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For me, I held onto religion until I was in my 40s and only let it go reluctantly after researching the basis for my beliefs. Yet I am college educated (graduated with honors) and a member of Mensa.
People have more complicated reasons for holding onto beliefs or refusing to examine them than simply being "too stupid" to recognize that religion is simply all myths.
you are wrong.
I've read incredibly brilliant things that were pure fiction, even theological concepts in a fictional setting.
I would probably rephrase what Linda said like so "...it is difficult for a lot of atheists to differentiate between someone being a stupid person and holding what they perceive as a stupid idea.
It is a zero proof endeavor which wastes time and energy and blinds the mind to reality.
"But Christianity is not wrong, it's the truth."
That would depend on your definition of wrong and truth. Some Christians would argue it is not wrong by the merits of the good it has done by its works. Others might attempt to argue that it is not wrong because they believe in the supernatural and give credit for such events to Christianity and not some other form of religion (or share credit, allowing for all, or some, religions to be right). Others believe it is not wrong because natural science can not explain (yet) certain events such as the origin of the matter of the universe, and therefore give credit to the supernatural by default. Again, it depends on your definition of 'wrong'. As for truth, it is not that rare mathematical Truth, but it is that not-so-rare version in which it is true to an individual or a group. Again, something can be true to one individual, but not so to others. Small 't' versus Big 'T'. Big difference.
As to the OP, I do not feel that a person is stupid for embracing a religion, but they definitely have moments in which they kick their mind into neutral when considering religion. I often wonder if it is fear that causes the brain to let go of reason and grab hold of something with zero proof.
- LC
In which I would agree. It seems "seems" would be a better word. ;-)
;-)
Speaking disrespectfully to anyone serves no purpose. It saddens me as well.
I hate to say it, but its a real possibility. After all, we know Mr. Loftus set up a fake blog about J.P. Holding, Now, Holding probably deserved it, but that really damaged John's credibility.
I'd never heard about the Holding incident until recently. If it happened the way I've heard it told, it was a stupid thing to do. I can't help but wonder how these Christians would have responded if it was one of their own.
The internet never forgets what we do does it? ;-)
A while back I mentioned having you as a guest poster. If you wouldn't mind I was wondering if I could use this post as the 1st guest poster? If so I might wait until tomorrow night or even Sunday to put it up. I want to wait until the other post die down a bit. Would this be okay?
I'm a new arrival. I think we "met" over a couple of birds at another site. I'll be back, and I'm going to put you on my blog list.
Thanks...
Religon IS an either/or thing, but fortunately many religious groups do not dwell maliciously on how "damned" the people are that don't share their views. It is only when religion gets free enough to start considering imposing its values politically that it becomes truly odious. It's one thing to think your own religion is "the one and only true faith;" another entirely to ACT on it.
Although no religion has yet been able to claim it actually makes people "better" people, in some instances, it really HAS done so. Not many, but some. As a sociological institution, however, religion has failed miserably in its purpose of civilizing us.
But it is just as wrong for an atheist to get righteous and nasty about those who still have a religion, as it is for religious people to get righteous and nasty about them.
We can't eliminate religion, even though we now know that it can, in the right circumstances, be a monster, one of the worst possible threats to humanity. Because, first of all, people will NEVER give up their faith, and the more force used against them, the more pious they become. Religon is a reality. We must accept it. We should not harangue people with a faith, because it is unfair to do so. Humanity seems to have a NEED for religion. Maybe that is tapering off, but maybe it isn't.
What matters is that this NEED must be given its outlet. Therefore, religious liberty is an absolute MUST. Going with it, the public must recognize everyone's right to believe (or not) as they choose, and WITHOUT chewing on people different from oneself.
As an atheist, I sneer at other atheists who indulge in vitriolic condemnations of people of faith. It's one thing to chew on their religions; another to chew on THEM.
As long as the religion chosen is not terroristic or absolutist/fanatic and trying to take over the country, religion should be allowed to exist in its proper three places: the heart, the home and the house of worship. It should not be attacked and denigrated, but respected.
Intolerance of different beliefs is at the heart of every religion, but many have managed to grasp that others CAN, in good faith, have other belief systems, and that it doesn't necessarily turn them into devils.
I have MANY choice words to say about Christianity - both as it was originally and how it is today. But those Christians who have faith in it are "off limits" for haranguing. Unless they are terrorists, or trying to take over America, that is. THEIR faith is THEIR business, period.
THAT is what religious liberty is all about. It isn't about tolerance for one's own faith, but for ALL faiths, no matter how you may dislike one of them, or all of them for that matter. A person has a right to have his/her religious beliefs respected. But that does not include tolerance if THEY become abusive or political with their religion. THAT merits all kinds of criticism.
This is not such a difficult concept. Why is it, then, that so many people (including atheists and agnostics) fail to grasp it?
In a real democracy, the right to believe as one chooses is absolute. That means we don't have a right to tell them they shouldn't.
There is a void in all people. Anybody who doesn't believe this has never been to a mall. Some fill that void with religion, others with chocolate cake. Still others are interested in being reconciled to God... while not avoiding the cake :)
I know there is a mixed crowd here so I don't mind if the crowd disagrees.
Thanks for letting all of us throw our two cents in.
1 for 2, not bad ; )