I saw this thread for the first time just now, I vigorously oppose Creationism. If someone wants to believe in a deity that's their privileged, I only actively oppose religion when it becomes dogmatic. I still disagree with it, of course.

Some of my favorites:

Aron Nelson aka AronRa

http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/...20120923161734


Peter Hadfield aka potholer54

https://assets.goodstatic.com/s3/mag....jpg=s750x1300


Eugenie Scott

http://b.vimeocdn.com/ts/274/020/274020896_640.jpg


Barbara Forrest

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/_Yci6Vs-KYo/hqdefault.jpg


Kyle Kulinski

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/KI5pXhlpN3s/0.jpg

Also, not that I'm surprised but the atheist plus don't know/care combined for about 60% of the votes, this pleased me :thumb:

Every man in this world belongs to any religion. And I think he/she needs to abide by the rules which is offered and guided. And obviously I respect my religion always.

Debating whether God exists is only one aspect of religion. There are far more interesting and important aspects to it, not least the very real needs and concerns that, not only created religion, but continue leading people to it.

Life is uncertain and meaningless, with plenty of suffering and sorrow. Turn away from the world to look inside and we're confronted with a monkey mind with a will all of its own (if you doubt this, try not thinking about anything and focusing purely on your breath for just 5 minutes, see how your mind reacts). Furthermore look at yourself closely and deeply enough and it soon becomes apparent we have no idea who, or even what, we are. And in reaction to so much inner and outer confusion and chaos, is it any wonder we can become anxious, angry, frightened, and unhappy.

Well religion helps combat that unhappiness. It can detach us from both physcial and mental suffering, it can help us tackle the trials of life with strength, and even help us deal with death with calmness and clarity. Furthermore religion can teach us wisdom. Guide us to our better selves, Serve as a wider perspective. Can teach us to reflect. To show tenderness. Generosity. To have compassion. To be tolerant. It helps form communities by bringing people who may not otherwise meet: the sick and the healthy, the rich and the poor, together, to pray, and so reminds us that we all have much more in common than uncommon.

And religion serves as a wonderful catalyst for creativity: the scriptures, the churches, mosques, cathedrals, statues, the poetry and paintings. It has given rise to incredibly beautiful and inspirational art.

If religion is based on an illusion then it's an important illusion and one we shouldn't dispose of until the needs it delivers can be sourced elsewhere. 24 hour TV and rolling news and capitalism and theme parks and science are all very well, but we still need to be comforted, we still have to deal with our frustrated ambitions, we still need to be reminded to give, and we still have to die.


At the end of the day if someone's belief helps them become a better person, does it matter if the belief is fanciful? Is it any different from someone being kept artificially tolerable because they're reliant on medication?

So, yeah, though not a believer myself, I'm very aware of all the good things that stem from religion and suspect the world might be a worse place to be without it.

Truth. And I resemble the latter part of your remark.

You're not alone. I think I read somewhere that 70% of Americans take at least one prescription drug. That's a lotta meds.

I'm very aware of all the bad things that stem from it and suspect the world might be a better place without it.

Well...I'm a God so I guess I'm religious.

Im.not really religious though. But I'm still a God.

That's all dandy, but since every day people are killed and made to suffer in the name of religion and since religion is a force which guides whole societies by its often ridiculous and horribly backwards principles, I'm all for eradicating this ****.
If it was just some little personal thingy nobody would mind. It sadly isn't.

This is the problem with referring to religion as a whole in these posts. ^

I think it's pretty safe for us to assume that Charlie is talking about moderate religions, not Muslim extremists or the headhunting cannibal tribes of Borneo. Everything he said is fair for Christmas carol Christianity and yoga mat Buddhism. I'm sure he'd agree that extremism is a different issue that needs to be dealt with separately and more sensitively.