Religion, Good or Bad?

[Miiren]

Yes. By any historical source. Really, not hard to search.

Compared to the fifty million killed by Stalin, and the (probably) greater number killed by Mao? No combined religious total dead comes close to matching that, methinks.

Stalin and Mao didn't kill because they were atheists, but because they were complete pricks. while I am neutral with religion in general, don't try to implicate that atheism killed just as many people; people that happened to be atheist killed just as many people, but I have never heard of a war waged in the name of atheism.

But In my opinion, once more, while I am atheist (nihilist, even), I am neutral on the subject of religion. as long as you don't let it take over your life, put down others because of it, or use it to justify horrible things, you're fine in my book.

"I like your Christ. I don't like your Christians. why can't your Christians be more like your Christ?"

[Sovjet Union]

Communism and religon are only ideas and collectives. Practitoners of christanity kill,Not the church,Followers of communism kill,IS THAT GOOD?

[Lost heros]

No Religion is not bad,

But Atheism is.

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/seant ... tally-ill/
http://church-of-illumination.com/atheists-vs-satanists
http://atheismexposed.tripod.com/atheismsatanism.htm

For some ridiculous reason I've decided to actually go through these 'sources.' Maybe I'm being naïve for hoping that you'll realize the ridiculousness of your claims.

Ok for the 1st one. It has an outstanding lack of sources to back up it's claims. It's presenting studies that 'prove' atheism is bad, without ever actually quoting, linking, or referring to the numbers from that study. Also those claims were outright wrong.
http://infidels.org/library/modern/richard_carrier/barkercarrier.html#depression
The link above (while undoubtedly biased) sources and quotes it's own claims about depression. It essentially says that atheists are less likely to get depressed in the first place.

The second one is just ridiculous. It shows a remarkable lack of not understanding what satanism nor what atheism is. It has annoying circular logic. I.e. Not believing in God is a sin because the bible said so, and the bible is tue because the bible is true.

And the third one. The third one is blatantly oblivious to what atheism, assuming that atheism is rejecting God (which it is not). It also tries to pull off the false truth of "Satanism is evil. Satanists are evil." It also claims things as axiomatic, but doesn't source it's claims. For example, it rather rudely claims that atheists have no moral code.

[Menassa]

Communism and religon are only ideas and collectives. Practitoners of christanity kill,Not the church,Followers of communism kill,IS THAT GOOD?

The Church, is not religion.

[Sun Wukong]

Ugh. Here comes the people that say "religion has killed so many people", when atheism, (U.S.S.R.,PRC,Pol pot,) has killed just as many.

Because there's nothing religious about Stalinist Russia.

[Benuty]

Ugh. Here comes the people that say "religion has killed so many people", when atheism, (U.S.S.R.,PRC,Pol pot,) has killed just as many.

Because there's nothing religious about Stalinist Russia.

Well that was more of a personality cult. An example of leader worship would be that of Japan (pre-1946) there were those who thought the Emperor was of a divine nature blessed by spirits.

[Luepola]

Ugh. Here comes the people that say "religion has killed so many people", when atheism, (U.S.S.R.,PRC,Pol pot,) has killed just as many.

Because there's nothing religious about Stalinist Russia.

"Under the leadership of the great Stalin - forward to Communism!"

In case anyone was wondering what the Russian text meant.

[Sun Wukong]

Because there's nothing religious about Stalinist Russia.

Well that was more of a personality cult. An example of leader worship would be that of Japan (pre-1946) there were those who thought the Emperor was of a divine nature blessed by spirits.

Cults are not religious. You heard it here first folks.

[Benuty]

Well that was more of a personality cult. An example of leader worship would be that of Japan (pre-1946) there were those who thought the Emperor was of a divine nature blessed by spirits.

Cults are not religious. You heard it here first folks.

I fail to see how creepy admiration and reverence is outright leader worship.

