spooky! Lol
Is religion to blame? Page 9
wow, not a single person has come on to defend a religion or set of beliefs.
I'm not religious myself but I will be reading( or at least attempt to) the Holy Bible this year, it might affect me it might not, I don't know.
However, to blame religion for wars and stuff isn't right in my view.
I'm sure there are plenty of people who do believe in a god or deity of somekind, who just want to be left in peace and not ridiculed because of a small proportion of fundalmentalist(sp?) nutters, wether that is muslims with bombs or christians at Heath Ledger's funeral.
Quote: jacparov @ June 21 2008, 1:01 PM BSTwow, not a single person has come on to defend a religion or set of beliefs.
...
However, to blame religion for wars and stuff isn't right in my view.
There's little use in arguing with some of the people here!
I'm starting my own Hope Baptist Jihad on certain forum members. When I say certain members I mean Chapman 'cos he's old and can't run very fast.
Quote: Sofa_Matt @ June 19 2008, 12:22 PM BSTI hesitate in starting this thread but due to the 'heavy' content in threads previously I have formed the opinion that users of this forum are capable of reasonable debate.
Excellent! I love a good debate, but I'm not going to trawl through this entire thread to say what I've got to say.
Quote: Sofa_Matt @ June 19 2008, 12:22 PM BSTI am an atheist, and as such I may offend some deep seated beliefs that some forum members may hold. My intention is neither to poke fun, offend or insult anyone here.
Even better... A taboo subject. Bring it on.
Quote: Sofa_Matt @ June 19 2008, 12:22 PM BSTMy point however is this, how many wars/conflicts can be directly atributed to someones faith/belief being in conflict with someone elses?
Erradicate religion from this world and most of the wars would be erradicated also.
Erradicate people's beliefs, religious or otherwise, then you take away a purpose or a part of who a person is. Not everyone is scientific and I would be interested to know what makes an atheist tick or what purpose they have in life?
I could go on into a materialistic mine field, but I won't at the moment.
And seeing as we're in a comedy arena here, it's worth noting that religion can have comedy value in the right context. The comedy being in the situation rather than poking fun at any particular religious beliefs.
Quote: JJ Cocker @ June 21 2008, 3:29 PM BSTI would be interested to know what makes an atheist tick or what purpose they have in life?
Life itself, not fantasies about what might happen afterwards.
Have we finally found a religious person, JJ?
Quote: zooo @ June 21 2008, 3:34 PM BSTLife itself, not fantasies about what might happen afterwards.
Have we finally found a religious person, JJ?
Oh yes, Zooo, and a Spiritualist one at that. 
Although my halo spends a lot of time around my ankles, these days.
And, shush... Don't tell everyone, but I have a lot of fantasies... 
... and I intend to write about them. 
I'm here to live and learn, so bring it on. Don't expect a "holier than thou character", either, because I'm only human.
I was a practicing Catholic until I was in my late teens, between 20-40 I thought there must be something that controls our destiny - a superior being if you like - and after evaluating all of the machinations of mankind through the ages I am now an atheist. We should preach understanding and tolerance of our fellow man/woman to replace the religious mantras. Thou Shalt Not Kill is not just a commandment it is a value (one of many) that can be taught without any need for religion.
Religion is a way of life to many, forget about the dogma. How do you propose "preaching" understanding and tolerance?
I suppose we could rely on the government to do what some families can't and enforce a law of teaching morality. But what would you call the subject?
I'd call it even more unnecessary state interference into people's lives but what to you expect under a Labour Government. 
Quote: JJ Cocker @ June 21 2008, 4:41 PM BSTReligion is a way of life to many, forget about the dogma. How do you propose "preaching" understanding and tolerance?
I suppose we could rely on the government to do what some families can't and enforce a law of teaching morality. But what would you call the subject?
We could call the subject Social Values or Good Citizenship. We are born without any kind of preconceptions and everything we learn as a child is given to us by parents or guardians. Religion is one of those things that is taught and if, instead, we chose to teach good citizenship then we would have the same values that religion promotes without the need to have blind faith.
Alan is teh awesome.
Quote: Alan C @ June 21 2008, 4:50 PM BSTWe could call the subject Social Values or Good Citizenship. We are born without any kind of preconceptions and everything we learn as a child is given to us by parents or guardians. Religion is one of those things that is taught and if, instead, we chose to teach good citizenship then we would have the same values that religion promotes without the need to have blind faith.
Heh, I think you'll find that they've already tried that, and it's failing horribly.
Quote: Aaron @ June 21 2008, 4:54 PM BSTHeh, I think you'll find that they've already tried that, and it's failing horribly.
explain?
Quote: Alan C @ June 21 2008, 4:55 PM BSTexplain?
They run citizenship classes in schools now, which encompass - amongst other things - all of that stuff. I think it's a required 'subject', but not sure.