Is religion a threat to modern society?

[Keramac]

This is pretty much exactly how it sounds. Do you think that religion is a threat to morality, civilized behavior and/or society as a whole?

[rand]

I dont know about morality, but definitely society as a whole.

[bobbylien]

Religions themselves aren't the problem. Its people, like guns, who use them for evil that are a threat to society.
Why are you proud to be an atheist? Just curious.

[stannis]

What do you mean by modern society? The legal system, morality, crime...?

[Elrathin]

Religion is only a threat when you have someone saying this is the truth, you will follow the truth, and tries to force others into following it.

[Keramac]

Sorry guys, I've have been neglecting my post on the account of another debate. First off, I named myself "Proud Atheist" because I'm an atheist, and proud of it. I have read numerous books on religion, both for and against, and have come to my own conclusions about the earth, morality and the general direction I'd like my life to take. I have decided that there is no God because I don't like the fatalistic idea of a plan or creator. I like the feeling that I'm free to make my own decisions, create my own beliefs, and think my own thoughts without intrusion of any means.

Second, the concept of what modern society is and isn't. When I posted this thread, I worded the question wrong. I think it should read more like: Is organized religion as a whole generally beneficial or detrimental? I think that is a more fair and even-handed statement, and I think that it removes this idea of asking ourselves exactly what modern society is.

Posted by Elrathin - Yesterday 09:08 AM
Religion is only a threat when you have someone saying this is the truth, you will follow the truth, and tries to force others into following it.


Unless I am monumentally mistaken, this is exactly what most modern religions do. They ask themselves to be considered not just as a belief system but as a scientifically valid world history (for more, check out Zo's thread about the "Creation Museum".) Furthermore, they try to coerce people into becoming a member of their religion. Just think for a moment about the Inquisition, the Native schools, and the inclusion of Biblical creation theories in schoolrooms. Religions, generally speaking, are all three of the things you are saying are the exceptions. It is like saying that hot dogs are great except when they're boiled, grilled, smoked, or baked.

I think I've made my religious beliefs quite well-known, but what are all of your religious beliefs? Any other atheists out there?

[Yushimi]

I don't think religion is as much the problem as the people who actually practice shoving their religion down other people's throats and believe that they are the only right ones in this world... I know that during war, there is always religion thrown in SOMEHOW.

With that being said, without religion, I think some people would live in the world frightened...
See, our human minds work like this: We must have a reason for everything that exists. I know that when I learn something new... take math for instance, my mind always asks "Why" or "Can this be applied to everything?"
So for people who need to believe in a higher power, that is the answer to "Why is there a universe"

I'm sure if there wasn't religion, we'd be fighting for something else.

...Ya know? XD

[Yushimi]

I think I've made my religious beliefs quite well-known, but what are all of your religious beliefs? Any other atheists out there?


I'm currently without religion? XD

[quiet man]

more of a distraction to society. the amounts of money involved in organized religion is staggering. sharing a part in government, not ifn this country. we have separation of church and state. :rolleyes:

[plumbjim]

I pray every day that religion is a threat to this modern day society. It should be. The modern kids (age 16 to 30) rely on the media to do their thinking for them. If it's on CNN, it's gotta be true, and then they tell them what to think and they do for the most part. There are a few free thinkers but they are few and far between anymore. Jesus died so you may live. He loves you more than life itself. You are His children as I am and everyone else in this world. Anyone who hears the truth and rejects it will suffer. He certainly doesn't want you to suffer. He wants you to have everlasting life with Him.
Nowdays a person who calls themselves a free thinker are the ones who runs around telling everyone there is no God. This is a non thinker, not a free thinker...

[Red Dragon]

I pray every day that religion is a threat to this modern day society. It should be. The modern kids (age 16 to 30) rely on the media to do their thinking for them. If it's on CNN, it's gotta be true, and then they tell them what to think and they do for the most part. There are a few free thinkers but they are few and far between anymore. Jesus died so you may live. He loves you more than life itself. You are His children as I am and everyone else in this world. Anyone who hears the truth and rejects it will suffer. He certainly doesn't want you to suffer. He wants you to have everlasting life with Him.
Nowdays a person who calls themselves a free thinker are the ones who runs around telling everyone there is no God. This is a non thinker, not a free thinker...


