76 replies to this topic

[Lallard]

Religion doesn't create anything good that can't be created simply by people being... wait for it... nice to each other.

It's rather difficult for the general public to pursue anything without some form of reward, so practically speaking it might actually be quite difficult to "just be nice to each other".


Although it gives some people a cause to be nice in fear of burning in hell, it backfires with the existence of Jesus preachers in the streets, aka radical Christians harassing non-believers/skeptics that they're destined to go to hell. Generally speaking I find it neither beneficial nor detrimental.

[iargue]

Religion doesn't create anything good that can't be created simply by people being... wait for it... nice to each other.

And its easier for people to be nice to each other whenever.... wait for it... they will be punished if they are not.

[Sweeney]

And its easier for people to be nice to each other whenever.... wait for it... they will be punished if they are not.

So, you're saying religion is a tool to control the masses?

By gum, I think he's got it!

If you believe you were planned and created to glorify God (whichever god you believe in), then you feel you have the purpose of glorifying God and serving mankind.

That's another point. You feel you have a purpose. Doesn't change the fact that you don't.
If you need that crutch to cope with life, then power to you, but don't expect anyone else to.

[Dayzee]

So, you're saying religion is a tool to control the masses?

By gum, I think he's got it!


That's another point. You feel you have a purpose. Doesn't change the fact that you don't.
If you need that crutch to cope with life, then power to you, but don't expect anyone else to.

Historically, yes, religion HAS been a tool to control the masses, usually to align them
politically.


I do have a purpose, several in fact. I'm sorry if you don't.

[Sweeney]

I do have a purpose, several in fact. I'm sorry if you don't.

Not assigned by a heavenly power, you don't. Not of cosmic significance.

You life is small, pointless and irrelevant to the universe.

You matter only to yourself, your family, your friends, et cetera.

[Lallard]

So, you're saying religion is a tool to control the masses?

Else everything else goes in anarchy

or at least that's what the Bible tells us

[Inver]

I've never understood why people need a third party to define their purpose and meaning. Is it so hard to make a path for yourself? To trail blaze across your own existence? Wouldn't it be more empowering to know that all your achievements, skill and experience were of your own doing and not some twisted scheme of fate? It saddens me to see people rely on the sheer luck they call faith. Faith isn't going to bring your husband out of a coma, modern science will. Faith didn't save you from that car crash, your timing and safety procedures did. I would be more interested in the 'religious' if they relied more on the phenomenon of coincidence than an imaginary friend, an invisible hand.

[Dayzee]

Not assigned by a heavenly power, you don't. Not of cosmic significance.

You life is small, pointless and irrelevant to the universe.

You matter only to yourself, your family, your friends, et cetera.

Your opinion, my friend. My life may be small, but it's not pointless. But

I love the fact that, by default, you admit that you have no purpose.

[Sweeney]

Your opinion, my friend. My life may be small, but it's not pointless. But

I love the fact that, by default, you admit that you have no purpose.

You're right. I have no purpose other than that which I give myself.
That doesn't demean me, it empowers me.

[Lychee]

...is what I would be doing if Sainsbury's had popcorn in stock. Maybe it's God's way of punishing me. /facetious

[Nunc]

If a conservative doesn't like guns, he doesn't buy one.
If a liberal doesn't like guns, he wants all guns outlawed.

If a conservative is a vegetarian, he doesn`t eat meat.
If a liberal is a vegetarian, he wants all meat products banned for everyone.

If a conservative is homosexual, he quietly leads his life.
If a liberal is homosexual, he demands legislated respect.

If a conservative is down-and-out, he thinks about how to better his situation.
A liberal wonders who is going to take care of him.

If a conservative doesn't like a talk show host, he switches channels.
Liberals demand that those they don't like be shut down.

If a conservative is a non-believer, he doesn't go to church.
A liberal non-believer wants any mention of God and religion silenced. (Unless it's a foreign religion, of course!)

If a conservative decides he needs health care, he goes about shopping for it, or may choose a job that provides it.
A liberal demands that the rest of us pay for his.

