Zealots

Cliffy

Standing Member
Nov 19, 2008
44,850
192
63
Nakusp, BC
zealot - extreme partisan, fanatic
partisan - strong, unreasoning supporter of political or religious doctrine
dogma - 1. principle, tenet or system of belief 2. arrogant declaration of opinion
dogmatic - asserting or imposing personal opinions, intolerantly authoritative, arrogant

In 1983, Quesnel, B.C., there was a group of mental and physical health practitioners, teachers and concerned parents who were attempting to address a growing problem in the community. Quesnel had, at the time, the highest rate of substance abuse, violence and unwanted pregnancy, among its youth population, in all of B.C. These concerned citizens had studied the materials available and prepared a program they thought would deal with the problem.
They dubbed it “Family Life Education”. The program was to teach the students communication and relationship skills and a more modern approach to sexual education.
A public forum was organized to explain the plan and to get feedback from the community. A panel consisting of teaching and health professionals, a minister, a priest and the high school valedictorian was supposed to discuss the proposed material and give their opinions as to its appropriateness. Unfortunately, what happened was something else altogether.
Many of the churches mobilized their congregations to squash any intelligent discussion by stacking the hall so supporters of the program could not get in. They harassed supporters out side and inside the hall. When the valedictorian started to say that there was a shortage of relevant material available and that the proposed program would be of great benefit to the community as a whole, the majority of the audience rose up and shouted her down.
Next, the audience commandeered the microphones to rage something about a plot by “Secular Humanists” to pervert their children and tear apart their families. (That was the first time I heard that expression. I have since been accused of being one, even though I have no idea what it means.)
Emotions reached a fever pitch when a sixteen year old girl, who looked like she had been having a real bad time of her short life, somehow was able to reach a microphone. She pleaded, she begged, she cried to at least have access to the information that was being proposed.
The good “Christians” in the crowd shouted and screamed at her that she was a *****, a consort of Satin. They threw stuff at her. One person rushed her, pushing her down and spit on her. Someone suggested that she be taken outside to have the evil beaten out of her.
In the chaos that followed, I lost track of that poor girl. I tried to reach her but was pushed back. I feared for her life. If she was not physically harmed, she would certainly suffer severe psychological damage. Friends of mine, who were present, feared for their own lives. It was one of the darkest moments of human insanity I have been witness to.
Two years later I was asked to help organize a youth club to try to address some of the old problems of teenage pregnancy and substance abuse. I ended up being the coordinator of club activities. As such, I spent a lot of time advising the executive, who were mostly the best and the brightest of Quesnel’s student body. I also counseled a few dozen troubled youth in the process.
I found that the most common complaints were of parental neglect or abuse, including physical, emotional, verbal and sexual abuse. What did not surprise me, particularly after the Family Life fiasco, was that most of the complaints came from the children of the “Pillars” of the community.
Eventually, the word got out that the children were confiding in me. I began to receive threats of violence. The children were ordered not to participate in the club anymore. Go Figure!!
Don’t get me wrong. My intention is not to tar all Christians with the same brush. I know most religious people are very honourable and devout parents. I am, however, wanting to point out the intolerance and bigotry of zealots who try to force their brand of dogmatic beliefs on everybody else. Anybody who thinks their way is the only way and anybody who disagrees with them is an enemy, is a zealot. Anybody who thinks they can suppress free thought, or tries to impose their will on others is a zealot. We all know who they are and they are right here in our community.
This includes Pro-lifers, White supremists, religious and political fanatics, Law and Order fanatics, environmentalists and industrialists, even some civil rights activists who are trying to impose their agenda on the rest of us.
Those who are driven to impose their beliefs on others do so from a place of neurotic insecurity of their own self worth. Most have tunnel vision which prevents them from seeing beyond their own narrow view of reality. They would deny others their right to free will but insist their actions are based in that tenet.
I am not suggesting we silence them. What I am advocating is that people weigh all the facts pertinent to any issue and decide for themselves if it is valid to their lives or not. The truth is only relevant to the beholder, after all. All else is just opinion. Exercise your right to go to heaven or hell in your own way. That is what free will is all about.
 

damngrumpy

Executive Branch Member
Mar 16, 2005
9,949
21
38
kelowna bc
These people are motivated not only by their narrow little view of the world, they are in
fact controlled in their thoughts and deeds, by the fear of the wrath of God. Can you
imagine what those who were accused of being witches felt when they were subjected
to the same treatment. We sometimes believe we have advanced down the road of
human history. We Have Not. It demonstrates we should be concerned about the pack
mentality that still exists in society. We are alarmed by the Muslim Extremists that in
fact haunt our world. We don't really see the reality of the world ourselves, for in fact
there are those who condemn the Muslims, that behave just like them in another venue.
I sometimes feel those who are such zealots are actually brainwashed by their own fear.
Instead of being reviling people, you must try to understand, these people are afraid of
the spirit that rules their lives. Ever notice that God is a kind and loving God and he is
and will be forever, forgiving as long as you don't p*** him off. If God can't make it to the
event himself he must send his followers to terrorise his enemies.
It is frightening to think there are so many out there that think so little of themselves that
they would stoop to such actions, especially treating a child like that.
The community should at least know its own shame. Churches, and other leaders who
behave in such a manner should not be administering guidance to children. if this is true
they are not fit parents themselves. The trouble is, there are communities all over the
country that have this element residing in them. They are the ones who spend their time
gossiping and condemning other while behaving in a vile manner themselves.
If there is a judgement day as some religions claim, to say the least it will be a long and
interesting event. I sure hope they are serving Jack Daniels.
 

