Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Psycho Economist · 03-23-2003, 11:23 AM

First, let me say that replies based on peoples' stances on the war are expressly off the topic intended in this thread. That's part of why I've originally put this in GRD and not Political Discussions (though as always, moderators are free to move it).

What I want to know is how (and of course, to what extent if any) your religious identification shapes your opinion about the current conflict being carried out in Iraq.

Spaz · 03-23-2003, 11:32 AM

By default I'm against war. I can understand when war is necessary, but I guess I was just never convinced that this war was unavoidable. And I'm an atheist.

JEST2ASK · 03-23-2003, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Spaz
By default I'm against war. I can understand when war is necessary, but I guess I was just never convinced that this war was unavoidable. And I'm an atheist.

Now way to avoid the honest conclusion(s)

I have to agreee with all you say .....

I am becoming such a ... "REALIST" ......

I just feel funny saying ... Hey I am with SPAZ on this one.

spurly · 03-23-2003, 07:48 PM

I could not vote in the poll. You didn't have my category of Christian in the poll. I am not far right or far left - but I am for the coalition making Saddam live up to the UN sanctions he has been snubbing his nose at.

Kevin

Psycho Economist · 03-23-2003, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by spurly
I could not vote in the poll. You didn't have my category of Christian in the poll. I am not far right or far left - but I am for the coalition making Saddam live up to the UN sanctions he has been snubbing his nose at.

Eh... it's always a trade-off, whether you make a question forced-choice or give a middle ground. I'm sorry you feel that way. I'm just surprised the first peep wasn't about the "war half" of the question.

happyboy · 03-24-2003, 04:20 AM

i'm not really happy with bombing a piss-poor middle eastern country into the dust, but if it'll shove the modern, rational world into their backwards woman-hating lives, then hey, bring on the war.

happyboy, advocate of modern living and progress, enemy of backwards religions that cling to an outmoded dark age

Shake · 03-24-2003, 05:45 AM

I'm atheist and ex-military. I'd hope no one is really pro-war. War is a terrible thing, but sometimes a necessary means to and end. I felt it was becoming more inevitable as things were playing out, but was hoping it would be postponed a little longer. I think it's sad that we had to do this, but I think now that we're there, we need to do a kick-ass job and get it over with ASAP! I'd love to see a few more Iraqi divisions surrender.

I'd also like to say that I knew that a more prolonged (than in '91) ground assault would be more costly (lives and $$) for both sides! To do this right, IMHO, we need even more massive airstrikes to just bomb the piss out of the Republican Guard, before thinking of sending in ground troops. But I'm not a retired officer (just an honorably discharged NCO), so no politician will listen to me.

I'm sure if you asked around, even many military members are NOT pro-war! They don't want to die any more than you or I. However, they'll probably further say that once the decision is made to fight, they'll do their job to best of their abilities to bring a swift and decisive end to the conflict.

My idea of 'Shock and Awe' would be a 24-hour bombardment of tactical and strategic targets in and around Bagdad to include places where the RG is holed up, using everything from Tomahawks to smart bombs and even large 'dumb' bombs. Follow that with an immediate large scale ground invasion force of tanks, attack helicopters and other CAS (close-air support) aircraft. Then just keep an eye out for the white flags.

So let me summarize: I guess I'm anti-war, but since we're already fighting, let's do it right: utterly crush them and do it quickly to keep loss of life to a minimum. If you're going to talk, then talk, but when you decide to fight, fight to win!

Carrie · 03-24-2003, 04:37 PM

Even when I was a Fundamentalist Christian, my religion had nothing to do with my politics. I was a liberal politically, but conservative religiously. I never liked how Christianity and Republicanism were linked, and I hate how the 700 club talks about political issues, and are obviously on the Republican side. But lots of Fundy Christians think you can't be a real Christian unless you're a Republican.

My religion didn't shape my politics, but my job did. I started working for a small business lobby, and I came to see their side of things, and became more conservative. I am somewhere in the middle politically now, but it has nothing to do with me being an agnostic.

hinduwoman · 03-24-2003, 04:49 PM

Atheist and anit-war, but one does not have anything to do with the other.

notMichaelJackson · 03-24-2003, 06:11 PM

Liberal Christian, liberal politically, against the war but grateful to the soldiers fighting it, but I don't see any reason to protest. I just hope it is over soon.

