Runa216 said:
But religion IS irrational, it IS naiive. I've read plenty of books on the topic, as well as engaged in heavy debate with doctors, scientists, and historians about the validity of the Bible, and the one thing everyone (except one person) I talked to about the subject who also had the credentials to be qualified to talk about it agreed on: People believe in religion because they want to, not because it's rational. they do it because that's what everyone else is doing, they do it because that's what they grew up believing, they do it because they want hope of an afterlife, they do it because that's what makes them happiest. In spite of all the evidence we've picked up over the years supporting evolution, pointing out how the things in the bible are impossible or at least the product of a misunderstanding or a loss of translation, people STILL want to teach intelligent design in school. People STILL kill one another over their religion. People STILL judge, hate, and control others based on their faith. And the worst part is...pointing this out is deemed unacceptable. it's considered insensitive, rude, ignorant, or on forums it's flamebait. this thread proves that as conclusively as I can imagine. It's okay (and even encouraged) to question science, to demand proof or evidence, to re-test theories and put each idea through a rigourous battery of tests, but when you do the same of religion, you get hostile responses. They claim you're being insensitive to their faith, you're causing a fight, you're judging them or repressing them. This is just ignorant. Do you understand what "kid gloves" are? it means you have to treat them like children or they go on tantrums. You have to beat around the bush and play nice, you have to be sensitive and blunt honesty is not encouraged because they can't handle that, and this thread is evidence of that. Look at the whole thread...I didn't tell people not to believe (while I certainly think such a thing is foolish, but I GENERALLY keep that to myself), all I did was ask for supporting evidence to support their belief, and I got a litany of posts telling me I should be banned, that the thread should be locked, that I Was being insensitive, and that I Was flamebaiting. I've had people call me ignorant, I've had people call me stupid (not the same thing, contrary to popualr belief), and I've had people threaten me with hellfire and brimstone over a QUESTION. not an accusation, not an attack, an honest question, a demand for proof, and yet that is not accepted. Religion is criticism proof. |
Goodness you are so long winded. Religion is under constant criticism as you very well pointed out. And what you constantly highlight in your reasonings for disliking religion is only true of the corrupt, flawed, extremist religious individuals and not of the practice in it's true intended form. People kill people, start wars, judge, hate, and control others for far more reasons than religion and some far sillier or less significant.
And as you said earlier, the evidence behind evolution and other theories does not exclude a divine being, so why even bring that up again as a supporting argument? A lot of the problem is a misunderstanding or wrong assumptions about faith/the Bible and a lot is also translation errors.
Also, I know exactly what "kid gloves" means which is why I said it gives a patronizing tone to your posts.
I am not trying to say religion gets a free pass. You should not say or talk about anything in the manner that you do. I can't go about calling science and scientists foolish, idiotic, pipe dreamers, lab rats etc. I am merely highlighting that you cannot question the validity of the two areas in the same exact manner because they are very different. You can't go about testing/proving something like religion in the same way that you can a scientific theory.
