About Your Avatar, Stress...

Herculosis · Post by **Herculosis** » Thu Jul 29, 2004 3:09 pm

I know we have some mutual friends, and I've never had ANYTHING against you, off-color humor included.

Still, I have to say that I'm finding your latest avatar more than a little offensive and disturbing...

jmo

Skyalmian · Post by **Skyalmian** » Thu Jul 29, 2004 3:16 pm

offensive and disturbing

Oh please.

Vindicator · Post by **Vindicator** » Thu Jul 29, 2004 3:17 pm

Then it probably had the desired effect.

Pun · Post by **Pun** » Thu Jul 29, 2004 3:28 pm

Ahahaha! Nice job, Herc. He's gonna keep that thing for the next 5 years, now.

I personally would like to see the girl in the white skirt again.

Herculosis · Post by **Herculosis** » Thu Jul 29, 2004 3:35 pm

When you kids grow up, hopefully you'll grow to understand that defiling a symbol of someone else's faith is a little more serious than a joke.

Doesn't it at least violate the rules of the (non-NHB) DBB forums?

Skyalmian · Post by **Skyalmian** » Thu Jul 29, 2004 3:35 pm

I personally would like to see the girl in the white skirt again.

At 64x64? No way.

When you kids grow up, hopefully you'll grow to understand that defiling a symbol of someone else's faith is a little more serious than a joke.

Congratulations. You've failed the stress test.

Herculosis · Post by **Herculosis** » Thu Jul 29, 2004 4:08 pm

Ok, what if someone had an avatar that was made my taking a picture of some other DBB member's 5 yr old daughter and photochopping it onto some kiddie porn?

I know... HAHAHAHA... lighten up Herc. That would be funny too, right?

I don't really expect you to understand it if you don't already. There's just some lines that shouldn't be crossed, even in jest.

Gooberman · Post by **Gooberman** » Thu Jul 29, 2004 5:45 pm

Congratulations. You've failed the stress test.

haha!

Robo · Post by **Robo** » Thu Jul 29, 2004 5:48 pm

Congratulations. You've failed the stress test.

*sigh*

Krom · Post by **Krom** » Thu Jul 29, 2004 7:40 pm

Skyalmian wrote:Congratulations. You've failed the stress test.

...

Tetrad · Post by **Tetrad** » Thu Jul 29, 2004 8:00 pm

Herculosis wrote:I know... HAHAHAHA... lighten up Herc. That would be funny too, right?

Of course not.

That would be HOT.

Testiculese · Post by **Testiculese** » Thu Jul 29, 2004 8:00 pm

It's as offensive to you as your praise jesus signatures are to me. All relative.

Drakona · Post by **Drakona** » Thu Jul 29, 2004 9:39 pm

Heh. I can understant the sentiment, but I actually find it funny. Consider the nature of the attack:

It's a destructive (rather than constructive) attack from an avatar (rather than in main discussion). He isn't giving thoughtful support for atheism or even reasoned public argument against Christianity. He's reduced to simply saing "it's all lies!" And not even in main discussion, in his avatar. Indirectly. In tiny print. That's an insane level of defensiveness--kind of makes me wonder if an agressive thread about the truth of Christianity would simply make him snap.

The abrasiveness is supposed to compensate for the defensiveness, I suppose, but given the tactical situation it becomes ridiculous and mostly just makes me giggle.

STRESSTEST · Post by **STRESSTEST** » Thu Jul 29, 2004 11:46 pm

Drakona, sweetie, you read way to deep into things. Put your little pointed cap back on and your mathematics robe, and go figure out something inconclusive. My avatar is nothing more then a clever design, that in part, represents what a farce Christianity is to me personally. Being raised in a Christian home and being force fed this garbage all my life is something I deal with. You guys are more then free to judge, debate, disapprove, etc. all you like. It’s not an attack against anyone. It’s my opinion about the whole thing from my eyes.

I never post in this forum, but tonight on TS it was brought to my attention. So I figured since you have thrown your deep analysis at why I do what I do, I might as well let you know that it means far less to me then one sentence that you typed in that reply of yours.

Herc, I believe I’ll just borrow from Testi here and say “amen” to his last reply since it mirrors what I have to say about your complaint. As you said, nothing personal, but to bad, I get to have my views to ya know? Or does that make you want to start a Holy War?

Anyway, the avatar stays till I am made to remove it. I didn’t go on any rampage with it, I just had one of those days that had to do with people and religion that are in my life and I had enough. The thought hit me and off to Photoshop I went. There would be no question in any of your minds if my intentions were malicious. There would already be a thread full of flames over my thoughts about that thing you call Christianity. Instead, I kept my mouth shut and just expressed myself via an avatar. Not a crime you know….

Ferno · Post by **Ferno** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 12:15 am

"judge not, lest ye be judged"

Birdseye · Post by **Birdseye** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 12:47 am

No need to mock faiths. Stress, you'll earn more respect by just taking it down. I happen to agree with the icon's content but in no way do I wish spread negativity--take that ★■◆● down! Why do you want to spread negativity?

