quote:

Originally posted by NeoPhono Uhm, maybe I'm missing something here, but isn't trying to "kill" religion or mandate atheism just the same as a religious person trying to force their beliefs on the non-religious? It's just one person forcing a belief on another, regardless if you are trying to force the existance of a divinity or the absence of one. Maybe I'm taking this wrongly, but this seems a little hypocritical. Let people think what they want to think, if you don't like what they think, don't listen.

It could be interpreted similarly. However, I don't think the intention is to dictate anyone's private beliefs so much as abolish the harmful institution of organized religion. I don't support doing this by force, but making every effort to illuminate the simple truth of the matter in an endeavor to eliminate this harmful institution is hardly analogous to an imposition or indoctrination of a set of beliefs, but rather is more akin to education.

When theists keep their beliefs to themselves, or at least don't push them as facts, I can respect their position. However, I am not inclined to look favorably upon the indoctrination of millions of innocent children with irrational religious dogma. You may as well be raping them - it's merely on an intellectual level rather than physical. But that doesn't make it any less real, any less harmful, or any less deplorable - at least in my view. The many wars, terrorist acts, and other acts of violence against other human beings which are a product of religion are well documented.

At this point, religion becomes not only a personal belief, but dangerous creature which can and does produce serious harm to other individuals. It is religion in this manifestation which fully ought to be completely obliterated.

quote:

Originally posted by Arbiter It could be interpreted similarly. However, I don't think the intention is to dictate anyone's private beliefs so much as abolish the harmful institution of organized religion. I don't support doing this by force, but making every effort to illuminate the simple truth of the matter in an endeavor to eliminate this harmful institution is hardly analogous to an imposition or indoctrination of a set of beliefs, but rather is more akin to education. When theists keep their beliefs to themselves, or at least don't push them as facts, I can respect their position. However, I am not inclined to look favorably upon the indoctrination of millions of innocent children with irrational religious dogma. You may as well be raping them - it's merely on an intellectual level rather than physical. But that doesn't make it any less real, any less harmful, or any less deplorable - at least in my view. The many wars, terrorist acts, and other acts of violence against other human beings which are a product of religion are well documented. At this point, religion becomes not only a personal belief, but dangerous creature which can and does produce serious harm to other individuals. It is religion in this manifestation which fully ought to be completely obliterated.

Mr. Arbiter has spoken the truth once again!

___________________
"This place isn't big enough for me to blow it up."
-MARCO V

Religion holds a place in life, you can either ***USE*** it to your advantage, or end up with your head on the end of a pike, the choice is YOURS.

Note I did not say BELIEVE. Life is like chess in some ways, half of the game is learning to USE the pieces that are in play. Politicians the world over have done this since the dawn of civilization. The MASTERS are above the ordinary politician, they CREATE the pieces. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

___________________
Current fav albums

DNA, kick me up
Protoculture, Circadians

quote:

Originally posted by Arbiter It could be interpreted similarly. However, I don't think the intention is to dictate anyone's private beliefs so much as abolish the harmful institution of organized religion. I don't support doing this by force, but making every effort to illuminate the simple truth of the matter in an endeavor to eliminate this harmful institution is hardly analogous to an imposition or indoctrination of a set of beliefs, but rather is more akin to education. When theists keep their beliefs to themselves, or at least don't push them as facts, I can respect their position. However, I am not inclined to look favorably upon the indoctrination of millions of innocent children with irrational religious dogma. You may as well be raping them - it's merely on an intellectual level rather than physical. But that doesn't make it any less real, any less harmful, or any less deplorable - at least in my view. The many wars, terrorist acts, and other acts of violence against other human beings which are a product of religion are well documented. At this point, religion becomes not only a personal belief, but dangerous creature which can and does produce serious harm to other individuals. It is religion in this manifestation which fully ought to be completely obliterated.

Spot on. It's when people start justifying discrimination on the basis of theology/religion that things get nasty.

___________________
Currently Whoring:

• Space Tribe Vs Electric Universe - Rabbit Hole
  
• CPU - So It Begins
  
• Too Short & Mistah FAB - The Sideshow
  

Organized religion is a method for the few to control the lives of the many. It has been the truth since the first priest or shaman decided to lift himself above his fellow people. If all religious leaders were truly enlightened and none were attempting to control the masses at any cost there would not have been a reason for many authors of drama over the last 3 millenia to put corrupt preists into their works.

I would not cry to see organized religion perish, but I know that it won't any time soon. As long as there are megalomaniacs that see religious "enlightenment" as a way to exercise power over other members of society and there are people who for whatever reason are willing to feed the egos of these men and women, nothing will change.

MrS

___________________
Click the sig to see MrSquirrel

-"Reality" is the only word in the language that should always be used in quotes.