Atheists Outscore Believers

[Spade]

The beliefs we hold, both secular and religious, are an accident of birth. These beliefs are a function of our parents, community, and nation. Because we, in Canada, have become a more cosmopolitan society, should we simply “live and let live”? In other words, should we refrain from criticizing religious viewpoints, either majority or minority? The answer is clearly “No!”
In a secular system of governance, and from an evolved historical perspective, few of any here on these boards would countenance the following:
1. Old Testament animal sacrifice
2. Slavery as justified in scriptures
3. Religious courts such as the Inquisition or those of fundamentalist Islam.
4. A caste system
5. Female circumcision
Just to name a few.
So, should we nod our approval without criticism when national politicians or religious leaders claim unscientific views such as the earth is only 6000 years old or paternalistic views that females should be denied full participation in institutions we grant tax exemptions?
Not only should we criticize, we have a duty to criticize!

 

[Goober]

Yes, but then we must also allow atheists their podiums too. It's not that I don' think they can have their opinion. **** off with the billboards and the protests. Unless, that is, that you want us inside your churches on Sundays painted up like devils with sign in hand ridiculing religion. Churches are public places, after all, not private. You just don't see, pro choice signs that are inflammatory like you do pro life. Christians overstep their bounds too much.

Churches are Private Property - Now you want to restrict their Charter Rights - Do you have a funny little mustache??????

 

[Dexter Sinister]

When I'm comming up on a stop sign,I have faith in my trucks ability to stop before the line.

That's the fallacy of equivocation. You're confounding two different meanings of the word faith.

 

[Goober]

The beliefs we hold, both secular and religious, are an accident of birth. These beliefs are a function of our parents, community, and nation. Because we, in Canada, have become a more cosmopolitan society, should we simply “live and let live”? In other words, should we refrain from criticizing religious viewpoints, either majority or minority? The answer is clearly “No!”
In a secular system of governance, and from an evolved historical perspective, few of any here on these boards would countenance the following:
1. Old Testament animal sacrifice
2. Slavery as justified in scriptures
3. Religious courts such as the Inquisition or those of fundamentalist Islam.
4. A caste system
5. Female circumcision
Just to name a few.
So, should we nod our approval without criticism when national politicians or religious leaders claim unscientific views such as the earth is only 6000 years old or paternalistic views that females should be denied full participation in institutions we grant tax exemptions?
Not only should we criticize, we have a duty to criticize!

Spade my friend - What is the percantage of Christians that follow the above? Small numbers i would say - Very small numbers.

 

[Bcool]

Yet you and Dexter and a few others in this thread HAVE chose to insult those of faith

Are you stalking me gerryh?

The beliefs we hold, both secular and religious, are an accident of birth. These beliefs are a function of our parents, community, and nation. Because we, in Canada, have become a more cosmopolitan society, should we simply “live and let live”? In other words, should we refrain from criticizing religious viewpoints, either majority or minority? The answer is clearly “No!”
In a secular system of governance, and from an evolved historical perspective, few of any here on these boards would countenance the following:
1. Old Testament animal sacrifice
2. Slavery as justified in scriptures
3. Religious courts such as the Inquisition or those of fundamentalist Islam.
4. A caste system
5. Female circumcision
Just to name a few.
So, should we nod our approval without criticism when national politicians or religious leaders claim unscientific views such as the earth is only 6000 years old or paternalistic views that females should be denied full participation in institutions we grant tax exemptions?
Not only should we criticize, we have a duty to criticize!

Thank you for this. I agree that it is indeed a duty, but right now I personally don't feel at liberty to do so here. :-(

 

[Spade]

Spade my friend - What is the percentage of Christians that follow the above? Small numbers i would say - Very small numbers.

I included Jewish, Christian, Islamic, and Hindu references for fair play. We seem to criticize Muslims and Hindus for absurd views held by minorities abroad. Should other religions be exempt simply because they are "ours"? What percentage of Americans and Canadians believe in creationism or lakes of fire or support foreign policies to hasten Armageddon?

