Is religion a farce?

Marty McFly

Im just wondering what peoples perspective on religion is?

For me the world would be a better place witout it, how many wars in history have been caused by religion that couldve easily been avoided, how many times have people been persecuted against because of their religion.

Just look at the amount of times people have used religion to excuse extreme acts of violence against humanity, i.e muslims burning, stoning people to death for simple crimes. the crusades, the Nazis etc.

For me the world would be a better place without it, can people justify a reason to believe in religions in this day and age?

ddef

It gives billions of people hope and meaning every day of their lives.

TimeToShine

gives older people comfort i suppose, it's reassuring to think that there's something to look forward at the end of it all but religion won't have much if any impact on the next generation.

davef1000

ibtl

Stercus Accidit

ddef wrote: »

It gives billions of people hope and meaning every day of their lives.

False hope and meaning solving none of their real problems.

Pompey Magnus

Stercus Accidit wrote: »

False hope and meaning solving none of their real problems.

Don't forget it also provides many of those billions with fear and dread of eternal punishment and torture after their death for either themselves or those that they love.

Doctor Jimbob

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTAAsCNK7RA

ddef

TimeToShine wrote: »

gives older people comfort i suppose, it's reassuring to think that there's something to look forward at the end of it all but religion won't have much if any impact on the next generation.

christianity has been going for over 2000 years, and more for much longer. hard to believe it will disappear after all the aul ones kick the bucket.

PseudoFamous

Morality is the main argument for religion these days. I know atheists rararant about morality being found in atheism, but I'm afraid that there is no reason for an atheist to act morally. People who claim to be religious but do highly immoral things are not religious, imo.
Atheists often go on about how religion is dogmatic and only fools follow it, but I find some of the greatest fools are atheists who are just doing it to be cool, and many atheists thousands of times more persecuting and dogmatic than any religious people.

I do not claim to be religious, but I refuse to call myself an atheist under the grounds that I don't want to be associated with bigoted, dogmatic, thoughtless arseholes without any regard for a persons beliefs. If anything should be widespread in this day and age, it should be humanism, not atheism. Personally, I think that raw atheism is the worst thing for society, and in many ways a religion, with its own idols, prophets, texts, and a set of beliefs.

Doctor Jimbob

PseudoFamous wrote: »

Morality is the main argument for religion these days. I know atheists rararant about morality being found in atheism, but I'm afraid that there is no reason for an atheist to act morally. People who claim to be religious but do highly immoral things are not religious, imo.
Atheists often go on about how religion is dogmatic and only fools follow it, but I find some of the greatest fools are atheists who are just doing it to be cool, and many atheists thousands of times more persecuting and dogmatic than any religious people.

I do not claim to be religious, but I refuse to call myself an atheist under the grounds that I don't want to be associated with bigoted, dogmatic, thoughtless arseholes without any regard for a persons beliefs. If anything should be widespread in this day and age, it should be humanism, not atheism. Personally, I think that raw atheism is the worst thing for society, and in many ways a religion, with its own idols, prophets, texts, and a set of beliefs.

The only thing I'd disagree with there is the morality bit, It's very possible to have morals without being religious.

PseudoFamous

Doctor Jimbob wrote: »

The only thing I'd disagree with there is the morality bit, It's very possible to have morals without being religious.

While its possible, there's nothing to promote morality under atheism, no carrot on a string for being well behaved.

Tiny Explosions

PseudoFamous wrote: »

Morality is the main argument for religion these days. I know atheists rararant about morality being found in atheism, but I'm afraid that there is no reason for an atheist to act morally. People who claim to be religious but do highly immoral things are not religious, imo.
Atheists often go on about how religion is dogmatic and only fools follow it, but I find some of the greatest fools are atheists who are just doing it to be cool, and many atheists thousands of times more persecuting and dogmatic than any religious people.

I do not claim to be religious, but I refuse to call myself an atheist under the grounds that I don't want to be associated with bigoted, dogmatic, thoughtless arseholes without any regard for a persons beliefs. If anything should be widespread in this day and age, it should be humanism, not atheism. Personally, I think that raw atheism is the worst thing for society, and in many ways a religion, with its own idols, prophets, texts, and a set of beliefs.

Where you listening to Penn Jillette on the radio earlier??:pac::pac::pac:

Duggy747

PseudoFamous wrote: »

Morality is the main argument for religion these days. I know atheists rararant about morality being found in atheism, but I'm afraid that there is no reason for an atheist to act morally.

If you're a prick to other's then your parents didn't raise you good enough or you're just a natural born dickhead.

I don't believe for one second a person's personal belief is the basis of their morals.

Bipolar Joe

PseudoFamous wrote: »

While its possible, there's nothing to promote morality under atheism, no carrot on a string for being well behaved.

Why do you need incentive to not be a wanker?

Pompey Magnus

PseudoFamous wrote: »

but I'm afraid that there is no reason for an atheist to act morally.

Pure nonsense.