Ferno · Post by **Ferno** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 1:31 am

i view it more as an opinion that would be printed on a shirt than faith mocking.

Drakona · Post by **Drakona** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 3:23 am

Hum. Though you deny my assessment of defensiveness in words, you certainly confirm it in tone. Interesting.

I still think your avatar's funny. I'm going to forever picture you walking around pumping your fist in the air, pointing to a cross and chanting in a tiny high pitched voice, "Lies! Lies! Lies! Lies!"

Robo · Post by **Robo** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 3:24 am

It's just an avatar, a portrayal of an opinion, emotion or self-being... get over it - all of you

Lothar · Post by **Lothar** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 3:31 am

it's a portrayal of an opinion, emotion, or self-being, yes... and it's spawned a somewhat entertaining thread.

Flabby Chick · Post by **Flabby Chick** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 4:26 am

I was also in the "it's only an avatar" camp untill i'd had a bit of a thunk and remembered seeing a couple of swastikas on display which repulsed me. So i'd be a tad hypocritical if i said that.

Stress's icon dosn't bother me at all, in fact i think it's quite clever. Does his icon mean that a cucifix made up of the word "truth" would be permitted, because this would irk me no end. The obvious answer would be to restrict all religious (for and against) avatars.

AAAttttccchhhhooooo!!!!.............Bless me!!!!

FC

CDN_Merlin · Post by **CDN_Merlin** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 5:01 am

I'm with Stress on this one. We aren't allowed to have avatars like this but the people of Faith are allowed to constantly shove their beliefs down our throat? Fack that.

Jeff250 · Post by **Jeff250** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 5:19 am

You know if you didn't know it was a cross, it'd look like an arrow calling Stress a liar.

pipsqueak10 · Post by **pipsqueak10** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 8:21 am

That tiny little thing ticked somebody off. I would have never noticed it unless someone didn't dedicate a thread to it. I personally keep my religion close to my heart and never speak out against anyones beliefs or non beliefs. Stress is certainly entitled to his opinion. Not like hes going to burn in hell for it. Or at least I don't think he'll burn in hell for it.

Pun · Post by **Pun** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 8:33 am

If you are truly a Christian, and understand the whole idea behind Christianity, then this avatar should not bother you. All you Christians out there should be praying for Stress, not condemning him.

I mean, think about poor Stress here, burning in Hell while the saved sit poolside, sipping Pina Coladas in Heaven.

I do agree with Birds, tho. It's all about the <3. No need to be negative.

I lurb you Stress!

TheCops · Post by **TheCops** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 8:55 am

the stock market shuts down 2 times a year for a certain religion, and on top of that you get to complain about an icon on the dbb? must be nice to have it all.

Herculosis · Post by **Herculosis** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 9:47 am

Testiculese wrote:It's as offensive to you as your praise jesus signatures are to me. All relative.

I'm Sorry... I don't remember ever doing that. I'm not an "in your face" kind of person, and I don't practice my faith that way. Interesting, though, that you jumped to that conclusion about me.

Flabby Chick wrote:I was also in the "it's only an avatar" camp untill i'd had a bit of a thunk and remembered seeing a couple of swastikas on display which repulsed me...

Thank you. It's not about my faith vs. your faith (or lack thereof).

Jeff250 wrote:You know if you didn't know it was a cross, it'd look like an arrow calling Stress a liar.

Hehe, thanks Jeff. That's the way I'll look at it from now on.

Drakona wrote:Hum. Though you deny my assessment of defensiveness in words, you certainly confirm it in tone. Interesting.

I still think your avatar's funny. I'm going to forever picture you walking around pumping your fist in the air, pointing to a cross and chanting in a tiny high pitched voice, "Lies! Lies! Lies! Lies!"

Same here, but with the arrow on the T-shirt

LOL... Great Avatar, STRESS!

Cougar · Post by **Cougar** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 10:06 am

punisher wrote:I mean, think about poor Stress here, burning in Hell while the saved sit poolside, sipping Pina Coladas in Heaven.

Because God loves his children! Send 'em to hell for all eternity for what they do on the mortal coil!

You people never cease to amaze me.

STRESSTEST · Post by **STRESSTEST** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 10:52 am

Drakona wrote:Hum. Though you deny my assessment of defensiveness in words, you certainly confirm it in tone. Interesting.

That is certainly your opinion of the situation, and I'm not even sure that me explaining anything to you about "my" views would make one singe bit of difference with your opinion.

Anyway, have your forum back, as you guys know, I never frequent this one unless something is brought to my attention and reflects on me directly. This is why I don't come here, to many double standard conversations going on. I mean with one hand you'll raise a bible and go on a rampage about something as simple as an avatar claiming it infringes with your beliefes and in the other, a stone to cast going completely against your beliefs.. To much man…

CDN_Merlin · Post by **CDN_Merlin** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 11:16 am

Religion is the root of all evil.

Religion has started more wars than anything else.

ban religion I say.

