Now you're probably opening this thinking "oh great another rant on religion", well you're right. But please keep reading on because what I have to say is important and applies to all beliefs, even if you don't have one.
Many religions now believe the world is going to end, soon. Basically they believe this because of "signs" and their precious magic books. Well the scary thing is the world could end soon, and religion could actually be its cause. The fact is, for the world to live on religion must die. Faith is nothing to brag about it, and people who accept faith, or preach it are just intellectual slaveholders. Religion has caused so much craziness and destruction and I think 9/11 is a great example, however I won't get into it much because of everything else I have to say.
Now, why is religion so powerful? Because it allows people who DON'T have the answer to what happens when we die to think they do. If you're a christian or any other religion you may think it's great to say "PLEASE GOD I'M WILLING! I'LL DO ANYTHING YOU ASK OF ME!" Well guess what, there are no gods talking to us so that void is filled in by corrupt and often hostile people.
This is why anti-religious rationalists must come out of the freakin closet and let themselves be heard. And for those of you who only consider yourselves "a little religious", is the safe feeling of believing in a religion worth the pain and destruction it causes? If you belonged to a social group that wasn't a religion that involved so much bigotry, homophobia, violence, and ignorance as religions you would quit the club and protest against it. And if the end of the world comes because of nuclear arms led by religious nut jobs... just remember what the true problem was. We found a way to end lives on a mass scale before we stopped wishing for it.
to moegreche, thanks for the questions you posted and I'll try to answer them the best as to my beliefs:
So, first: Is "religion" something we define? If we have to eliminate religion, do we just simply eliminate religious institutions or those who believe them, or both?
It's fine if people want to believe that there is some kind of "god" out there plus it would be almost impossible to just force people to stop believing in something. The only smart thing to do is get rid of religious institutions... all of them. That's where a lot of the craziness comes from anyways.
Second: It would seem that some religious persuasions, such as the aforementioned Deism, have little impact globally since these people believe in a god that simply got things started and is now uninvolved. These people don't pray or go to church - in what ways are they religious? And is this really a threat to global civilization?
Like I said only the religious institutions must go.
Finally: Can we really show that religion's elimination really is a necessary condition for our existence? In other words, can we show that religion's existence will entail the fall of civilization?
Not for sure no, but one thing's for sure it doesn't very much help. And another thing is that it has caused death and destruction before and still is. Eventually religion is going to have to die for human civilization to live on, in my opinion.
we both know that's not a good reason to believe in "God". And if you are religious for that reason would your "God" really accept you anyways?
Well, it definately ain't the only reason I believe in him, and it isn't like I'm doubting his existence either. I want to get into heaven so I follow God, don't know why he wouldn't accept me for wanting to go to heaven.
Well, it definately ain't the only reason I believe in him, and it isn't like I'm doubting his existence either. I want to get into heaven so I follow God, don't know why he wouldn't accept me for wanting to go to heaven.
well as long as it's not your only reason for believing in a fairy tale :P
seriously though, how far would you go? what would you do if you thought god told you to kill your best friend to get into heaven?.... not sure if I asked that already.
It's fine if people want to believe that there is some kind of "god" out there plus it would be almost impossible to just force people to stop believing in something. The only smart thing to do is get rid of religious institutions... all of them. That's where a lot of the craziness comes from anyways.
I agree, however, let's take this notion farther. Let's say we eliminate any trace of organized religion. So, no more churches, mosques, symbols, idols, etc. I suppose we could move things to a museum, but that's beside the point. Now, we simply have a world full of belief with differing beliefs about who's going to hell and who isn't. Now, granted there would no longer be an institution set up to "officially" denounce or support certain activities, but hasn't the mandating (the damage, if you will) already been done? What I'm saying is that if these religious institutions were eliminated, we would still have a world full of the product of these institutions - people with false ideas about god and the afterlife. Please note that I am not in any way condoning this type of activity, but it would seem that the only way of eliminating this threat would be to remove these people from society in some way. It would seem that if the people are still around, the groundwork for future religious organizations or institutions is already laid. All it would need is a little bit of organizing, which, as history has proven, is what religious groups are very good at.
