This is why I don't like debating religion

[EdHieron]

Marucha said:

Alara317 said:

DaRev said:

I've been reading your other posts in this thread and I just have to say, God bless you dude, God bless you.

Don't let them wear you out though, cause some these dudes can be really onesided, as I'm sure you've noticed. They seemingly believe that people are born Christians or Religious, and if not, they are stupid for chosing Christianity or a Religion, and cannot possibly get to that state by matters of reason, logic or evidence. Ultimately, that it's impossible for Science and Religion to exist together, as many Christians believe.

Anyways, cary on.

Actually, there have been studies proving that an overwhelming majority of religious folks (like 98%) are born into a religion;  only a tiny minority ever actuallyswitch religions or chose their own, the rest just go with whatever religion their parents gave them.  So yes, there's good reason to believe people are 'born religious'.  

And the theme of this thread is really not that hard to grasp.  I did make it clear in the original post that you can believe what you want, just keep it to yourself unless you can substantiate your claims.  If you believe baby jesus bestowed upon us love and grace, then so be it.  If you think Odin and Thor were responsible, then so be it.  But if you actually believe that, and are willing to take what should be a personal matter into public, then you should be willing and ready to face criticism of that belief.  

I, for instance, am not monogamous.  I don't believe in monogamy, I believe in doing what makes you feel good as long as you're smart about it, and that viewpoint is not popular at all, so I wouldn't dare TELL people that part of my personal life unless I was willing to defend my stance with facts, reason, and logic.  Same thing with being bisexual, I don't go screaming "I fuck men and women" from rooftops, but I have no problem talking about it to those who are curious.  Religion is just a personal preference, NOT an absolute truth of the world, so would it kill people to not push it on others or pretend that 'god's word' has more say than law, logic, science, rationality, or social guidelines?  

The entire point of this thread was "Keep religion out of anything that isn't a church or your own home."  

So is this an attempt at censorship? Please clarify. I don't mind criticism, but I don't feel like just because I have a different viewpoint that doesn't fit someone's template that I should be attacked out-right either. I don't attack other people for their own beliefs, in fact I completely understand and honor an athiest's POV out of my own experiences. I may not be real interested in every single criticism some people may have, but I do consider their viewpoint too as part of living.

Really honestly, I have no idea who exactly you are targetting with your message. So are you saying people shouldn't even talk about it or are you just saying people shouldn't push it? It sounds like you're trying to intimidate. If I give respect to others just as much as I expect it... if the problem here is that some random people on the internet made you feel disgruntled, then you have to consider the venue and the source. If you have no malice towards others for having opposite beliefs and totally respect it, then this thread existing is no problem for me whatsoever... it's the fact that you seem to almost hint at the desire to intimidate or suppress someone's expression and that seems in itself more than nuetral, more hostile.

What happened to just random conversation without the fear that you may be attacked for what you believe in? I don't get that thinking. I shouldn't have to suppress casual conversation just because it may open an argument... I can politely say it's my opinion and leave it there. I have no beef with anyone else who thinks differently...  but why does every discussion about religion and spirituality have to turn to an exhausting debate? Wasn't the point of your thread against debates that go no where?

The question should be in the modern age should believers be able to deny others basic human rights just because of what it says in a thoroughly discredited Bronze Age book.  People should be allowed to believe whatever they want to although if it's false, you should try to teach them what is actually real; however, in a country founded on the separation of state and that which has been demonstrated to be false since the original Constitution was written, the question becomes should that which is false be allowed to dictate the policies of society ( when the Founders called for a separation in the first place)  You wouldn't want a known schizophrenic with his hand on the big red nuclear button would you?