again.
Also.... try replying with something that indicates you understood..... however slightly.... the post you are replying to.
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)All big cats, really.
MisterP
(23,730 posts)and Commodus--really?
rug
(82,333 posts)Cartoonist
(7,309 posts)rug
(82,333 posts)Cartoonist
(7,309 posts)One in which humor does not exist. I feel sorry for you.
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)But no more cartoons for rug.
You'll get these back after you develop a sense of humour, young man!
rug
(82,333 posts)Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)rug
(82,333 posts)Shall I take it you're answering for bmus now?
Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)If you would like to have a private discussion you can use the "pm" function. Meanwhile everything you write here is open to anyone else to comment on. However if you find my comments upsetting, as you seem to, you can always put me on ignore. In your case that might be a good idea.
rug
(82,333 posts)How'd that work out for you?
Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)But seriously, you should consider it. It might help you get through whatever it is you seem so upset about.
meanwhile how about lions? Do you think there should be more lions?
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)That is why you won't answer.
Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)What a gnarly trap you wove. And alas I succumbed.
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)rug
(82,333 posts)There must be something about "counterproductive atheist meme" that you find unsettling.
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)Don't flatter yourself Warren.
Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)And then declare your investigation closed. If it isn't terribly important to you, why on earth do you keep going on about it?
By the way you need more rofls. One is never enough.
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)Don't you think there should be more lions?
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)and wonderful without them. We need more lions. Is there some reason why neither you nor rug can agree that this is so obviously true?
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)So what is it that human society could best do to ensure that our planet's lion population survives and thrives?
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)Overpopulation is not just driving the extinction of lions. It is driving catastrophic climate change, deforestation, pollution, and threatens the extinction of a lot more life forms than lions.
We need to first stabilize and then over the long term reduce the human population.
Any disagreement with that?
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)It is a manifest threat to a vast array of other life forms on the planet.
So do you disagree that we should stabilize and then reduce the human population?
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)Including, for example, christians?
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)QED <--- hey rug note correct usage.
p.s. this is why your pal refused to answer the question.
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)You can believe you didn't agree but it is right there in black and white.
And again this is why rug cannot even answer the simple question about lions.
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)You can't escape that Justin.
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)WS: Don't you think there should be more lions?
J: Lions are good people.
WS: No seriously, lions are endangered and the world would be less beautiful and wonderful without them.
We need more lions. Is there some reason why neither you nor rug can agree that this is so obviously true?
J: I have no problem with more lions. is that clear enough for you?
WS: What is the greatest threat to lions?
J: People i assume. i am not an expert on lions.
WS: Overpopulation to be more precise.
So what is it that human society could best do to ensure that our planet's lion population survives and thrives?
J: You tell me.
WS: Let's take this past Lions.
Overpopulation is not just driving the extinction of lions. It is driving catastrophic climate change, deforestation, pollution, and threatens the extinction of a lot more life forms than lions.
We need to first stabilize and then over the long term reduce the human population.
Any disagreement with that?
J: Overpopulation is definitely a threat to the human race.
WS: Not just humans, Justin.
It is a manifest threat to a vast array of other life forms on the planet.
So do you disagree that we should stabilize and then reduce the human population?
J: i think we should aim to reduce the population.
WS: Should that reduction be spread evenly across all of human society?
Including, for example, christians?
J: I think Christians should aim to reduce the population.
More lions ... fewer Christians.
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)Don't waste your time.
Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)Which part of this are you retracting?
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)rug
(82,333 posts)Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)Good for you rug.
rug
(82,333 posts)Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)rug
(82,333 posts)Ipse dixit ipso facto.
Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)Alas, you are unable to accept criticism, no matter how well intentioned.
Carry on.
rug
(82,333 posts)Here, you have managed to place two errors in the same sentence.
The latter error is the most indefensible.
rug
(82,333 posts)Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)rug
(82,333 posts)Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)rug
(82,333 posts)Last edited Wed Jun 3, 2015, 11:48 PM - Edit history (1)
Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)But tell me about you and lions. What do you think? Should there be more lions?
rug
(82,333 posts)rug
(82,333 posts)Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)It might make your experience here less awkward.
rug
(82,333 posts)Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)rug
(82,333 posts)hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)But necessary for some here.
Since i am on mirt and forum hosting it is not really good for me.
Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)Now, about those lions. What do you think, should there be more lions?
rug
(82,333 posts)So, do you admire Diocletian?
Cartoonist
(7,309 posts)I'm sorry you lack a sense of humor and think my post is serious.
rug
(82,333 posts)Cartoonist
(7,309 posts)Do some research on black humor, you may cure your cluelessness.
Do you remember a TV show called Hogan's Heroes? They made comedy out of a German prisoner of war camp.
If you still don't get it, then you really are hopeless.
rug
(82,333 posts)What else do you consider exemplars of humor, Mr Ed?
Cartoonist
(7,309 posts)Pure genius.
Yorktown
(2,884 posts)Just trying to understand the demarcation between counterproductive meme and humor:
immoderate
(20,885 posts)--imm
rug
(82,333 posts)Do you?
immoderate
(20,885 posts)Doesn't have the same ring to it.
--imm
rug
(82,333 posts)immoderate
(20,885 posts)Kind of tests the limits of wittiness, though.
--imm
phil89
(1,043 posts)how can you feign concern over atrocities when you support such an organization?
rug
(82,333 posts)I give you two posts before you type "child rapists".