First of all labeling 16 to 30 year olds as kids, that's kind of odd don't you think? Also, you say that people who say there is no God are not freethinkers. I don't think so. Because restricting your self to a book written 2000 years ago and is a copy of many copies upon copies upon many translations is definitely not freethinking. So the hypocrisy you display is stunning. Also you pray that religion is a threat to modern society? I must ask do you pray that some Christian kids will one day rise up and kill all non-believers in preparation for Jesus to rise from the dead? Or do you pray the society will be reorganized into some kind of theocracy whose only purpose is to serve your god?

Also, if he wants to be with us for eternal life, why doesn't he give the world proof they cannot deny? I'm not talking about that 2000 year old book, I'm talking about real proof. Like him appearing before all of humanity in like central park or Tokyo. Also if he truly loved us then why would he or his farther have created natural disasters and diseases? I mean is the pain we humans inflict on each other not painful enough for this son of a god? And if a god exists how do you know it's yours? Is it because you feel something when you read that holy book of yours, or is it because it is the one you have been raised to believe is true? If a person, who had no knowledge of the concept of a god or gods, were to pick up the bible and read it front to back would they claim it to be some Devine truth or just fables used to teach some lessons about morals?

[jafar00]

I pray every day that religion is a threat to this modern day society. It should be. The modern kids (age 16 to 30) rely on the media to do their thinking for them. If it's on CNN, it's gotta be true, and then they tell them what to think and they do for the most part.


That's true in a way, but if they have heard the message(Word of God) then reject it, then leave them to what they want to believe. God did forbid us from compelling people to believe by force afterall. Faith comes to people when they recognise apparent truth. You can't just write it on their forehead and expect them to accept it. It has to come from their own heart.


Also, if he wants to be with us for eternal life, why doesn't he give the world proof they cannot deny? I'm not talking about that 2000 year old book, I'm talking about real proof.


Isn't your mere existence proof enough? There is just no pleasing some people. :P

[AlonzoMourning23]

I pray every day that religion is a threat to this modern day society. It should be. The modern kids (age 16 to 30) rely on the media to do their thinking for them. If it's on CNN, it's gotta be true, and then they tell them what to think and they do for the most part. There are a few free thinkers but they are few and far between anymore. Jesus died so you may live. He loves you more than life itself. You are His children as I am and everyone else in this world. Anyone who hears the truth and rejects it will suffer. He certainly doesn't want you to suffer. He wants you to have everlasting life with Him.
Nowdays a person who calls themselves a free thinker are the ones who runs around telling everyone there is no God. This is a non thinker, not a free thinker...


You had your chance. I was saved and all that was required for you to keep me saved was some wine. Instead you left me hanging and now I have come to resent God. You're the reason I rejected God!

[piratemonkey]

I pray every day that religion is a threat to this modern day society.
Wow. Do you pray that terrorists will destroy this corrupt modern day society? That's not a huge step from what you're saying...


It should be. The modern kids (age 16 to 30) rely on the media to do their thinking for them.
They should let their pastors do the thinking for them...


If it's on CNN, it's gotta be true, and then they tell them what to think and they do for the most part.
IF it's in the Bible, it's gotta be true.

Hmmm... better source of facts: Video footage or a 2000 year old document. Hmmm...


There are a few free thinkers but they are few and far between anymore. Jesus died so you may live. He loves you more than life itself. You are His children as I am and everyone else in this world.
I love this juxtaposition.

Saying there are few "free thinkers" and then declaring your unprovable religious creed.

You don't see any irony there?


Anyone who hears the truth and rejects it will suffer.
Who said religion isn't based up on fear?!?!

Damn you to hell! ;)


He certainly doesn't want you to suffer. He wants you to have everlasting life with Him.
So he threatens you with suffering, but then wants to save you from it.

