Today's News.

[Twizzle]

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Hay guys we should really get back on topic.

So anyway, some guy was in the papers trying to drum up support for his religion...

 

[84 Baby]

Not only that, but you have to belong to the government approved branch of each of those religions, and have your specific beliefs subject to scrutiny and approval.



Except when you consider that any form of protest against this oppression is met with intimidation, if not outright violence.

I agree the first part is oppressive, but it's not militant. The second part isn't oppression against religion, it's oppression against protest. The Chinese government strikes out against protest because they've been able to retain a long memory of how they came to power themselves. They don't say "You can't worship this religion", they say "you can't worship this religion in a mass, if you must worship your religion en masse, do so at one of these holy centres, too bad if it doesn't fit all your criteria." You don't govern 80 trillion people and not disappoint a few.

Religion doesn't work that way - a religion is a holistic ideology that needs to be expressed and understood in its entirety. It is much greater than the sum of its parts which is why religion isn't able to be analysed piecemeal. Every part of it needs to be considered in context of the rest. This is why artistic and social thinkers have always had more success understanding religion than scientific minds have.

Therefore if you feel those people are perverting your religion, despite it being 'sort of' like your own then you're probably not going to feel comfortable experiencing their religion with them. In many ways it's similar to the uncanny valley of robotics, and why the hostilities within a religion can be more vicious than those between them.

And this is why religion is shite. Even similar religions can't sit down and discuss why there is a difference and whether or not one is incorrect. They simply shout "no you are going to hell." And going back to China, that at least have the foundations of sorting the mess out.

If every option leads to a bad outcome, you take the true option. That way even though it may be horrible circumstances, at least you have the truth

 

[84 Baby]

As a moderator couldn't you remove the parts that have gotten off topic?

 

[Eels Dude]

Yeah that's quite a modern phenomenon - to not want to be considered part of the majority. I suspect part of the appeal for many atheists is the desire to feel persecuted without actually having to experience persecution.

I am in majority? Define an athiest for me? I don't claim to be one so how can I be classified as one?

 

[Poupou Escobar]

If every option leads to a bad outcome, you take the true option. That way even though it may be horrible circumstances, at least you have the truth

And you have the one true way do you comrade? ;-)

 

[Poupou Escobar]

I am in majority?

I'm pretty sure it was you who said the majority were non-religious. For what it's worth I don't know if that's true or not but the point is it shouldn't matter.

Define an athiest for me?

Somebody who believes there is no such thing as god? If you're not happy with that definition feel free to substitute your own.

I don't claim to be one so how can I be classified as one?

Well you probably don't claim to be an arsehole either but that doesn't change the reality.

 

[parra pete]

I am in majority? Define an athiest for me? I don't claim to be one so how can I be classified as one?

There are no athiests in a foxhole...then again there would be no need for foxholes without religion...

Thank God I am an atheist...

 

[Twizzle]

As a moderator couldn't you remove the parts that have gotten off topic?

wouldn't be much left in here if I did that

 

[Poupou Escobar]

There are no athiests in a foxhole...then again there would be no need for foxholes without religion...

lol

Wars are fought over resources.

When there's enough to go around, nobody cares what other people think. When there isn't enough to go around people invent new differences.

The Soviets managed to brutalise and kill over a hundred million people in just a few decades without any religious influence.

Thank God I am an atheist...

As long as you're happy is the main thing. Just don't go forcing your beliefs down other peoples' throats.

 

[Eels Dude]

I'm pretty sure it was you who said the majority were non-religious. For what it's worth I don't know if that's true or not but the point is it shouldn't matter.

Being non religious doesn't automatically mean someone does not believe in a god.

Somebody who believes there is no such thing as god? If you're not happy with that definition feel free to substitute your own.

You're the one using the putting people into the category of athiest, so you come up with a definition of what it means not me. You're confusing belief and disbelief, with simply not caring.

Well you probably don't claim to be an arsehole either but that doesn't change the reality.

Glad you brought that up, you also confuse facts with opinions. So what's the point of argueing with you?

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Being non religious doesn't automatically mean someone does not believe in a god.

I agree but for most people it's the same thing so that's the definition I've chosen to run with.

You're the one using the putting people into the category of athiest, so you come up with a definition of what it means not me.

Yeah well I clearly offered to use whatever definition you prefer. That's because I'm only concerned with the practical applications.

If you're anti-religious it doesn't matter why. Discrimination is discrimination even if all it means is you can't mind your own business.

You're confusing belief and disbelief, with simply not caring.

If you didn't care you wouldn't be posting about it.

Glad you brought that up, you also confuse facts with opinions. So what's the point of argueing with you?

I think you're the one confusing opinions with opinions and calling the ones you like facts. It's very popular these days, especially in any debate involving religion.

 

[Eels Dude]

I agree but for most people it's the same thing so that's the definition I've chosen to run with.



Yeah well I clearly offered to use whatever definition you prefer. That's because I'm only concerned with the practical applications.

If you're anti-religious it doesn't matter why. Discrimination is discrimination even if all it means is you can't mind your own business.



If you didn't care you wouldn't be posting about it.



I think you're the one confusing opinions with opinions and calling the ones you like facts. It's very popular these days, especially in any debate involving religion.

Listen to or watch the game. I'll respond to this later.