Religious belief = pure lunacy.

Morality from judeo/christian beliefs? More like morality despite it. The Bible tells you to kill people who curse god, to kill people who work on Sunday, and to ostracize people who are gay. One of the few mostly moral protagonists in the Bible was Jesus (Abraham/David etc. were sociopaths by today's standards). Sure Jesus promoted the golden rule, but his followers over the years sure as hell have not followed it. The golden rule wasn't really a new thing anyway (except maybe to the people in Jesus's vicinity), and certainly is not the pinnacle of morality. If you treat people like you want to be treated, that won't necessarily be how they want to be treated. Funny how 20th century doctors can do better than the so-called son of god. But why talk about that? It hasn't even been relevant since Christians focus on the parts of the Bible that work for them. If anything, Christianity over the centuries has mostly been used as a justification to treat people unlike yourself like barbarians who need to be subjugated, converted, or killed.

Morality and freedom are entirely a matter of logic. If people cannot benefit from the fruits of their labor, why would they work? if people cannot be free to exchange ideas, how can we ever learn that we are wrong? Rulers subjugate their people regardless of whether their governmental framework alludes to some mythical creator. Saddam Hussein's last words included "God is great." Do we have rights because "their creator" is in the declaration of independence? No, we have some rights recognized because people believe in the legitimacy of the Constitution and democracy. Though I would argue it would be even better if people beleived in the legitimacy of science and logic instead, but religion is in the way of that kind of progress.

Technically they were bronze age nomads... and they were pretty ignorant compared to people today, which is saying something.

Religious people are the ones with auditory hallucinations...

Because religious people try to mold our society around their delusions.

 

I'm curious as to what laws in your country were passed because of some religion.

 

Even though it was revoked a few years ago in England and Wales due to a court ruling, I believe the law against blasphemy is still in effect in Australia. That's always a wonderful example

 

Fear. In the words of a local theist (had this discussion just a few days ago):

"Whats really sad is that you won't find out until you die, and it will be too late."
"Thats fear, nothing more than a fear based belief"
"No its not, its love"
"Are you kidding me? Love? No, its fear. Love me or be eternally (*)(*)(*)(*)ed to hell because you didn't believe in me over the thousands of over gods"
*blank state*

 

Exactly. If they would just mind their own GD business, I could care less what they do...

 

Have you taken a look at marriage statutes in most U.S. states lately? Have you looked at the slogans on our money? Listened to the Pledge of Allegiance recited by millions of school children each and every day as compelled by government? Have you noticed that the only official government holidays with a religious meaning are specifically Christian holidays? But a few examples...

 

You mean the morality that makes it ok to preach that gays should not have the same rights as "normal" people?

 

Can we agree that the morality would be sound if only people didn't get these urges to stick their peckers in all kinds of odd places?

 

As long as they aren't sticking it in someone without their consent, nor in someone else's property without their consent, who cares where they stick it?

Excluding the above, it shouldn't matter to anyone except the parties involved in the sticking.

 

Indeed. What is so difficult about understanding that? But the faithful apparently just can't mind their own m-fing business. Too bad, because if they did, we'd have a much better society.

 

Well, the faithful worship God. And God says homosexuality is an abomination and a curse upon a society.

So, when you see a society legalize and protect and further the homosexuals lifestyle, what your seeing is maggots on a carcass. Its a sign of somthing already dead.

Quantrill

 

Marriage in regards to our government has nothing to do with religion. Its a government policy with a specific purpose.

Our culture came into being with a belief in God. If you try to erase history...then you erase the culture.

 

There are countries that outlaw religion...thereby creating a society where values derived from religious beliefs don't exist. Unfortunately....they all are and were totaltarian countries.

Is that what you want?

 

Or... or... or... you could just mind your own mother(*)(*)(*)(*)ing god(*)(*)(*)(*) business and let people make their own decisions. Is this the land of the free or is it not?

 

So, as I was saying...

 

@ OP:

Why do so many people believe Aliens have visited Earth, despite an overwhelming lack of evidence? Because they want to and it makes them feel better about their lives. What do you care if people have theological beliefs that have no scientific evidence to back them up? It's a personal preference. It's lunacy to complain about these things.

 

I have no problem with that. I still believe it betrays a weak mind, but hey whatever makes you happy--as long as you're not hurting someone else in the process like, say, some young men who chose to take over a few airplanes almost exactly a decade ago, the net effect of which has been to radically alter our entire way of life...

People who believe in UFOs typically don't enact laws based on said belief that effect my life, nor do they insist that the money I am required to use bear slogans such as "In Xymox We Trust." Nor do they commandeer jetliners and fly them into office buildings. Nor do they discriminate against some of their fellow citizens of whose lifestyles they disapprove. Just sayin'.

From my OP: "And I wouldn't have a problem with it if "the faithful" could just mind their own GD business--but OH NO, they have to shove their beliefs down my throat, and even abuse their power as citizens to legislate their morals into my life. Hey, if you don't mind, leave me the (*)(*)(*)(*) alone."

So I don't think it's lunacy to complain after all...

And, not to put too fine a point on it, but at least the UFO people have seen something -- providing at least a filament of evidence for some unexplained phenomena. But the god squad? They have some fairy tales... and they want me to live my life according to those fairy tales. Me no likey.

 

Yes I agree.

Christians seem to think that they don't really get those urges... that they're just doing it to tick everyone off. I don't get it but that's how it seems. If you can kind of write that part of it off though... Christianity is pretty good.

 

When you speak of 'normal' people... I presume you are referring to those that are NOT 'gays'. In and under that circumstance, don't you believe in the concept that the 'majority' rules? If you don't believe in that concept, then you also open the door for other minority groups such as pedophiles, murderers, rapists, etc., to have as much right as would the 'gays' should the 'gays' be given those equal rights. BTW: Equal rights does not start nor stop with the right to get married.

 

"The majority, oppressing an individual, is guilty of a crime, abuses its strength, and by acting on the law of the strongest breaks up the foundations of society."

-Thomas Jefferson

Just sayin'...

 

Appeal to authority ---- just sayin...

 

I'm sorry, what? You may consider looking in the mirror. Your argument would constitute an appeal to authority--the authority of the majority, as tyrants, over the minority--as Jefferson warned. Own your fallacy.

Or, if you prefer...

"Majority rule is nothing more than two wolves and a sheep voting on what's for dinner."
-Benjamin Franklin

 

Your consistent appeals to authority, does not answer the issues that were directed at you in this post: http://www.politicalforum.com/4306782-post44.html
In relevant part: "In and under that circumstance, don't you believe in the concept that the 'majority' rules? If you don't believe in that concept, then you also open the door for other minority groups such as pedophiles, murderers, rapists, etc., to have as much right as would the 'gays' should the 'gays' be given those equal rights."

 

Try practicing what you preach there pal. What is your position? You hate religion. What more is there to argue with?

 

Tyranny of the majority is still as tyrannical as the tyranny of one. The standard should only be harm.

"No man has a natural right to commit aggression on the equal rights of another, and this is all from which the laws ought to restrain him. "

-Thomas Jefferson