I agree, however, let's take this notion farther. Let's say we eliminate any trace of organized religion. So, no more churches, mosques, symbols, idols, etc. I suppose we could move things to a museum, but that's beside the point. Now, we simply have a world full of belief with differing beliefs about who's going to hell and who isn't. Now, granted there would no longer be an institution set up to "officially" denounce or support certain activities, but hasn't the mandating (the damage, if you will) already been done? What I'm saying is that if these religious institutions were eliminated, we would still have a world full of the product of these institutions - people with false ideas about god and the afterlife. Please note that I am not in any way condoning this type of activity, but it would seem that the only way of eliminating this threat would be to remove these people from society in some way. It would seem that if the people are still around, the groundwork for future religious organizations or institutions is already laid. All it would need is a little bit of organizing, which, as history has proven, is what religious groups are very good at.
well if we banned religious organizations the only thing left for them to do is create a secret society. Anyways, most people have common sense and don't follow their church blindly... there are some people who do however. I think the elimination of religious organizations.... slowly but surely would get rid of religious ideas soon enough.
If we were to do this now it would just cause even more religious nuts to cause violence which is why this probably won't be completely done for a few centuries... because atheism and rationalism is a growing trend and about 10-15% of America is already atheist. a century or 2 i think religious organizations will be gone
well if we banned religious organizations the only thing left for them to do is create a secret society.
If we were to outlaw any religious activities, we would be exactly like the people in medieval Europe: Catholic or death your choice. It would demolish the freedom of pondering of death and of the after life. Humans have a need to be complete and want to know whats going around them. Death has/and will affect all of us. We will always wonder whats beyond the grave? Unfortunately We cannot resurrect the dead, so we can't ask them what's it like.
I believe that everybody is entitled to their own opinions just like I'm entitled to mine. We should CHOOSE what to accept and what to believe. Lieutent probably gets annoyed when some one tries to force their views down upon him, just like believers are tried of hearing how they are wrong and should listen to him. If we eliminated religion people will not have the option to choose what they should believe. Instead they will have to choose what the majority thinks. It's been proven time and time again, that diversity is good. We need to have different opinions in a society that is allowed to preach what ever they want.( I had the US in mind.) In conclusion, If we were to outlaw religion, the idea of freedom of choice will be eliminated/ severely reduced.
It would demolish the freedom of pondering of death and of the after life.
No it wouldn't. Pondering what happens after death wouldn't be eliminated with religion.... as a matter of fact religion destroys thinking about it because they tell you what they think happens and then you have to believe it.
I believe that everybody is entitled to their own opinions just like I'm entitled to mine. We should CHOOSE what to accept and what to believe. Lieutent probably gets annoyed when some one tries to force their views down upon him, just like believers are tried of hearing how they are wrong and should listen to him. If we eliminated religion people will not have the option to choose what they should believe. Instead they will have to choose what the majority thinks. It's been proven time and time again, that diversity is good. We need to have different opinions in a society that is allowed to preach what ever they want.( I had the US in mind.) In conclusion, If we were to outlaw religion, the idea of freedom of choice will be eliminated/ severely reduced.
I suppose freedom of choice is always a good thing... but at what cost will it eventually be? I have faith in the people and I know rationality will prevail in the end... hopefully if the end isn't decided by different conflicts between religious groups.
I have faith in the people and I know rationality will prevail in the end... hopefully if the end isn't decided by different conflicts between religious groups.
The trend in the US right now is atheism with I think 10% or 12% or the populous. If this trend continues, in a some 40 years or so, 50% should be atheist. I'm okay with that; the only problem I have is outlawing religious practices. Not to mention it is illegal.
The trend in the US right now is atheism with I think 10% or 12% or the populous. If this trend continues, in a some 40 years or so, 50% should be atheist. I'm okay with that; the only problem I have is outlawing religious practices. Not to mention it is illegal.