Will Robinson · Post by **Will Robinson** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 11:17 am

STRESSTEST wrote:...I just had one of those days that had to do with people and religion that are in my life and I had enough.

So why did you decide to troll here with your unhappiness?
Why not poke your finger in the eye of only those that you 'had enough' with?
Or do you think all christians deserve your wrath?

If you want to be provacative and anti-social then go with it, but when you recieve the reaction you were after don't try to rationalize your actions and wimp out.

Testiculese · Post by **Testiculese** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 11:33 am

In that context, "your" referred to your group, not you directly. If you did happen to have such a sig, then it would apply to you.

He isn't giving thoughtful support for atheism or even reasoned public argument against Christianity. He's reduced to simply saing "it's all lies!" And not even in main discussion, in his avatar. Indirectly. In tiny print. That's an insane level of defensiveness

The same rationale applies to Praise Jesus signatures:
No thoughtful support of Christianity, one reduces themselves to simply and mindlessly quoting from some book [insert quote here], and not even in main discussion, in their sig. Indirectly. In tiny print. That's an insane level of defensiveness.

eh? It's all relative.

Herculosis · Post by **Herculosis** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 11:40 am

STRESSTEST wrote:... I mean with one hand you'll raise a bible and go on a rampage about something as simple as an avatar claiming it infringes with your beliefes and in the other, a stone to cast going completely against your beliefs.. To much manâ?¦

I don't recall raising a Bible OR going on a rampage OR claiming any "infringement" on my beliefs. I simply stated the fact that the avatar bothered me. Further, I never demanded that you remove it, and I made no implication of starting a "Holy War". Even my kiddie porn example was not something I thought YOU would do. It was just a response to Skyalmian's "Oh please".

Whenever ANYONE does anything that's truly offensive to someone else, that someone else has the right to tell the offender. That's all I did.

If you choose to respond with 'Go F___ Yourself!', so be it.

Top Wop · Post by **Top Wop** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 1:46 pm

Stress has an opinion and he can express it the way he is doing so right now. It does not bother me at all.

But I have an opinion too and I like to express mine as well.

Birdseye · Post by **Birdseye** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 2:02 pm

Merlin, unfortunately the human nature of ego defense cannot be removed.

CDN_Merlin · Post by **CDN_Merlin** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 2:29 pm

Religion will be the downfall of Humanity. There is no stopping it. We need to unite under a single choice similar to what the Star Trek universe has.

Once we get there (if we ever do) things will become better.

snoopy · Post by **snoopy** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 2:55 pm

If people outside of here piss you off Stress, feel free to whine about it with us at the DBB, but don't take it out on anyone who isn't responsible. Everyone is free to state their opinion, but don't be purposefully offensive about it. People seem to assume that there inherently can't be anything wrong with stating one's opinion. Am I the only one who disagrees with that? "It doesn't bother me" isn't anywhere close to valid justification, just as F.C. pointed out. Avoid religion and politics discussions needs to apply to avatars and sigs, too. (Apparantly the religion part of it needs to be moderated more than the political part.)

Testi, you can compare "Praise Jesus" to Stresses avatar, but the difference is intent. Stress did it with the intent of being offensive, knowing full well that it would offend some. Some n00b putting "Praise Jesus" in his sig wouldn't be doing it for the purpose of being offensive, and wouldn't know that you where going to be offended by it. Until you can cite me a case where someone on this board put something religious in their sig (or avatar) knowing full well that people (esp. you) would be offended by it, you don't have a case.

I wasn't going to say anything, it's really not that big of an issue. Stress got what he wanted, now can we get back to business as usual?

Jeff250 · Post by **Jeff250** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 2:57 pm

I think we should ban atheists. They're always spinning off these dry elitist remarks (which really annoy me) and clogging up our court systems with trivial matters. Agnostics could be allowed a 24 month period to figure out what they're going to do.

Or here's a better idea-- we could both form our individual societies. Religious people get the one super-continent, atheists get the other, and let's see who wins. Agnostics get antarctica. It's a nice, lonely place to meditate with the penguins.

Oh, and Star Trek has always been about diversity. I think it's ironic that you would suggest otherwise. How many shows have been entirely about some poor alien slob's religion? Granted, they seem to avoid the topic of human religion, but I can't blaim them. Simply even implying whether or not Christianity or other world religions still exist could offend the one half or the other of your viewing audience.

But there's certainly nothing to suggest the coup de athÃ©e that you're implying. Especially since the ST universe was intended to parallel humanity.

Grendel · Post by **Grendel** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 3:25 pm

Since there is no "truth" or "lie" in any religion ("faith", remember ?) I wonder what ppl are bickering about.

I always found it odd that a lot religious people are extremly intolerant to other opinions..

Testiculese · Post by **Testiculese** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 4:37 pm

They're intolerant because they're told to be. I don't think I know of any religious people that didn't pull the high-n-mighty when they found that so-and-so isn't religious, or doesn't belong to their particular religion. They're taught since birth. (You're not Catholic? YOU'RE GOING TO HELL!!!!!) It's a control mechanism. Works admirably well too, I see.