Which part of the God Delusion did you find most offensive? (beliefs, experience)

[Apex]

Originally Posted by mball1297

I would have to say taht the latter is not purer, just different. Each can take the same book and find different interpretations. That doesn't mean that one is more pure than the other, just different. You view the one to be twisted, but the people who adhere to that one would view your interpretation of religion as twisted.

But do you deny social/historical/political reasons as being a large part of it as well?

[mball1297]

Originally Posted by Apex

But do you deny social/historical/political reasons as being a large part of it as well?

I never denied other such things as being reasons. They might even be as big reasons. That doesn't change the fact that religion would still be considered a reason.

[Apex]

Originally Posted by mball1297

I never denied other such things as being reasons. They might even be as big reasons. That doesn't change the fact that religion would still be considered a reason.

I am not saying you did deny it, but you were conveniently ignoring it, whether on purpose or not, when others were pointing out that it played an important, and probably, defining role. In my opinion, and this is my opinion, the underlying reasons are social/historical/political, and religion is simply the conduit which they are most easily played through. However, this does not mean religion is, in and of it self, evil, as some here try to pass off. Religion can only be as evil as the individual person who holds the beliefs.

Religion != Evil
People = Evil

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by mball1297

You view the one to be twisted, but the people who adhere to that one would view your interpretation of religion as twisted.

I have to say that from my twisted pov, I don't really view either as religious.

[MidnightBlue]

Originally Posted by lilithu

I view my life as in the service of God, MB. I can't force you to change how tou feel about religion, but I can make you confront the fact that I am a religious person. Whatever effect that has on what you think of me, you need to recognize that and deal with it. Because I am not going to miraculously "see the light." And I imagine that any number of religious folks whom you like and respect are not going to change either.

And when did I ask you to change, Lilithu? I think friendship and respect should be able to survive differences of opinion, even strong ones.

Originally Posted by lilithu

We're not going to make it easy for you to keep your nice neat "religion = bad."

But I never said that all religion was bad, or that every religion is as bad as any other.

In any case, if you really wanted to change my impressions of certain religions, wouldn't it make more sense to address what I've said about them, instead of addressing how my opinions make you feel?

[mball1297]

Originally Posted by lilithu

I have to say that from my twisted pov, I don't really view either as religious.

Well, that is twisted!

That's fine, but he seemed to, and that's what I was responding to.

[Jayhawker Soule]

Originally Posted by fantôme profane

I agree that the fact that Dawkins doesn’t acknowledge the more thoughtful intellectual religious position is a critical flaw in his premise and an indication of ignorance on his part. But if he had done this I believe that he could have justified his decision to focus on more mainstream (common) religious expressions.

It is simply ignorant and contemptible to paint mainstream theism, or mainstream theists, with such a tainted brush. It has very much the same quality as ...

of course there are many responsible and intelligent colored people, but ...

and should be repudiated.

[MidnightBlue]

Originally Posted by