I was born and catholic. But I no longer consider myself catholic. I cannot associate myself with an organisation that has killed and stolen from millions in the supposed name of "god". Same thing goes with most of the worlds dominant religions. I just use Catholicism as a example because it can be more classified as a whole because of the Vatican and the view of "the church".
Anyway, that is not what I am discussing. I am discussing weather or not Religion, in general is a good thing for human kind, or is it a blinding mask that millions have killed for and/or a curtain over the scientific advancement and ultimate survival of the human race.
First. I think about the good religion brings to the "world". Many people give up violent lives, stop stealing, or quite addicting habits. Many people do the supposed "right thing" because of religion, or faith. (Don't take that to literal. In my eyes faith and religion are two different concepts) Many people keep marriages together and practice absence before marriage. These are all great things for the human race (in my eyes) and if they were the only effects of religion then this argument would most likely not exist.
BUT
You have to consider the negative impacts that a strong belief in any particular religion has on the world. The famous witch hunts? Were a cause of the Catholic churches fear of free thinking women. The not to new fighting in the middle east? Christians, Jews, Muslims. All killing others in the name of religion (or so they think they are). Taheri-azar drove a SUV onto the campus of North Carolina university and tried to run over as many Innocent people as he could. This was his response. “I live with the holy Koran as my constitution for right and wrong and definition of justice…. Allah gives permission in the Koran for the followers of Allah to attack those who have raged war against them, with the expectation of eternal paradise in case of martyrdom and/or living one’s life in obedience of all of Allah’s commandments found throughout the Koran’s 114 chapters. I’ve read all 114 chapters approximately 15 times since June of 2003 when I started reading the Koran.†And he did not try to murder UNC students “out of hatred for Americans, but out of love for Allah instead. I live only to serve Allah, by obeying all of Allah’s commandments of which I am aware by reading and learning the contents of the Koran.†Now you could say that he is one man. But most all of terrorists that call themselves Muslim say similar excuses for killing. What about the 1,200,000 Armenians that were killed by Muslims for their christian beliefs. Or the genocide waged against the Canaanites by the Muslims because "Allah" gives a commandant to kill every last Canaanite. And boy oh boy the list goes on. Hell what about September 11th? (That will cause a stir up I'm sure.)
Now what about the impact that religion has on the scientific, and medical advancements. How often do you hear about stem cell research on the news, or about cloning or other controversial studies that oposers call "unethical". Many of these protestants use religion as a point of reference, and in alot of cases, their only reasoning.
Think of many of the scientific breakthroughs in the last 150 years. for over 100 years, the whole world had a false belief about everything in the universe because of Aristotle. Other theories were suggested but shot down, and some scientists were persecuted because their theories went against the word of "god". One of the most profound scientific breakthroughs almost never made it public because Isac Newton was to afraid of persecution from the church. One of the most well recognised scientist of all time, Albert Einstein could have solved the Ultimate theory of everything, but because of his religious beliefs, he refused to accept Quantum Mechanics!
Well guys. I'm done. I ranted I guess. Now were are your highly honored opinions. (I'm especially awaiting Hydro's)
Edited by Sonic, 26 July 2006 - 05:32 PM.