That's like the abusive husband that doesn't want to beat you, but has to because you've been bad. Because he loves you. :rolleyes:


Nowdays a person who calls themselves a free thinker are the ones who runs around telling everyone there is no God. This is a non thinker, not a free thinker...

Don't believe in the fairy tales that you believe and we're closed minded.

You make a TON of sense.

[Red Dragon]

Also, if he wants to be with us for eternal life, why doesn't he give the world proof they cannot deny? I'm not talking about that 2000 year old book, I'm talking about real proof.


Isn't your mere existence proof enough? There is just no pleasing some people. :P


No my existence is just proof that I exist. Numerous things could have created humans, Earth, and the Universe. It could have been created by some type of quantum ray, or aliens from another universe, or another universe, or Satan, or me, or that bug on my window, or well you get the idea. The possible number of things that could have caused us to be is limited only by ones imagination and they all hold the same credence in my mind, mostly because none of these things are falsifiable. I just can't be pleased like some people. ;)

[NortheastCynic]

No. Religion is a relationship between a given person and their deity of choice. What is a threat to society [I use that term loosely because I don't quite buy into the concept] is when religion becomes a relationship between a given person who groups with other people to try to make their relationship between their deity of choice something that governs my life. Keep your religion to yourself. Worship God, Yahweh, Allah or the Devil...I really don't care, just leave me out of it.

-NC

[preservanation]

Nowdays a person who calls themselves a free thinker are the ones who runs around telling everyone there is no God. This is a non thinker, not a free thinker...

Free thinking is a privilege awarded to libs only.
Conservatives are routinely derided, impuned and lied about

[Amy]

I'm not as well-read on religion as most things, but I know that religion has it's place in society. Religion, in and of itself, is not a threat to society. It's a gift. Many people worldwide would be lost without it. Their religion gives them a purpose, a reason to live, a hope of a better life "up there," and a comfort that someone is watching over them. In addition, religion teaches and enforces important lessons, which are often neglected in other forums. We are never going to come even close to having a utopian society, without concepts such as "loving your neighbour."
I see the threat come when people take the religious teachings too literally. Most religions have excellent messages. However, instead of reading a passage in their text and seeing "treat others with kindness, be a good person, and try your best to help others in need" they instead find "your friends are wrong. if you do not convert them, they will never be loved. quick, before it's too late, you must save their bloody souls." The intended message is harmless, but the threat to society comes with mis-interpretation. Then comes war, bloodshed, and discrimination. In this sense, religion (indirectly, through its followers) is definitely a threat to modern society.

[preservanation]

4) Radical Islam is a threat to modern society.

It was even a threat to 7th century society.

[Buck Laser]

4) Radical Islam is a threat to modern society.

It was even a threat to 7th century society.

Actually, it wasn't much of a threat in the 7th century, according to what I've read of its history. In the 7th century, most of Europe was sunk deep in the dark ages. There was no scientific inquiry, no philosophy, no development, nothing. In contrast, Islam was a young, strong faith, sweeping into countries with little or no civilization, picking up the Greek and Roman enthusiasm for learning and scientific inquiry. Europe didn't begin to come alive again until the fifteenth century, unless you count the crusades, which were little more than a predecessor to today's radical Islamists.

I think the Muslims whupped the Christian's asses several times during the crusades.

[God]

to an extent, religion is society. Society and religion each impose certain "moral values" onto the people.

[PatrickHenry]

religion has it's place in society. Religion, in and of itself, is not a threat to society. It's a gift. Many people worldwide would be lost without it. Their religion gives them a purpose, a reason to live, a hope of a better life "up there," and a comfort that someone is watching over them. In addition, religion teaches and enforces important lessons, which are often neglected in other forums. We are never going to come even close to having a utopian society, without concepts such as "loving your neighbour."

Wow! Well said, Amy! A teen who can write and ruminate...You make me happy.

[preservanation]

PH:I think the Muslims whupped the Christian's asses several times during the crusades.
I hope the outcome is different this time with Islam's crusade.
The stakes are much higher.

[tomanyhumans]

Isn't your mere existence proof enough? There is just no pleasing some people. :P


Not by a long shot. For that is not but contradiction yet again.

