The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity.

[sandyRoe]

While I'm not suggesting that the AB atheists are the worst, this line might explain why the atheist v theist debate seems so one sided.
Agree?

[naomi24]

Sith, if you look at the last post, at 08:01 Sat 21st Apr 2012, on this thread……


http://www.theanswerb...estion1120710-10.html

…. you will see that I’ve asked you to show me where you have answered that question. Birdie seems to have missed your answer too, so would you mind showing us where it is please?

[birdie1971]

Sith -

Please post the link to your answer – if you can.

[sith123]

look at:

08:35 Wed 11th Apr 2012

08:44 Wed 11th Apr 2012


08:52 Wed 11th Apr 2012


09:05 Fri 13th Apr 2012

06:59 Thu 19th Apr 2012


08:19 Mon 02nd Apr 2012


08:40 Mon 02nd Apr 2012

as well as many other times i have answered it.

[naomi24]

Sith, you will need to give us links to the threads you're talking about otherwise we won't be able to find your answers. The first item on your list is 08:35 Wed 11th Apr 2012, so we know that's not on this thread because Sandy didn't ask the original question until Monday 16 April.

[sith123]

http://www.theanswerb...estion1120710-10.html

there all on this link.

[naomi24]

Sith, You have been asked why you think it’s ‘fine’ for an adult male to marry a child if the child agrees. I’ve checked your first item on the list, which you said answers the question, but I can’t see an answer there. This is what you said.

//What you forget is that if a girl does not agree there are serious punishments for the man as it is considered rape. If they agree fine, however if they do not want to get married at that age i have made it perfectly clear that the man should be punished.//

So I’ll ask again. Why do you think it’s ‘fine’ for an adult male to marry a child if the child agrees?

[sith123]

because they agree. again naomi, i am no law maker, i do not live in those countries and i do not know about it. i have given my opinion which is clearly written.

[naomi24]

They don't all live in other countries. It's happening here. You've been told that.

So what you're saying is that if a man wanted to marry your little girl and she agreed, you'd have no objection to her marrying him?

[birdie1971]

Sith - “.... because they [children] agree [to marriage] ...”

How often does this have to be said? A child CANNOT agree to a marriage. Why? Because they are a CHILD. They are incapable of comprehending the ramifications of the concept.

I find your intransigence on this matter infuriating. You know it's wrong – you've said as much. You've said that you don't agree with the idea of child brides. But because of your religion and more specifically Mohammed's actions, you have to have a mental get-out clause. And this idea that a child can 'agree' to a marriage is your get-out clause.

It's wrong and you know it. The only thing stopping you from admitting it is your all consuming fear of religious retribution should you question the actions of your prophet.

[sith123]

//naomi, sorry to say so again, but i have given a good enough reason. I have said that i would not do it as i think it is wrong. That surely is a good enough reason and also explains my view in one word on this topic. //

this was from one of my earlier posts on this thread and it clearly states that i do not believe in child marriage so i would never anticipate marrying of my child at that age. around 19-20 than yes however that is the earliest i will be marrying of my child. For a boy it is usually when they find a job so around 25-27.

My point is, which no one here (atheists) seem to understand is that i would not do it by any means, however that does not mean i should shout out and tell others to stop. Yes, there may be some who live in this country but i am no imam. if their culture allows them than fine. You say i am doing nothing about this. There is nothing i can do. I am saying my views on here and that i do not agree. It is their lives. If the girl is raped or abused or against our will than yes, trust me, i will be one of the first to stand up and say it is wrong, as will many other muslims.

[sith123]

*her will

[naomi24]

Sith, I do understand that you wouldn’t do it – and I have not said you are doing nothing about it. I’ll ignore the bit about a child being raped or abused ‘against her will’ for the time being. Let’s just try to establish why you wouldn’t marry your young daughter to a grown man.

We know you think it’s ‘fine’ for people of other cultures to do it - so leave them out of it now. Just explain why you think it’s wrong and why YOU wouldn’t you do it?

[sith123]

i think it is wrong personally as i want my child to enjoy her younger life and get a good education. simple.

[naomi24]

Sith, from what you've said before, that makes no sense. Surely if a dirty old man wanted to marry her, and she agreed, you’d find it acceptable? A child's agreement is what determines these decisions, isn't it?

[sith123]

naomi, it makes perfect sense. What you cant get your head around but which is, actually, quite simple is that i basically would not do it, others will. If i do not introduce the topic to my daughter than why would she marry a "dirty old man". Thats not the first thing she is going to be thinking about, is it?

And if by some weird coincidence she does want to marry an elder man at that age i would simply say no, as i am her father.

[naomi24]

Sith, //Thats not the first thing she is going to be thinking about, is it? //

No, and it’s not the first thing any child thinks about. Children know nothing about marriage. Nevertheless, some are married.

//And if by some weird coincidence she does want to marry an elder man at that age i would simply say no, as i am her father.//

So you would say ‘no’ because you are her father? But you said children are capable of making their own decisions, and if the girl agrees that’s ‘fine’, so what makes your child different? Of course you would say ‘no’, but not because you want her to “enjoy her younger life and get a good education." You know damn well that children are not capable of making such decisions - and you know damn well it’s morally utterly wrong – but since your religion condones it, you will not condemn it. You are dishonest, Sith.

[sith123]

//You are dishonest, Sith.//

no i am not naomi, if anything you are lost. I have explained my view, and i have explained how others may view the topic. I have given a balanced argument. It is fairly simple to see that i am saying i will not do it, but i am also giving reasons why some people may.

[naomi24]

Sith, if that's what you call a 'balanced argument', your moral principles are somewhat lacking.

[sith123]

no naomi, they are not. If you are clearly that ignorant to not see that i have said over 10 times now that i will not do it than how are my principles lacking?

[naomi24]

Sith, your principles are lacking because what you think is ‘fine’ for other children is not ‘fine’ for your child. Where your own are concerned, you have very different standards.