MetaSeraphim Wrote:Bro, before you go around trying to get in debates with people about their beliefs you need to at least drop a little bit of that arrogant air you're putting off. Respect those even if you don't agree with what they believe.

Quote:In the history of the world, nothing has been the catalyst of more grief, hatred, war, and crime than religion. Religion allows a person to hate, kill, torture, or steal, while allowing him to recuse himself of all blame. Religion causes people to break the laws of ethics and morality in the name of a god.

Religion dulls the mind and weakens the senses. It makes "God did it" seem like a reasonable answer to anything at all, squelching questions of why, how, and when, and replacing these questions with repeated mantras and prayers to nobody.

Religion is exquisitely profitable, with most adherents tithing a portion of their income. The churches, synagogues, and mosques, which do little to serve their community outside of "outreach programs" (marketing and recruiting), pay almost no taxes.

Religion spreads like disease through societies, rarely coexisting with pre-existing mythologies, rather preferring to conquer or be conquered. Religion is anything but tolerant.

...

Satellite Wrote:http://www.atheists.org/religion

Quote:We're respectful of the American people's individual rights to practice as they see fit (equal to our rights to do the same), but this does not mean we have to respect the decision. If you choose to ignore logic and knowledge in order to believe in an invisible magic man in the sky, or Santa Claus for that matter, you've made a ridiculous decision and we're not going to pretend it's "just another way of looking at things."

We challenge the ethics of the professional liars who claim to speak for gods to bilk parishioners into giving away their money in exchange for an immortality that will never be granted. We also challenge the ethics of the politicians who use government to further their religious agenda, and vice versa. We will not let anyone's religion infiltrate our schools, our government, or our pockets, at least not without a good fight.

Kitteh Wrote:Perhaps we're arguing two different versions of the same word. In my book, if you don't currently have a belief in any type of god, then you're an atheist. Whether or not you entertain possibilities of the existence of the supernatural and are willing to change your mind based on evidence does not change that base distinction. If you are not convinced, then you don't really believe.

And I'll acknowledge being wrong about the origin of the word "agnosticism". Quick google searches show its origins to be T.H. Huxley, but having far greater reaches into the past philosophies. I think I was remembering the way Carl Sagan referred to himself as agnostic, in a time when professing non-belief would make one very much more unpopular to the general public. I have a feeling that part of this was because he wanted to avoid controversy, but I don't believe he ever explicitly stated it like that. However, he himself never seemed to be much convinced with any of the explanations in his time, preferring to see evidence rather than have faith. Depending on the definition, I believe this makes him more of an atheist than agnostic, unless you're defining atheism as having full and complete knowledge of the non-existence of god.

Perhaps "atheism" itself carries too much baggage. I'll just describe myself as "waiting for proof".

MetaSeraphim Wrote:Hey now, I believe his questions are stupid as well. But there is no sense in lowing yourself to his level.

Turn the other cheek, no?

Satellite Wrote:KhainiWest & Ladon.

Quote:If you really are Christians, then why don't you believe in what the Bible says? Also, KhainiWest. You are assuming way too much things about me, think before you post.

Satellite Wrote:Funny how I got no real answer to most of my questions, but instead I got this Infraction.

Quote:I still wonder how in this society, you can flame Atheists, but when there's a small sign of something making fun out of religion, it is bad. There was a time when Religion ruled the world and it's now known as The Dark Ages.

Quote:There is no difference between mythology and religion.

Satellite Wrote:@Hadriel

You ninja'd in between, but I think this post gives enough of a reason for those questions.

Satellite Wrote:I respect them, but I believe that if innocent have to suffer because of some groups and their teachings, it is impossible to go toward world peace. And I belive that it's enough of a reason to question the teachings and authority of religionic groups.

octopusprime Wrote:I wouldn't quote it loosely unless you know it well. Arguing for either side i will typically get the better of you.

MetaSeraphim Wrote:I know it quite well, actually.

MetaSeraphim Wrote:I am not really arguing for either side however. Just pointing out flaws in Satellite's statements.

octopusprime Wrote:And i haven't been doing the same? I think we're both believers in the value of contrary opinions meta.

MetaSeraphim Wrote:Naw, never said that. Just replying to your comment about "Arguing for either side will typically get the better of you." And, yes, I do believe we believe in the same thing.

Locked Wrote:Quite possibly the worst thing I've ever read in my entire life.


Disrespecting other religions isn't a way to do things.

Ladon Wrote:s. Besides those completely radical Muslims, would you like to point me to a group of crazy religious people trying to murder everyone who doesn't follow their beliefs?

Satellite Wrote:KhainiWest & Ladon.

If you really are Christians, then why don't you believe in what the Bible says? Also, KhainiWest. You are assuming way too much things about me, think before you post.

Satellite Wrote:Never heard of unorthodox form of a deity? Of course I have, but that is completely against the teachings of the Bible. If you are a Christian, you shouldn't believe in "wrong god" like that. Calling me ignorant? Read your own post again.

Satellite Wrote:Funny how I got no real answer to most of my questions, but instead I got this Infraction.

Satellite Wrote:I still wonder how in this society, you can flame Atheists, but when there's a small sign of something making fun out of religion, it is bad. There was a time when Religion ruled the world and it's now known as The Dark Ages.

Satellite Wrote:There is no difference between mythology and religion.

Fiel Wrote:Be careful, guys. I'm sure the mods are watching what craphole this thread has turned into. Flinging insults, even if you are right, is not a good way to continue allowing religious discussion here. Try to set an example? Please?

KhainiWest Wrote:Maybe you should ... start off with ... a ... post ... of videos of ... a donkey screaming "NONONONONONONO".

Tykian Wrote:Yes pls.
(No but seriously Khainwest, the note about the Westboro church is way over the line, his views aren't nearly extreme enough. Also, hypocritical of you to call his entire post flame bait when yours is as well.)

Okay, now a serious question for the christians here. Is it not hypocritical to follow some of what the bible tells you as though it is law, but not all of it? If I were to follow a religion I'd think it'd have to be all or nothing, y'know?