View Poll Results: What are your religious identification and stance on the war?
Atheist & Pro-war	16	18.82%
Evangellical / fundamentalist Christian & Pro-war	1	1.18%
Liberal / mainline Christian & Pro-war	1	1.18%
Not Christian, but religious & Pro-war	0	0%
Neither religious nor atheist & Pro-war	2	2.35%
Atheist & Anti-war	55	64.71%
Evangellica / fundamentalist Christian & Anti-war	1	1.18%
Liberal / mainline Christian & Anti-war	2	2.35%
Not Christian, but religious & Anti-war	5	5.88%
Neither religious nor atheist & Anti-war	2	2.35%
Voters: 85. You may not vote on this poll

03-23-2003, 11:23 AM	#1
Psycho Economist Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Peoria, IL Posts: 854	Religious identification and the conflict in Iraq First, let me say that replies based on peoples' stances on the war are expressly off the topic intended in this thread. That's part of why I've originally put this in GRD and not Political Discussions (though as always, moderators are free to move it). What I want to know is how (and of course, to what extent if any) your religious identification shapes your opinion about the current conflict being carried out in Iraq.

03-24-2003, 05:45 AM	#7
Shake Contributor Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Folding@Home in upstate NY Posts: 14,394	Well... since you asked... I'm atheist and ex-military. I'd hope no one is really pro-war. War is a terrible thing, but sometimes a necessary means to and end. I felt it was becoming more inevitable as things were playing out, but was hoping it would be postponed a little longer. I think it's sad that we had to do this, but I think now that we're there, we need to do a kick-ass job and get it over with ASAP! I'd love to see a few more Iraqi divisions surrender. I'd also like to say that I knew that a more prolonged (than in '91) ground assault would be more costly (lives and $$) for both sides! To do this right, IMHO, we need even more massive airstrikes to just bomb the piss out of the Republican Guard, before thinking of sending in ground troops. But I'm not a retired officer (just an honorably discharged NCO), so no politician will listen to me. I'm sure if you asked around, even many military members are NOT pro-war! They don't want to die any more than you or I. However, they'll probably further say that once the decision is made to fight, they'll do their job to best of their abilities to bring a swift and decisive end to the conflict. My idea of 'Shock and Awe' would be a 24-hour bombardment of tactical and strategic targets in and around Bagdad to include places where the RG is holed up, using everything from Tomahawks to smart bombs and even large 'dumb' bombs. Follow that with an immediate large scale ground invasion force of tanks, attack helicopters and other CAS (close-air support) aircraft. Then just keep an eye out for the white flags. So let me summarize: I guess I'm anti-war, but since we're already fighting, let's do it right: utterly crush them and do it quickly to keep loss of life to a minimum. If you're going to talk, then talk, but when you decide to fight, fight to win!

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03-23-2003, 11:32 AM	#2
Spaz Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: 6th Circle of Hell Posts: 1,093	By default I'm against war. I can understand when war is necessary, but I guess I was just never convinced that this war was unavoidable. And I'm an atheist.

03-23-2003, 07:48 PM	#4
spurly Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 710	I could not vote in the poll. You didn't have my category of Christian in the poll. I am not far right or far left - but I am for the coalition making Saddam live up to the UN sanctions he has been snubbing his nose at. Kevin

03-24-2003, 04:20 AM	#6
happyboy Regular Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: on the border between here and there, WV Posts: 373	i'm not really happy with bombing a piss-poor middle eastern country into the dust, but if it'll shove the modern, rational world into their backwards woman-hating lives, then hey, bring on the war. happyboy, advocate of modern living and progress, enemy of backwards religions that cling to an outmoded dark age

03-24-2003, 04:37 PM	#8
Carrie Regular Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Midwest Posts: 424	Even when I was a Fundamentalist Christian, my religion had nothing to do with my politics. I was a liberal politically, but conservative religiously. I never liked how Christianity and Republicanism were linked, and I hate how the 700 club talks about political issues, and are obviously on the Republican side. But lots of Fundy Christians think you can't be a real Christian unless you're a Republican. My religion didn't shape my politics, but my job did. I started working for a small business lobby, and I came to see their side of things, and became more conservative. I am somewhere in the middle politically now, but it has nothing to do with me being an agnostic.

03-24-2003, 04:49 PM	#9
hinduwoman Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: India Posts: 6,977	Atheist and anit-war, but one does not have anything to do with the other.

03-24-2003, 06:11 PM	#10
notMichaelJackson Banned Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: IL Posts: 552	Liberal Christian, liberal politically, against the war but grateful to the soldiers fighting it, but I don't see any reason to protest. I just hope it is over soon.

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