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Goblinmonger

(22,340 posts)
15. I'm not saying that people who continue to follow it
Wed Apr 16, 2014, 12:12 PM
Apr 2014

are selfish nor monstrous. I think a lot of people are religious because that's the way they were raised. And I don't say that in a light hearted way. I was raised very strict Catholic and it was no easy thing to come to grips with my atheism. I ignored it and called it something else for many years. Or just ignored it hoping it would go away. Staying with something they have been a part of for their whole lives in a culture which puts a lot of emphasis on it is not monstrous. It's to be expected.

But if you look at developing countries around the world, the role and importance of religion is slowly decreasing. Many see that as a horrible thing. I don't. Perhaps I'm wrong.

Such a condemnation of religion! rug Apr 2014 #1
This message was self-deleted by its author edhopper Apr 2014 #33
Considering religion is inspiring it... MellowDem Apr 2014 #87
Aside from your assumptions, which are a qualitative defect, this sample of a few teenagers rug Apr 2014 #89
What assumptions? MellowDem Apr 2014 #90
It's an assumption, and not a well-grounded one. rug Apr 2014 #91
For what it's worth, there is most definitely a straight day LeftishBrit Apr 2014 #2
yeah, I was thinking everyday EOM catrose Apr 2014 #62
every day isnt a special day of celebration Niceguy1 Apr 2014 #82
just a day of LOVE... handmade34 Apr 2014 #101
I guess this is better than posting about how religion kills kids. nt el_bryanto Apr 2014 #3
I guess you could say that religion is killing these kids, too. cleanhippie Apr 2014 #4
Ah - thanks for clarifying. el_bryanto Apr 2014 #5
As long as there are posts about the positives of religion Goblinmonger Apr 2014 #6
How many believers posting here believe that Religion is 100% positive at all times el_bryanto Apr 2014 #8
Probably not many Goblinmonger Apr 2014 #9
I think that some clearly do el_bryanto Apr 2014 #12
I think it is pretty rare. Goblinmonger Apr 2014 #13
OK - I don't think you should be confident in describing your fellow atheists el_bryanto Apr 2014 #14
I'm not saying that people who continue to follow it Goblinmonger Apr 2014 #15
Unless you are simply being facetious, your last paragraph is spot on. cleanhippie Apr 2014 #16
Thank you - and I hope Goblinmonger understands that many atheists here feel the way you do. el_bryanto Apr 2014 #19
I don't know that it is "many" Goblinmonger Apr 2014 #22
Why would you be an atheist in that case? skepticscott Apr 2014 #23
If you believed that any religious benefit could be gotten by secular methods? cleanhippie Apr 2014 #24
A relationship with God. nt el_bryanto Apr 2014 #25
Considering that "a relationship with god" is simply a construct of your imagination being the most cleanhippie Apr 2014 #27
I don't feel like I need to - we've had this discussion before. I'm sure you know where I'm coming el_bryanto Apr 2014 #29
You haven't provided any tangible benefit that comes from religion. cleanhippie Apr 2014 #32
So that's it? Nothing other than you personal relationship is a benefit? cleanhippie Apr 2014 #37
I'm sorry -I went to lunch. el_bryanto Apr 2014 #38
At risk of sounding like a meme, you are using circular logic. cleanhippie Apr 2014 #39
What is the value of a relationship - that's a big question el_bryanto Apr 2014 #45
You make the mistake of assuming that because I lack your belief, I lack the ability to empathize cleanhippie Apr 2014 #48
What did I say that lead you to believe I doubted that atheists could empathize? el_bryanto Apr 2014 #56
Relationships can be both positive or negative, depending on their type. cleanhippie Apr 2014 #58
This is the problem el_bryanto Apr 2014 #61
So you are unable to objectively answer the question? cleanhippie Apr 2014 #65
It would appear so. el_bryanto Apr 2014 #66
And yet non-believers are accused of having the narrow world-view. cleanhippie Apr 2014 #68
If you accept the premise that there is no God than el_bryanto Apr 2014 #71
You're ignoring what we've already proven. cleanhippie Apr 2014 #74
