Religion. good or bad.

[something]

I wonder what people really think about religion.

[Ausinus]

I agree with Richard Dawkins on religion. I think it is foolish, and socially destructive. It leads to irresponsibility and is a form of escapism.

[General Septem]

I agree with Richard Dawkins on religion. I think it is foolish, and socially destructive. It leads to irresponsibility and is a form of escapism.

So you don't want schools to teach for or against it, but you believe it is bad.

On second thought, I'm not going to touch that one. I agree there are harmful religions but mine is not one of them.

[Ausinus]

[QUOTE=General Septem]So you don't want schools to teach for or against it, but you believe it is bad.p/QUOTE]

The reason being, although I think it is bad, schools are a place of learning knowledge. You learn knowledge, and formulate your own opinions based upon that. That, mate, is the essence of reason.

[General Septem]

The reason being, although I think it is bad, schools are a place of learning knowledge. You learn knowledge, and formulate your own opinions based upon that. That, mate, is the essence of reason.

I doubt you have any problem with schools indoctrinating that drugs and weapons are inherently evil, or other government propaganda?

Educated / Brainwashed - US children are "Educated" about the evils of drugs, pollution, and race relations ... Soviet children were "Brainwashed" in Soviet doctrine.

[something]

I doubt you have any problem with schools indoctrinating that drugs and weapons are inherently evil, or other government propaganda?

Educated / Brainwashed - US children are "Educated" about the evils of drugs, pollution, and race relations ... Soviet children were "Brainwashed" in Soviet doctrine.

Drugs are not inherently evil, you can debate a lot about if drugs are good or bad. We have legalized it here, but Amsterdam isn't screwed up becouse of that.

And by the way, Soviet doesn't exist anymore, if you didn't know that.

[theicidal maniac]

So you don't want schools to teach for or against it, but you believe it is bad.

On second thought, I'm not going to touch that one. I agree there are harmful religions but mine is not one of them.

Well that's the thing about religion...everyone thinks thier own is great, but all the OTHER ones are wrong. Meanwhile they kill eachother over this triviality and take innocent bystanders with them.

[something]

Well that's the thing about religion...everyone thinks thier own is great, but all the OTHER ones are wrong. Meanwhile they kill eachother over this triviality and take innocent bystanders with them.

Read the thread named "Philosophers" I've posted a few things there that you might read.

[General Septem]

Drugs are not inherently evil, you can debate a lot about if drugs are good or bad. We have legalized it here, but Amsterdam isn't screwed up becouse of that.

And by the way, Soviet doesn't exist anymore, if you didn't know that.

That's my point. We have two words which mean the same thing, but since we call it education when we're the ones doing it, nobody has a problem with it. But there's no difference between Soviet brainwashing and the American system "educating" kids that drugs are evil, because it's all bullshit.

By the way, "were" implies past tense. Soviet kids were "brainwashed" in Soviet doctrine.

[freakazoid]

I voted that I hate religion, but NOT for the reasons I think most people voted for that choice. Religion can and does blind a person from the truth concerning God.

[something]

That's my point. We have two words which mean the same thing, but since we call it education when we're the ones doing it, nobody has a problem with it. But there's no difference between Soviet brainwashing and the American system "educating" kids that drugs are evil, because it's all bullshit.

By the way, "were" implies past tense. Soviet kids were "brainwashed" in Soviet doctrine.

Yea, I know, but they are still brainwashed in Northkorea.

[General Septem]

I voted that I hate religion, but NOT for the reasons I think most people voted for that choice. Religion can and does blind a person from the truth concerning God.

You do have a point there.

[something]

You do have a point there.

He surely have.

[Wolven150]

Hi. Let's talk about morals. What makes people do 'the right thing'? Who decided what 'the right thing' is? What happens if we don't do 'the right thing'? How are we held to these expectations? Is this fleeting, temporary existance all that there is? If there is something after, will anything we do in this 'life' affect it? If there is nothing after, why should we do anything but what we want to do, to benefit ourselves?

Please, think about these things. I realize that I could argue my point till the second coming, but in the end the only way to fight Godlessness is not for me to crush opposition, or to kill the unbeleivers, but to fight the idea of Godlessness. I may not agree with what you have to have to say, but I will fight to the death for your right to say it. So please, speak. Let us hold palaver.

