Freethought & Rationalism Archive

ZiprHead · 04-17-2003, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by theIPU
thanks for all your responses and I'll be sure to use them, however, I have on more question. If someone says "Why do you make so much fun/critique religion if you don't believe in it?" How would you respond?

Tell them that if they don't want people to laugh at their beliefs, then don't have beliefs that are so funny.

AspenMama · 04-17-2003, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ZiprHead
Tell them that if they don't want people to laugh at their beliefs, then don't have beliefs that are so funny.

Well, you could say that, but then, you really wouldn't win anyone over to your side with that comment, (or at least to gain a little respect), -- I don't know if I really agree with any advice that is essentially "give them a taste of their own medicine". Often that is too bitter a pill to swallow. I say, present your skepticism and give them reasonable thought but give it to them with a tablespoon of sugar.

capsaicin67 · 04-22-2003, 07:45 PM

Superstition interferes with clear-thinking.

Clear-thinking is critically important in many areas of society and in the individual's personal life. Clear-thinking can facilitate problem-solving. It can foster greater openness. It is empowering.

Obfuscating clear-thinking is a great way to control others, and hide exploitative behavior.

As for "religion", I'm not for sure what this entails for me. Do I think it's important to deal with metaphysics and the "big questions" about human existence? Yes. Do I think that community, and the emotional lives, as well as intellectual lives, of people are important? Yes. But I think that superstition, institutionalized or not, is unhealthy and counterproductive.

cliff999 · 04-23-2003, 07:16 AM

To get back on track, religion can be good if it makes you feel better about things and helps you treat people with respect. It can be bad if it stifles progress, individuality and causes you to treat people who don't agree without respect. A better question might be is religion necessary. The majority of people in this country (including our feckless leader) think it is. I'm sure most people in this forum believe it isn't.

Howay the Toon · 04-23-2003, 08:20 AM

the question "Whats Bad about religion?" appears to be coming from the point of view that believing in something means believing it to be a good thing.

Whereas most of us here would refer to believing whether or not a proposition is true, irrespective of whether we think it good thing or not.

Whether theists or atheists have behaved worse toward one another throughout history has precisely zero bearing on whether I believe in god or not.

AspenMama · 04-24-2003, 10:49 AM

I have split out the discussion regarding atheism and mass murder to here:

http://www.iidb.org/vbb/showthread.p...threadid=51927

GunnerJ · 04-24-2003, 11:30 AM

Never mind.

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04-22-2003, 07:45 PM	#23
capsaicin67 Contributor Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gold coast plain, sea, scrubland, mountain range. Posts: 20,955	Superstition interferes with clear-thinking. Clear-thinking is critically important in many areas of society and in the individual's personal life. Clear-thinking can facilitate problem-solving. It can foster greater openness. It is empowering. Obfuscating clear-thinking is a great way to control others, and hide exploitative behavior. As for "religion", I'm not for sure what this entails for me. Do I think it's important to deal with metaphysics and the "big questions" about human existence? Yes. Do I think that community, and the emotional lives, as well as intellectual lives, of people are important? Yes. But I think that superstition, institutionalized or not, is unhealthy and counterproductive.

04-23-2003, 07:16 AM	#24
cliff999 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fishers, In Posts: 37	To get back on track, religion can be good if it makes you feel better about things and helps you treat people with respect. It can be bad if it stifles progress, individuality and causes you to treat people who don't agree without respect. A better question might be is religion necessary. The majority of people in this country (including our feckless leader) think it is. I'm sure most people in this forum believe it isn't.

04-23-2003, 08:20 AM	#25
Howay the Toon Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Bicester UK Posts: 863	the question "Whats Bad about religion?" appears to be coming from the point of view that believing in something means believing it to be a good thing. Whereas most of us here would refer to believing whether or not a proposition is true, irrespective of whether we think it good thing or not. Whether theists or atheists have behaved worse toward one another throughout history has precisely zero bearing on whether I believe in god or not.

04-24-2003, 10:49 AM	#26
AspenMama Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Colorado Posts: 3,311	I have split out the discussion regarding atheism and mass murder to here: http://www.iidb.org/vbb/showthread.p...threadid=51927

04-24-2003, 11:30 AM	#27
GunnerJ Banned Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: a place where i can list whatever location i want Posts: 4,871	Never mind.

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