 

[gerryh]

Are you stalking me gerryh?



Thank you for this. I agree that it is indeed a duty, but right now I personally don't feel at liberty to do so here. :-(

There's a difference between criticizing something and insulting people.

 

[Dexter Sinister]

..What is the percantage of Christians that follow the above? Small numbers i would say - Very small numbers.

Probably zero on a regular basis, but they'll cherry pick when they can't think of any other argument against something they fear or dislike. I've several times heard Exodus 22:18, "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live." cited in support of removing the Harry Potter books from school libraries, for instance, or banning them altogether.

 

[Bcool]

There's a difference between criticizing something and insulting people.

Exactly!

 

[gerryh]

Exactly!

Yet you and dexter and a few others in here insist on insulting, and then whine when it is returned.

 

[Bar Sinister]

I find the comment in red just as insulting as the comments by the others that those that are "religious" are delusional.


The word that you all seem to have a problem with is "faith".

Too bad you think so. But good luck if you can find any evidence that religious faith is rational. I stand by what I said, no insult intended.

 

[gerryh]

Too bad you think so. But good luck if you can find any evidence that religious faith is rational. I stand by what I said, no insult intended.

:roll: That's no different than me calling you a moron because it's a "fact" and saying "no insult intended".

 

[mentalfloss]

Too bad you think so. But good luck if you can find any evidence that religious faith is rational. I stand by what I said, no insult intended.

Yea, it's a bit of a dodgy line and would appear insulting at first, but you are right. Faith is only strengthened by the level of absurdity in making that leap. The more impossible or absurd it appears to believe in something, the greater one's faith is if they believe in it. This flies in the face of both inductive and deductive reasoning. Kierkegaard (religious philosopher) made this observation to explain why Abraham was ready to basically murder his son in devotion to God.

 

[relic]

Scuse me dex,how do you figure it'a a different definition,I have faith that it's going to stop,I have no way of knowing for sure,meby you'd loke to take a minute and explane the difference to poor old ignorant me,or are you just nit picking?

 

[DaSleeper]

Tar's yer answrer to everythang......

YouTube - Red State Update: Night at the Creation Museum

 

[Liberalman]

All atheists acknowledge the existence of God on their death beds

 

[Bcool]

Extrordinary when one thinks on it: religious pipples know everyting 'bout agnostics, atheists, secular humanists, right down to wot every one of 'em says even in bed! But atheists, agnostics and secular humanists don't know nuffink about what religious folks think, do or say - specially in bed. Could this be an urban legend? Ooooh!

 

[wulfie68]

I bet the percentage of proselytizers are the same on both sides. I was brought up by a very religious man. But although I rejected that religion, I studied many others, eastern and western, and found them all both useful and lacking. I discovered that the journey toward the truth is a very personal one, so I reject all religion as a personal choice. But if it brings a sense of peace to others, who am I to say they are wrong. As I have said before, most atheists were brought up in a religious setting and for whatever reasons, have rejected it. There may be some very strong emotional reasons for that and that is why they are so adamant about it.

I wholeheartedly agree with what I bolded in your comment and thats also why I would take your bet, if there were any way to measure it. Statistically, from any source I have seen, believers outnumber atheists. From my experience most believers are not all that vocal about their faith; thats not saying there aren't evangelists out there but most aren't. And most evangelists tend to be those that have been "born again".Many atheists exhibit that same type of "born again" fervor, except they are "awakened to reason". They also tend to be pretty touchy about "religious intrusion" into their lives, be it something like a public display of something like a crucifix, playing of religious music in public areas, etc. I would say moreso even than their evangelical counterparts about seeing displays from alternative religions. And as one final qualifier, I don't include agnostics with atheists, because their beliefs aren't the same and also agnostics have too many unanswered questions to be too disrespectful of either side, except when provoked.

 

[TenPenny]

All atheists acknowledge the existence of God on their death beds

Anyone got any proof of that?

 

[karrie]

Anyone got any proof of that?

Of course not because it's bull.