Lordquinton
(7,886 posts)The whole lions thing? Well theres another thread you should read before you again embarass your self.
rug
(82,333 posts)An event you apparently find amusing enough for an internet meme.
The only embarrassing thing is your ignorance of what you're defending.
Lordquinton
(7,886 posts)The whole lions and Christians thing never happened.
rug
(82,333 posts)Kinda undrmines your poutrage. But it's ok, process this new information, the rage will pass.
rug
(82,333 posts)Lordquinton
(7,886 posts)They covered that.
Christians spawned a whole genre of martyrdom fiction.
struggle4progress
(118,214 posts)guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)Not quite as funny as this, however:
cbayer
(146,218 posts)Those that insist it is funny will not or can not understand why it is counterproductive. They are on a mission.
Yorktown
(2,884 posts)AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)Look at the garbage you post.
HTTPS://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=%22Too+many+christians+not+enough+lions%22
"About 539 results (0.35 seconds)"
Searching for matching image resulted in 161 hits.
Fucking fake ass fabricated outrage bullshit.
And then there's a book, "So many Christians, so few lions" which might be the origin of the meme, and it's by two guys I've never even heard of.
Run that search for some insulting shit like "there are no atheists in foxholes" and tell me how many fucking hits you get.
Yorktown
(2,884 posts)There are folks who never gave a thought about a 'god' when they faced death:
http://militaryatheists.org/atheists-in-foxholes/
But some reported the Flying Spaghetti Monster gave them the strength to recover from stress.
AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)I know I am not worthy, but he doesn't mind.
Yorktown
(2,884 posts)Not worthy? You are too modest and self effacing.
You appear to be one of the chosen.
I tip my hat to you.
SwankyXomb
(2,030 posts)must face such heated persecution from the BARPists.
Yorktown
(2,884 posts)Bronze Age Religions of Privilege
=
Age of Bronze Chosen Deisms
rug
(82,333 posts)Read the article, AC. Do you think he's writing "fabricated horseshit"?
I won't comment on the uninformed screeds you regularly post.
Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)Or did you just not understand it?
rug
(82,333 posts)Or did you just not understand it?
Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)Now about lions. What do you think, should there be more lions?
AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)Calling me uninformed while you apparently can't even read my post, or click on the search link?
rug
(82,333 posts)AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)That image is in fact, apparently not as prolific as the author would like the characterize.
I gave you the fucking search link, don't deflect by pretending it's hard to search for. That's just embarrassing.
rug
(82,333 posts)AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)Or are you going to stop haranguing other posters for similar content, or what?
rug
(82,333 posts)You actually think the OP, written by an atheist at a site called "Atheist Revolution" is a hatchet job on atheists?
You're too easily offended.
AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)Manufactured outrage.
You just agreed your actions are embarrassing. Slow down man! You can't afford to slip up!
rug
(82,333 posts)Lordquinton
(7,886 posts)However I agree with both of you, that was embarrassing.
cbayer
(146,218 posts)Try : So Many Christians, So Few Lions
AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)Both variants are used so little, Google and Bing can't offer an autocomplete suggestion as you type them in.
I make it to the first "t" in atheists, and Google suggests as its first result "there are no atheists in foxholes". (72,800 results) bing fingers it out on the "A".
"There are no atheist soup kitchens" returns 75.1k hits.
And you want me to believe that "so many Christians, so few lions" is some sort of rampant meme problem?
Not buying it.
Hey, I just tipped it over to 5131 hits though, so there's hope I guess
cbayer
(146,218 posts)Like, Religion Poisons Everything and Religion:Together We can Find a Cure and at least a dozen others I would bring up without even using the google. There is a problem and there are very negative memes out there.
This does not mean that there aren't counterproductive memes about atheists. There are.
I would like to see both side stop. This is not a contest between who has the most rampant meme problem. Why make it that?
AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)True, or useful, or somehow resonate with a larger audience.
The paltry popularity of that lions meme could simply represent the general frustration some people feel with evangelical Christians interfering in things like same sex marriage.
But whatever the reason it resonates with its audience, it's a pitifully small audience compared to the vicious shit I offered in counterpoint.
(Together we can find the cure IS a much more popular meme at 13 million horse, but there's a lot of merchandising and indexing that doesn't represent actual humans sharing it, so the numbers are squishy compared to the lions or soup kitchens comparisons)
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)Nothing new.
Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)Tyrants suck, whether they exist as real people or abstract ideas.
rock
(13,218 posts)Means the government doesn't have the right to stop you. It doesn't mean a thing about social consequences. So right on!
mercuryblues
(14,521 posts)when people ask an atheist what keeps them from murdering people if they don't fear the wrath of God, watch what so called Xtians are saying, like gays should be shot because it is an abomination, atheist better start believing or we are all going to perish in the next natural disaster and so on. Why yes, it is time to start bashing back. It's just too bad the people who need to learn something, refuse to.
Why is it not counter productive to Xtianity when a christian shoots up a church because they accept the GBLT community?
cbayer
(146,218 posts)they accept the GLBT community.
Article about that kind of behavior are posted here all the time and understandably condemned by christians and non-christians alike.
But that doesn't mean that it happening in other contexts is not a problem. It doesn't have anything to do with the substance of this article.
struggle4progress
(118,214 posts)http://www.atlbanana.com/supreme-court-upholds-little-caesars-right-to-feed-christian-employees-to-lions/