Quote:
Originally Posted by paulgiamatti
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I'm pretty sure this has already been discussed at great length in the previous pages but, in short, it's not a problem for me. Even if it was, it wouldn't matter. The world is a very big place, and humanity as a whole has better things to do than concern itself with any one person's petty grievances over another's beliefs. I don't care what anyone believes - I don't care if you believe in one god or twenty gods; it neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg. However, when beliefs become indoctrinated into scripture and methodically and mandatorily doled out as education, it then becomes not only my problem but everyone else's as well. Fortunately, here in the States we now live in a post-secularist society and these kind of teachings are no longer mandatory. Religious studies are still very much a required part of many European societies, and I hope I don't need to point out the horrific state of affairs in many of the middle-eastern and Asian countries that have to put up with violent, militarized groups that take literal interpretations of religious scripture to the extreme.
These things happen because of ideas. The idea of vicarious redemption through Christ is extremely immoral. Modern day Christianity is literally a cult predicated on human sacrifice which assures its followers they can do away with every wrongdoing of their past by simply accepting Christ as their lord and savior. Solipsistic worldviews are hugely, unequivocally immoral. I don't see what's so difficult to grasp about this. Vicarious redemption is inherent in Christianity. This is not in any way a good thing. It teaches that if you simply give yourself over to Christ you can rid yourself of every sin you've ever committed or ever will commit. And it doesn't end there - in doing so, you'll not only survive your own death, but you can take pleasure in the condemnation of the unworthy - those who've blasphemed - who will, rest assured, spend an eternity in hellfire for their sins. This is absolute poison. Here's an idea, how about you take responsibility for your actions in this life, in this world.
Once again trying to make it look like religion has a monopoly or some sort of hidden access to kindness and charity, but no one's buying it. There are just as many secular, non-religious charitable organizations as there are of the religious, except the non-religious charities don't attempt to proselytize and win converts to a sadistic cult. Non-religious groups don't carry out charity in hopes for good karma to carry them into the next life - they do it for the betterment of this life, for the betterment of this world. Culture, charity, and yes, even kindness will be perfectly fine without religion, I can assure you. Neither spirituality nor art requires bullshit superstitious immoral beliefs, and humanity as a whole will be much better off without them as well. Good riddance.
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You do realize that China and North Korea are atheist states? Dude, evil isn't religion. It isn't wconomic. It isn't social. It comes from people who believe that they have the right to tell others how they should live. You're absolutely right... Religious extremism is a HUGE problem. But so is the Chinese one party state. Any form of political/governmental extremism is a bad thing.
My point is twofold: religion is a sociological and historical development. It is inseparably tied to our advancement.
The other point is that you saying "we're better off without it" is identical to a Muslim extremist saying that we're better off without Yazidis. Just because you see a group as detrimental to humanity doesn't make them so, and it certainly doesn't elevate you to a position to have the decision over what religions, philosophies, and cultures are acceptable.