Religion or Atheism? An open forum.

[Lion]

I believe in a god. It gives me comfort, especially in bad times. I don't spend my day thinking about doing the right thing to go to heaven, I try to do the right thing because I feel sick in my gut to be bad. There are some things I won't do because of my religion, but I don't judge anyone who does (like eating pork). My best friend has been agnostic since I've known her, and now wants to explore religion more. I've asked her if I can share mine with her, but I have not criticized her choice for going to church despite being a different religion then mine. My previous room mate was staunchly atheist, and while we touched on the topic of religion, I've never asserted she was wrong and that I am right. I've never used my religion's beliefs to take away the rights of others (gays), or promoted it other then talk about it if someone seems to show a bit of interest.

My point with this all is, live and let live. I couldn't care less if someone is atheist, or believes in the spaghetti monster. I'm not sure as to the purpose of this thread other then to completely vilify the opposite side. Unlike political, economic and other issues, where science, philosophy and experience can help with the solution, only death can answer this question.

Lastly, I've seen religion being blamed for divisions and archaic beliefs. It is my humble opinion that religion is the simplest scapegoat. If there were no religion, greed, lust, envy, and all those bad things won't vanish. We will have wars, we will look towards a specific group as evil, and we will find something else to divide us.

kthxbai

[Thorne]

My point with this all is, live and let live. I couldn't care less if someone is atheist, or believes in the spaghetti monster.

I agree with you, Lion. It's not my intention to force anyone to give up their faith, or to force anyone to accept someone else's faith. My problem is with those people, people who are becoming increasingly more powerful in the US, who expect everyone to live their lives by what THEY say is right. That is what I argue against. If theists would be willing to keep their religions in their own homes and churches, and keep it out of the public schools and governments, I'd be fine with it.

I'm not sure as to the purpose of this thread other then to completely vilify the opposite side.

No, that's not my purpose. My purpose is to have a relatively open thread where these issues can be discussed freely, wandering down various pathways, venturing far and wide from the OP, or sticking close to it, without anyone claiming that the topic is not being discussed. As long as people show respect for one another, that's all I care about. But that does not necessarily mean showing respect for someone's belief system. If you can present your arguments rationally, then I have no problem with someone saying my ideas are crazy. Just show me the proof.

Lastly, I've seen religion being blamed for divisions and archaic beliefs. It is my humble opinion that religion is the simplest scapegoat. If there were no religion, greed, lust, envy, and all those bad things won't vanish. We will have wars, we will look towards a specific group as evil, and we will find something else to divide us.

Again, I agree with you. Eliminating religion won't stop any evil. What it would do would be to keep people from using their religion as moral justification for the evil that they do. Claiming the moral high ground while actively hiding the evil acts of religious leaders is nearly as bad as the evil done in the first place. Yet this is what religious organizations, and their leaders, are doing every day.

[thir]

My point with this all is, live and let live. I couldn't care less if someone is atheist, or believes in the spaghetti monster. I'm not sure as to the purpose of this thread other then to completely vilify the opposite side. Unlike political, economic and other issues, where science, philosophy and experience can help with the solution, only death can answer this question.

Some here enjoy fencing with each other, that is not a problem as I see it. Apart from that, it is a very interesting topic, and has a bearing on so many things.

Lastly, I've seen religion being blamed for divisions and archaic beliefs. It is my humble opinion that religion is the simplest scapegoat. If there were no religion, greed, lust, envy, and all those bad things won't vanish. We will have wars, we will look towards a specific group as evil, and we will find something else to divide us.
kthxbai

I believe you are right :-(
Maybe it is in the structures in society, and the more equal and thriving they are, the more peaceful too, regardless.