Damnit I pressed enter before I finished the poll questions! Damnit.
Consider Kinda Good as "Bad"
and So Good as "Good"
originally, I wanted to put So Good, Kinda Good, Neutral, Kinda Bad, and So Bad.
I was inspired to make this poll because I read a book called 'god is not great' yesterday. in one sitting. cuz i read fast.
[Edited by - orangeblobman on 04-28-2009 12:10 PM]
oh man you are a trip. try making a new poll on a new thread.
Depends. It's usually the extremists who cause the most problems.
Personally, I'm a Christain Protestant, but consider myself far more spiritual than religious, b/c when I think of religion, I think of man made stuff. When I think of spirituality, I think of God himself.
To me, it's the man made stuff that causes the problems, as well as the extremists, as I mentioned above.
And I don't believe in extremists, including those that are extremists of things that I am most passionate about.
Well, its impossible to separate the man made creations and interpretations of different religions, from the actual religions itself. Its just ironic that texts and spiritual leanings that are supposed to, in theory, create inner peace and promote harmony have been the number one source for so much chaos, heartache, dysfunction, and violence across the world.
[Edited by - sebstar on 04-28-2009 2:15 PM]
The old "did man create god or god create man" discussion!
Religion was law, it was hope, it explained what could not be explained. It created order and helped man deal with fear of death.
Of course to preserve this wonderful thing it needed armies to expand and conquer. When you conquer and defeat you discredit that groups miricles and beliefs and install your own. Religions are insecure so its possible the "truth" has been written off the books not because it lacks substance, but because of military might.
Like all organizations with a heirarchy it becomes corrupt and self serving.
Thats when it becomes a problem.
Religion is good, Religions are bad.
Smoke a big fat dube, put on a good set of over the ear headphones and put on "Heart of the sunrise" by the classic rock band "YES" and you'll be inspired.
I am religious so I'll say good. But it can also be bad at times with the wrong people.
Far more wars have been started in the name of religion than in the name of atheism
Religion isn't about war. It's the people who start wars using the EXCUSE of religion.
Posted by GKFv2:
Religion isn't about war. It's the people who start wars using the EXCUSE of religion.
Agreed. I think the extremists in all areas of life give the rest of the people a bad name.
Posted by Bippity10:
Posted by GKFv2:
Religion isn't about war. It's the people who start wars using the EXCUSE of religion.
Agreed. I think the extremists in all areas of life give the rest of the people a bad name.
What do atheistic extremists do then? Religion provides an *easy* excuse for some awful things. Lots of people do good things in the name of religion too. The answer to me is that religion is both good and bad.
Bonn, just remember one thing, it usually IS the extremists of any kind that stir up the most trouble. The religious extremists included. It tends to be a small percentage of the population, but they make the most noise.
So if there were atheist extremists, you'd think we know about it. Maybe there just aren't many?
Posted by Allanfan20:
Bonn, just remember one thing, it usually IS the extremists of any kind that stir up the most trouble. The religious extremists included. It tends to be a small percentage of the population, but they make the most noise.
So if there were atheist extremists, you'd think we know about it. Maybe there just aren't many?
There are plenty of serial killers, murderers, kidnappers, anarchists who kill or cause problems in the name of a cause, who are atheists. But because there is no religion attached to it there is no reason to attach religion to the conversation. They are still extremists, they just aren't giving any particular group a bad name. Religious extremists do however give a group a bad name.
Posted by Bippity10:
Posted by Allanfan20:
Bonn, just remember one thing, it usually IS the extremists of any kind that stir up the most trouble. The religious extremists included. It tends to be a small percentage of the population, but they make the most noise.
So if there were atheist extremists, you'd think we know about it. Maybe there just aren't many?
There are plenty of serial killers, murderers, kidnappers, anarchists who kill or cause problems in the name of a cause, who are atheists. But because there is no religion attached to it there is no reason to attach religion to the conversation. They are still extremists, they just aren't giving any particular group a bad name. Religious extremists do however give a group a bad name.
No, the difference is that the religious extremists commit their acts *in the name of their religion*; atheists are not committing bad acts in the name of atheism but rather for reasons irrelevant to any discussion of religion.
Posted by Allanfan20:
Bonn, just remember one thing, it usually IS the extremists of any kind that stir up the most trouble. The religious extremists included. It tends to be a small percentage of the population, but they make the most noise.
So if there were atheist extremists, you'd think we know about it. Maybe there just aren't many?
Well if atheists are cooler and more rational on average (my take on the fact that there are no extremists according to you), then surely that fits into a discussion on whether religion is good or bad. If religion but not atheism can promote some terrible behaviors, then that doesn't bode well for religion's case in the discussion.
Posted by Bonn1997:
Posted by Bippity10:
Posted by Allanfan20:
Bonn, just remember one thing, it usually IS the extremists of any kind that stir up the most trouble. The religious extremists included. It tends to be a small percentage of the population, but they make the most noise.
So if there were atheist extremists, you'd think we know about it. Maybe there just aren't many?
There are plenty of serial killers, murderers, kidnappers, anarchists who kill or cause problems in the name of a cause, who are atheists. But because there is no religion attached to it there is no reason to attach religion to the conversation. They are still extremists, they just aren't giving any particular group a bad name. Religious extremists do however give a group a bad name.
No, the difference is that the religious extremists commit their acts *in the name of their religion*; atheists are not committing bad acts in the name of atheism but rather for reasons irrelevant to any discussion of religion.
