NationStates Jolt Archive

First of all, stop winging athiests. If people choose to believe in a supreme being, it's their right. They can believe what they wish, and should not have to tolerate people like you insulting their beliefs and making them feel bad. Unless you can be polite, Keep your opinion to yourself.

If it's one thing i've learned, it's almost impossible to change somones beliefs.

And the same goes to all you religious folks. You are welcome to share your belief, but please, stop trying to force it on us. Door to door conversion does not work, so stop knocking on my door. Instead, just set up welcome days or somthing, perhaps a day when people WILLING to believe can come in and share what they think. Trying to convert the public will not work. For those religions who don't try to convert everyone, well done, and keep it up.

So as you see, both sides are wrong. Being an agnostic, I refuse to go to either side. Just respect each other, co-exist, and stop trying to change one another.

Thank you.

*Claps* Well said IN

*applause*

but hey, now wait a minute. That's boring!

*Claps* Well said IN

*Takes a bow*

*applause*

but hey, now wait a minute. That's boring!

Perhaps... but it's the right thing to do.

Why is the most sensible thread always the least popular?

First of all, stop winging athiests. If people choose to believe in a supreme being, it's their right. They can believe what they wish, and should not have to tolerate people like you insulting their beliefs and making them feel bad. Unless you can be polite, Keep your opinion to yourself.

If it's one thing i've learned, it's almost impossible to change somones beliefs.

And the same goes to all you religious folks. You are welcome to share your belief, but please, stop trying to force it on us. Door to door conversion does not work, so stop knocking on my door. Instead, just set up welcome days or somthing, perhaps a day when people WILLING to believe can come in and share what they think. Trying to convert the public will not work. For those religions who don't try to convert everyone, well done, and keep it up.

So as you see, both sides are wrong. Being an agnostic, I refuse to go to either side. Just respect each other, co-exist, and stop trying to change one another.

Thank you.

I agree with you for the most part. IF people can present their beliefs politely, and not force them on others, but offer, once, let them do so. I am however all for peaceful co-existance.

I agree with you for the most part. IF people can present their beliefs politely, and not force them on others, but offer, once, let them do so. I am however all for peaceful co-existance.

Well thats exactly what I said, basicly.

And if their beliefs are dangerous?

Should we permit practising Aztecs to carry out their human sacrafices? Only if they're really sincere perhaps?

Or members of bizarre cults to poison innocents (Japan and Sarin gas).

Or that peculiar mob who suicided because some comet was passing by?

Should such beliefs be respected or encouraged?

And if their beliefs are dangerous?

Should we permit practising Aztecs to carry out their human sacrafices? Only if they're really sincere perhaps?

Or members of bizarre cults to poison innocents (Japan and Sarin gas).

Or that peculiar mob who suicided because some comet was passing by?

Should such beliefs be respected or encouraged?

I am talking about serious, OFFICIALLY recognised religions that have achieved tax-exemption status.

I am talking about serious, OFFICIALLY recognised religions that have achieved tax-exemption status.

And that, presumably gives them greater validity somehow does it?

Officially recognised by whom? Tax exempt where?

I cannot think of any religions that started as either "officially recognised" or as "tax exempt".

And what if a currently existing religion started to go weird on us?

If, for example, the fundamentalists decide to return to the good old days of burning witches, heresy trials and inquisitions? Should that be respected?

And that, presumably gives them greater validity somehow does it?

Officially recognised by whom? Tax exempt where?

I cannot think of any religions that started as either "officially recognised" or as "tax exempt".

And what if a currently existing religion started to go weird on us?

If, for example, the fundamentalists decide to return to the good old days of burning witches, heresy trials and inquisitions? Should that be respected?

Why is there always somone like you to destroy a good vision. :mad:

Of course if it violates human rights you should act, but if they're behaving, you should behave!

Why is there always somone like you to destroy a good vision. :mad:

Of course if it violates human rights you should act, but if they're behaving, you should behave!

Sorry to spoil your little fantasy.

I just happen to know my history when it comes to religions. They are not all sweetness and light by any means.

Sorry to spoil your little fantasy.

I just happen to know my history when it comes to religions. They are not all sweetness and light by any means.

Well it's obvious that modern religion has been corrupted into a method of control, but it wasn't always like this...

