How to stop the spread of fundamentalism?

[no1important]

RE: How to stop the sprea

They have? she said, all wide-eyed.

I won't even ask you to back that, because I think you made it up.

Obviously you know very little about history or the world but I will enlighten you never the less:

Problems on Planet caused by Religion
- Northern Ireland
- Aids crisis in Africa and third world countries
-9/11
-Bali, USS Cole and hundreds of other terror attacks.
- Isreal
-Afghanistan (the extreme muslims called Taliban caused endless problems there.
-Kashmir (Hindus vs Muslims)
-Balkans
-Algeria
-Boxer Rebellion - 1899-1901
-Christian Romans, 30-313 CE
-Holocaust, 1938-45
-Jonestown, 1978
-Witch Hunts, 1400-1800
-Crusades, 1095-1291
-Dutch Revolt, 1566-1609
-Nigeria, 1990s, 2000s
-Mongolia, 1937-39
-Iran, Islamic Republic
-Iraq, Shiites, 1991-92
-Bosnia, 1992-95

The list goes on and on and on.

 

[LadyC]

Those wars, etc. were about power.

 

[Hard-Luck Henry]

Religion is about power. (As opposed to truth).

 

[LadyC]

Maybe for some people it is.

Not me.

 

[Dexter Sinister]

Re: RE: How to stop the spread of fundamentalism?

Maybe for some people it is.

Not me.

So, what is it about for you? And what does it give you that a secular/humanist perspective cannot?

 

[LadyC]

That's an excellent question, Dex.

For me it's about peace, faith, love, a sense of belonging to something bigger than me. The knowledge that there's a plan... even though I have no idea what it is.

The sense of wonder when I first saw my babies... they are a perfect balance of science and faith.

The awe I saw on my Granny's face when she was dying and a man in red robes came to visit her. (actually, it was confusion, as she wondered why the Pope was coming to see her, which quickly changed to awe as she realized who it really was)

I'm comforted in knowing there's something more waiting for me when I die. I know it will be beautiful beyond anything I can imagine.

It's not all about the afterlife though. I can't imagine dying, even though I'm long past the age when I see myself as immortal.

I don't know what my faith gives me that a secular/humanist perspective can't.

This isn't one of my better written posts, as I was typing as I was thinking.

My apologies.

 

[bluealberta]

Re: RE: How to stop the spread of fundamentalism?

That's an excellent question, Dex.

For me it's about peace, faith, love, a sense of belonging to something bigger than me. The knowledge that there's a plan... even though I have no idea what it is.

The sense of wonder when I first saw my babies... they are a perfect balance of science and faith.

The awe I saw on my Granny's face when she was dying and a man in red robes came to visit her. (actually, it was confusion, as she wondered why the Pope was coming to see her, which quickly changed to awe as she realized who it really was)

I'm comforted in knowing there's something more waiting for me when I die. I know it will be beautiful beyond anything I can imagine.

It's not all about the afterlife though. I can't imagine dying, even though I'm long past the age when I see myself as immortal.

I don't know what my faith gives me that a secular/humanist perspective can't.

This isn't one of my better written posts, as I was typing as I was thinking.

My apologies.

No apologies necessary at all. Very well written, you said a lot in a short time better than anyone could say it.

 

[LadyC]

Thank you.

 

[Chake99]

RE: How to stop the sprea

The state cannot have anything to do with religion. The reason is simple. Religion is authoritarian. The day the State becomes authoritarian is the day we're all screwed.

The State cannot be an object of faith, is must be an oject of continuous distrust (but not fear or hatred), and questioning.

 

[mrmom2]

If Bush is such a fundimentalist what the F..k is he doing in Bohemian Grove worshipping a giant 40ft owl with his dad .Bush is a nut job plain and simple and if you beleive his crap your a brain washed idiot :evil: Wake up you've let these people lull you to sleep.They tell you one thing and do another :wink:

 

[bluealberta]

Re: RE: How to stop the sprea

The state cannot have anything to do with religion. The reason is simple. Religion is authoritarian. The day the State becomes authoritarian is the day we're all screwed.