Cliffy

Standing Member
Nov 19, 2008
44,850
192
63
Nakusp, BC
Yup! Lord save me from your followers! They are everywhere, in every town, city, church and mosque. Their self righteousness masks the terror that grips their soul and they feel that because they feel that way, we should all feel that way. And of course, I posted this spiel because I see so much finger pointing at Muslims. They seem to fail to see the three fingers pointing back at themselves.
 

Dexter Sinister

Unspecified Specialist
Oct 1, 2004
10,168
536
113
Regina, SK
That's a sorry tale Cliffy, and it's a large part of the reason why I eventually arrived at the atheist position. Whatever those opponents of the "Family Life Education" program were, they were NOT Christian in any way that makes sense to me. I'm certainly not Christian either, though I was raised to be one, and it was behaviour like that that put me off it. That's a terrible perversion of what I've always understood Christ's essential message to be. That arrogant judgmental certainty of being absolutely right and thus entitled to enforce your views on others is a form of religion that deserves to be met with scorn and ridicule and condemnation.
 

Cliffy

Standing Member
Nov 19, 2008
44,850
192
63
Nakusp, BC
Yes Dex, if someone had handed me an automatic weapon, I probably would have opened fire, I was so upset.
 

Dexter Sinister

Unspecified Specialist
Oct 1, 2004
10,168
536
113
Regina, SK
And no jury of your true peers would have convicted you of anything. Except maybe righteous indignation, but that's not a crime. At least not yet...
 

damngrumpy

Executive Branch Member
Mar 16, 2005
9,949
21
38
kelowna bc
cliffy those people would not be worth the price of a good bullet. I too look at the world full
of these people and I wonder what sad tale in their life leads them to this outrage of hate
they feel for others, and justify it through doing Gods Work.
 

El Barto

les fesses a l'aire
Feb 11, 2007
5,959
66
48
Quebec
It is fascinating the debth of man's stupidity when they think they are right or on the right side an issue. Man could be very intelligent if he wasn't so God damn lazy to think for himself.

By law this would never stick , but I see this as a hate crime.

What did not surprise me, particularly after the Family Life fiasco, was that most of the complaints came from the children of the “Pillars” of the community.
And yet where does their preaching kick in for themselves?

Yup , the so called evil in this world comes from those who preach about it. The lead propaganda director for Hitler hit the nail on the head. People are stupid, keep the message simple and repeat it continiuosly and they will believe it.
 

JLM

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 27, 2008
75,301
547
113
Vernon, B.C.
zealot - extreme partisan, fanatic
partisan - strong, unreasoning supporter of political or religious doctrine
dogma - 1. principle, tenet or system of belief 2. arrogant declaration of opinion
dogmatic - asserting or imposing personal opinions, intolerantly authoritative, arrogant

This includes Pro-lifers, White supremists, religious and political fanatics, Law and Order fanatics, environmentalists and industrialists, even some civil rights activists who are trying to impose their agenda on the rest of us.
Those who are driven to impose their beliefs on others do so from a place of neurotic insecurity of their own self worth. Most have tunnel vision which prevents them from seeing beyond their own narrow view of reality. They would deny others their right to free will but insist their actions are based in that tenet.
I am not suggesting we silence them. What I am advocating is that people weigh all the facts pertinent to any issue and decide for themselves if it is valid to their lives or not. The truth is only relevant to the beholder, after all. All else is just opinion. Exercise your right to go to heaven or hell in your own way. That is what free will is all about.

Cliff- What you have written doesn't surprise me much, as most people can not (will not) think for themselves. To your list of fanatics you can add labour unionists.
 

YukonJack

Time Out
Dec 26, 2008
7,026
73
48
Winnipeg
Cliffy, the incident you so eloquently described could have been at any union meeting where the topic of secret voting might have been an issue. Or for that matter, at any meeting of non-unionized eployees voting on wheter to join the union or not. (Preferably by secret ballots). Safe bet that anyone in favour of secret vote or advocating openly not joining would have got the same treatment from union bosses and other union xealots as the sixteen year old girl got.

Or could you not visualize a scene at some university campus where a person with right wing persuation had the unmitigated nerve to come and share his/her views with the students whose one ambition in life should be to debate and learn? Well, actually, you don't have to visualize. Just google Ann Coulter at Concord University. I could mention many other examples where conservatives had pies thrown at them, were shouted down or even physically assaulted but of course the throwers of the pies or the thugs who decray, but love to commit violence were definitely not zealots. After all zealots are ONLY people of faith and some conservative bastards who can't see the glory of atheist socialism, recently re-dubbed as "progressivism".

