[tripwires]

Originally Posted by leng jai

Not that I care but isn't the gesture in itself offensive regardless of of whose giving it? Not surprising that some people don't appreciate seeing the middle finger all the time when browsing MTF.

Ajde

Speaking as objectively as I can, this is the best response in this thread.

I personally don't care though. The poll should have a third option - "who gives a shit".

[kinski76]

I'm an atheist, but my mother is a methodist minister. Having said that, I've had my share of indoctrination and read the scripture and the Jesus character I read about certainly wasn't beyond giving people the finger every once in a while. so Filo's avatar isn't necessarily out of character.

"Intent doesn't matter"? My previous avatar wasn't intended as a provocation (quite the contrary, in fact), yet was deleted without ANY explanation (even when the latter was specifically and courteously requested) by a power hungry mod who made no effort to understand my motives or intentions whatsoever. I've left forums with less provocation than that. I stick around this place because of the (sometimes involuntary) humor on display.

[Filo V.]

The gesture is as offensive as you make it. If you think it's directed at you, and you're offended, then my job has been done.

[Filo V.]

Originally Posted by kinski76

"Intent doesn't matter"? My previous avatar wasn't intended as a provocation (quite the contrary, in fact), yet was deleted without ANY explanation (even when the latter was specifically and courteously requested) by a power hungry mod who made no effort to understand my motives or intentions whatsoever. I've left forums with less provocation than that. I stick around this place because of the (sometimes involuntarily) humor on display.

People here are overly sensitive and think that others should walk on eggshells in talking/behavior with them. I don't find much humor on this forum, but I do agree that rules need to be less restrictive at this place and that more freedom for posters is a great thing and much needed.

[tripwires]

Originally Posted by kinski76

I'm an atheist, but my mother is a methodist minister. Having said that, I've had my share of indoctrination and read the scripture and the Jesus character I read about certainly wasn't beyond giving people the finger every once in a while. so Filo's avatar isn't necessarily out of character.

"Intent doesn't matter"? My previous avatar wasn't intended as a provocation (quite the contrary, in fact), yet was deleted without ANY explanation (even when the latter was specifically and courteously requested) by a power hungry mod who made no effort to understand my motives or intentions whatsoever. I've left forums with less provocation than that. I stick around this place because of the (sometimes involuntarily) humor on display.

What was your previous avatar?

[Naudio Spanlatine]

Well im a christian, but im not that religious so i dont find this offensive, i mean its nothing wrong with Filo's avi at all, i mean it shouldnt harm anyone at all.

[Kat_YYZ]

Originally Posted by kinski76

I'm an atheist, but my mother is a methodist minister. Having said that, I've had my share of indoctrination and read the scripture and the Jesus character I read about certainly wasn't beyond giving people the finger every once in a while. so Filo's avatar isn't necessarily out of character.

...

yeah, that bit about throwing the money-lenders out of the temple and frequently clashing with the authorities of the time.

Nah, I don't have any problem with the avatar

[Roger the Dodger]

Originally Posted by Filo V.

People here are overly sensitive and think that others should walk on eggshells in talking/behavior with them. I don't find much humor on this forum, but I do agree that rules need to be less restrictive at this place and that more freedom for posters is a great thing and much needed.

Originally Posted by Filo V.

This is the reality, although people will make posts full of hope and cheeriness. Life's a bitch and it's how you accept and adjust to this that matters. We're living in a world with evil all around us. There are positive moments, there are rays of sunshine, you have to keep going to see and hope those days come again. I question sometimes if it's even worth it, to go through the struggles, to read the countless stories of horrific behavior I didn't think was possible from my fellow man. The world is really total bullshit. Genuinely kind, sensitive hearted individuals aren't cut out for it, we're too good for this.

Your second post is from the 'what's the point of living?' thread. So what are you being to another individual, 'sensitive or insensitive?'

Are you the poster in the first quote who justifies his false reasoning for tainting an individual's image in the eyes of millions of sensitive people who have their faith and genuine respect towards him, and even in their most trying times, economic hardships and failures, never see him - of all people - as someone who'd turn towards them with a lowly gesture likened to those 'I don't give a damn about the world,' kind of jerks - you know, the kinds that get drunk and beat their wives and kids cause they are too weak to face life. Well, this individual did give a damn about the world, and he gave his life for it.

