Quote: zooo @ October 2 2009, 2:39 AM BSTYou've used lots of long words, and got all theological late at night. I'm all confused now.
I use long words to compensate for my short penis. 
Virtually all the comedians I know are atheists... Page 5
Quote: Tim Walker @ October 2 2009, 2:40 AM BSTSuch as?
Well we are led to belieeeeve, that in the Bible it suggests we shun prozzies and gaybos.
Here's some uneducated guesswork. But to back up Tim, it wasn't that long ago we were doing ritual sacrifices.
I'll be holding a lecture on Monday if anyone interested.
Hello? 
Quote: Tim Walker @ October 2 2009, 2:40 AM BSTSuch as?
Women as property.
Quote: Tim Walker @ October 2 2009, 2:40 AM BSTSuch as?
Bad question.
The Bible is full of endorsements and encouragements to do horrible shit. Mainly the Old Testament, but throughout.
Quote: Little Jersey Devil @ October 2 2009, 2:44 AM BSTWomen as property.
For starters.
Quote: zooo @ October 2 2009, 2:42 AM BSTWell we are led to belieeeeve, that in the bible it suggests we shun prozzies and gaybos.
Well, at some points it actively encourages prostitution. (And concumbines.)
There's no real substantial condemnation of homosexuality in the Bible (and pretty much none in the New Testament), which is why gay Christians have a right to feel more than a little miffed by the way they've been treated.
In general though, it's always been the people who shout loudest about God that have given religion a bad name. The problem being they say it's all about God when it's really all about them. 
Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. This lead to hangings, burnings, dismemberments. I think 500 people died in Germany for being "witches"
I don't mind God at all, it's just them religious nut bags. 
Quote: Little Jersey Devil @ October 2 2009, 2:48 AM BSTThou shalt not suffer a witch to live. This lead to hangings, burnings, dismemberments. I think 500 people died in Germany for being "witches"
But witches are evil and deserve to die, LJD! 
Quote: zooo @ October 2 2009, 2:48 AM BSTI don't mind God at all
I don't mind you either. 
Oh you are a one.
Quote: zooo @ October 2 2009, 2:51 AM BSTOh you are a one.
Leevil's a God!? 
*starts building effigy of monkey eating a sandwich*
Quote: Tim Walker @ October 2 2009, 2:51 AM BSTBut witches are evil and deserve to die, LJD!
Except the sexy ones of course! Like Elizabeth Montgomery for one!
Quote: Tim Walker @ October 2 2009, 2:35 AM BSTWhat was considered "murder" was different from place-to-place. And I can't recall any religion prior to Judaism & Christianity that stated it as an absolute sin.
Well, all the ones that came before Moses had the Golden Rule. That doesn't permit killing.
If you're suggesting it's not an "absolute" sin under those previous religions, then you can't really look at Christianity as an example of one in which it is. Murder is forgiveable in Christianity.
Whatever one thinks of the various types of religion, Western society's "civilised" moral and ethical codes have been shaped by these two major religions. What is considered acceptable human behaviour in our society would not necessarily have come into being without religious influence.
On the contrary, I would suggest that what is considered acceptable human behaviour nowadays has come into effect in despite of religion.
You need to just look at what the religious texts say, then compare them to what it considered acceptable now.
In a god-less society there is ultimately no big stick to fear.
Death or life imprisonment is a pretty f**king big stick imho.
Most secular legislatures simply took the theological teachings of their respective churches and laid them down as a legal framework to live by. Everything from property law to human rights law has many of its foundations in theological teachings.
And the sooner we get rid of that foundation of superstitious bs, the better.
Quote: Little Jersey Devil @ October 2 2009, 2:44 AM BSTWomen as property.
Where's that recommended then?