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pokerfan

(27,677 posts)

114. Fear, the Foundation of Religion

Wed Sep 5, 2012, 06:50 PM

Sep 2012

Religion is based, I think, primarily and mainly upon fear. It is partly the terror of the unknown and partly, as I have said, the wish to feel that you have a kind of elder brother who will stand by you in all your troubles and disputes. Fear is the basis of the whole thing -- fear of the mysterious, fear of defeat, fear of death. Fear is the parent of cruelty, and therefore it is no wonder if cruelty and religion have gone hand in hand. It is because fear is at the basis of those two things. In this world we can now begin a little to understand things, and a little to master them by help of science, which has forced its way step by step against the Christian religion, against the churches, and against the opposition of all the old precepts. Science can help us to get over this craven fear in which mankind has lived for so many generations. Science can teach us, and I think our own hearts can teach us, no longer to look around for imaginary supports, no longer to invent allies in the sky, but rather to look to our own efforts here below to make this world a better place to live in, instead of the sort of place that the churches in all these centuries have made it.

Why I Am Not A Christian by Bertrand Russell

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Why do certain people hate atheists? [View all] Philosoraptor Sep 2012 OP

Fear of being exposed as a nutter. Scuba Sep 2012 #1

...or, maybe they don't like people who call them "nutters"... Union Scribe Sep 2012 #23

Well, there's that. cordelia Sep 2012 #33

If the shoe fits... Odin2005 Sep 2012 #55

The divisiveness is not obvious at all. NCTraveler Sep 2012 #39

Gee, you have made the argument for why some people may not like some atheists. cbayer Sep 2012 #103

Well, they need someone to hate. nt nanabugg Sep 2012 #2

How very Christ-like Philosoraptor Sep 2012 #3

Why Does Anybody Hate Anybody? rbrnmw Sep 2012 #4

Hate is a normal emotion. ronnie624 Sep 2012 #70

"...lost my religion, deliberately, and have never been happier." KansDem Sep 2012 #5

The very thought that God might not exist is profoundly terrifying to them lunatica Sep 2012 #6

And they are afraid of death and fear that without their god, when they die, that will be it. RC Sep 2012 #44

Fear, the Foundation of Religion pokerfan Sep 2012 #114

They believe in an after-life and they will RebelOne Sep 2012 #93

they're afraid of being wrong angryjames Sep 2012 #7

Fear of God Philosoraptor Sep 2012 #8

Fear that we're going to piss off God and they'll go to Hell with the rest of us. no_hypocrisy Sep 2012 #9

Chewing gum in church is a damnable sin Philosoraptor Sep 2012 #10

As a former HS teacher, chewing gum anywhere is a sin. longship Sep 2012 #22

I used to think they just felt badly that I was going to roast in their hell. djean111 Sep 2012 #11

why didnt you ask your "friend" seems to me you had the perfect opportunity to get an answer to your leftyohiolib Sep 2012 #12

This occurred to me, too Blecht Sep 2012 #112

agreed but poster said "he eventually calmed down" that would have been the excellent time 2ask. nt leftyohiolib Sep 2012 #117

Because to those ones, you have actively rejected All That Is Good And Right... JHB Sep 2012 #13

Madelyn was definitely obnoxious Philosoraptor Sep 2012 #15

A portion are. They get noticed more. A portion of religious are obnoxious too... JHB Sep 2012 #36

Madelyn Murray O'Hare was "obnoxious" because she had to be Taverner Sep 2012 #84

No, she was obnoxious in ways she didn't "have" to be JHB Sep 2012 #98

But instead of "obnoxious" she'd be called "pious, god-fearing and always willing to share testimony Taverner Sep 2012 #102

Not by me, and since what we're talking about is my impression of her... JHB Sep 2012 #110

Oh yeah, what a shrew that Madelyn Murry O'Hair was (link to 1970 Donahue show below...) Luminous Animal Sep 2012 #116

What drives me crazy are the... Odin2005 Sep 2012 #14

"If it'll make you more comfortable, I can try to be more of a jerk." JHB Sep 2012 #43

Because we're mean so we deserve it. Iggo Sep 2012 #16

probiably same reasons that people hate anyone or anything different from themselves loli phabay Sep 2012 #17

We disagree Philosoraptor Sep 2012 #18

I am a Christian and feel the same as you. joeglow3 Sep 2012 #31

Really, you've met atheists who freak out, yell and say it's impossible when you say you're Xian? dmallind Sep 2012 #37

I have met atheists who are condescending, insulting and rude, yes. joeglow3 Sep 2012 #42

I am an atheist...live in an area of the Country where religion isn't a prerequisite and... Tikki Sep 2012 #64

To the Atheist haters, Atheism creates the possibility that their faith may be for naught MrScorpio Sep 2012 #19

The diff is atheists don't want to throw Christians into death camps Philosoraptor Sep 2012 #21

So you know christians that want to throw atheists into death camps? cbayer Sep 2012 #104

they confuse G-d and country Bad Thoughts Sep 2012 #20

Because certain atheists hate others. NCTraveler Sep 2012 #24

Yep, we started it. Iggo Sep 2012 #26

Didn't mean that. But you are understood that before your replied. NCTraveler Sep 2012 #34

"Why do certain people hate atheists?" "Because certain atheists hate others." Iggo Sep 2012 #67