OR

Are you the "genuinely kind, sensitive-hearted individual" you claim to be in your second quote, who by the image you create of yourself certainly ought to be sensitive to the needs of other individuals, most certainly to the image of an individual who even now, inspires and gives hope to millions of other "sensitive-hearted" people, even if he doesn't inspire you, or whatever be your personal grudges with him.

Everyone has their fight with God/Consciousness/Creation/Nature, and no one's life is easy - but why malign someone's reputation - someone who of all people, unlike the self-serving politicians and attention-hogging superstars of our world, actually, in his time -with all his mental and spiritual powers - came out to help ordinary people like a simple friend? Isn't that a rare man?

[Filo V.]

I'm not anti-Jesus.

[Filo V.]

I'm sensitive but I also don't give a fuck. Some things are bullshit, and I treat them like bullshit accordingly. Like the pleas for me to change my avatar. It's mostly bullshit, IMO. I gave my reasons why I chose it, if people continue to choose to be offended, it's no longer my problem. You can be sensitive without being over-sensitive, and PC.

[cristalmeister]

I like that avatar, one of few funny!
I'd say people who react 'badly' to it should ransack what they think is so offensive and aim their discontent elsewhere (perhaps to something that actually matters in this world).

[gulzhan]

I didn't realize it was Jesus I agree, the finger just doesn't go with Jesus, so it's a bad taste. But the guy has right to use the avatar he likes To me that's the face and the finger of Filo and yes, every time I see his post I feel like he says "F*ck you" to me. Not a pleasant feeling but shit happens :sigh:

[buddyholly]

Originally Posted by Filo V.

I'm sensitive but I also don't give a fuck. Some things are bullshit, and I treat them like bullshit accordingly. Like the pleas for me to change my avatar. It's mostly bullshit, IMO. I gave my reasons why I chose it, if people continue to choose to be offended, it's no longer my problem. You can be sensitive without being over-sensitive, and PC.

Nobody cares. In your determination to shout from the rooftops that you don't care who is offended, you are missing the embarrassing truth that nobody really cares that you don't care.

[Har-Tru]

Originally Posted by Tulipe

Whatever the intent is, at least some things should stay untouched.

Bullshit.

Enough with this outrageous veil of immunity religion is supposed to have.

[Roger the Dodger]

Originally Posted by Filo V.

I'm sensitive but I also don't give a fuck.

You say you are not anti-Jesus but are doing things which are anti-Jesus.

Please don't give self-contradictory statements only to prove a point. You prove nothing. Anyone sensible can read into your total lack of logic. Sensitive people care. Insensitive people don't care. You can't be sensitive and insensitive about the same issue at the same time. The endorsement of your action is similar to saying, 'I care about black people but I still wanna shoot the f***ing niggers!' Either you do or you don't. Don't self-contradict yourself.

Some things are bullshit, and I treat them like bullshit accordingly. Like the pleas for me to change my avatar.

The pleas are valid. This is liberal public forum open to all people from the world. And as with every community, you need to be careful about what can be brought openly in public. Don't misuse its liberal ideology to suit your theories. You want to walk naked in the boulevard. Well, you might want to, but if the laws restrict you; you will be led away. You can't say 'this is how I am and all of you have to accept me as I am.' Its about communal harmony. Everything is not accepted everywhere. If you wanna go nude, go to a nudist beach. There it wouldn't be a crime.

Similarly, this is not some underground anti-Christ forum. There your avatar might have been valid because you would be among your lot. But to most people, Jesus is a revered saint and to publicly humiliate him is to humiliate those who believe in him. That is not being sensitive. That is being a very weak man who doesn't care. Your actions are not justified. You act like a petulant twelve year old without regard to consequence of his actions.

Tell me, would you have the audacity to do what you did, to Mohammed? You wouldn't. It would make headline news. They'd track down your IP, send a man of your own religion to your doorstep, and chop those pretty fingers running mayhem on a keypad and there'd be no middle finger to show anyone. Jesus is a soft target, and Christians are more liberal, and hence your show of false courage, chat-room hero.