Originally posted by ivanhoeI don't know what you're talking about. Well....I could assume, but it is not as clear as you might think. I don't care if you quote word for word, but a little expounding would be nice. How do you believe that atheism is scapegoating? In the sense of equating theology = inhumane acts perhaps?
lol ..... you didn't read the article, you lazy bast ..... *cough* ..... baston ....
..... otherwise you would know what I was referring to ......
Atheists sometimes also argue that theists should question their beliefs because of the very real harm they can cause -- not just to the believers, but to everyone else.
"What sort of harm?"
Religion represents a huge financial and work burden on mankind. It's not just a matter of religious believers wasting their money on church buildings; think of all the time and effort spent building churches, praying, and so on. Imagine how that effort could be better spent.
Many theists believe in miracle healing. There have been plenty of instances of ill people being "healed" by a priest, ceasing to take the medicines prescribed to them by doctors, and dying as a result. Some theists have died because they have refused blood transfusions on religious grounds.
It is arguable that the Catholic Church's opposition to birth control -- and condoms in particular -- is increasing the problem of overpopulation in many third-world countries and contributing to the spread of AIDS world-wide.
Religious believers have been known to murder their children rather than allow their children to become atheists or marry someone of a different religion. Religious leaders have been known to justify murder on the grounds of blasphemy.
There have been many religious wars. Even if we accept the argument that religion was not the true cause of those wars, it was still used as an effective justification for them.
"Those weren't real believers. They just claimed to be believers as some sort of excuse."
This is rather like the No True Scotsman fallacy.
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In particular I like these quotes:
"Religion represents a huge financial and work burden on mankind. It's not just a matter of religious believers wasting their money on church buildings; think of all the time and effort spent building churches, praying, and so on. Imagine how that effort could be better spent."
" Religious believers have been known to murder their children rather than allow their children to become atheists"
lol ..... if my parents and grandparents would have done this the majority of my family would have been murdered.
I place this kind of remarks in the category "Gypsies steal little children".
Originally posted by ivanhoeI still don't understand how you believe this to be a scapegoat. What he has said has occurred. Prevalant? No. Neither are crusades nowadays. That doesn't dismiss the validity of it. Reasonability? Perhaps, if not probably. Regardless, I wouldn't read too much into it. If the post is 99% without bias from the author, you will have to excuse the 1% which is.
Atheists sometimes also argue that theists should question their beliefs because of the very real harm they can cause -- not just to the believers, but to everyone else.
"What sort of harm?"
Religion represents a huge financial and work burden on mankind. It's not just a matter of religious believers wasting their money on church buildings; think ...[text shortened]... rdered.
I place this kind of remarks in the category "Gypsies steal little children".
.......you think gypsies don't, or won't, steal children? We must know different gypsies. 😉
Best Regards,
Omnislash
Originally posted by OmnislashAny time buddy! It does get fatiguing (sp?) pressing BOTH the Ctrl AND the C buttons...and THEN the Ctrl and V buttons...OVER and OVER and OVER...
I think you have done a wonderful job AThousandYoung, and I wish to thank you for the insight. Quite frankly, I am in your debt for producing a wonderfully crafted explanation. While I myself may have already perceived much of what you stated here, it is good to see it all pulled together to create a bigger picture and subsequently better understanding and ...[text shortened]... pen mind to understand.
I tip my hat sir. 🙂
Best Regards,
Omnislash
I sacrificed my fingers for the sake of atheism.
Originally posted by AThousandYoungWell, post something of quality and that's what you'll get. Copy & paste or not, it was an interesting read well worth the time.
OMG! I am on page 1 of the "Recommended Posts"! I don't think I ever got more than 1 rec for one of my posts ever. No wonder dj likes to copy-paste so much.
Originally posted by AThousandYoungI'm a hundred percent with you on this one, AThousandYoung. I was just tonight at www.carm.org and I was really disappointed to a see a section entitled "Cut and Past Information."* It was material specifically intended to be pasted into chats and forums. I don't think this should be encouraged! Your case may be an exception for its motive, though I wonder whether your point has been taken in the places where it would be sharpest.
Wow. This was a joke and people are encouraging me to do it more often. LOL.
* http://www.carm.org/cut.htm
I'm going to email them and complain about this. They're spam-mongers!