Which part of the God Delusion did you find most offensive? (beliefs, experience) - Page 6

lilithu · #51 05-17-2008, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gnomon

There is much to criticize and debate on Dawkins work. His personality faults I do not believe are worth discussing or representative of his works.

I'm not discussing a personality flaw. I'm his discussing faulty logic based on personal bias.

misanthropic_clown · #52 05-17-2008, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mball1297

OK, then religion caused the 9/11 attacks in your opinion. I never applied it to all people. Not all religious people are like that, obviously. It's not a quality of the majority of religious people, but it can be a quality of the religion.

Again, not really. If it is the case that the Muslims which go about blowing people up is in the vast minority (which it certainly is) then the fact is that such an activity is not proposed by the general population of that religion. Therefore such a thing is not likely to be a problem with Islam, but of certain people who seem to like getting militant. It tends to be when politics seeps into religion (or vice versa) that things go wrong.

mball1297 · #53 05-17-2008, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by misanthropic_clown

Again, sorry if it seems like I am 'misreading' you, I tend just to take a person's point tangentially in an open discussion as opposed to specifically addressing the person.

And you can question my religion all you like

. I am also a proponent of people being able to critically discuss religion openly without fear of retribution. I think it is the protectiveness of religion more than religion itself that causes the majority of damage.

No, you're fine. I'm sorry if I come off as hostile to you. I don't mean to. I agree with what you say here. That's the point, though. We need to be able to look at what happens objectively.

Jayhawker Soule · #54 05-17-2008, 05:30 PM

To argue that religion caused 9/11 is every bit as preposterous as is arguing that political parties cause genocide. It is an egregiously inane and dangerous position.

mball1297 · #55 05-17-2008, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by misanthropic_clown

Again, not really. If it is the case that the Muslims which go about blowing people up is in the vast minority (which it certainly is) then the fact is that such an activity is not proposed by the general population of that religion. Therefore such a thing is not likely to be a problem with Islam, but of certain people who seem to like getting militant. It tends to be when politics seeps into religion (or vice versa) that things go wrong.

The problem I see with the big three religions is a general promotion of belief without thinking. You have to just believe, regardless of whether it seems to be true or not. A big teaching by them is that understanding begins with believing. That, to me, is dangerous.

mball1297 · #56 05-17-2008, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay

To argue that religion caused 9/11 is every bit as preposterous as is arguing that political parties cause genocide. It is an egregiously inane and dangerous position.

All right, then maybe you could explain why.

Jayhawker Soule · #57 05-17-2008, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mball1297

The problem I see with the big three religions is a general promotion of belief without thinking.

That's petty bigotry, nothing more.

misanthropic_clown · #58 05-17-2008, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mball1297

The problem I see with the big three religions is a general promotion of belief without thinking. You have to just believe, regardless of whether it seems to be true or not. A big teaching by them is that understanding begins with believing. That, to me, is dangerous.

And where in the Bible does it advocate belief without thought?