You've proven that to yourself, but declaring there is no God el_bryanto Apr 2014 #86
youve reduced the value of religion to belief in god. Warren Stupidity Apr 2014 #96
No I haven't. el_bryanto Apr 2014 #98
He can't post it in a safe haven. okasha Apr 2014 #20
I'm having a reasonable discussion here Goblinmonger Apr 2014 #21
And to think some want that person as a host here. cleanhippie Apr 2014 #28
Well, the good news is... Rob H. Apr 2014 #92
Whew. cleanhippie Apr 2014 #97
Thank goodness. n/t trotsky Apr 2014 #100
I know you're striving mightily to make the actions of a few teenagers a larger religious point. rug Apr 2014 #64
I merely added a crucial okasha Apr 2014 #88
Well it is certainly better than endless strawman arguments deliberately Warren Stupidity Apr 2014 #93
It's a push. rug Apr 2014 #94
And who are you saying dos that? nt el_bryanto Apr 2014 #99
Religion is a force a postive in the world. hrmjustin Apr 2014 #7
Based on the discussion I'm having above Goblinmonger Apr 2014 #10
No, that is clear from history and current events. hrmjustin Apr 2014 #11
And I will admit it is clear that religions aren't 100% bad all the time Goblinmonger Apr 2014 #17
And religion is an equally, if not more, negative force. cleanhippie Apr 2014 #18
Exactly skepticscott Apr 2014 #31
That is an interesting point. hrmjustin Apr 2014 #34
That's all you have to say on the subject? cleanhippie Apr 2014 #35
There is truth in your statement. hrmjustin Apr 2014 #36
So how can your response of "religion is a positive force in the world" have any meaning? cleanhippie Apr 2014 #40
The faith of life after death. hrmjustin Apr 2014 #41
If I understand you correctly, "faith" is inherently a benefit? cleanhippie Apr 2014 #42
To me it is. hrmjustin Apr 2014 #44
How is religion a positive force for the world that cannot be gotten through secular methods? cleanhippie Apr 2014 #46
People can do good works and good things with or without religion. hrmjustin Apr 2014 #47
That we already know, and doesn't answer the question at all. cleanhippie Apr 2014 #49
Yes it does. hrmjustin Apr 2014 #50
Your answer INCLUDES secular methods as a source. cleanhippie Apr 2014 #51
I think I answered it. But to spell it out you don't need religion to be a force of good. hrmjustin Apr 2014 #52
In all seriousness, are you unable to understand this question? cleanhippie Apr 2014 #53
I have answered your question. hrmjustin Apr 2014 #54
Are you fucking with me or are you unable to comprehend the question? cleanhippie Apr 2014 #55
I answered your question. hrmjustin Apr 2014 #57
You gave a nonsensical answer. cleanhippie Apr 2014 #59
Have a great week. hrmjustin Apr 2014 #60
Are you still in high school? cleanhippie Apr 2014 #63
Wish you the best. hrmjustin Apr 2014 #67
If that were true, then you could answer basic questions and understand basic logic. cleanhippie Apr 2014 #69
Why? Because your an atheist? Don't you wish me the best? hrmjustin Apr 2014 #70
I wish you had the ability to answer basic questions and exhibited basic comprehension. cleanhippie Apr 2014 #72
I answered your question. hrmjustin Apr 2014 #73
I understand how you might think that. cleanhippie Apr 2014 #75
Or perhaps you can't read my answer. hrmjustin Apr 2014 #76
The only one talking in circles is you. cleanhippie Apr 2014 #77
Maybe you should put me on ignore. hrmjustin Apr 2014 #78
My sense of charity and compassion for those lacking compels me. cleanhippie Apr 2014 #80
Well don't expect me to respond to you anymore. hrmjustin Apr 2014 #81
Again, if you truly wished me the best, you would attempt to understand basic questions. cleanhippie Apr 2014 #85
That conclusion is based on observation and predictable results. rug Apr 2014 #84
I applaud the Episcopalian Church for standing up for what is right, they are an Warren Stupidity Apr 2014 #95
I thought one of the comments below the article was funny Rob H. Apr 2014 #26
"straight day" is every damn day of the year. bunnies Apr 2014 #30
I agree with the ACLU LostOne4Ever Apr 2014 #43
Well, pure freedom of speech is a fine thing skepticscott Apr 2014 #79
I think the root of the issue Niceguy1 Apr 2014 #83
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