So that's the point. There are plenty of extreme acts that are committed in the name of anything under the sun. Extremists committ acts in the name of anarchy, global warming, race, abortion, or just because. So why do we tend to respond when an extremist committs an act in the name of religion?
this is a great topic and deserves a great debate. first, i will tell you that i am a non practicing baptist christian. i dont go to church because i am turned off by the fakeness and hypocrytes who go there every sunday and praise the lord but will talk bad about you and judge you on monday. not to mention the constant pressure of "donating" towards the church for tides by giving you the guilt trip. with that said, i think i am a very spiritual person who try to live my life in the way god would want me to. i help others when i can and i try to teach others about basic moral whether it is my son and the kids in my class. are there times i am frustrated with god? of course. i am only human. however, i feel that my life has been a testament of whatever path god wants me to go. i was always provided for and always get what i need which i am very appreciative for. i think we need religion because it gives us hope and order. it has been a staple of stability since back in the caveman days when they buried their dead with possessions.
with that said, i am quick to note that many people have died in the name of religion. however, we have to realize that these are the deeds of man who perverse religion to do things like these, whether it is the crusades or suicide bombing. that is why when people point out things from the bible or koran about why they do what they do, i am quick to point out that the bible or koran are man made filled with different writers and contradictory advice. it is true that besides money/power, more people have been killed for the supposed sake of religion. i am not going to be the judge and say who is right or wrong. none of us should. we will all find out someday.
Posted by Bippity10:
Posted by Bonn1997:
Posted by Bippity10:
Posted by Allanfan20:
Bonn, just remember one thing, it usually IS the extremists of any kind that stir up the most trouble. The religious extremists included. It tends to be a small percentage of the population, but they make the most noise.
So if there were atheist extremists, you'd think we know about it. Maybe there just aren't many?
There are plenty of serial killers, murderers, kidnappers, anarchists who kill or cause problems in the name of a cause, who are atheists. But because there is no religion attached to it there is no reason to attach religion to the conversation. They are still extremists, they just aren't giving any particular group a bad name. Religious extremists do however give a group a bad name.
No, the difference is that the religious extremists commit their acts *in the name of their religion*; atheists are not committing bad acts in the name of atheism but rather for reasons irrelevant to any discussion of religion.
So that's the point. There are plenty of extreme acts that are committed in the name of anything under the sun. Extremists committ acts in the name of anarchy, global warming, race, abortion, or just because. So why do we tend to respond when an extremist committs an act in the name of religion?
I'd say that is NOT the case and that extreme acts--life taking acts--are seldom committed under any name other than religion. (Often no name or specific reason will be given though.)
Posted by Bonn1997:
Posted by Bippity10:
Posted by Bonn1997:
Posted by Bippity10:
Posted by Allanfan20:
Bonn, just remember one thing, it usually IS the extremists of any kind that stir up the most trouble. The religious extremists included. It tends to be a small percentage of the population, but they make the most noise.
So if there were atheist extremists, you'd think we know about it. Maybe there just aren't many?
There are plenty of serial killers, murderers, kidnappers, anarchists who kill or cause problems in the name of a cause, who are atheists. But because there is no religion attached to it there is no reason to attach religion to the conversation. They are still extremists, they just aren't giving any particular group a bad name. Religious extremists do however give a group a bad name.
No, the difference is that the religious extremists commit their acts *in the name of their religion*; atheists are not committing bad acts in the name of atheism but rather for reasons irrelevant to any discussion of religion.
So that's the point. There are plenty of extreme acts that are committed in the name of anything under the sun. Extremists committ acts in the name of anarchy, global warming, race, abortion, or just because. So why do we tend to respond when an extremist committs an act in the name of religion?
I'd say that is NOT the case and that extreme acts--life taking acts--are seldom committed under any name other than religion. (Often no name or specific reason will be given though.)
I guess I dont' get your point. An extreme act is committed everyday. Those that aren't religious use invoke religion to justify their actions. In return we react against those that are religious as if they are part of the extreme. So is religion bad or are the people that use it to drive their own agenda the bad ones?
[Edited by - bippity10 on 29-04-2009 1:39 PM]
Oh Bonn that is not true at all. Extreme acts go under many different names. Money, power, racism, hatred towards another person, group, country, territory, animals rights extremists (Oh they are f'in stupid and would kill.).
I actually think GKF had it right when he said that people sometimes say religion is the reason, but it's really an excuse covering up something different, like greed.
Posted by Allanfan20:
Oh Bonn that is not true at all. Extreme acts go under many different names. Money, power, racism, hatred towards another person, group, country, territory, animals rights extremists (Oh they are f'in stupid and would kill.).
I actually think GKF had it right when he said that people sometimes say religion is the reason, but it's really an excuse covering up something different, like greed.
That's my point. Extreme acts are committed in the name of something everyday. Why the focus on religion?
Posted by Allanfan20:
Oh Bonn that is not true at all. Extreme acts go under many different names. Money, power, racism, hatred towards another person, group, country, territory, animals rights extremists (Oh they are f'in stupid and would kill.).
I actually think GKF had it right when he said that people sometimes say religion is the reason, but it's really an excuse covering up something different, like greed.
Well I'd definitely say many of those other things are bad too or at least have bad aspects (money, power, racism...)
That said, I've never heard someone declare, "I'm committing this crime in the name of money [or hatred or whatever]" like they do in the name of religion. Often, money, power, racism, etc. are merely our interpretations of others' criminal behavior, and they are interpretations that may or may not be correct. An interpretation of someone's behavior strikes me as fundamentally different from the explicit admission of a reason by the criminal. Nevertheless, if I wanted to play devil's advocate, then I'm not sure what those examples prove other than that religion is one of many, rather than the only, things that lead to crimes against innocent people. If this is the case, then those other examples should not change the answer to the question posed for this thread. (I say Devil's advocate because I've already given my view.)
[Edited by - bonn1997 on 04-29-2009 5:38 PM]
