Scientology

[Alex]

Education is definately the way forward. Unfortunately some parts of the US are abandoning enlightenment for the teachings of "religious" ideologies. e.g. "creationism" over evolution.

[LiquidEyes]

QUOTE (Alex @ Sep 6 2004, 11:13)

Religion is about control.

It's also about self-justification IMHO. People have all sorts of urges that have no moral basis. E.g.

 

* If somebody does something bad to you, you exact revenge upon them.

* If you don't like a certain group of people (e.g. gays, Christians, whatever...) you get together with a load of like-minded people and persecute them.

 

Blatantly there is no moral justification for any of these things. But hey presto, if you want to be a twat and feel good about it, just pick a religion that supports your 'beliefs'!

 

Or better still, pick a religion, and then pick and choose those bits of it that suit you!

 

E.g. okay I'll choose to believe the homophobic bits in the Old Testament, cos I'm a fascist c*nt, but I'll conveniently ignore all the bits about women being stoned to death for adultery...

[Alex]

Yes deifinately!! It helps to justify immoral actions by those who wish to control others, like the generals in terrorist cells, they quote a selected verse from a religious text add their slant on it and hey presto a suicide bomber is born.

 

Shame they didn't get to the part of the Koran (sp) where it forbids suicide.

[betty boop]

yes agree totally, do bad deeds and pass it of as ok and lay it on the shoulders of your god, whick is why I think all religions should be banned and everyone should follow the way of the betty

[LiquidEyes]

QUOTE (Alex @ Sep 6 2004, 11:18)

Unfortunately some parts of the US are abandoning enlightenment for the teachings of "religious" ideologies. e.g. "creationism" over evolution.

Indeed, very worrying. It is scary when religion crosses with education.

 

Though I'll bet some of the eedjuts who support the denial of Darwinism would be up in arms about an issue such as (with reference to a Mail article a couple of weeks ago) Muslim doctors refusing to treat patients with sexually transmitted diseases on a 'moral' basis.

 

(Granted, that was a trashy sensationalist tabloidy article, but it's the same principle -- people taking the letter of their faith over and above any reasoned, scientific or moral judgment.)

Edited September 6, 2004 by LiquidEyes

[Alex]

So much good could have been done with religion, shame it is left in the hands of the dim and dangerous.

[Alex]

I think religion should be confiscated until they learn how to use it for responsibly, as they clearly aren't old enough to use it, then maybe they can have it back.

[betty boop]

how would you use religion then Alex?

is it to be used tho or something we should all individually find in our hearts?

 

 

oh dear going deep now

 

[Alex]

Religion just isn't a part of me. I simply can't make the leap of faith required to believe. I just find the whole premise ludicrous.

 

I would like to think religion could be used for good, but I see it time and time again being used to justify ones actions, despite the best intentions of those who started it.

[betty boop]

I think you and I are on the same wave length Alex.

 

I too would like to believe in a better place as the bible states etc, but as you you say it just gets abused and is doing more harm than good at the moment

[LiquidEyes]

I think the problem is that the 'moral' aspects of religion are mixed up with 'tradition' / 'faith' based elements. E.g. the 10 commandments are a right mixture of sensible, defensible statements ('thou shalt not kill' etc) and elements of pure faith ('there is only one God' etc).

 

The proof in the pudding: the word "Christian" (as in the expression "a man with Christian values") has come to mean "morally good". However as an atheist, I resent the notion that a Christian has higher moral values that I do.

 

If anything, I would say I have 'better' values that a Christian who [hypothetically] acts a certain way purely out of faith. He may be kind to his neighbour because he follows some ancient book to the letter, but I am kind to my neighbour because I have reasoned for myself that it is good to do so.

 

If we decoupled the moral and faith elements of religion then we'd be okay. But, er, then it wouldn't be religion any more! And besides, with the moral aspects removed people would see it for the load of tosh it is!!

[Alex]

Well put LE.

[betty boop]

QUOTE (Alex @ Sep 6 2004, 12:12)

Well put LE.

Yes, what he said

[Alex]

I read recently, can't remember where, that hardly any of today's youth have heard of or can name the "Ten Commandments". It was said to be worrying.

 

Most people abide by those rules anyway, doing the "right thing" isn't a monopoly run by religion, it's a human thing. It's just a sign that religion is slowly becoming less important in our country.

[betty boop]

I think the best religion is in the heart, it is about what you feel is right or wrong