I inferred the meaning as that 'hate' is a human construct, LanternWaste Sep 2012 #82

Maybe it's jealousy? Javaman Sep 2012 #25

Knock Knock: Who's there? Your friendly atheist! Philosoraptor Sep 2012 #27

if you'll excuse the expression . . . amen. ellenfl Sep 2012 #90

Why do certain people hate women, racial minorities and gay people?. whathehell Sep 2012 #28

Because, for some reason, liberalhistorian Sep 2012 #29

I'm curious. cleanhippie Sep 2012 #56

It is an ecumenical, very liberal, progressive, liberalhistorian Sep 2012 #60

Sounds like heaven on earth. cleanhippie Sep 2012 #71

Yes, it is, indeed, very inclusive; liberalhistorian Sep 2012 #72

I did not want you to apologize for that. cleanhippie Sep 2012 #73

I thank you also, liberalhistorian Sep 2012 #76

IMO, they define atheism as another religion because they can't wrap their head around not believing jeff47 Sep 2012 #88

That's an interesting point, liberalhistorian Sep 2012 #89

Im not atheist, im spiritual/agnostic but i completely relate to you darkangel218 Sep 2012 #30

What is a spiritual/agnostic? cleanhippie Sep 2012 #57

This message was self-deleted by its author darkangel218 Sep 2012 #94

So you are an agnostic theist. cleanhippie Sep 2012 #95

This message was self-deleted by its author darkangel218 Sep 2012 #97

Great idea. Let me know when you do. cleanhippie Sep 2012 #100

Many southern Christian sects use fear to motivate their flocks. porphyrian Sep 2012 #32

Gee, if you yourself held ignorant hate toward gay people and also changed.... Bluenorthwest Sep 2012 #35

I grew up I guess. Philosoraptor Sep 2012 #38

So in others, it is a thing to wail about, but in you 'I just grew up'? Bluenorthwest Sep 2012 #45

If I can change, anyone can Philosoraptor Sep 2012 #47

So then why are you asking this question. As I said, you being the same as your pal, you already Bluenorthwest Sep 2012 #51

Once I was blind, but now I see Philosoraptor Sep 2012 #52

Again you avoid the questions I am putting to you.... Bluenorthwest Sep 2012 #63

excellent points Beringia Sep 2012 #79

Well we can always hope that you continue to grow up and give up your anti-theist bias as well. cbayer Sep 2012 #108

Agree and asked him a similar question down thread. cbayer Sep 2012 #109

Because we have already accepted the truth.. 99Forever Sep 2012 #40

I think some cannot accept the possibility of BadgerKid Sep 2012 #41

They've invested a lot of time and effort in buying into irrationality and "faith" Arugula Latte Sep 2012 #46

I do not hate atheists DonCoquixote Sep 2012 #48

Nope, I don't hate them either. HappyMe Sep 2012 #54

Because you are fine and happy, which disproves what they have been told ehrnst Sep 2012 #49

I think some view atheism as not a passive personal belief but KurtNYC Sep 2012 #50

Can't handle being told their emperor has no clothes on point Sep 2012 #53

K&R For irrational fear and jealousy. Egalitarian Thug Sep 2012 #58

Because they have been taught to do so (n/t) Tom Ripley Sep 2012 #59

ask an agnostic hfojvt Sep 2012 #61

I really relate Brainstormy Sep 2012 #62

I think it's because everyone, no matter how religious, has their doubts. Marr Sep 2012 #65

Your friend will not like the next generation much. LittlestStar Sep 2012 #66

"I confess that I too held prejudice and fear of homosexuals, cbayer Sep 2012 #68

This message was self-deleted by its author AnotherMcIntosh Sep 2012 #69

I would say it's a threat to them treestar Sep 2012 #74

Afraid you'll sprout horns and breathe fire? Generic Other Sep 2012 #75

Because many atheists, like many believers, are obnoxious about it. Bake Sep 2012 #77

"many" Kelvin Mace Sep 2012 #81

You hit the nail on the head joeglow3 Sep 2012 #85

Agreed Kelvin Mace Sep 2012 #96

People who post on a message board tend to be outspoken ProudToBeBlueInRhody Sep 2012 #106

Look no further than this thread and you will see it. cbayer Sep 2012 #107

Insecurity about their own faith. backscatter712 Sep 2012 #78

They fear facts Politicalboi Sep 2012 #80

Because they know we're right Taverner Sep 2012 #83

They "know people are inherently evil, and need God and God's law to control them." ieoeja Sep 2012 #86

I had a similar experience with a family member. She was always madmom Sep 2012 #87

Strong reactions in this situation usually mean they feel threatened... mom2threegirls Sep 2012 #91

It's funny you mentioned gay people. BeeBee Sep 2012 #92

Religion, like many other things, is a competitive team sport.... Moonwalk Sep 2012 #99

The entire Abrahamic dogma is based in fear of "the other" LadyHawkAZ Sep 2012 #101

Maybe it's because we atheists don't have any songs to sing on Sundays. Initech Sep 2012 #105

I find it interesting that your friend thought YOU'D been brainwashed. Blecht Sep 2012 #111

Heck, I was MARRIED to an atheist derby378 Sep 2012 #113

This message was self-deleted by its author BOG PERSON Sep 2012 #115