Freethought & Rationalism Archive

lunachick · 01-04-2003, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by happyboy

happyboy, who anticipates another dark age before too much longer

Actually, I could buy into that. I may give the time frame a little longer than "before too much longer"; but I think it could happen.

I mean, look at Iraq/Iran today - in the 21st century!! - yet, back in the old days of Persia (I know more about the arts of 14th - 16th Century Persia, and am unsure when the period ended), but Baghdad was a thriving, lively, liberal, multi-cultural place. Read Omar Kayyam, Rumi, Sa'di, etc. It was considered the "Paris" of the day.

I don't see anything too far fetched in the west regressing this way; through the rampant lunatic Christian fringe weiding more and more power in money, government, health and education. The seeds are already there. If we think we are above it, think again. It is possible that in the decades, or perhaps centuries, to come we may be forced underground as art, science, humanity and nature take a back seat to bloody god-bothering.

lunachick · 01-04-2003, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Puck
Meantime, we must work to keep religion from getting out of hand. From letting people with bad intentions use it to manipulate the masses. Religion has evolved to be the perfect tool for those who would rule the world. It's up to us and religious people to keep the dangerous part of religion at bay.

Here's hoping, Puck. I think there is a 50/50 chance of success. We need to be ever vigilant. And we need to be active. No room for complacency; or it will all go to the bible-thumping, hell-fire and damnation wankers in the pulpits, and humanity will be lost - at least till the next revolution.

Oooh, you got me all fired up, now. I feel like Che Guevara! A toast to the new revolution!!! Salut!!

Starboy · 01-04-2003, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Scottyman
As I stated in a couple other posts, education is the key to wipe out this form of fanatacism.

Scottyman, we are not the only ones to have figured out the importance of educating them while they are young.

Quote:

The Barna Research study, announced on 1999-NOV-12, shows that the vast majority of those who are saved experience the conversion during childhood -- before the age of 14. A person who is unsaved at the age of 14 only has a 10% chance of being "saved" later in life. The survey also showed that about 40% of all American adults consider themselves as having been saved during their lifetime. This number agrees with previous surveys.

Age range
% who experience salvation within that age range

5 to 13 years
32%

14 to 18 years
4%

over 19 years
6%

One glance at these statistics makes the fundamentalist strategy all too clear.

Starboy

8of9 · 01-04-2003, 06:23 AM

I agree with Puck.

Fundamentally, we have to respect freedom, and understand the apparent need for humans to have beliefs beyond reason. That said, we should always demand that religious folk respect the freedoms of all individuals to believe, think, speak, and act (without harm to others) according to their own belief systems.

The religious mandate to eradicate whatever is defined as "sin" is too often used to infringe on freedoms ... and that, as has been stated, is the true danger of religion.

(virgin post -- hi, everyone ... I like it here )

happyboy · 01-04-2003, 07:47 AM

amie, i seriously suggest you take a good long look at the middle east before replying to my comment "looking forward to another dark age." the middle east, for the most part, is in the middle of a rather nasty islamic dark age.

happyboy, who thinks an american dark age is bound to happen

happyboy · 01-04-2003, 07:56 AM

religion is holding humanity back. think of the heights we could ascend to, if we didn't have this superstitious fear of an invisible deity or deities holding us back.

case in point: stem cell research holds virtually unlimited promise for genetic research, with a wild variety of applications in everyday life.....but the religious morons won't let the research go on, for purely religious reasons.

a very annoyed happyboy:banghead:

Proxima Centauri · 01-04-2003, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gemma Therese
Happyboy, if you think religion is for the "weak", I suggest you check out St. Teresa of Avila.

Gemma Therese

I've read some of your link, Gemma Therese. Here's a little piece of information allegedly about St. Teresa of Avila. Was she trying to get herself beheaded for Christ? Sensible people would never call that couarage. Sensible people would call that masochistic and self destructive. What is the twisted psychology which Roman Catholics admire? St. Teresa of Avila was allegedly 7. Those who write your silly website and call that courage are adullts.

Quote:

Her courage and enthusiasm were readily kindled, an early example of which trait occurred when at the age of 7 she left home with her brother Rodrigo with the intention of going to Moorish territory to be beheaded for Christ, but they were frustrated by their uncle, who met the children as they were leaving the city and brought them home (Ephrem de la Madre de Dios, Tiempo y Vida de Sta. Teresa--hereafter abbrev. TV--142-143).

Ockhamite · 01-04-2003, 09:07 AM

Religion is less successful now than in the past in it's efforts to prevent or off-limit areas of research. Gaining the benefits of science are too important ( in the West) for a country to get too far behind the curve.

The price to be paid for ones gaining solace, comfort and support from organized religion, is, it at the same time offers tacit support for moral and military crusades, proselytizing, and the overall level of engagement with other religions and governments for religious dominance.

Yellum Notnef · 01-04-2003, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by B.Shack
I've read some of your link, Gemma Therese. Here's a little piece of information allegedly about St. Teresa of Avila. Was she trying to get herself beheaded for Christ? Sensible people would never call that couarage. Sensible people would call that masochistic and self destructive. What is the twisted psychology which Roman Catholics admire? St. Teresa of Avila was allegedly 7. Those who write your silly website and call that courage are adullts.

Unbelievable!

In Gemmas lame attempt to throw out a strawman about religious people being "weak" she foolishly presents us with a perfect example of religion as a mental illness.

Keep em coming Gemma!

Gemma Therese · 01-04-2003, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fenton Mulley
Unbelievable!

In Gemmas lame attempt to throw out a strawman about religious people being "weak" she foolishly presents us with a perfect example of religion as a mental illness.

Keep em coming Gemma!

The Catholic Church has in its midst saints who as a sum total have done more good for the world than any other organization.

Gemma Therese

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01-04-2003, 06:23 AM	#14
8of9 Regular Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Merryland Posts: 254	I agree with Puck. Fundamentally, we have to respect freedom, and understand the apparent need for humans to have beliefs beyond reason. That said, we should always demand that religious folk respect the freedoms of all individuals to believe, think, speak, and act (without harm to others) according to their own belief systems. The religious mandate to eradicate whatever is defined as "sin" is too often used to infringe on freedoms ... and that, as has been stated, is the true danger of religion. (virgin post -- hi, everyone ... I like it here )

01-04-2003, 07:47 AM	#15
happyboy Regular Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: on the border between here and there, WV Posts: 373	amie, i seriously suggest you take a good long look at the middle east before replying to my comment "looking forward to another dark age." the middle east, for the most part, is in the middle of a rather nasty islamic dark age. happyboy, who thinks an american dark age is bound to happen

01-04-2003, 07:56 AM	#16
happyboy Regular Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: on the border between here and there, WV Posts: 373	religion is holding humanity back. think of the heights we could ascend to, if we didn't have this superstitious fear of an invisible deity or deities holding us back. case in point: stem cell research holds virtually unlimited promise for genetic research, with a wild variety of applications in everyday life.....but the religious morons won't let the research go on, for purely religious reasons. a very annoyed happyboy:banghead:

01-04-2003, 09:07 AM	#18
Ockhamite Regular Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Appalachia....just past the Wal-Mart Posts: 121	Religion is less successful now than in the past in it's efforts to prevent or off-limit areas of research. Gaining the benefits of science are too important ( in the West) for a country to get too far behind the curve. The price to be paid for ones gaining solace, comfort and support from organized religion, is, it at the same time offers tacit support for moral and military crusades, proselytizing, and the overall level of engagement with other religions and governments for religious dominance.

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