For anyone with eyes to see, there can be no doubt that religious faith remains a perpetual source of human conflict. Religion persuades otherwise intelligent men and women to not think, or to think badly, about questions of civilizational importance. And yet it remains taboo to criticize religious faith in our society, or to even observe that some religions are less compassionate and less tolerant than others.
I've never really believed in any gods, and the more I've learned about the world and religion, the more I've moved from strong doubts to outright disbelief. So today I can say that I can come to no other rational conclusion than: No gods exist.
2007-05-21 06:10:21 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
THE STATEMENTS COME FROM A SITE CALLED
atheist.net
2007-05-21 07:17:36 · update #1
I would suggest that even without religions there would be conflict, since conflict is generally about resources. Religion is just a very useful way to persuade people to participate in these conflicts. It goes along with "Patriotism" in that regard.
I suspect that soon we'll not have nations anymore, but will fight our wars and conduct our diplomacy for the benefit of multinational corporations.
2007-05-21 06:18:57 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think that the bashers on Y!A feel it is taboo to criticize religious faith nor do I believe that those same people have a problem observing the fact that some religions are less compassionate and less tolerant than others.
It is true, however, that faith is a perpetual source of human conflict. Look at Iraq - look at Y!A.
I think RELIGION persuades intelligent people not to think as it is full of man made rules and regulations, however, I believe Christianity, in its true form, allows intelligent people to think for themselves. Christianity and the choice to love Jesus is a personal decision based on one's own convictions.
We think that people who would actually choose not to believe in a God and not to think there is an afterlife is absurd!
On the other hand, Atheists think that Christians believing in God, Jesus and that there is a heaven and hell is absurd.
In a way we ARE both right:
NO ONE KNOWS FOR SURE WHAT IS RIGHT OR WHAT TRULY LIES AHEAD. IT ALL COMES DOWN TO FAITH IN ONE'S OWN CHOICE AND CONVICTIONS.
So for you to say, "No God Exists" is not correct. Can you PROVE that no god exists? Just like - can I PROVE that God exists? It is an open ended debate that will just go on and on.
Again, it all comes down to respecting each others choice and to admit that we, as human beings, really don't have the "for sure" answer.
2007-05-21 13:31:15 · answer #2 · answered by Kaliko 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think you give religion too much credit. Religion gives people an excuse to be elitists, discriminatory, even cruel. People would act the way they act whether they said their religion justified it or not. If they didn't have religion as an excuse, they would use something else.
As long as humans are human, there will be conflict. The excuses may change, but the story will remain the same.
2007-05-21 13:17:25 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I once heard a lecture about a man talking about what you are talking about. If that is the case there are still many raional people that have not agreed with your conclusion.
Most people give you a definition of faith along the lines of "beliving something you cannot see"---so by definition "strong faith" is "something you are sure you cannot see?"
It doesnt cause you "not to think" but rather "to think". The fundamental questions of life are still
1. origen
2. meaning
3. morality
4. destiny
Many people here will not agree to a non meaning full answer.
2007-05-21 13:16:46 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, I disagree. However, I can see how one comes to this conclusion. You are right about the way some, a lot and most "religious" people treat others. You have a right to your belief. So do I.
2007-05-21 13:15:56 · answer #5 · answered by Ann S 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
And you think I should care about your rational conclusion! I pity anyone who has a life without God because you are lost in sin. I pray the Lord will have mercy upon you and that He will reveal Himself to you.
2007-05-21 13:27:10 · answer #6 · answered by Jeancommunicates 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think we live in a world of motivation. These motivated ideas have been promoted by various people. Gods exist in the minds of those people who choose to be motivated.
2007-05-21 13:18:27 · answer #7 · answered by Barbarian 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The first paragraph was written by Sam Harris, and I agree with him.
2007-05-21 13:17:20 · answer #8 · answered by Anthony Stark 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Christianity encourages people to think outside the box, live morally, accept their enemies and it answers many questions that other sources don't...
religion teaches godliness..
2007-05-21 13:17:36 · answer #9 · answered by Redeemed 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
That's your right, to believe what you want.
As for me I'll keep my faith
2007-05-21 13:19:36 · answer #10 · answered by BUMPS50 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