Those on the Left know the meaning of "dogma" only to describe those with whom they disagree.
The meaning of the word "partisan" is to describe anyone who is not an extreme leftist.
 

DaSleeper

Trolling Hypocrites
May 27, 2007
33,676
1,665
113
Northern Ontario,
YoukonJack: Why did you jump in???? I was waiting to see how long this communal back slapping would last before it ran out of steam;-):lol:
 

YukonJack

Time Out
Dec 26, 2008
7,026
73
48
Winnipeg
DaSleeper, that is just the way I am. When I see subjective opinions I have this irresistible urge to contribute mine. Especially when my views are described as irrational, or partisan or dogmatic.

Moreover, I have had my tires slashed by union thugs, for the simple sin of producing as much as I could when I was on piece-work. I was threatened to take sick day when I was healthy by the same union thugs.

When I had enough of their nonsense, (and I passed the four month probationary period) I applied for a management traing job and got out of the union. Since I am a rational person, I NEVER needed their "help", or their foulmouthed yahooes to speak and bargain for me. And thankfully, I never had to make contributions that supports the likes of Ed Broadbent or Jack Layton.

Like I said, the scenery described by Cliffy could have happened (and probably did, many times over and far greater frequency) at union meetings or the hallowed halls of higher education. With victims being those on the "right" (literally) persuation.
 

JLM

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 27, 2008
75,301
547
113
Vernon, B.C.
DaSleeper, that is just the way I am. When I see subjective opinions I have this irresistible urge to contribute mine. Especially when my views are described as irrational, or partisan or dogmatic.

Moreover, I have had my tires slashed by union thugs, for the simple sin of producing as much as I could when I was on piece-work. I was threatened to take sick day when I was healthy by the same union thugs.

When I had enough of their nonsense, (and I passed the four month probationary period) I applied for a management traing job and got out of the union. Since I am a rational person, I NEVER needed their "help", or their foulmouthed yahooes to speak and bargain for me. And thankfully, I never had to make contributions that supports the likes of Ed Broadbent or Jack Layton.

Like I said, the scenery described by Cliffy could have happened (and probably did, many times over and far greater frequency) at union meetings or the hallowed halls of higher education. With victims being those on the "right" (literally) persuation.

Things are looking up, Y.J. We agree on one thing- Unions. :smile:
 

DaSleeper

Trolling Hypocrites
May 27, 2007
33,676
1,665
113
Northern Ontario,
.

Like I said, the scenery described by Cliffy could have happened (and probably did, many times over and far greater frequency) at union meetings or the hallowed halls of higher education. With victims being those on the "right" (literally) persuation.
I beg to disagree with that...having been a union member for 40 years.
At one meeting I aquired the anger of the union president that had proposed a motion to support the local NDP with some money. I objected by saying that unless all the members were NDP supporters It would constitute dicrimination against the others....the motion didn't pass:smile:

One example that violence does not always come from union people....... Reesor Crossing ....look it up
Although it was never in the news my brother told me he was right besides a police officer who was shot in the leg and even helped transport him to his car.
 

JLM

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 27, 2008
75,301
547
113
Vernon, B.C.
I beg to disagree with that...having been a union member for 40 years.
At one meeting I aquired the anger of the union president that had proposed a motion to support the local NDP with some money. I objected by saying that unless all the members were NDP supporters It would constitute dicrimination against the others....the motion didn't pass:smile:

One example that violence does not always come from union people....... Reesor Crossing ....look it up
Although it was never in the news my brother told me he was right besides a police officer who was shot in the leg and even helped transport him to his car.

I don't think everything the Union does should be construed as evil any more than what all managers (some of whom are cruel and greedy) do is good. What we do know is that both sides attract A$$holes. :smile:
 

Cliffy

Standing Member
Nov 19, 2008
44,850
192
63
Nakusp, BC
Well, thanks for hijacking the thread guys. Having never experienced the stupidity of modern unionism, I had no first hand knowledge to offer. However, I would like to point out that zealots are everywhere, in all walks of life, yea, even on the right side of politics, Jack (yourself being a perfect example).
 

gerryh

Time Out
Nov 21, 2004
25,756
295
83
Well, thanks for hijacking the thread guys. Having never experienced the stupidity of modern unionism, I had no first hand knowledge to offer. However, I would like to point out that zealots are everywhere, in all walks of life, yea, even on the right side of politics, Jack (yourself being a perfect example).


How exactly did they hijack the thread? You were talking about zealots, Jack pointed out other examples. Or was this thread just dedicated to "Christian" zealots to give you and your anti Christian buddys a venue for a lil more bashing?
 

JLM

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 27, 2008
75,301
547
113
Vernon, B.C.
Well, thanks for hijacking the thread guys. Having never experienced the stupidity of modern unionism, I had no first hand knowledge to offer. However, I would like to point out that zealots are everywhere, in all walks of life, yea, even on the right side of politics, Jack (yourself being a perfect example).

Sorry Cliff, I suppose I have to take responsibility for "hijacking" the thread. To the contrary my intent was just to add one more example to strengthen your contention. Sorry for the misunderstanding.