....then in Canada we are all screwed already. Congratulations.

 

[Vanni Fucci]

Re: RE: How to stop the sprea

The state cannot have anything to do with religion. The reason is simple. Religion is authoritarian. The day the State becomes authoritarian is the day we're all screwed.

....then in Canada we are all screwed already. Congratulations.

Well, not yet, but if you had your way...

 

[bluealberta]

Re: RE: How to stop the sprea

The state cannot have anything to do with religion. The reason is simple. Religion is authoritarian. The day the State becomes authoritarian is the day we're all screwed.

....then in Canada we are all screwed already. Congratulations.

Well, not yet, but if you had your way...

....we could all quit screwing each other?/ (Sorry, couldn't resist!) :lol:

 

[Dexter Sinister]

Re: RE: How to stop the spread of fundamentalism?

That's an excellent question, Dex. ...

Thanks, and that was an excellent post in response, no apologies necessary. The world would be a much nicer and safer place if all people of faith had that attitude...

...even though I disagree with almost everything you wrote, and would argue that the things you claim to know are simply assumptions, not knowledge, compounded from wishful thinking and misinterpretations. But this isn't the place to belabour that, this thread's about religious extremism, which is clearly not what you're about. Besides, the chances that either of us could change the other's mind are about zero. Peaceful coexistence is the necessary conclusion I draw from my secular/humanist perspective, and it's also the one you draw from your religious perspective (and it also seems to me to be at the heart of what Jesus is reported to have said), so I'd say we've both come to the right answer by different routes.

And I find it somewhat bemusing that each of us would no doubt say the other's route doesn't make sense.

 

[LadyC]

Thanks, Dex. But you'd be surprised at what I'd say.

I have a great deal of respect for other people's beliefs... I've never said my way is the only way.

 

[Dexter Sinister]

Re: RE: How to stop the spread of fundamentalism?

Thanks, Dex. But you'd be surprised at what I'd say.

I have a great deal of respect for other people's beliefs... I've never said my way is the only way.

Yes, I'm sure you're right, I'd be surprised, at least at some of what you'd say. I also try to respect other people's beliefs, but don't always succeed. People will believe whatever they like, but stupid is stupid, and I see no reason to respect that. Astrology comes to mind, for instance, and... well, if I give a long list of such things I'll almost certainly get flamed by some ignorant troll who believes in one or more of them. So I won't.

Besides, I've already done that in another thread.

 

[LadyC]

I'm with you on Astrology, and I'll add all the other "ologies" as well, like Scientology, numerology, etc. We'll keep biology, though... I like that one.

I'm also not too tolerant of JWs who would let their child die for want of a blood transfusion.

I save my most heartfelt scorn for those who use religion as an excuse to do what that very religion forbids. And those that condemn those religions based on the actions of those I just mentioned.

 

[bluealberta]

Re: RE: How to stop the spread of fundamentalism?

I'm with you on Astrology, and I'll add all the other "ologies" as well, like Scientology, numerology, etc. We'll keep biology, though... I like that one.

I'm also not too tolerant of JWs who would let their child die for want of a blood transfusion.

I save my most heartfelt scorn for those who use religion as an excuse to do what that very religion forbids. And those that condemn those religions based on the actions of those I just mentioned.

Very well put, again. Welcome back, hope your weekend was good.

 

[I think not]

Is LadyC from Alberta also? Just curious.

 

[LadyC]

No... I'm from the coast... I live about 45 minutes from Vancouver.

And thanks, Blue. My weekend was great. My son got 2 golds, a bronze and 3 4th place ribbons for a 4th overall. His marks were his best all season, so he was pleased.

THey even remembered to wish me a happy mother's day.