Why faith is evil

[ChristineES]

We all have to learn that people are responsible for their own actions. I can't figure out if people don't want to believe that people can do evil things on their own or they just want a scapegoat. If someone murders an abortion doctor, that person is responsible for the murder, not his or her faith, beliefs, or religion. My faith causes me to do nothing. My personality is the same as it is now as it was before I became a Christian. My values were the same before I found Jesus, and so were my ethics. My parents were responsible for teaching me these things when I was little, and I was influenced by my peers as well. My faith may reinforced some of my values, but it didn't teach me those values.

Yes, I know there are some brainwashed people out there, but most people are not brainwashed.

 

[ChristineES]

One more thought: I know it how easy to think "If there were no _________, then the world would be a better place". But that isn't actually how it works. If we were to eliminate all religion, for example, people really wouldn't change.

 

[outhouse]

religion is a primitive belief in a myth to overcome ones fear of the unknown.

it will take generations to effect major religions as a whole.

typical point, most old peoel grew up devote christians here in the uSA. Creation was taught and believed and not questioned. The majority still hold these views.

The younger generation is widely split on belief of creationism.

We are evolving the creation myth out of the picture slowley as mankind learn's more.

education levels or lack of and creationism go hand in hand

 

[Midnight Pete]

One more thought: I know it how easy to think "If there were no _________, then the world would be a better place". But that isn't actually how it works. If we were to eliminate all religion, for example, people really wouldn't change.

Agreed.

 

[ChristineES]

religion is a primitive belief in a myth to overcome ones fear of the unknown.

it will take generations to effect major religions as a whole.

typical point, most old peoel grew up devote christians here in the uSA. Creation was taught and believed and not questioned. The majority still hold these views.

The younger generation is widely split on belief of creationism.

We are evolving the creation myth out of the picture slowley as mankind learn's more.

education levels or lack of and creationism go hand in hand

If religion causes people to be less educated, then how are people's scores are lower now than they were before? There are less religious people, right? I noticed you don't spell too well so it didn't work for you (just kidding, I just wanted to make a point).

 

[outhouse]

If religion causes people to be less educated, then how are people's scores are lower now than they were before? There are less religious people, right? I noticed you don't spell too well so it didn't work for you (just kidding, I just wanted to make a point).

Its all good

If i cant take it I wouldnt dish it out. My problem is to much fast typing. [ya thats it]

scores are lower due to society.

when I speak of education and creationism theres just a direct tie to ones education level. creation may be tied to christianity but not all christians follow creationism.

 

[Kenaz]

And at this point you will support your arguement by presenting the
harmonious, peaceful glories of the shining light examples of faith free/religion free societies?-

Nth Korea, China under Mao, Cambodia under Pol Pot and the entire Soviet Union and satellite States.....
In which nobody ever went hungry, nobody was imprisoned, persecuted or killed (for their faith or politics) and Godless society shone like a beacon to the world.....

Stupidity, bigotry and bastardry are not conditions confined exclusively to people of faith.....clearly, on the historical evidence of the 20th Century, anybody, including atheists, can be mad despotic murdering Aholes.

"Atheism is a natural and inseparable part of Marxism, of the theory and practice of scientific socialism" Vladimir Lenin.

[youtube]kriguuKVJyw[/youtube]

 

[ellenjanuary]

There is definitely a secular understanding of "good." Don't sell yourself short.

BTW what is quantum duality in layman's terms?

Heisenberg's uncertainty can be stated as - one cannot know both the momentum and position of an electron. The measurement of one alters another. Without too much more jargon it can be shown in the lab with the double-slit experiment, an experiment demonstrating particle-wave duality. One can google "double-slit experiment," the tool I am using is very limited as to what it can post.

And I do not entirely agree with the first statement. In this supposed democracy, one cannot be elected dog catcher after admitting to atheism.