Reality sucks big time. :(

I am talking about serious, OFFICIALLY recognised religions that have achieved tax-exemption status.

I'm sure the religion of the Aztecs was officially recognised by the Aztecs before the Europeans came along and killed them all...

I think TIN is right, both in saying what he said initially and in saying that your religion should not breach internationally recognised human rights. Because any god that wants you to kill or torture other people isn't really a god worth your respect anyway...

First of all, stop winging athiests. If people choose to believe in a supreme being, it's their right. They can believe what they wish, and should not have to tolerate people like you insulting their beliefs and making them feel bad. Unless you can be polite, Keep your opinion to yourself.

If it's one thing i've learned, it's almost impossible to change somones beliefs.

And the same goes to all you religious folks. You are welcome to share your belief, but please, stop trying to force it on us. Door to door conversion does not work, so stop knocking on my door. Instead, just set up welcome days or somthing, perhaps a day when people WILLING to believe can come in and share what they think. Trying to convert the public will not work. For those religions who don't try to convert everyone, well done, and keep it up.

So as you see, both sides are wrong. Being an agnostic, I refuse to go to either side. Just respect each other, co-exist, and stop trying to change one another.

Thank you.
I agree with you, but not totally... the problem with that is there are (or were) religions out there requiring ritual sacrifice of others. While these are extreme examples, there are some sects or groups within various religions that are based on principles of forced conversion. And worse yet, there's religions based on race. I don't think people should be allowed to believe that they're better or that other people are worse. This includes various religions as well as hardcore atheists. I wouldn't be able to prevent myself from attempting to convert anyone following a sacrificial religion to agnosticism... and this is what you are saying is bad.

First of all, stop winging athiests. If people choose to believe in a supreme being, it's their right. They can believe what they wish, and should not have to tolerate people like you insulting their beliefs and making them feel bad. Unless you can be polite, Keep your opinion to yourself.

If it's one thing i've learned, it's almost impossible to change somones beliefs.

And the same goes to all you religious folks. You are welcome to share your belief, but please, stop trying to force it on us. Door to door conversion does not work, so stop knocking on my door. Instead, just set up welcome days or somthing, perhaps a day when people WILLING to believe can come in and share what they think. Trying to convert the public will not work. For those religions who don't try to convert everyone, well done, and keep it up.

So as you see, both sides are wrong. Being an agnostic, I refuse to go to either side. Just respect each other, co-exist, and stop trying to change one another.

Thank you.

THats what everybody should do.

But unfortunately not everybody thinks like you do.

THats what everybody should do.

But unfortunately not everybody thinks like you do.

Of course they don't-In my world it would be a utopia... especially if everyone was like me... :D

Well it's obvious that modern religion has been corrupted into a method of control, but it wasn't always like this...

Reality sucks big time. :(

I would like to raise a couple of points that you appear to have overlooked:

Religion has *always* been used as a method of control. Indeed, Jesus is meant to have said that if you don't do what he says, you'll be smited (smote?) good and proper:

And if any one will not receive you in your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. Truly, I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town." (Matt. 10:14-15).
The fact is, christianity has always been an authoritative religion. Fear is a key component in keeping the congregation in check.

Violence, fear and religion are thorougly intertwined, and this is historically the case. Take for example, paganism being forbidden in the 4th century by emperor Theodosius:

We command that those persons who follow this rule shall embrace the name of Catholic Christians. The rest, however, whom We adjudge demented and insane, shall sustain the infamy of heretical dogmas, their meeting places shall not receive the name of churches, and they shall be smitten first by divine vengeance and secondly by the retributions of Our own initiative, which We shall assume in accordance with the divine judgment.
In fact they enacted the death penalty for non-christians in 435.

What about the Crusades, and the Inquisition ? What about the political violence in Northern Ireland ? What about the myriad other wars and violent periods of history that can be put down to religion. I mean that's just christianity. History is littered with examples of how religion brings about violence.

The fact of the matter is that religion is a hugely contentious issue, and people on both sides of the argument will continue to debate it because it matters a lot. I'm an atheist, but was raised catholic, and will happily debate religion til the cows come home. The idea behind forums is to encourage discussion. If you don't want to get involved in religious debate - stay clear of the threads!