what DU is all about

[Thats my opinion]

Here is a definition of what the Democratic Underground essentially is all about.
“Democratic Underground is an online community for Democrats and other progressives. Members are expected to be generally supportive of progressive ideals, and to support Democratic candidates for political office….”

While this allows for a wide sweep of opinions and conversations, it is essentially a forum in support of a liberal Democratic perspective. R/T is a way in which people, from a variety of points of view, can engage in the way religion and theology support this perspective. From now on, when I write anything here I will ask myself the question, ‘is this piece consistent with what the definition of D/U suggests.’ This may be a good discipline for all of us. It would eliminate many of the nasty things all of have been saying and make a real contribution to a progressive way forward for America in this difficult historic period. The national crisis is too important to spend our time fiddling or fussing with each other.

[FreakinDJ]

1. Stricktly "MTMS"

"Makes Too Much Sense"

[dmallind]

2. And if supporting progressive ideals entails fighting against regressive ones favored by religions,

will you actually concede that it's not all kumbaya and peace and love under the cross? Which groups did most to deny gay Californians the right to marry for a start? Which groups end reproductive choice, by both legal manoeuvers and terrorism? Doesn't supporting progressive ideals mean acknowledging who the enemy of progressive ideals really is and why they hold those opinions?

[Thats my opinion]

4. you bet!

Both inside r/t and in a number of places outside where I work and write, I not only acknowledge but also fight like the dickens those obscene repudiations of what Jesus was talking about. I couldn't agree with you more. These forces are anti Christian and anti democratic.

[trotsky]

5. Who had #4 in the NTS pool?

Step up and claim your prize!

[trotsky]

3. "the nasty things all of have been saying"

You mean like saying none of us would want to live in a society without a religious foundation for morality?

Notice, too, that the statement is "Members are expected to be generally supportive of progressive ideals, and to support Democratic candidates for political office". There is no expectation of having to support religious encroachment into policy, even if it's liberal and well-intended. I am allowed to voice my opinion, despite your wishes otherwise.

[laconicsax]

6. You seem to still be confused about how discussion forums work.

This site, Democratic Underground, has several forums and groups, each further divided into more specific categories. The point of these forums and groups is not to support a liberal Democratic perspective, but to allow members of Democratic Underground to discuss different topics.

The Science forum is for discussion of science-related issues, the Alaska forum is for discussion of Alaskan issues, and Latest Breaking News is for discussion of the latest breaking news.

This forum, Religion/Theology is for members of Democratic Underground to discuss matters relating to religion and theology. This seems to be a point of confusion for you, so please try to understand: it is not meant as a forum to only discuss how religion and theology can be used to support progressive causes.

If you want to discuss how religion and theology can be used to support progressive causes, you're welcome to start a thread to discuss that. Keep in mind, however, that not everyone believes that religion should be used to support progressive causes for a variety of reasons and if you want to have the discussion, you can't just take your position for granted. People will challenge you on it and if you don't want to deal with that, then this might not be the best forum for you to have that discussion.

DU also has groups. The http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=291">Christian Liberals/Progressive People of Faith group is a place where you might have an easier time of having the discussion of ways to use progressive Christianity to support progressive causes.

[Iggo]

7. Can't get much clearer than that.

Thanks for being a cool head.

[laconicsax]

8. We'll see.

This isn't the first time I've said it.

[trotsky]

10. Perfectly stated.

However I share your doubts that it will make a bit of difference, unfortunately.

[Goblinmonger]

9. Thanks, Dad

I don't know how this forum even functioned before you came along :eyes:

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Iggo]

12. That, my friend, is one HELL of a restraining order!!!

:rofl:

[Goblinmonger]

14. Oh, I missed it.

I bet it was fantastic.

[Starboard Tack]

17. Nothing like solidarity is there

I have definitely noticed that it has become a lot more civil since TMO appeared on the scene.

[Goblinmonger]

18. Well if you discount

the subtle jabs that TMO has on atheists, I guess maybe.

[Iggo]

19. LOL @ 'subtle'

B-)

[Starboard Tack]

20. What jabs? I don't detect any prejudice on his part towards atheists, only extremists

of all stripes.

[trotsky]

21. One of TMO's first threads was this:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=214&topic_id=277790

This quote: "None of us would want to live in a society without some sort of an ethical sensitivity based on solid religious faith."

He has never apologized for it - even when asked to, when it was a direct slap in the face to those of us who do not base our ethics on religious faith.

[Starboard Tack]

22. Why should he apologize for something he believes?

He has a good point. I don't share his belief, but there is a ring of truth to it. There is no right and wrong here that requires apologies from those who you disagree with. You may not even be aware of the origins of your own ethics. I tend to believe our sense of good and bad is innate, but I don't know that for sure. Our society is based on an amalgam of ethical sensitivities drawn from many cultures and religions with shared beliefs. Where they originated, one can only speculate.

[trotsky]

24. I dunno, because he offended several people?

Naw, who gives a shit. They're only atheists.

[Starboard Tack]

25. Then maybe they could benefit from some humility, a virtue shunned by fundies of all stripes

[trotsky]

26. Nice.

Dismissal followed by a name-call of your own.

Oh it's become so much more civil here, hasn't it?

[Starboard Tack]

28. Sorry, dismissal of what? Intolerance?

Do you think fundies only come with collars and rosaries? I am not suggesting all atheists are fundies, in fact, I would say very few are, but some of those like to congregate in this forum as though it were their own little club. Well, it isn't. I humbly apologize to anyone offended by my comments who is not a fundie. However, if the shoe fits...

[trotsky]

31. You keep up that fantastic civility.

Good luck.

[Goblinmonger]

27. It's not about humility

His post said that without religion, there is no moral virtue. How can you not think that is offensive to those without religion? Unless you think we are without moral virtue?

It's more civil when viewed from the perspective of privilege.

[Starboard Tack]

29. Could you provide a link please?

[Iggo]

30. Go to R/T.

Sort by author.

Read through his early OP's and the subsequent discussions.

If you see it, you see it. If you don't, you don't.

Either way, have a wonderful day!

:hi:

[Starboard Tack]

32. Yes, I know that. Thanks

I want to know where "His post said that without religion, there is no moral virtue."

[darkstar3]

13. Will you ever get over your need to chide others for disagreeing with you?

[Starboard Tack]

23. Sounds like you're doing the chiding

[Tyrs WolfDaemon]

15. This is DU

How dare you read the instruction manual. :P

[rrneck]

16. Progressive ideals mean

progress away from the practice of treating human emotion as the source of a revenue stream -something religion has been doing for thousands of years. I'm not interested in exploring how religion should adjust its marketing strategy so that it may attach itself to our culture and our government like a next generation facehugger.