I believe that i can prove god does not exist. or that if did/does it is either A. not benign or b. only responsible for setting the stage. If the latter is true then he is fallible.

which of the following is true?
A. god is nothing more then a concept
b. god metaphorically "lit a match" having knowledge of some or no eventualities.
c. God pervades and presides over everything but he is one repugnant twisted deplorable son of a bitch

[Truth_and_Power]

I pray every day that religion is a threat to this modern day society. It should be. The modern kids (age 16 to 30) rely on the media to do their thinking for them. If it's on CNN, it's gotta be true, and then they tell them what to think and they do for the most part. There are a few free thinkers but they are few and far between anymore. Jesus died so you may live. He loves you more than life itself. You are His children as I am and everyone else in this world. Anyone who hears the truth and rejects it will suffer. He certainly doesn't want you to suffer. He wants you to have everlasting life with Him.
Nowdays a person who calls themselves a free thinker are the ones who runs around telling everyone there is no God. This is a non thinker, not a free thinker...


I think you're just riding your bias if you think a person's religion or lack thereof tells you whether they're thinking or not. A childhood best friend of mine is a priest, and (not to toot my horn) we were both some of the smartest around growing up. He's a Greek Orthodox priest (not exactly bucking tradition) and I'm an agnostic who likes to argue over a plate of tofu. Some people get their religion or lack thereof by doing what someone else tells them to do, and some get it with research and soul searching (aka thinking). I can tell you one thing, we had better all fight against those who tell us we have to live they way they live OR ELSE. The general rule is, you don't step on me, I don't step on you.

That being said, I don't have the strongest connection to the young generation because I don't have a teenager in the house. Do any of the athiests here have experience with teaching their kids respect, values and tradition without religion? IMO you just limit the mindless TV (i wouldn't group watching the pres. debates in with Smallville) and teach them stuff and it goes a long way.

[PatrickHenry]

Isn't your mere existence proof enough? There is just no pleasing some people. :P


Not by a long shot. For that is not but contradiction yet again.

I believe that i can prove god does not exist. or that if did/does it is either A. not benign or b. only responsible for setting the stage. If the latter is true then he is fallible.

which of the following is true?
A. god is nothing more then a concept
b. god metaphorically "lit a match" having knowledge of some or no eventualities.
c. God pervades and presides over everything but he is one repugnant twisted deplorable son of a bitch


You forgot one possibility in your prejudice:

That God is a caring, loving being who created free human beings with the liberty to return His love or not. That some humans choose evil instead of good is their own fault rather than His...

[tomanyhumans]

Isn't your mere existence proof enough? There is just no pleasing some people. :P


Not by a long shot. For that is not but contradiction yet again.

I believe that i can prove god does not exist. or that if did/does it is either A. not benign or b. only responsible for setting the stage. If the latter is true then he is fallible.

which of the following is true?
A. god is nothing more then a concept
b. god metaphorically "lit a match" having knowledge of some or no eventualities.
c. God pervades and presides over everything but he is one repugnant twisted deplorable son of a bitch


You forgot one possibility in your prejudice:

That God is a caring, loving being who created free human beings with the liberty to return His love or not. That some humans choose evil instead of good is their own fault rather than His...


No. you need to think it through more. Because if you're statement is true then it's contradiction. Contradiction lacks truth.

What kind of a caring loving being would create and/or allow this?
Baby rape.
Murder.
torture.
pain.
despair.

[Professor]

Religions themselves aren't the problem. Its people, like guns, who use them for evil that are a threat to society.
Why are you proud to be an atheist? Just curious.


Exactly what I wanted to say. It's the people who are the problem, not the idea itself. You can see it by the fact that there are some good people and bad people who share the same idea.

[PatrickHenry]

No. you need to think it through more. Because if you're statement is true then it's contradiction. Contradiction lacks truth.

What kind of a caring loving being would create and/or allow this?
Baby rape.
Murder.
torture.
pain.
despair.
You created those things, human...not God...

