Religious Top 10

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by trekkor

I'm late to the party.

What's the condensed version?
Someone bring me up to speed.


KT

We're debating the new potato skins religion. Fatty v. yummy. The battle lines are now drawn and combat will ensue!

[widebody911]

Originally Posted by Taz's Master

sjf911, I want scientific proof that human society would be more successful without religion, not Carl Sagan quotes.

For one, religious nutjobs won't be trying to hold back scientific progress; case in point: stem cell research.

[IROC]

Originally Posted by Taz's Master

IROC, the Greek/Roman dieties were replaced, but not the role or importance of religion on human society.

My point was that the Greek/Roman deities were imaginary. Are you saying that, as human society, we simply replace one set of imaginary deities with others once the old ones run their course? What I'm getting at is that they're all equally imaginary. There have been thousands of gods and goddesses at one time or another. No one argues that the vast majority of them were imaginary. To paraphrase a famous quote - we're all atheists to some degree - you just believe in more god than I do.

[Jim Richards]

Heliocentric v. geocentric view of our solar system. The Catholic Church outlawed heliocentric views as heresy.

[widebody911]

Originally Posted by Taz's Master

Widebody911, examples?

Do you really need me to point out examples of existing theocracies, and closer to home, examples of the American religious right trying to exert influence/control in government?

http://www.theocracywatch.org/

[Jim Richards]

I heard Isis is a hottie.

[trekkor]

the new potato skins religion

Speechless, yet interested...


KT

[Jim Richards]

Trekkor, you must wash it down with a quality beer. Distillates are heresy!

[trekkor]

Do you really need me to point out examples of existing theocracies

Just one would be acceptable. There are NONE! ( yet )


KT

[Taz's Master]

Widebody, there are aspects of scientific research that need to be tempered with an examination as to the moral lines it crosses. Our own government has conducted research that has stretched those bounds (not to mention the Nazi's) eliminating that debate may not be healthy for society regardless of the advances made. You may not believe that "religious nutjobs" are the ones to raise this debate, but for now that is the part of society that is willing to take on that particular burden.

Jim are you arguing against the rule of law, or saying that the Christian church is why we still adhere to a geocentric view of the solar system?

IROC, I'm saying that religion has had a part in human society, and not an insignificant one. You want human society to abandon religion, I think you need to prove the benefit of eliminating a tool evolution has given to this species.

[Jim Richards]

Taz, I'm saying, the Catholic Church suppressed human development for centuries. It was in response to your post:

Originally Posted by Taz's Master

sjf911, I want scientific proof that human society would be more successful without religion, not Carl Sagan quotes. That's the equivalance of putting your faith in the words of a prophet.

[NICKG]

Originally Posted by trekkor

Just one would be acceptable. There are NONE! ( yet )


KT

ahhh...Iran
as is Vatican city
and honestly..Israel is too i would think, as are many of the Mid East countries like Saudi arabia

[widebody911]

Originally Posted by trekkor

Just one would be acceptable. There are NONE! ( yet )

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theocracy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theocracy#Current_states_with_theocratic_aspects

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by widebody911

Because not doing so will eventually result in a theocracy.

and they say conservatives are fear mongers

Originally Posted by widebody911

Religion does everything it can to integrate with government; the result: theocracy.

You base this idea on what exactly? A planned move to a country that does not have a constitution that prohibits this?

Originally Posted by widebody911

For one, religious nutjobs won't be trying to hold back scientific progress; case in point: stem cell research.

So all that dough California is giving to researchers, no strings attached, is holding progress back somehow. You could turn this around and say the religious nutjobs are holding back the tide of atrocities that are likely to persist and increase without them. Case in point, partial birth abortions(and I am pro choice)

Originally Posted by trekkor

Just one would be acceptable. There are NONE! ( yet )


KT

Iran pretty much is
see Nick, we are not that far apart. Okay Thom, that is still just one, Iran

KT, I said something about when people are up against it medically, and they have friends and family praying for them, they do better. Prayer being beneficial if you will. Seemed to be in pretty good shape until I made that mistake

Sorry about that chief

[IROC]

Originally Posted by Taz's Master

IROC, I'm saying that religion has had a part in human society, and not an insignificant one. You want human society to abandon religion, I think you need to prove the benefit of eliminating a tool evolution has given to this species.

In fairness, you may be right. There are quite a few people who have all but admitted in these threads that their fear of hell is the only thing keeping them in check. Eliminate that "check" and we might have a lot of lawlessness to deal with. After all, it has been claimed numerous times by the believers that without religion, there are no morals - no "right" and "wrong". I personally don't believe this, but obviously many people do.

It's a shame, but you're probably right. Many people need religion.

[Taz's Master]

Jim you are correct, and religious opression continues. But showing that religion does not have an entirely beneficial impact on human society is not the same as proving that it does not have an overall beneficial impact on human society, or that eliminating religion from human society would not have a significant negative impact.

[Taz's Master]

IROC, I would say that evolution has provided us with the tool of a belief in God not because "many people" need religion, but because human society needs religion.

[trekkor]

Theocracy is a government by God, not a religion or religious group.

There is currently NO theocracy in place. As in none.


KT

[Jim Richards]

Taz, I threw out an example in order to respond to your request. I realize it's not a sufficient proof. I would love to see man reach that point in his history where superstition and magic and fear are no longer needed rein in his behavior. Unfortunately, we're still too primative. I "believe" religion is holding us back, to some extent.

[Taz's Master]

widebody, often (as in the case of Iran, and the Taliban) the theocracy is not formed by religion integrating with the current form of government, but rather in violent opposition to a corrupt and opressive government