No point in arguing theology with atheists. You can get a basic groundwork from The Brothers Karamazov if you wish to enlighten yourself.

I am not keen on breaking TOS anymore.

backwoods


No point in arguing theology with atheists. 

Or arguing liberal agendas with Republicans, or the opposites of both those, or even views that ALL of those with narrow definitions haven't even thought about.  Everyone has their own delusions that they have chosen as "THE" way things are in both religion and politics.  (But they're ALL wrong - only my opinion is correct naturally. )
 
This is exactly why almost all forums put discussions of either into their TOS.

Hey, and my opinion too is naturally correct :)

Right, I'm supposed to be pulling an all nighter here at work so back to the grindstone I go :)

backwoods


Well, I'm going to Butt out because of TOS but a guy who ewears Dawkins and Hitchens badges on his lapel is like a guy with a kick me sign on his back.

 
Why would you want to kick me?
 
Because I don't happen to believe the same fairy tales as you?
 
I often wonder how many innocent lives have been needlessly snuffed out at the bloodied hand of religious intolerance.
 
But I do ask one favour - if you really do feel the need to physically express your intolerance of my views by resorting to physical violence, please don't kick me in the brain...
 
I use it a lot to think for myself.
 
 
 
 

don't worry stevestrummer. I'm not going to kick you "in the brain" . 

It was just a comment that when it comes to arguing religion Dawkins and Hitchens aren't exactly heavyweights.

Ah, I understand.

My apologies for misunderstanding your metaphor.

I'm really not surprised.

Lack of education and the lack of common sense ability to process information
is obviously an issue that effects with no borders.

We all know that "accidents" and injury to ourselves or others that is not intentional
is often the result of ignorance, lack of focus or simply because they are low I.Q.
people that just can't process information and are a danger to themselves with only a
deflated balloon.

How one could take one of the countless "acts" resulting in the loss of life that happens everyday, everywhere,
and imply that it is a way of life for a country or that any country is exempt is just beyond my reasoning of processing information.

My advice for those that are concerned or believe they can make a difference is- make sure there are no balloons lying around this forum. If any are found I'm not certain that blowing them up will be a protective measure although I am certain that nothing can be done to fix stupid. 

Arguing for or against religion is stupid. Neither side is going to make any ground with the other, because they're arguing from completely different sets of premises. 

I personally think religion is a bunch of irrational codswallop, but that doesn't mean I don't respect people who believe in it (unless of course they're trying to force it upon others, or using it as an excuse to kill, or otherwise put others in harms way). I just think they're misguided, and I presume they think the same way about me. 

It's had its place in history, as in giving humanity in its ignorance a coherent framework of morality, even if there are those who have abused it and used it for immoral purposes. So I respect it for that. And there are those on both sides of the debate who need a kick up the ass. I have a Facebook friend in the UK who is obsessed with posting "look what those crazy Christians in America are up to now" articles, usually along with a comment like "bloody religion again." But he would never in a million years post the same thing with an example of Islamic lunacy. I find that a bit cowardly and hypocritical. I find the same from the shall-we-say "liberal" side of the media in the US....all to quick to bash Christianity, but they would not have the guts to say the same about Islam (perhaps the Muslim reaction to a few harmless cartoons in a Danish newspaper has scared the pants off of them, who knows?) Christians are an easy target and they're not likely to strap bombs to themselves and blow themselves up next to you if you attack them. 

I believe the religious and non-religious can live together in perfect harmony, as long as they adhere to a couple of basic conditions: 1) Religious people should not be able to force their spirituality on those who want nothing to do with it, and 2) Non-religious people should respect the right and freedom of the religious to practice their faith (as long as they adhere to condition 1). 

Well put Sharke.

Well Sharke, I have to agree with Steve. A well balanced and thoughtful perspective, and a high note to end on.