He created love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control Galatians, 5:22&23

[tomanyhumans]

He created love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control Galatians, 5:22&23


And what created humans?

All the things that I listed are a result of it (god). Is god all-knowing (ahh a hard one to answer for you. You can see the contradiction at the end of it) If you cannot see that then our conversation can go no where.

Curious. out of all those things mentioned in your quote. How does Long-suffering fit in with the rest?

I am an inventor. I have a new idea for a thing. But i know that there is a certain likelihood that this new creation of mine will destroy many many other creations of mine. do i really need to go on with this example?

[PatrickHenry]

You want humans to be created your way? You want them not to have the capacity to do anything but good?

Then make your own Universe if you can...

[Red Dragon]

If there are gods out there who willing created humans or just the universe in general I can't say that they are evil, only that they are insane. My reasoning for that is that gods are perfect beings, beings with ultimate power and most importantly beings without needs or wants. If we or our universe are the product of perfect all-powerful gods then I highly doubt they purposely made us.

[tomanyhumans]

You want humans to be created your way? You want them not to have the capacity to do anything but good?

Then make your own Universe if you can...


This begs the question back to you. You want there to be bad?

Having a universe where humans do nothing but good speaks for itself. What's good is good.

[vandelay87]

I am a Christian and I'm a bit offended at the remark that said:"If you don't pray in my school, I won't think in your church." First off, the Christian faith has many diverse denominations and sects with wide variety of opinions and views. My church, the Episcopal Church, supports gay rights, opposes the death penalty, and had a hand in many other forms of social change in recent decades. And Christian people are certainly not a monolithic block that all think the same way and blindly accept what their ministers tell them. I certainly don't. I'm a Democrat who believes strongly in the separation of Church and state. The majority of churches believe in separation of Church and State. The poster who said "If you hear the word and do not accept it, you will suffer" is just as wrong as atheists who want to blame religion for everything. The Bible tells us not to judge anyone and that God is the only one who can do that. So saying that "unbelievers" will suffer is essentially mean-spirited and taking the role of God and idoltary. Religion at its best has helped to bring about social change and hope to people without forcing beliefs onto other people, which, in my view, is anti-Christian. Religion can be harmful when it is intwined with power and loses its indentity, like it currently is with the religious right and the Republican party. So please don't disrepect religious people just because you don't happen to be one of them.

[beachbum]

This begs the question back to you. You want there to be bad?

Having a universe where humans do nothing but good speaks for itself. What's good is good.


you think there can be good without bad? if there is no bad then how would you know that what youre doing is good? there will ALWAYS be bad. even if you get infinitely close to goodness there will be bad because whats not the best is worse then the best therefore there will be an absolute worst just like there will be an absolute best which will be divided into good and bad. thus coming to the conclusion that whats good is not necessarily good. it may be good by our standards but it wouldnt be the same by what our standards would be in that situation.

therefore good is relevant.

the point is that this world was not meant to be perfect. human nature is not to be perfect. but that doesnt mean that we cant try our hardest to make it better. when you do a positive thing, you are rewarded in a positive way just like when you do something bad you are punished.

with that being said, one can come to hte conclusion that there is an absolute positive and an absolute negative and everything in the middle is relevant to a place of origin. but in order to keep the two absolutes from being relevant, they have to be detached from relevance therefore you get two absolutes and a zonebetween the two absolutes which can only be relevant. therefore absolute positive, absolute negative, and absolute relevance coexist.

as you can see, a place where there is absolute good already exists just like a place where there is absolute "bad" and a medium in between. we are in the medium. since we cant achieve absoute good or bad.

[Deadshot]

I was raised Catholic but am more of a Deist now. Being a Deist I have a different view of things then many Christians. I believe in God but I think he/she/it gave us the tools to solve our problems, if only we would.

My perfect example is starvation. We have the food, worldwide, and the ability to transport it to feed everyone in the world. We simply don't. Either some despot stops the food from getting from point A to point B. Or it costs to much to transport or grow it. Or people live in such inaccessable places where getting food to them is a chore. But we, as a world wide community just can't seem to get over ourselves to get it done.

