I was just about to go to sleep so I was taking my nightly dump where I do a lot of reflecting.
I started a thread a couple days ago called about atheism and it started a debate. I myself am a die hard atheist but I was just wondering is religion even all that bad?
I mean maybe some people just need that cushion, maybe they cant accept their fates? I would like to hear from you why religion is so bad. Is it halting progression? Is it dumbing us down, what do you have to say?
I don't think religion itself is bad. Some use it and they never hurt anyone with it. Others use religion to directly hurt people with it. But I don't think religion alone is bad or good. It depends how it's used.
Even used in a good way we are still dealing with something that has people believing things that are unsupported and/or untrue.
Science can be used in the same way: to make medicine like penicillin or toxins like mustard gas. Dosen't mean we should get rid of science.
Unlike science we can obtain the benefits perceived in religion without religion and without the baggage that comes with religion. Also many time there are positive aspect attributed to religion which religion really has no claim to.
Even used in a good way we are still dealing with something that has people believing things that are unsupported and/or untrue.
And this is bad because...
Unlike science we can obtain the benefits perceived in religion without religion and without the baggage that comes with religion. Also many time there are positive aspect attributed to religion which religion really has no claim to.
Okay, so science works better. That doesn't mean I should abandon my religion. You can still do both, and be fine. I like having my religion, so why should I abandon it?
Okay, so science works better. That doesn't mean I should abandon my religion. You can still do both, and be fine. I like having my religion, so why should I abandon it?
No, don't ever abandon what you hold dear unless you stop finding any solace or meaning into it. If it keeps you going and secure, despite all the flak from people stating that it's blind faith and hence mere brainwashing, stick to it. Just remember too, to keep an open mind to everything
Okay, so science works better. That doesn't mean I should abandon my religion. You can still do both, and be fine. I like having my religion, so why should I abandon it?
Of course you shouldn't. You should actually stand up for whatever religion you follow, of course, when a debate is started, and when argument is possible.
The problem is that their are lots of Christians worried that everyone's going to hell so they think they are doing good by proclaiming God to the streets and telling everyone to convert because they go it all wrong etc. This is the only problem I have with religion. Also if they try to change science with their bias opinion.
Yes, this seems the main problem of Christianity. Christians believe in Christ and do good deeds only for them to have a good after-life, and not because it is good to do a good deed.
Yes, this seems the main problem of Christianity. Christians believe in Christ and do good deeds only for them to have a good after-life, and not because it is good to do a good deed.
Well....not all Christians are like that, I can vouch for it.
Of course, I fully agree, not all Christians are, but a surprisingly large number of Christians I know behave like stated above
That's a surprise. I've so far met only two over my seventeen years on this mortal plane who told me I need to be converted or I'll be drinking tea with Satan when I finally relinquish my grip on mortality.
That's a surprise. I've so far met only two over my seventeen years on this mortal plane who told me I need to be converted or I'll be drinking tea with Satan when I finally relinquish my grip on mortality.
Really? You're very lucky then, Nichodemus. I used to have nightmares from all the people telling me my family and I were going to rot in hell for eternity. Not even kidding. I'm perfectly aware that not all Christians are like that, but it's still difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff, to somewhat ironically quote the Bible.
Really? You're very lucky then, Nichodemus. I used to have nightmares from all the people telling me my family and I were going to rot in hell for eternity. Not even kidding. I'm perfectly aware that not all Christians are like that, but it's still difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff, to somewhat ironically quote the Bible.
>< Touche. Well they are a minority here, but recently some of the Mega Churches spoke out against Buddhism which resulted in backlash from all over the place, the secular government, other Christians and other religious denominations. Yes I guess I am lucky except one of the times someone tried to convince me was when I was ten.
I think because the government has tried to forge and foster the different races living in Singapore to the point that we feel so at ease and accept a myriad of cultures and religions with ease, the number of religiously zealous people here is remarkably few. Inter-religious marriages are not uncommon here for example. In my class of 20 alone, there are around 5 Buddhists, 6 Christians, 1 Hindu and the rest are atheist.
Well they are a minority here [...] I think because the government has tried to forge and foster the different races living in Singapore to the point that we feel so at ease and accept a myriad of cultures and religions with ease, the number of religiously zealous people here is remarkably few.
I agree that it's mostly a case of developed tolerance within the system. Whereas where I'm at, almost 80% of the population is Christian and very conservative at that. (Records show more than that, but studies also show that people are more likely to lie about religious preferences in a formal environment and a social setting such as this one. I myself was asked three times whether I was sure I wanted to declare myself as atheist. Make of that what you will.) Thus, the number of the zealous is directly proportional, and is fairly high.
I agree that it's mostly a case of developed tolerance within the system. Whereas where I'm at, almost 80% of the population is Christian and very conservative at that. (Records show more than that, but studies also show that people are more likely to lie about religious preferences in a formal environment and a social setting such as this one. I myself was asked three times whether I was sure I wanted to declare myself as atheist. Make of that what you will.) Thus, the number of the zealous is directly proportional, and is fairly high.
What a pity...people should be allowed to believe in whatever they want so long as that idea or religion does not entail doing something which constitutes a crime or infringes on the privacy of others....Btw, which part of Europe do you live in?
What a pity...people should be allowed to believe in whatever they want so long as that idea or religion does not entail doing something which constitutes a crime or infringes on the privacy of others....Btw, which part of Europe do you live in?
Central, situated more to the East than the West.
And yes, I agree. Personally, my belief is that we should teach the future generations valuable lessons without leaning on the crutch of religion, but that's just me. I understand it isn't a very popular opinion, either.
I'm guessing not one of the countries to the right of the Iron Curtain. Or maybe you're from deeply Catholic Poland? I don't know, I'm just hazarding random guesses.
Well yes, but I'm more of a moderate I guess. Choose religion or atheism, it suits with me so long as we can get along fine and be friends.
