[Narz]

Originally Posted by JHL

In the context of psychological projection, I think exploring why religious people make you feel this way, might be rich PD territory for you.

They trigger something for you. If they didnt, I dont think you would feel any compulsion to start a discussion like this.

If you think I'm wrong, I dont mind you telling me so. After all, I cant help but see my own projection in your words either

What is PD territory?

Obviously there is a reason I feel the way they do. Most likely because I was subject to abuse by superstitious and religious people and organizations as a youth (no, I was molested by a priest, praise Allah!).

I see critical thought as our one defense against stupidity, mob-rule, witch burning, mental laziness, collapse, etc. The environment is being destroyed by people who believe that God will save them from their ways. Who have a skewed view of right & wrong (it's ok to destroy the environment and kill innocent civilians for oil but not ok to have sex with the same sex).

I also believe that a world in which most world leaders were atheists would be a MUCH happier and more peaceful place.

Imagine people examining belief systems with no moral-imperatives, no delegating responsibility to a "higher power", no claiming righteousness or "evil" based on any terms but scientific, humanitarian worldly ones?

I can't think of anything much more beautiful than that!

Originally Posted by Lallymac

Why does one belief have to right and another wrong? There is a common truth that resonantes within every theory or belief. This life is a voyage of discovery. Rather judging one right and another wrong, why not seek the truth that resonates with you. We learn and grow in multiple different ways. Rather than seeking difference, why not seek commonality? We are all flesh and blood. Cut us all, we bleed but our hearts beat as one.

Lallymac

It's important to know the truth, IMO. It's also important (for me personally) to not claim "truth" unless you can prove a claim is true. Advertisers must obey this rule, IMO, we all should.

Originally Posted by dor

what do you mean by 'religious people' ?

People who impose their beliefs on others and judge them by religious standards rather than their own. People who take their precious "free will" (right to choose) and don't use it, preferring instead an already canned belief system. By the way, I include hardcore atheists, Ayn Rand followers, fundy Republicans and Democrats all in this catagory, basically anyone who doesn't utilize the divine () gift of critical thought.

Originally Posted by dor

I find your sweeping judgments as narrow minded and hypocritical as you claim 'religious people' are.

Which "judgments"? I just said I found it amusing that people don't consider the possibility that if they'd lived in a different time and place they'd believe different things.

Originally Posted by dor

ah yes, the classic sophomore.

Eh?

Originally Posted by dor

In one part of the world someone invented the wheel. in other parts, there was no wheel. One can argue that societies with wheels did much better than societies without them, and the idea spread.

Just because a cultural trait is passed on doesn't mean it is superior. Slavery was an idea that spread quickly across the globe as well.

Originally Posted by dor

in part of the world democracies formed, in other parts of the world it did not exist, the idea spread because it was considered a better form of government. Is democracy right or wrong or just a better, but not perfectly developed form of government. the same can be said about religion/s.

Religion, I imagine is going the way of the dodo bird. As people become better educated religion tends to have less power. An example of this was the Renaissance in Europe.

Originally Posted by dor

So if you grew up in say, zimbawae, you would not be might grow up thinking that dictatorships are best (especially if it benefited you) and not be exposed to democratic ideas, but according to your moral reliativism there's no right or wrong or better or worse?

I didn't say I believed in moral relativism.

Originally Posted by dor

let me ask you this, do you think that religions are all equal?

Nope.

Originally Posted by dor

To use an extreme example is Thugee (the murder cult that existed in india what worshipped Kali) or other forms of religion that involved human sacrofice morally equal to say, pacifist Amish and Quakers.

lets see if you can bring your open minded self to let these words out of your mouth: the religion of the amish is morally superior to thugee.

The religion of the Amish is morally superior to Thugee.

Originally Posted by dor

if you're born after say, 1980 I sincerely doubt you are able to say this with conviction.

What were you saying about "sweeping judgments" and being "narrow minded" and "hypocritical"?

For your information Jack I was born in 1979 (which you could have found out by clicking on my profile), not that it should fu¢king matter.