Marty McFly

PseudoFamous wrote: »

While its possible, there's nothing to promote morality under atheism, no carrot on a string for being well behaved.

Yeh but should there be a need for a carrot on a string to be well behaved? Morals and compassion for me should be a given regardless of what your religous beliefs are.

The Internet Explorer

A farce indeed. A waste of precious life. Wake up my fellow apes. We are animals. Amazing animals that can do nearly anything. Stop wasting your precious life. Live now. You only live for up to 80/90 years. Make the most of it NOW. You are alive NOW.

And how dare a mothaf*cka suggest that morality is exclusive to the religious.

PseudoFamous

Tiny Explosions wrote: »

Where you listening to Penn Jillette on the radio earlier??:pac::pac::pac:

Nope, my opinions on topics like these are formed from thinking and analysing my own experiences, not from what someone on a podium tells me my opinion is, and I wish more people would sit down and evaluate their own from time to time.

Bipolar Joe

Ain't this fooker a snowflake?

ddef

PseudoFamous wrote: »

Morality is the main argument for religion these days. I know atheists rararant about morality being found in atheism, but I'm afraid that there is no reason for an atheist to act morally. People who claim to be religious but do highly immoral things are not religious, imo.
Atheists often go on about how religion is dogmatic and only fools follow it, but I find some of the greatest fools are atheists who are just doing it to be cool, and many atheists thousands of times more persecuting and dogmatic than any religious people.

I do not claim to be religious, but I refuse to call myself an atheist under the grounds that I don't want to be associated with bigoted, dogmatic, thoughtless arseholes without any regard for a persons beliefs. If anything should be widespread in this day and age, it should be humanism, not atheism. Personally, I think that raw atheism is the worst thing for society, and in many ways a religion, with its own idols, prophets, texts, and a set of beliefs.

well said.
when it comes to religion, I ironically find it is atheists who force their beliefs (or lack of) much more so than the churches.

Pompey Magnus

PseudoFamous wrote: »

many atheists thousands of times more persecuting and dogmatic than any religious people.

Even worse nonsense. Do a bit of reading on persecutions. Mocking someone's belief in a sky wizard is pretty much the mildest form of persecution humanly possible compared to what has been committed by believers.

Tiny Explosions

PseudoFamous wrote: »

Nope, my opinions on topics like these are formed from thinking and analysing my own experiences, not from what someone on a podium tells me my opinion is, and I wish more people would sit down and evaluate their own from time to time.

well what you wrote was almost word for word what he said about 4 hours ago on the radio. Maybe great minds think alike. and all that...:)

Stercus Accidit

Stercus Accidit wrote: »

False hope and meaning solving none of their real problems.

True, but at least it gives them hope, rather than complete hopelessness.

I don't believe in religion personally (and never will), but these days I expect more people to turn to religion as the economic situation continues worsen.

Killer Pigeon

PseudoFamous wrote: »

Morality is the main argument for religion these days. I know atheists rararant about morality being found in atheism, but I'm afraid that there is no reason for an atheist to act morally. People who claim to be religious but do highly immoral things are not religious, imo.
Atheists often go on about how religion is dogmatic and only fools follow it, but I find some of the greatest fools are atheists who are just doing it to be cool, and many atheists thousands of times more persecuting and dogmatic than any religious people.

I do not claim to be religious, but I refuse to call myself an atheist under the grounds that I don't want to be associated with bigoted, dogmatic, thoughtless arseholes without any regard for a persons beliefs. If anything should be widespread in this day and age, it should be humanism, not atheism. Personally, I think that raw atheism is the worst thing for society, and in many ways a religion, with its own idols, prophets, texts, and a set of beliefs.

Welcome to the agnostic-atheist club.

Bipolar Joe

Religious person:

"Gays are evil and will go to Hell! Abortion is evil, people who did it will go to Hell! People who aren't my religion are evil and will go to Hell!"

Non-religious person:

"Why are you such a dick?"

Religious person:

"STOP PERSECUTING ME FOR MY BELIEFS!"

Duggy747

PseudoFamous wrote: »

While its possible, there's nothing to promote morality under atheism, no carrot on a string for being well behaved.

So people need the delight of spiritual awards for acting like a civilised human being?

SKY NEWS: London Rioters revealed to be atheists.

The Internet Explorer

Tiny Explosions wrote: »

well what you wrote was almost word for word what he said about 4 hours ago on the radio. Maybe great minds think alike. and all that...:)

More like small minds think alike.

Tiny Explosions

The Internet Explorer wrote: »

More like small minds think alike.

Is that even a saying?:pac:

The Internet Explorer

Tiny Explosions wrote: »

Is that even a saying?:pac:

No.

ddef

I think a lock would do this thread a world of good.
its been done to death already and people just start bickering once all the points of their arguments are used up.

PseudoFamous

Funnily, the ones who are arguing that atheism can be moral are doing so in an incredibly immoral and undignified way.