So God's given us the tools, we just aren't using them properly.

As to the original question, I voted 'Yes' because right now Religion is becoming more and more about policy and less about helping people. If the amount of time, money and effort spent - by both sides - in regards to the Abortion issue were spent on helping living, breathing children...well I truly believe that no child would want for food, education or Health Care. Again, God has given us the tools - we just have chosen to use them unwisely.

[beachbum]

My perfect example is starvation. We have the food, worldwide, and the ability to transport it to feed everyone in the world. We simply don't.

why do you assume that we should help others? has it eve occured to you that some dont want to help others. there is nothing stoping those who want to help from doing so. if you want to help then do so but dont put down those who dont. there is no such thing as "the world". it is just individuals interacting in society. "the world" isnt going to do anything for anyone. only individuals can affect others.


But we, as a world wide community just can't seem to get over ourselves to get it done.

but we(individuals) as a world wide community(interaction of individuals with other individuals) cant seem to get over ourselves(arent doing what you want) to get it done(which wouldnt change a thing in the long run)


As to the original question, I voted 'Yes' because right now Religion is becoming more and more about policy and less about helping people.
which religion are you referring to?


If the amount of time, money and effort spent - by both sides - in regards to the Abortion issue were spent on helping living, breathing children...well I truly believe that no child would want for food, education or Health Care.


so lets stop fighting for what we believe in and give our money we worked for to others that will eat until food runs out and even more will be starving.

maybe you should look into charity organizations and see which ones give the most money to the needy. faith based charities are far ahead of any other secular charities. this only proves that the use of religion is a good thing in our society.

i guess you dont realize that even though you claim that religion is becoming more and more about policy(when was religion better than the present?), if you were right, religion would only be puting out negative returns like in economics which is still better than no returns. this also proves that the use of religion is a good thing in our society.

[Deadshot]

why do you assume that we should help others? has it eve occured to you that some dont want to help[/color] others. there is nothing stoping those who want to help from doing so. if you want to help then do so but dont put down those who dont. there is no such thing as "the world". it is just individuals interacting in society. "the world" isnt going to do anything for anyone. only individuals can affect others.

Can you name me a religion where it says NOT to help those in need? This is about religion. As to individual affecting others, I've got three words in rebuttal : The Marshall Plan.


but we(individuals) as a world wide community(interaction of individuals with other individuals) cant seem to get over ourselves(arent doing what you want) to get it done(which wouldnt change a thing in the long run)



My point exactly. But we CAN get it done IF we worked together. God has given us the tools.


which religion are you referring to?


Blanket statement meant to try and cover all, but envelop none.


so lets stop fighting for what we believe in and give our money we worked for to others that will eat until food runs out and even more will be starving.

Once fed, those poor should be helped, not just left to repeat the cycle.

maybe you should look into charity organizations and see which ones give the most money to the needy. faith based charities are far ahead of any other secular charities. this only proves that the use of religion is a good thing in our society.

Technically the government gives more money to the needy then all charities combined. Don't believe me look at the amount the USA spent to help those in Katrina and the Tsunami. Even in a foriegn land the USA's $$$ outdid the charities.

i guess you dont realize that even though you claim that religion is becoming more and more about policy(when was religion better than the present?), if you were right, religion would only be puting out negative returns like in economics which is still better than no returns. this also proves that the use of religion is a good thing in our society.



Maybe I came off wrong, but I don't feel Religion is the great evil of our land. I just feel it needs to be reigned in. It still has to much power in our society, IMHO.

[beachbum]

Can you name me a religion where it says NOT to help those in need? This is about religion. As to individual affecting others, I've got three words in rebuttal : The Marshall Plan.

you would have to define the kind of help to be given. some religions prohibit certain actions.

[quote]
My point exactly. But we CAN get it done IF we worked together. God has given us the tools. [/color]
we CAN get it doen IF we want to.

[quote]
Blanket statement meant to try and cover all, but envelop none. [/color]

you said religion is becoming more and more about policy.
maybe you should state which religions since different religions have diiferent ways of dealing with certain situations.

