quote:

Originally posted by George Smiley I think if religion were merely adhered to by people rather than used by people, religion would rarely be criticised

I agree, same goes for democracy at gunpoint or communism at gunpoint, but the secular world ignores "their own" hypocrisy on that one. Or anything secular as well really. The secular world has tons of blood on it's hands too and pursues it's interests in an even more dispicable way that religion.

___________________
"The Greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge." -Stephen Hawking
"First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a socialist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me— and there was no one left to speak out for me." -Martin Niemöller

quote:

Originally posted by shaolin_Z I know and understand that, my question was... are you treated with even more bias and disrespect if you're religious and white... and not in the closet about it, as opposed to not.

Good question now I come to think about it!

I was first going to say no, the attitude of the majority towards religion would be the same no matter what the person's background. However, thinking a little harder, I suppose there's a possibility that people expect people from immigrant communities to be religious, so perhaps it's not viewed as weird as someone from an ethic British background?

It's not really something I've thought about more but I'm going to give it some consideration from now on!

quote:

Originally posted by shaolin_Z I agree, same goes for democracy at gunpoint or communism at gunpoint, but the secular world ignores "their own" hypocrisy on that one. Or anything secular as well really. The secular world has tons of blood on it's hands too and pursues it's interests in an even more dispicable way that religion.

Nope, power elites have all the blood on their hands, religion or secularism have merely been the tools used to achieve their ends over the centuries...

It's like saying that throughout British expansionist history, British guns have more blood on their hands than British swords, but the reality is, all that blood was spilled by the British...

Despite my rabid atheism I rarely (if ever) talk about it in day-to-day life. Normally I only ever say something in response to some religious clown making a fool of themselves. But atheism is relatively popular in australia so its never a big deal.

___________________

quote:

Originally posted by pkcRAISTLIN atheism is relatively popular in australia so its never a big deal.

Saying that (and I assume Australia is the same as UK in this instance), I don't think there is an organised "atheist" lobby that actively looks to recruit new members or put out atheist propaganda to convince people their way is the right way. Atheism, imo, is just a natural progression in advanced societies that individuals realise themselves. So altho atheism is common, I would describe it as "popular" as that suggests something slightly different and comparable with "other" religions, when atheism isn't really a religion but merely the absence of one...

quote:

Originally posted by George Smiley Saying that (and I assume Australia is the same as UK in this instance), I don't think there is an organised "atheist" lobby that actively looks to recruit new members or put out atheist propaganda to convince people their way is the right way. Atheism, imo, is just a natural progression in advanced societies that individuals realise themselves. So altho atheism is common, I would describe it as "popular" as that suggests something slightly different and comparable with "other" religions, when atheism isn't really a religion but merely the absence of one...

absolutely correct george popular was probable the wrong word, more like "common".

___________________

quote:

Originally posted by Spacey Orange are you open with others about your beliefs, do you avoid the topic altogether or do you fake a belief out of social pressure? typically i avoid it but when but when push comes to shove, i explain my position.

I am an agnostic but I am respectful of differing opinions, I don't try to hide my agnosticism but I never try to convince believers that agnosticism is preferable to religious adherence, for that is one of the things I most dislike about religion, the unquenchable thirst to proselytize

___________________

If only one of many can be right, and all are assured they are right, they all must be wrong. Religion is most certainly a personal thing, and should be kept to one's self.

___________________
Wave is to particle as zero is to one as bagpipes are to modem noises.

I'm quite open about my atheism, which is not an easy thing to do around here.

There's no actual data on atheism here in Brazil, but we know that at least 7.5% of the population doesn't follow a particular religion, which includes religious people not affiliated to any particular sect/church (Atheists must be, therefore, fewer in number) [Source in Portuguese... but it can probably be understood by English speakers].

I realised the problem of being an open Atheist soon in life. I almost got kicked off from Elementary School for voicing my opinion, and I tried to be a Christian in Middle School. Being raised in a religious family didn't make matters any easier, and I had to pray at least a week with my family (not including Sunday Mass), unless I wanted to lead a Nintendo-less life

But, I eventually fought the pressure and here I am. I think I'm surprisingly tolerant, though, given my background.

___________________
Indiana Clones Upcoming Sets
[ I May Upload Something Someday ]

I know my girlfriend isnt happy with the fact that I'm an aetheist. She told me that I dont have to be a Christian like her, but she at least wishes I believed in God. Honestly with all the shit in the world I've always had a hard time accepting religion, and putting my faith in "the lord". I'm happy just living my life the way I do.
I suppose I'd probably be very comfortable living in a country like England, the Netherlands, or Sweden, ie countries where religion is not something that's almost forced upon you by part of the population.

quote:

Originally posted by George Smiley Nope, power elites have all the blood on their hands, religion or secularism have merely been the tools used to achieve their ends over the centuries...

Touche, it's refreshing to hear that... although my thoughts on the matter might have the slight addition of extending distribution of accountability (to varying degress), depending on circumstances, to larger portion of the political participants in any socio-economic or political system . I'm of the opinion that the functionality of a system devoid of institutionally enforced information asymmetry would yield better results .

___________________
"The Greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge." -Stephen Hawking
"First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a socialist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me— and there was no one left to speak out for me." -Martin Niemöller

quote:

Originally posted by Funkesthesiac69 I am an agnostic but I am respectful of differing opinions, I don't try to hide my agnosticism but I never try to convince believers that agnosticism is preferable to religious adherence, for that is one of the things I most dislike about religion, the unquenchable thirst to proselytize

How would one go about convincing people that agnosticism is right anyway?!