Hey Christians

[stocker08 10+ year member]

Religion is a way to instill morals in people who care to go and listen. Dont get me wrong, im a christian but i dont go to church because like lots of you, i dont really care for it too much. What i am trying to say is that you can't really bust on people for believing in something, especially when it doesn't affect you at all...

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

Religion is a way to instill morals in people who care to go and listen.

You can have morals without religion.

What i am trying to say is that you can't really bust on people for believing in something, especially when it doesn't affect you at all...

Religious beliefs of others affect us all. Many politicians attempt to drive their religious agenda through their politics, and use their religious agenda as a frame for a portion of their political agenda. Look at all of the debate that has occurred over issue such as gay rights, care-givers "right" to deny certain treatments or pharmaceuticals based on religious beliefs, stem-cell research, etc. It attempts to infiltrate our school systems by declaring that "intelligent design" is as scientific as evolution (thankfully the court systems have thus far been smart enough to strike down such endeavors).

Or, to quote Sam Harris;

Forty-four percent of the American population is convinced that Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead sometime in the next fifty years. According to the most common interpretation of biblical prophecy, Jesus will return only after things have gone horribly awry here on earth. It is, therefore, not an exaggeration to say that if the city of New York were suddenly replaced by a ball of fire, some significant percentage of the American population would see a silver lining in the subsequent mushroom cloud, as it would suggest to them that the best thing that is ever going to happen was about to happen—the return of Christ. It should be blindingly obvious that beliefs of this sort will do little to help us create a durable future for ourselves—socially, economically, environmentally, or geopolitically. Imagine the consequences if any significant component of the U.S. government actually believed that the world was about to end and that its ending would be glorious. The fact that nearly half of the American population apparently believes this, purely on the basis of religious dogma, should be considered a moral and intellectual emergency.

A little dramatization, but the point is still important to consider.

 

[PollyCranopolis 10+ year member]

You can have morals without religion.



Religious beliefs of others affect us all. Many politicians attempt to drive their religious agenda through their politics, and use their religious agenda as a frame for a portion of their political agenda. Look at all of the debate that has occurred over issue such as gay rights, care-givers "right" to deny certain treatments or pharmaceuticals based on religious beliefs, stem-cell research, etc. It attempts to infiltrate our school systems by declaring that "intelligent design" is as scientific as evolution (thankfully the court systems have thus far been smart enough to strike down such endeavors).

Or, to quote Sam Harris;

A little dramatization, but the point is still important to consider.

On your second point, it goes both ways.

"Religious beliefs of others affect us all. Many politicians attempt to drive their religious agenda through their politics, and use their religious agenda as a frame for a portion of their political agenda."

The same way individuals use the system (aka, tyranny of the minority) to attempt to have religious symbols removed from a public place, or a nativity scene in a public square during Christmas, against the wishes of perhaps nearly all the citizens of a traditional, rural town.

"It attempts to infiltrate our school systems by declaring that "intelligent design" is as scientific as evolution (thankfully the court systems have thus far been smart enough to strike down such endeavors)."

The same way many others try to force any mention of religious history or value totally out of schools, by considering them foolish, and unscientific, as they do not fall within the understanding and boundries of a scientific community, who believe their scientific laws unrefutable. This has a direct effect on the majority of Americans who consider themselves religious, as it is perceived as a direct attack against their long standing personal beliefs, which they hold dear.

The opening statement in this thread is no different than someone saying "Hey athiest ****. How does it feel to know your life has no meaning, while you wait to turn into worm food?"

Just as hateful and idiotic.

 

[newusername 10+ year member]

The same way individuals use the system (aka, tyranny of the minority) to attempt to have religious symbols removed from a public place, or a nativity scene in a public square during Christmas, against the wishes of perhaps nearly all the citizens of a traditional, rural town.

If it is publically owned (ie, the property of the city and the collective people), then it should be taken down and removed.

 

[newusername 10+ year member]

The funny thing is that your life is the one that has no meaning. All your meaning is in the after-life.

 

[PollyCranopolis 10+ year member]

If it is publically owned (ie, the property of the city and the collective people), then it should be taken down and removed.

If 99% of a town disagrees, or considers it part of a home town tradition, it should not. Disenfranchising thousands for the personal agenda of a single person is neither neccesary nor moral.

 

[newusername 10+ year member]

If 99% of a town disagrees, or considers it part of a home town tradition, it should not. Disenfranchising thousands for the personal agenda of a single person is neither neccesary nor moral.

Sorry to say that the constitution ensures the protection of everyone on that matter regardless.

 

[PollyCranopolis 10+ year member]

Sorry to say that the constitution ensures the protection of everyone on that matter regardless.

Yet religion remains an irrefutable part of our history, nation, and who we are as a people. And of course why every Christmas for example, ten of thousands of towns and cities across America continue to connect and revere these very things. Lest we not forget, you have no constitutional right to not be offended.

 

[newusername 10+ year member]

Yet religion remains an irrefutable part of our history, nation, and who we are as a people.

In what sense....

 

[perfecxionX 10+ year member]

Yet religion remains an irrefutable part of our history, nation, and who we are as a people. And of course why every Christmas for example, ten of thousands of towns and cities across America continue to connect and revere these very things.

as does burning witches

 

[newusername 10+ year member]

And slavery.

 

[TNTR70 10+ year member]

If 99% of a town disagrees, or considers it part of a home town tradition, it should not. Disenfranchising thousands for the personal agenda of a single person is neither neccesary nor moral.

majority rule in this country no longer exists...where have you been living?

 

[SRim23 5,000+ posts]

In what sense....

seriously? you cant spend a dollar without it being crammed down your throat that we are a christian nation.

you cant testify in court without swearing on a bible

and our nation was based upon being a land where you were free to believe in whatever you want without persecution.

P.S. I dont believe in christianity, just pointing out the answer to your question.

 

[PollyCranopolis 10+ year member]

And slavery.

As conquered by a nation of men, and one in particular, who's resounding words provided courage and strength to hundreds of of thousands..

"The will of God prevails. In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God. Both may be, and one must be, wrong. God cannot be for and against the same thing at the same time. In the present civil war it is quite possible that God's purpose is something different from the purpose of either party -- and yet the human instrumentalities, working just as they do, are of the best adaptation to effect His purpose. I am almost ready to say that this is probably true -- that God wills this contest, and wills that it shall not end yet. By his mere great power, on the minds of the now contestants, He could have either saved or destroyed the Union without a human contest. Yet the contest began. And, having begun He could give the final victory to either side any day. Yet the contest proceeds."

 

[perfecxionX 10+ year member]

"Your male and female slaves are to come from the nations around you; from them you may buy slaves. You may also buy some of the temporary residents living among you and members of their clans born in your country, and they will become your property." Leviticus 25:44-45