Quote:
Originally Posted by molson
Ya, I forgot about child-like, though that doesn't quite have the vitriol against religion that is so popular here (and everywhere these days). And child-like is fair, many people have that kind of relationship with their religion, I just think those views are just a part of that which creates a huge spirtual/religious conglomerate that makes up something bigger and something relevant. And I don't know why so many people feel the need to lash out against it. It feels to me like any other irrational hatred (like towards gays, minorities, etc.) based on insecurity or a small penis or whatever. It's like everybody has a need to feel a superiority to something, and liberals who don't have that feeling of superiority (or at least won't express it) towards gays, minorities, women ect can still get off by feeling superior to anyone who practices some kind of religion. It's a more PC way to express the hate that humans need to express.
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Yes, it definitely does not have the vitriolic tone as you may hear today. From my side of the fence, that vitriol is there due to a number of factors. Part of it is, we are simply sick and tired of religion moaning and groaning that they are being discriminated against or trying to legislate their beliefs or have it instituted into public schools. Some atheists and non believers have a deep seated hatred for religion due to experiences in the past and you will hear the vitriol for sure from them. It's kind of hard to explain actually, but, I can see where someone that holds religion to a higher degree of respect or reverence, that they can be shocked or surprised that anyone would say anything bad about it.
I'm a fan of: no one has the right to not be offended. I don't have to respect any religion. I don't have to care about any religion. I only have to respect the person as a human being. Nothing says that I have to be nice either. There's nothing wrong with being nice and I think it goes a long way to be nice, but, it's not a requirement. Unfortunately, those big religious conglomerates try to push it on others that don't want it. That's when you will see a lot of backlash. In the past, you couldn't do that, you'd be burned at the stake or ran out of town if you spoke out against it. Believe me, there's no insecurity, jealousy, irrationality or penis envy to it
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It's hard to explain what it is to be honest, because the only common core to atheism is, we don't believe any gods or god and that's it. We don't have a leader, we don't have a rule book and we don't all agree with each other. The best suggestion to get a better idea of how we perceive religion in general would be to look at the skeptics.com forums and actually Richard Dawkins' forums (which are closed to comments now), but, you do have to filter out some of the bagging on religion to get to the informative stuff. You'll be able to tell right away what actually has some substance as opposed someone just being pissed.
Discussions like this is why I'd love it if the was a Religion/Non Religion thread, but, I fear it would lead to too many boxings and bannings.