[Sun Wukong]

Cults are not religious. You heard it here first folks.

I fail to see how creepy admiration and reverence is outright leader worship.

Okay. I didn't mention leader worship. I pointed out that Stalinist Russia has some very religious overtones. Which it does.

China Cambodia and North Korea also.

Also "creepy admiration and reverence" for an individual is pretty much the definition of leader worship unless you take things to the rather extreme extent of actually demanding the person be considered a god.

[Uiiop]

Looking at the definition...Mu.
While a argument can be made for it being irrational...it being evil or being positive not inherently but it could and has been for certain people. I only really don't like when the kind of thinking that goes into glues people into a jerkish state. Otherwise go ahead and have one if you want to.

[America Libertaria]

Following that logic, religion killed killed way more people than atheism.

N-no...?

Also, religion's neutral, end of story. Benefits and drawbacks.

Riiiiiiight. Religion is very neutral.

Whoever sacrifices to any god, except the Lord alone, shall be doomed. (Exodus 22:19 NAB)


Suppose you hear in one of the towns the LORD your God is giving you that some worthless rabble among you have led their fellow citizens astray by encouraging them to worship foreign gods. In such cases, you must examine the facts carefully. If you find it is true and can prove that such a detestable act has occurred among you, you must attack that town and completely destroy all its inhabitants, as well as all the livestock. Then you must pile all the plunder in the middle of the street and burn it. Put the entire town to the torch as a burnt offering to the LORD your God. That town must remain a ruin forever; it may never be rebuilt. Keep none of the plunder that has been set apart for destruction. Then the LORD will turn from his fierce anger and be merciful to you. He will have compassion on you and make you a great nation, just as he solemnly promised your ancestors. "The LORD your God will be merciful only if you obey him and keep all the commands I am giving you today, doing what is pleasing to him." (Deuteronomy 13:13-19 NLT)

[America Libertaria]

Communism and religon are only ideas and collectives. Practitoners of christanity kill,Not the church,Followers of communism kill,IS THAT GOOD?

Right, the church would neeeeeveeer kill anyone. Except in the crusades, but those aren't important.

[Uiiop]

N-no...?

Also, religion's neutral, end of story. Benefits and drawbacks.

Riiiiiiight. Religion is very neutral.

Whoever sacrifices to any god, except the Lord alone, shall be doomed. (Exodus 22:19 NAB)


Suppose you hear in one of the towns the LORD your God is giving you that some worthless rabble among you have led their fellow citizens astray by encouraging them to worship foreign gods. In such cases, you must examine the facts carefully. If you find it is true and can prove that such a detestable act has occurred among you, you must attack that town and completely destroy all its inhabitants, as well as all the livestock. Then you must pile all the plunder in the middle of the street and burn it. Put the entire town to the torch as a burnt offering to the LORD your God. That town must remain a ruin forever; it may never be rebuilt. Keep none of the plunder that has been set apart for destruction. Then the LORD will turn from his fierce anger and be merciful to you. He will have compassion on you and make you a great nation, just as he solemnly promised your ancestors. "The LORD your God will be merciful only if you obey him and keep all the commands I am giving you today, doing what is pleasing to him." (Deuteronomy 13:13-19 NLT)

*Buddhists, Gnostics, and Christians who don't take all that stuff poke at you from behind*

[Menassa]

N-no...?

Also, religion's neutral, end of story. Benefits and drawbacks.

Riiiiiiight. Religion is very neutral.

