Is religion ruining today's soceity?

[Smiddy]

Unlikely that the rulers of the times would bother trying to deport them, as it's quite easy to get smuggled about in the ancient world. Most likely they'd have been executed instead (like Socrates was, by stoning, for "corrupting the youth of Athens" with his athiest teachings).

edit: in reference to the theory that the presence of evil counters the existence of a benevolent god, I would answer that as I stated above, no earthly religion has it quite right. Why does this god character have to be benevolent? I certainly wouldn't be if I was a god.

Ah yeah, that's the 1. Slipped my mind!

Indeed, that was pretty much what I was trying to say with my reply to it.

Who said this is an omnibenvolent/omnipotent god?

Who's proved there isn't 1? people who do believe in christian (depending on their own views) do believe God is perfect, this would require him to be omnibenevolent/potent/present/whatever! If God was perfect, why would he create evil?

[YoManGo!]

So, back onto the topic at hand; what will become of the world?

Starbucks finally take over in about 20 years, you can stop worrying then.


Anyway, you should never abolish religion, as it gives hope to the most vulnerable people on Earth, if and old lady or any lonely person can find consolidation in religion surely it is a force for good?

[FlyingJesus]

This is what makes the discussion of religion so great.

Different people have different views & conflicts which makes excellent discussions.

I am an athiest through & through.

But, there's questions that need answering really.

So, back onto the topic at hand; what will become of the world?

No offense to your atheist views, but from this thread it does seem that you only take the Christian God into account when trying to "prove" the nonexistence of such a being. I'm all for religious debate, and if (as that post appears to state) you also enjoy such discussion, I would suggest that you read up on other religions.

As I said, that's not meant in an offensive way like "GO LEARN STUFF", just a suggestion if you do find the topic interesting, as I do.

[YoManGo!]

Mmm I have to say it's a bit silly going out all guns blazing with the 'I'm a trve atheist' without (seeming!) to know much about the facts/other sides of the argument.

Who's proved there isn't 1? people who do believe in christian (depending on their own views) do believe God is perfect, this would require him to be omnibenevolent/potent/present/whatever! If God was perfect, why would he create evil?

many reasons! generally people believe He created evil to test us.

[F32]

as interesting as religion is to read up on; i fail to see the realism into it.

that's where my views come from.

[FlyingJesus]

To give a really annoying argument (and one which I don't believe can actually be countered successfully), it can be said that as God (meaning the Christian divine being) is omnipotent, He can overcome paradoxes and therefore do things which we would see as otherwise impossible. To take your example, He could create evil and still be perfect because He can do anything at all, with no exception.

This works for any argument against Christianity, and it's a bit of a boring one (and not one that I really believe myself), but it certainly does work as an impenetrable defence.

[YoManGo!]

as interesting as religion is to read up on; i fail to see the realism into it.

that's where my views come from.

you don't have to believe it to show a bit of respect for people.

[F32]

Of course I show respect to people's beliefs.

[YoManGo!]

from some of your earlier posts you'd think otherwise
''all you have is books, we have common sense''
common sense has nothing to do with it, it's something you either choose to believe or not, there's no right or wrong choice.

[:Hazel]

for some people religion plays a huge part- and they can make it that way by following a certain relgion; others it doesnt really affect them in their every day to day lives.