Emphasis mine.
Substitute 'atheist' for 'liberal' and this applies perfectly to you, Sweeney

Edited by Nunc, 05 January 2011 - 03:20 PM.

[Sweeney]

Emphasis mine.
Substitute 'atheist' for 'liberal' and this applies perfectly to you, Sweeney

That's lovely.
Nonsense, but we're used to that from you.

[Nunc]

I'd like to see you explain how it's nonsense, but of course you won't. So I won't bother asking.

Just, you know, who are you to judge Sweeney?

God? A powerful world leader?
You aren't.

You're some bored collegiate with a typical, very standard, liberal atheist mindset. Hell, I would know about that- until about 2 years ago I was the same as you.

[Sweeney]

I'd like to see you explain how it's nonsense, but of course you won't. So I won't bother asking.

Just, you know, who are you to judge Sweeney?

God? A powerful world leader?
You aren't.

You're some bored collegiate with a typical, very standard, liberal atheist mindset. Hell, I would know about that- until about 2 years ago I was the same as you.

Who am I to judge what, or whom? What are you talking about?

I can very easily explain how it's nonsense; I believe in an entitlement to free speech. I don't wish to silence anyone.

[luvsmyncis]

 

Hundreds of people might have been exposed to hepatitis A while receiving communion on Christmas Day, Long Island officials said Monday.

Noooooooooo!!
They have now tainted the Jesus wafer.

I wonder if those receiving communion were fed the wafer. A lot of people go up and the priest sticks it in their mouth. Whenever I go up, I put my hands up and he hands it to me. Then I let the body of Christ melt in my mouth as I walk back to my seat.

[Scot]

[Barophobia]

Perhaps Hepatitis A was a Gift from God. Or a test. A gift from God in the form of a test!

And Cody your anecdote made my day.

[pyke]

Yeah, that's northern ireland for you.

I've heard they're planning to vote in blow jobs by 2030!

A lot of people seem to use religion as a means to impose their will on others, which is an unfortunate side effect of pretty much any social hierarchy. Most good, religious people would probably treat others just as fairly if they weren't religious.

[Casilla]

I see you people have made a habit of posting debate topics outside of the debate forum.

/shames you

[Sweeney]

I see you people have made a habit of posting debate topics outside of the debate forum.

/shames you

Only because I know you don't go in there, darling. And I'd hate for you to miss out on all the witty repartee.

[Casilla]

Only because I know you don't go in there, darling. And I'd hate for you to miss out on all the witty repartee.

I go in there!  And look at the topic list!

[Sweeney]

I go in there!  And look at the topic list!

I like that there's a topic Suz made almost five years ago still hovering at the top.
We can't have everything, you know.

[Shadowfool]

Emphasis mine.
Substitute 'atheist' for 'liberal' and this applies perfectly to you, Sweeney

I really hope you didn't take that list seriously...

[redlion]

Yeah, that's northern ireland for you.

*doubletake* Did I miss something? Besides the obvious reference to religious conflict, I'm not sure what the northern counties have to do with this topic.

Its not nearly as dangerous as sex orgies performed by people who don't believe in God.

As opposed to sex orgies performed by believers? Please. If people want to screw without protection, that's their business. But sex, even polyamorous sex, is not in and of itself dangerous.

Emphasis mine.
Substitute 'atheist' for 'liberal' and this applies perfectly to you, Sweeney

The fact that you posted the list in it's entirety makes me laugh. Not because the material is funny, but because it's comical that you think such a source is worth quoting. Actually, I find the material illogical and a little sad. What self respecting conservative wouldn't eat meat?

I really hope you didn't take that list seriously...

Pretty sure it was meant as a witty remark. Because as we all know, when you've got nothing constructive or critical to say, make jokes.

[Sweeney]

*doubletake* Did I miss something? Besides the obvious reference to religious conflict, I'm not sure what the northern counties have to do with this topic.

The news article in the post I quoted was about an NI hospital losing it's Catholic affiliation for performing a lifesaving early-term abortion.

Edit: Wait, no it isn't xD *fail*
I assumed it was the Norther Ireland story, because that's been a relatively high-profile case recently, but it's actually a story about exactly the same thing in the US.

My bad ^^