Religion: Is it on the way out?

[Soberkistan]

Do we atheists still rank above Scientologists at least?

Why do you care what an extremist thinks?

I don't, really. I just like lists.

[Divair]

Why do you care what an extremist thinks?

I don't, really. I just like lists.

1. You like lists. I see.
2. Here's a list.
3. ???
4. YOU LIKE THAT, HUH?

[Nidaria]

Religion has never been "full" of corruption. People inside of it may be corrupt, but religion is in itself incorruptible.

People founded religion, so if people are corrupt, then so is religion.

Now is all of it corrupt? Of course not, but if you take faith and turn it into a source of power, that is some nasty corruption right there.

That is according to an atheist perspective. If religion was not established by mere humans, but by God Himself, then religion itself is incorruptible. It all comes down to individual beliefs.

[Minoriteeburg]

I don't, really. I just like lists.

1. You like lists. I see.
2. Here's a list.
3. ???
4. YOU LIKE THAT, HUH?

You forgot Hasselhoff on that list.

[Nidaria]

Do we atheists still rank above Scientologists at least?

Why do you care what an extremist thinks?

What makes me more extreme than you, or even extreme at all? Would you wish to have an intelligent debate with me if I called you an "extremist"?

[Soberkistan]

I don't, really. I just like lists.

1. You like lists. I see.
2. Here's a list.
3. ???
4. YOU LIKE THAT, HUH?

Actually I'd rank them thusly:

1. YOU LIKE THAT, HUH?
2. You like lists. I see.
3. ???
4. Here's a list.

[Soberkistan]

Why do you care what an extremist thinks?

What makes me more extreme than you, or even extreme at all? Would you wish to have an intelligent debate with me if I called you an "extremist"?

For the record, I don't think you're extreme - just wrong.

[Nidaria]

What makes me more extreme than you, or even extreme at all? Would you wish to have an intelligent debate with me if I called you an "extremist"?

For the record, I don't think you're extreme - just wrong.

Thank you, at least that makes intelligent debate possible.

[Central European Commonwealth]

I sure as hell hope so.

At least me and my fiancee will contribute to it as much as possible. If we have children they will not be allowed to follow any religion or go to any church until they're old enough to make the decision for themselves. (Which would be about 14-16 or so). So, yeah - there will be absolutely no god in our house, we feel that as both parents are scientifically educated in our case, we don't need fairytales to explain their questions about life.

That is how my wife and I are approaching religion with our son.

And whatever decision he chooses later in life is his own, and I will support 100%.

Of course, if they're old enough to make an informed and educated choice by themselves, and they decide to follow a religion, I'm not going to stop them. Basically, if they're at an age where I'll let them go to a bar or a party by themselves, they can also go to a church if they want.

But me not stopping them at that age doesn't mean they don't need a thick skin if they wish to discuss religion with me, and especially if they try to get me into the good word. But, my opposition from that age on won't go any further than debating them if they start it...

[Divair]

What makes me more extreme than you, or even extreme at all?

Social norms.

Would you wish to have an intelligent debate with me if I called you an "extremist"?

With you? No. Given your history of never changing your mind, it'd be a waste of time. Someone new or someone I have seen change their mind in the past? Sure.

[Jormengand]

For the record, I don't think you're extreme - just wrong.

Thank you, at least that makes intelligent debate possible.

*Shrugs.* Extreme is not neccesarily bad.

[Ceni]

Except no.

Agreed.

Another thing I never understood about religion. Why is it that most people only go to it when in times of trouble? One should turn to religion for good and bad if they were truly religious.

To clarify my point, or in all times, good AND bad.

[Divair]

Thank you, at least that makes intelligent debate possible.

*Shrugs.* Extreme is not neccesarily bad.

When it comes to religion and irreligion, it always is.

[Jormengand]

*Shrugs.* Extreme is not neccesarily bad.

When it comes to religion and irreligion, it always is.

Whether or not you think that, it doesn't really matter.

[The USOT]

I think religion is fading, yes. Slowly, but I think it's happening.

This, and I hope it never rears its ugly head again.

[Divair]

I think religion is fading, yes. Slowly, but I think it's happening.

This, and I hope it never rears its ugly head again.

It will occasionally, I suspect. Everything does. But as widespread as it is now? Unlikely.

[Nidaria]

What makes me more extreme than you, or even extreme at all?

Social norms.

Would you wish to have an intelligent debate with me if I called you an "extremist"?

With you? No. Given your history of never changing your mind, it'd be a waste of time. Someone new or someone I have seen change their mind in the past? Sure.

If I am not advocating the physical harming of some people, then I probably am not an extremist. Since you are probably not going by that definition, what makes you less extreme than me? Is mere differing with the popular view "extreme"?
Also, I do change my mind occasionally, but I do not broadcast it to the world. You simply have not convinced me to adopt your views. Debate is not dedicated completely toward convincing the other side, but rather showing that one's side is true.

[The USOT]

This, and I hope it never rears its ugly head again.

It will occasionally, I suspect. Everything does. But as widespread as it is now? Unlikely.

Thats why I said hope

The only threat left (imo) to modern secularism is radical islam which is concerning, but I see no ability for it to sustain itself into a first world nation. I would be interested to see religious philosophies like confucianism return (not neccesarily pleased) however.

[Liriena]

Organized religion is suffering a seemingly final and rather slow downfall, yes. But personal spirituality, methinks, will survive for many centuries more.

What is happening right now is that the immorality and incompetence of the vast majority of organized religions, and the increasing education and awareness of their believers, are finally starting to take a toll on mainstream dogmas and absolutisms. People are not becoming faithless, but they are no longer placing their spiritualityin the hands of the irrational, hypocritical, megalomaniacal fantasies of a handful of insane, stupid or just plain greedy individuals.

[Cameroi]

let us hope the fanaticism of dominant beliefs are, and the love of the unknown and of love itself, is not.

[Samuraikoku]

We are slowly coming to Imperial compliance.

[Liriena]

We are slowly coming to Imperial compliance.

Sorry, but I'm almost ready to embrace Lucifer, and I won't have the Emperor ruin that for me.

[Samuraikoku]

I don't, really. I just like lists.

Empire loves their damn lists.

[Liriena]

I don't, really. I just like lists.

Empire loves their damn lists.

Death to the Stormcloaks!

[Nidaria]

Empire loves their damn lists.

Death to the Stormcloaks!

And this is contributing to the discussion how exactly?
I hate flippancy so much....