Richard Dawkins..

What do you think about this guy? He has a goal of riding the world of religion..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NSk_ZeAH_I

 

I've read a couple of his works and seen him on Real Time with Bill Maher. He's a little too rigid in his way of thinking. He assumes that religion is dead wrong and science is completely right. I never understood why these supposed religious and scientific leaders couldn't agree on the simplest of facts. Science gives us the how but religion helps us to figure out the why.

 

Because faith cannot be quantified, and science cannot embrace anything unquantifiable.

Anyone who thinks they can eradicate religion is a fool. I think there's a better chance of Hell freezing over and the Devil going ice skating.

 

In fairness religion usually has the same know it all arrogant attitude. If its not in the holy book then its a sin against God. I don't thin religion per say is bad but we will be better off when we evolve past dogma.

 

Well not all people who read the Bible adopt that attitude. There is much of organized religion that I don't agree with, nor care for. However, that doesn't stop me from being religious. You just have to use your own brain, instead of borrowing the preachers.

 

But the christian faith demands its followers to follow a shepard.

 

:smt043

That'd be Christ babe. Technically you don't need a middle man at all anymore.

 

My girlfriend loves him. She read his book the "God Delusion". As much as I think the world would be a better place without religion I don't think religion should ever be eradicated. But if I was starting my own country I would seriously consider banning religion. Not that I really have a problem with individuals believing in a deity, but religion in the wrong hands can be very deadly and destructive. So not having it would give men that seek power one less tool to use to acquire it.

 

Yes because that's worked out really well throughout history. It would be impossible to completely eradicate religion, especially at this point in time. Some people will never give up their faith, regardless of who tells them to, and forbidding anything is the quickest way to make some people seek it out.

 

A little excessive on ridding the world of religion. That's just as bad as religious people forcing their religion on somebody else. And Tony's pic is the shit. :smt081

 

Agreed BA. You don't see me trying to tell people what they have to believe, and I'm sure not gonna have anyone else telling me what I can't believe.

 

I agree religion can not be eradicaticated its part of who we are as humans. I think we would be better off with extremism and dogma. We should be a little more flexible because at the end of day faith should fill you with hope and make you feel good.

 

It does. I have never lost hope, not once in my entire life, and that's because of my faith. I realize that a lot of people don't manage that, sadly I think that's because they get caught up in the spectacle of religion and miss the practicing of what it teaches. But not all of us are that blind babe.

 

I start my day with faith... knowing that I want to feel good all day, hope stays with me through out the day...

 

I feel religion like religion was forced onto people more often than people trying to eliminate it from a society. Could you tell me of an society or culture that tried to ban all religion? I'm asking a serious question I can't think of culture that tried to accomplish that. ESPY I said if I was starting my own country. I would consider only allowing agnostics, athesist, and non-religious people into my county. I'm not trying to take Christianity from you in the good ole' USA.

I've heard people say that money is the root of all evil but I don't think so. I believe power is the root of all evil and money, religion, politics, racism, sexism, etc are all tools used to acquire power. If you have a serial killer that kills his victims using a knife, gun, and a sword, and I'm able to take his knife away from him he becomes a little less dangerous. That is how I feel about religion. Removing religion gives men that seek power one less tool to achieve their goal.

 

That's a lovely idea, however if you take the serial killer's knife away, he'll just find another weapon, or kill his victims with his bare hands. It's not the knife that matters, it's the act of taking a life that he craves. I don't personally feel that religion and the desire to murder are comparable, however that's the parallel you used, hence my reply.

In general trying to restrict someone from something they are driven to seek out doesn't work. If they want it bad enough, they'll find a way to get it. You could try banning religion from your little corner of the world, if you had one, but you wouldn't be successful. You could execute anyone found practicing any form of religion, and people would still seek it if they felt that desire. Faith is a concept that is often completely lost on people who don't understand or believe in it. As such they cannot appreciate that it is overwhelming, unshakable, and never ending to those who truly believe.

As for power, I agree it corrupts, and people who seek it above all else will use any and all methods at their disposal to achieve it. Banning religion isn't going to dissuade people like that, just like the serial killer, they'll just choose a different weapon.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_China#Modern_history

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Orthodox_Church#Under_Communist_rule

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_persecution#Albania

 

I really don't know much about China, Russia, and Albania. I knew that China and Russia were communist nations but I didn't know that they imposed state wide bans on religion. We didn't learn much about Albania in school. If it is one of the major players we didn't talk about it. Thanks for the information I will have to definitely read up on China and Russia.

 

I understand that but he would become a little less dangerous if you take one of his tools away.

I understand and agree with what you said that is why I said I would highly consider banning it. I wouldn't execute people for that I don't want to eliminate religion that bad. But if I only allowed in Atheist, Agnostics, and non-religious people they will most likely raise children that believe in they did. If you never grew up with religion, normally you don't go seeking it out because you can't miss what you didn't have. I would want a society full of logical people in all aspects of their life. I don't really want to get into how I really feel about religion because I can tell that it is something you hold dear and I don't want to offend you.

I understand religion and faith. I use to be religious but I have always to degree questioned it. I think wanting to belong to something that is bigger than you is essential to the concept of faith and religion. The thought of someone or something that is always looking out for you and watching your back is very appealing. The thought of seeing your dead relatives in the afterlife is extremely appealing. Religion gives you hope when you feel you are all alone. It gives you something to look forward to when all the chips are down. I would like to believe in religion but I'm too logical in my thought process to ever believe again. Maybe if I experience some traumatic experience I could become religious again but right now I don't see that happening. So half of me understands why people are religious but the other half of me doesn't understand how someone could put so much faith into something that you are not sure it exist.

I can't disagree with this.