I think I only mentioned this on the 'pointless' thread, so I'll just say it here:
Religion is poison.
I will now refer to the following article which attempts to dissect the Military Orders:
http://unofficialrantings.tumblr.com/post/138634527136/why-the-catholic-church-loved-the-idea-of-the
I think [MENTION=12656]Elegant Winter[/MENTION] you should view the link because it would give you a new insight into why it is not just Islam that affects world peace in a bad way.
Animosity is in the hearts of man.
I have made no secret of my disagreement with religion. My intention here is to better try and understand the mindset that allows people to believe the unbelievable.
Its as if a fantasy novel is read and loved so much people adopt it as real life. Kind of like never ending cosplay. I have spoken to incredible intelligent people who believe in unbelievable things and the only thing I have come accross to account for it is having this belief instilled in them at an early age by an authority figure.
I think I only mentioned this on the 'pointless' thread, so I'll just say it here:
Religion is poison.
I will now refer to the following article which attempts to dissect the Military Orders:
http://unofficialrantings.tumblr.com/post/138634527136/why-the-catholic-church-loved-the-idea-of-the
I think [MENTION=12656]Elegant Winter[/MENTION] you should view the link because it would give you a new insight into why it is not just Islam that affects world peace in a bad way.
a substance that is capable of causing the illness or death of a living organism when introduced or absorbed.
I know you probably mean the term poison loosely, but I think this definition captures your intent. You think religion is an illness being absorbed by our population? Ok, sure. The evidence you put forward is that article? Ok, well first I disagree with several points in that article, but lets just grant the article for now. It doesn't say a word about any of the good that religion does. That is something I never hear you acknowledge in all your talk of the evil of religion. Charity, companionship, a sense of community....these are but a few things. Now I'm not saying that it is good for everyone. I'm only saying that it is good for at least some people. In fact, I would say good for a lot of people, a majority even. Why do you ignore this feature? It seems crucial to your judgment.
Google's definition of poison:
I know you probably mean the term poison loosely, but I think this definition captures your intent. You think religion is an illness being absorbed by our population? Ok, sure. The evidence you put forward is that article? Ok, well first I disagree with several points in that article, but lets just grant the article for now. It doesn't say a word about any of the good that religion does. That is something I never hear you acknowledge in all your talk of the evil of religion. Charity, companionship, a sense of community....these are but a few things. Now I'm not saying that it is good for everyone. I'm only saying that it is good for at least some people. In fact, I would say good for a lot of people, a majority even. Why do you ignore this feature? It seems crucial to your judgment.
Some may find it interesting that though I believe in nothing resembling a creator that decided to exist on its own and then create the known universe, I still believe that prayer does in fact work.
Any thoughts on this?
Is religion delusional to some of you here? One simply cannot expect a child to become a man without caring, nurturing, and love.
Couple of thoughts.
[MENTION=13855]JJJA[/MENTION] Nice essay. Thank you for scrutinizing all religions in this thread, not just the "popular" one to hate at this time. It does indeed broaden some perspectives. My husband is on the fence in regards to religion as he was indoctrinated into Christianity as a child. As an adult, he is struggling with his rational thought, being an intj, and the beliefs that were forced upon him. I've just had him read your essay and his exact words were, "Now why can't Christian's ever talk about the evils of their own beliefs? Why do they just blindly criticize other religions without looking at their own?" Questions worth answering, indeed. I think it's foolish to defend one's own beliefs while making accusations at another's without ever questioning their own. I think there are greater things that divide humanity and segregate humans from each other than culture or race, and religion is at the top of that list. There is no other greater force on earth that causes as much, if not greater, harm than good while at the same time ripping humanity apart. IMHO, yes, I agree that religion is poison.
[MENTION=8603]Eventhorizon[/MENTION] I do find that interesting coming from you. Do you pray to a god or another spiritual entity? I also "pray", but on a meditative level, and instead of a divine entity, I am praying to the universe.