Whoever sacrifices to any god, except the Lord alone, shall be doomed. (Exodus 22:19 NAB)


Suppose you hear in one of the towns the LORD your God is giving you that some worthless rabble among you have led their fellow citizens astray by encouraging them to worship foreign gods. In such cases, you must examine the facts carefully. If you find it is true and can prove that such a detestable act has occurred among you, you must attack that town and completely destroy all its inhabitants, as well as all the livestock. Then you must pile all the plunder in the middle of the street and burn it. Put the entire town to the torch as a burnt offering to the LORD your God. That town must remain a ruin forever; it may never be rebuilt. Keep none of the plunder that has been set apart for destruction. Then the LORD will turn from his fierce anger and be merciful to you. He will have compassion on you and make you a great nation, just as he solemnly promised your ancestors. "The LORD your God will be merciful only if you obey him and keep all the commands I am giving you today, doing what is pleasing to him." (Deuteronomy 13:13-19 NLT)

In America you're also put to death for sacrificing your children...

[America Libertaria]

Riiiiiiight. Religion is very neutral.

Whoever sacrifices to any god, except the Lord alone, shall be doomed. (Exodus 22:19 NAB)


Suppose you hear in one of the towns the LORD your God is giving you that some worthless rabble among you have led their fellow citizens astray by encouraging them to worship foreign gods. In such cases, you must examine the facts carefully. If you find it is true and can prove that such a detestable act has occurred among you, you must attack that town and completely destroy all its inhabitants, as well as all the livestock. Then you must pile all the plunder in the middle of the street and burn it. Put the entire town to the torch as a burnt offering to the LORD your God. That town must remain a ruin forever; it may never be rebuilt. Keep none of the plunder that has been set apart for destruction. Then the LORD will turn from his fierce anger and be merciful to you. He will have compassion on you and make you a great nation, just as he solemnly promised your ancestors. "The LORD your God will be merciful only if you obey him and keep all the commands I am giving you today, doing what is pleasing to him." (Deuteronomy 13:13-19 NLT)

*Buddhists, Gnostics, and Christians who don't take all that stuff poke at you from behind*

Picking and choosing the bible is hypocritical. So is interpreting some verses literally and some symbolically. And by that I am directing to Christians. Agnostics dog follow a religion, they are unsure in their beliefs. And Buddhism is the only religion that can realistically say is one of peace.

[Menassa]

*Buddhists, Gnostics, and Christians who don't take all that stuff poke at you from behind*

Picking and choosing the bible is hypocritical. So is interpreting some verses literally and some symbolically. And by that I am directing to Christians. Agnostics dog follow a religion, they are unsure in their beliefs. And Buddhism is the only religion that can realistically say is one of peace.

You say this, but it appears you don't have a wide grasp of Christian relations to Old Testament Law.
To remedy this, I would advise skimming over Galatians.

[Occupied Deutschland]

*Buddhists, Gnostics, and Christians who don't take all that stuff poke at you from behind*

Picking and choosing the bible is hypocritical (1). So is interpreting some verses literally and some symbolically (2). And by that I am directing to Christians (3). Agnostics dog follow a religion, they are unsure in their beliefs. And Buddhism is the only religion that can realistically say is one of peace (4).

1) Not to anyone with an understanding of the Bible.
2) Not to anyone with an understanding of history.
3) Err...Okay? Seems like this 'criticism' would remain for Jews, Muslims, and any other religion with a holy book.
4) You point to the crusades as example of Christian wars, then ignore Buddhist ones?
You're a funny guy.

[Sun Wukong]

*Buddhists, Gnostics, and Christians who don't take all that stuff poke at you from behind*

Picking and choosing the bible is hypocritical. So is interpreting some verses literally and some symbolically. And by that I am directing to Christians. Agnostics dog follow a religion, they are unsure in their beliefs. And Buddhism is the only religion that can realistically say is one of peace.

Because fuck you Jains?

You sound very Naive. You can't quote the whole Bible so picking and choosing is necessary. You have to interpret some verses literally and some symbolically otherwise you would end up believing either that Jerusalem isn't a real city or else that Jesus is literally a sheep. Finally agnostics do not run drooling behind religion with their tails wagging frantically. That's just absurd.

