Religion and Delusion: Branch Davidians and the Siege of Waco

[longship]

59. I am a lifelong atheist.

However, I choose to recognize that although religion does horrible evil, not all believers are evil. I prefer Dennett's stance, that those in the pews are being led to beliefs by people who allegedly know better. Whether those in the pulpit know what they are doing or not one cannot know. I do not know what is in their mind. (Certainly, people like Benny Hinn do know they are a fraud.)

That is why I prefer to judge people, not by their beliefs, but by their actions. If somebody says they believe in a god, so be it. However, when somebody claims their belief in god justifies killing somebody, or suppressing another's rights, then I am going to have my say. But, as might Dennett ask, "Where do these people get these ideas?" They certainly did not come up with them on their own. It has to be a cultural thing, a meme.

Now, if one wants to have a discussion about whether liberal believers give shelter to those who have repressive religious beliefs, that is a discussion that is probably worthwhile. But if one thinks that religion is going to go away anytime soon, or that posting here will in anyway help bring that about, that is equally delusional as theism.

Instead, my position is similar to Dennett's. We need to study religion and possibly learn how to help it evolve into a less virulent species. But eliminating it is undoubtedly a non-starter.

If you disagree, that is fine. That is a discussion which would be worthwhile to me. I would welcome it. I only hope that you would learn as much as I would by such a discussion. But I would be satisfied by my understanding your point of view.

Regards.