[quote]
Once fed, those poor should be helped, not just left to repeat the cycle. [/color]

so lets feed them, clothe them, build homes for them, get them jobs. maybe we should whipe their a$$es too..

[quote]
Technically the government gives more money to the needy then all charities combined. Don't believe me look at the amount the USA spent to help those in Katrina and the Tsunami. Even in a foriegn land the USA's $$$ outdid the charities. [/color]

no it doesnt. where do you think all the money from all the donations around the world from all the religions arount the world goes?

[quote]Maybe I came off wrong, but I don't feel Religion is the great evil of our land. I just feel it needs to be reigned in. It still has to much power in our society, IMHO.


so religion is the one that needs to be better? its not the corrupt governments, and businesses around the world that need to get better. its not the drug cartells or the people who trade children for sex, and its definately not gangs or terrorist organizations that need to get reigned in.

even though religion is one of only a few truly good things in our society, you feel that its really not good enough to deserve your vote of support..

[Deadshot]

you would have to define the kind of help to be given. some religions prohibit certain actions.

Can you name for me a religion that if a starving child would come up to one of it's believers that they should not feed it?

we CAN get it doen IF we want to.

So let's start wanting too...



you said religion is becoming more and more about policy.
maybe you should state which religions since different religions have diiferent ways of dealing with certain situations.


Again, I'm going blanket since throughout the world religions have there hands in politics.

so lets feed them, clothe them, build homes for them, get them jobs. maybe we should whipe their a$$es too..


I've never met someone that is so vehemently against feeding someone who is hungry. I guess you must not be religious nor charitable.

no it doesnt. where do you think all the money from all the donations around the world from all the religions arount the world goes?

Then why did the religious organizations ask for more Government help in Katrina and the Tsunami? The Government can give guarantees for millions in days, no charity can. Religious charities can not compete with the US Government when giving money. The Government simply gives more because it doesn't have to send out a mailer or ask for it, they just do it.

Maybe I came off wrong, but I don't feel Religion is the great evil of our land. I just feel it needs to be reigned in. It still has to much power in our society, IMHO.


so religion is the one that needs to be better? its not the corrupt governments, and businesses around the world that need to get better. its not the drug cartells or the people who trade children for sex, and its definately not gangs or terrorist organizations that need to get reigned in.

even though religion is one of only a few truly good things in our society, you feel that its really not good enough to deserve your vote of support..


What vote do you get in Religion? I can try to change the government or stop the child sex ring, but if Religion says homosexuality is wrong you don't get to vote on it. Religion should be out of politics because you CAN'T vote on Religion!

[beachbum]

Can you name for me a religion that if a starving child would come up to one of it's believers that they should not feed it?
that is one action that is allowed by all religions. there are exceptions to the rule however, which involve the background of the child.


So let's start wanting too...
if you want to do something to change the world and you want my help or the help of people like me as well as others, then why not start by trying to convince people that what youre trying to do is worth while. but you dont do that by saying that the government should do something with my money and the money of millions of others without all of them supporting that action.


Again, I'm going blanket since throughout the world religions have there hands in politics. so i guess you couldnt mention even one..

I've never met someone that is so vehemently against feeding someone who is hungry. I guess you must not be religious nor charitable.
i really dont see how you came to that conclusion when im clearly pro religion and pro charity.
Then why did the religious organizations ask for more Government help in Katrina and the Tsunami?
good question.. you should ask them.
The Government can give guarantees for millions in days, no charity can.
i believe it. the government can guarantee that they will spend my money without me knowing or wanting.

Religious charities can not compete with the US Government when giving money. The Government simply gives more because it doesn't have to send out a mailer or ask for it, they just do it. so you think we should give the government even more mone to just gve away to who-knows-where? id prefer giving my money to charities for a certain cause that way i know that my money isnt being spent where i dont want it to be.


What vote do you get in Religion? I can try to change the government or stop the child sex ring, but if Religion says homosexuality is wrong you don't get to vote on it. Religion should be out of politics because you CAN'T vote on Religion!


you said you voted that religion is a threat to modern society..