[something]

Hi. Let's talk about morals. What makes people do 'the right thing'? Who decided what 'the right thing' is? What happens if we don't do 'the right thing'? How are we held to these expectations? Is this fleeting, temporary existance all that there is? If there is something after, will anything we do in this 'life' affect it? If there is nothing after, why should we do anything but what we want to do, to benefit ourselves?

Please, think about these things. I realize that I could argue my point till the second coming, but in the end the only way to fight Godlessness is not for me to crush opposition, or to kill the unbeleivers, but to fight the idea of Godlessness. I may not agree with what you have to have to say, but I will fight to the death for your right to say it. So please, speak. Let us hold palaver.

So...do you have a god?:confused:

[Ausinus]

Who decided what 'the right thing' is?

Since all morality is subjective, generally a person's morals are shaped by a combination of instinct, interaction with others, and environment. A part of the subconscious psyche is the Superego, which is the part dedicated to morals.

When a society has common or dominant morals, as in they mostly all agree or are forced into agreeing with a moral, then is becomes a common moral. These morals in turn influence the next generation.


What happens if we don't do 'the right thing'?

You are either punished by another who views it as wrong, or by society, or forgiven by them. Additionally, you would in many cases have guilt from violating one of your own morals, as a lot of moral violation is done with ignorance to the consequences.


How are we held to these expectations?

By society, mostly by means of the law, and by your own morals.


Is this fleeting, temporary existance all that there is?

I believe so, and that the necessity of an afterlife is a form of escapism.


If there is something after, will anything we do in this 'life' affect it?

Well yes, in terms of shaping the world for our progeny. In terms of an afterlife, I say no.


If there is nothing after, why should we do anything but what we want to do, to benefit ourselves?

A combination of society by means of the law and your own moral code.


Please, think about these things. I realize that I could argue my point till the second coming, but in the end the only way to fight Godlessness is not for me to crush opposition, or to kill the unbeleivers, but to fight the idea of Godlessness. I may not agree with what you have to have to say, but I will fight to the death for your right to say it. So please, speak. Let us hold palaver.

Second coming of what?

[ajk]

He means the second coming of Christ.

[Ausinus]

Haha what a crock of shit. Anyway this current discussion is about morals.

[theicidal maniac]

Hi. Let's talk about morals. What makes people do 'the right thing'? Who decided what 'the right thing' is? What happens if we don't do 'the right thing'? How are we held to these expectations? Is this fleeting, temporary existance all that there is? If there is something after, will anything we do in this 'life' affect it? If there is nothing after, why should we do anything but what we want to do, to benefit ourselves?

Please, think about these things. I realize that I could argue my point till the second coming, but in the end the only way to fight Godlessness is not for me to crush opposition, or to kill the unbeleivers, but to fight the idea of Godlessness. I may not agree with what you have to have to say, but I will fight to the death for your right to say it. So please, speak. Let us hold palaver.

That's the problem with believing in RIGHT and WRONG and GOD...it leads you to the conclusion that you must "fight to the death," and you will get your reward in heaven, and the godless shall receive their just punishment, is that about right? You are eagerly awaiting the "second coming" but what do you believe that brings? Swift punishment for those who have committed the "immorality" of not calling God by the correct name? I've said it before and it looks like I'll have to again, what's to STOP you from killing if you believe you are dispatching aperson to an afterlife that he earned through his action?

Let's DO talk morals.
--Religion teaches that morals are sticking to dogma, despite the societal implications.
--Religion teaches that things that have NO BEARING on human suffering are RIGHT and WRONG (like taking God's name in vain or choosing to have other Gods before Yahweh)
--Religion teaches that God lets you kill the unbelievers.
--Religions teach that one group of people are select above all others and preferred by God.
--Religion does not expect you to actually BECOME a better person, because you become a better person by converting and submitting, which has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH BEING A DECENT HUMAN BEING

And to answer your question, "If there is nothing after, why should we do anything but what we want to do, to benefit ourselves?"... BECAUSE IT BETTERS OURSELVES! People who don't believe in an afterlife still cherish humanity, in fact I think we cherish it MORE, because this is all we get. Regardless of what you believe about God, you still have a sense of the difference between human suffering and happiness. By the very definition of happiness it is the preferred state of being, and all humans should strive toward it, not only for themselves, but for all humanity.