 

[ImmortalFlame]

If religion causes people to be less educated, then how are people's scores are lower now than they were before? There are less religious people, right? I noticed you don't spell too well so it didn't work for you (just kidding, I just wanted to make a point).

Actually, the exact opposite is true. Statistics show that people are getting smarter, not dumber.

 

[Wombat]

[youtube]kriguuKVJyw[/youtube]

New York Times
'Scandinavian Nonbelievers, Which Is Not to Say Atheists'
"Mr. Zuckerman, a sociologist who teaches at Pitzer College in Claremont, Calif., has reported his findings on religion in Denmark and Sweden in “Society Without God” (New York University Press, 2008). Much that he found will surprise many people, as it did him.
The many nonbelievers he interviewed, both informally and in structured, taped and transcribed sessions, were anything but antireligious, for example. They typically balked at the label “atheist.” An overwhelming majority had in fact been baptized, and many had been confirmed or married in church.
Though they denied most of the traditional teachings of Christianity, they called themselves Christians, and most were content to remain in the Danish National Church or the Church of Sweden, the traditional national branches of Lutheranism.
At the same time, they were “often disinclined or hesitant to talk with me about religion,” Mr. Zuckerman reported, “and even once they agreed to do so, they usually had very little to say on the matter.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/28/us/28beliefs.html

 

[Midnight Pete]

In this supposed democracy, one cannot be elected dog catcher after admitting to atheism.

That's due to the public perception of atheists. And that, of course, is due to atheists themselves promulagting negative atheist stereotypes. Atheism is only as hard as you make it.

 

[ImmortalFlame]

That's due to the public perception of atheists. And that, of course, is due to atheists themselves promulagting negative atheist stereotypes. Atheism is only as hard as you make it.

[sarcasm]Suuuure, it's us atheists who've been promulgating negative atheist stereotypes. That makes perfect sense.[/sarcasm]

 

[Midnight Pete]

[sarcasm]Suuuure, it's us atheists who've been promulgating negative atheist stereotypes. That makes perfect sense.[/sarcasm]

It does make perfect sense, despite your sarcasm tags. It makes as much sense as Christians being responsible for promulgating negative Christian sterotypes-- unintentionally!!

 

[ImmortalFlame]

It does make perfect sense, despite your sarcasm tags. It makes as much sense as Christians being responsible for promulgating negative Christian sterotypes-- unintentionally!!

Well, give an example of a negative atheist stereotype and how it is solely promulgated unintentionally by atheists.

 

[Midnight Pete]

Well, give an example of a negative atheist stereotype and how it is solely promulgated unintentionally by atheists.

The angry atheist.

My favourite

But anger is an atheist's stock-in-trade. It's the wind in his sails. So it's not so much negative as unpleasant and tiresome and predictable.

 

[ellenjanuary]

Well, give an example of a negative atheist stereotype and how it is solely promulgated unintentionally by atheists.

In a word - Dawkins.

 

[Midnight Pete]

In a word - Dawkins.

Boo-yah!

 

[ImmortalFlame]

The angry atheist.

My favourite

But anger is an atheist's stock-in-trade. It's the wind in his sails. So it's not so much negative as unpleasant and tiresome.

So, on the one hand you're accusing atheists of being solely to blame for promulgating their own stereotypes, then you yourself promulgate an atheist stereotype.

You kind of just invalidated your own argument.

In a word - Dawkins.

And what negative stereotype of atheists does he promulgate?

NOTE: Only actual claims or opinions held by Dawkins can be used in response to this question.

 

[ellenjanuary]

Actually, the exact opposite is true. Statistics show that people are getting smarter, not dumber.

I contend that blind faith in stastical analysis is idolatry.

 

[ImmortalFlame]

I contend that blind faith in stastical analysis is idolatry.

Blind faith in statistics? That makes no sense. That's like saying "blind faith in evidence". If you require evidence in order to accept something, then how can it be "blind faith"?