[Uiiop]

*Buddhists, Gnostics, and Christians who don't take all that stuff poke at you from behind*

Picking and choosing the bible is hypocritical. So is interpreting some verses literally and some symbolically. And by that I am directing to Christians. Agnostics dog follow a religion, they are unsure in their beliefs. And Buddhism is the only religion that can realistically say is one of peace.

I don't see why.....all that makes a christian is that jesus is the messiah and has a realtion to god. Since jesus spoke in parables it's somewhat reasonable to assume of of this stuff is allegorical.
Also i was talking about these guys

[America Libertaria]

Picking and choosing the bible is hypocritical. So is interpreting some verses literally and some symbolically. And by that I am directing to Christians. Agnostics dog follow a religion, they are unsure in their beliefs. And Buddhism is the only religion that can realistically say is one of peace.

You say this, but it appears you don't have a wide grasp of Christian relations to Old Testament Law.
To remedy this, I would advise skimming over Galatians.

"the scripture cannot be broken.” --Jesus Christ, John 10:35

"It is easier for Heaven and Earth to pass away than for the smallest part of the letter of the law to become invalid." (Luke 16:17 NAB)

"Know this first of all, that there is no prophecy of scripture that is a matter of personal interpretation, for no prophecy ever came through human will; but rather human beings moved by the holy Spirit spoke under the influence of God." (2 Peter 20-21 NAB)

I think I have a healthy understanding.

[Sun Wukong]

You say this, but it appears you don't have a wide grasp of Christian relations to Old Testament Law.
To remedy this, I would advise skimming over Galatians.

"the scripture cannot be broken.” --Jesus Christ, John 10:35

"It is easier for Heaven and Earth to pass away than for the smallest part of the letter of the law to become invalid." (Luke 16:17 NAB)

"Know this first of all, that there is no prophecy of scripture that is a matter of personal interpretation, for no prophecy ever came through human will; but rather human beings moved by the holy Spirit spoke under the influence of God." (2 Peter 20-21 NAB)

I think I have a healthy understanding.

"Picking and choosing the bible is hypocritical."

[Independent Canterbury]

You say this, but it appears you don't have a wide grasp of Christian relations to Old Testament Law.
To remedy this, I would advise skimming over Galatians.

"the scripture cannot be broken.” --Jesus Christ, John 10:35

"It is easier for Heaven and Earth to pass away than for the smallest part of the letter of the law to become invalid." (Luke 16:17 NAB)

"Know this first of all, that there is no prophecy of scripture that is a matter of personal interpretation, for no prophecy ever came through human will; but rather human beings moved by the holy Spirit spoke under the influence of God." (2 Peter 20-21 NAB)

I think I have a healthy understanding.

You're Wrong. You have no idea what you're talking about.

[Melania Dunamis]

The Christian religion has been utilized to enslave peoples judged as primitive or inferior based upon their lack of Christian faith. The algebraic invention by Islam, grand ships by the Chinese realm, and the weaponry of East Asia were all fabricated by the practitioners who self-imposed rule over the world.

Christianity is collapsing temporarily. It was gone in the Soviet Union, but now it has made an all powerful comeback.

The same will happen as Christianity dies off in America. The oppressors will return to oppressing the world, and whatever progress they think they have made will be reverted to moralism. Faith in the social religion has become too dependent upon religion in America.

It will end in tragedy.

[Menassa]

You say this, but it appears you don't have a wide grasp of Christian relations to Old Testament Law.
To remedy this, I would advise skimming over Galatians.

"the scripture cannot be broken.” --Jesus Christ, John 10:35

"It is easier for Heaven and Earth to pass away than for the smallest part of the letter of the law to become invalid." (Luke 16:17 NAB)

"Know this first of all, that there is no prophecy of scripture that is a matter of personal interpretation, for no prophecy ever came through human will; but rather human beings moved by the holy Spirit spoke under the influence of God." (2 Peter 20-21 NAB)

I think I have a healthy understanding.

It seems you haven't read Galatians?