I would say the point that you are missing is the point which you already made in your quote below: religion does not turn people into mindless slaves; they are quite capable of thinking for themselves. People can choose to be mindless slaves if they so wish--to anything: a political ideal, nationalism, capitalism, etc.--not just religion. You seem to blame religion for people's tendencies to want simple answers and to blindly follow authority, but I blame human nature for that.

Criticizing things that are wrong is fine. No, it is not okay for people to hate homosexuals or deny them equal rights to other people--and it is particularly wrong to do so on the basis of one's religious beliefs. The people that do so claim their religion forbids this, but when you look at the issue closely you find that really this view is at odds with what, for instance, the religion actually preaches. The original message has been twisted to suit the needs of those who want some sort of justification for their hate.

For instance, I'm not a Biblical scholar myself, but I do know that the passages the right-wing Christians quote when they denounce homosexuality are vague at best, and certainly any interpretation that calls for violence against homosexuals flies in the face of the dominant message of the Bible which is summed up by the Golden Rule: do unto others as you would have them do unto you (which I've been fascinated to find exists in one form or another in every single one of the major world religions--including the Far Eastern ones).

But even going beyond the actual messages of the major religions, I think you are unintentionally ignoring the great benefits that religious belief provides to society (and the individual worshipers themselves)--the community building, the volunteer work, the social work, and the spiritual fortitude provided in times of challenge. Religion changes people, and in my experience that change is almost always for the better--a change away from being self-centered to thinking about others. A change away from separating oneself from society to participating in making it better. And most importantly, a change towards happiness. I am not claiming religion is the sole method of bringing about these changes--only that I haven't seen you acknowledge them in any of your posts about religion.

You are free to believe what you like--in no way am I saying you must subscribe to a particular religion. However, I think it is always better to keep an open mind. Several of your posts have come across as degrading to religious people--as if you are somehow smarter than they are or more enlightened or figured out some secret that they haven't yet. I just want to point out that it is probably just as annoying for you when some (misguided) religious person looks at you in pity because you don't subscribe to their particular religion. Such attitudes I think foster only more misunderstandings and division. Approaching things with an open mind and engaging in respectful dialogue, I believe, is the way to bring about peace between the many divisions we see in the world around us. That means acknowledging, and not belittling, others points of view.

So, when I said "I think you're missing out," I meant several things. I think if you talked sincerely with some moderately religious people, you'd find they're not all insane zealots who blindly follow what their religious teacher or text tells them--that religion is indeed a living, breathing, social construct. I think you'd see a lot more of the positive things that religion can bring to both individuals and society. And if you're studying the world's major religions and philosophies and thinking about how you can use the messages they contain to make the world a better place, then in my opinion you are practicing religion. The dominant message I see in the world's major religious traditions is that we should continue to improve ourselves and the world around us (through, for one example, forgiveness). If believing in something supernatural helps people take that message to heart, I'm not convinced it is such a bad thing.

In reply to this comment by BicycleRepairMan:
In reply to this comment by SDGundamX:


I'm guessing they decide the exact same way I decide. By thinking for themselves.

^ So your defence of a police officer illegally trying to snatch someone's private property off a person under the guise and umbrella of law enforcement and legality is "he failed."

So he isn't breaking the law because he's a BAD phone snatcher?

And when he tries to bully someone into blindly following FALSE ordinances/laws, he's not doing anything wrong because he's too stupid to think up a lie to cover it?

Are you really acquitting this guy because he's stupid and clumsy and slow? You know, if police officers tell people to do things that AREN'T enforceable, you reduce the chances that they will do things that ARE enforceable when you tell them to. Then people will get hurt, and it'll be the fault of people like this bald-headed cunt.

Thank god he didn't bring out a fucking taser or bear mace. But if he'd fired either at them and accidentally missed and hit himself, that'd have been alright, yeah?

Blind followers of the "chosen ones" mentality because they think this will help to ensure their passage to heaven due to fulfillment of a fabled prophecy is reminiscent of how suicide bombers think they'll go to heaven for their cause. It's nearly the same mentality and is a result of brainwashing from the cult of the church.

Comment hidden because you are ignoring dag. (show it anyway)

I'm getting sick of the "chosen one" polarizing hyperbole bullshit. My eye rolls are wearing out. He's not the chosen one- but seems to be a pretty good president. Though this particular "press availability" is hokey and fakey as all get-out.

I'm starting to hear "chosen one" and "arrogant" as the redneck dog whistle that it is. For the Neocon Southerner- these two terms are heard as "uppity".

>> ^dannym3141:

Must be some serious fascist downvoting blank's comments there. I've restored the balance.
Maybe it's some sort of washington siftspy. HE'S QUESTIONING THE MOTIVES OF THE CHOSEN ONE. DO NOT QUESTION BUT BLINDLY FOLLOW THE MAN WHO HAS BEEN ENTRUSTED WITH EVERYONE'S MONEY AND SAFETY! DISCREDIT HIM QUICKLY LEST HE TURN SHEEP INTO PEOPLE!

Must be some serious fascist downvoting blank's comments there. I've restored the balance.

Maybe it's some sort of washington siftspy. HE'S QUESTIONING THE MOTIVES OF THE CHOSEN ONE. DO NOT QUESTION BUT BLINDLY FOLLOW THE MAN WHO HAS BEEN ENTRUSTED WITH EVERYONE'S MONEY AND SAFETY! DISCREDIT HIM QUICKLY LEST HE TURN SHEEP INTO PEOPLE!

Ownage. Excellent clip. I'd upvote 10x if I could.

I have no problem with the Israeli people. I however have huge issues with the government and the apartheid they commit. Lest we not forget. The US endorses it, otherwise they wouldn't send billions to the Israeli government every year, and turn a blind eye as Gaza is blockaded and suffering.

Unfortunately the citizenry of our respective nations all too often blindly follow our governments without question, or if we do question, our governments often ignore us and silence us through propaganda. As if -everything- your government does is purely good and in the best interest in EVERYONE. No it isn't. Often it isn't good, and it is in the best self-interest.

>> ^crillep:
It's a bird, it's a plane! It is climategate!
Please read this link: Climatega
te: the final nail in the coffin of 'Anthropogenic Global Warming'?
Yes it is ironic that it is a blog, but hopefully it will help you to think twice before blindly following anyone who speaks out about a supposed "good cause".


Sorry bub, you may believe whatever you wish to believe, but if you wish to convince others you're going to have to make your point with peer reviewed research. Those are the breaks, kid. Life is hard.

It's a bird, it's a plane! It is climategate!

Please read this link: Climatega
te: the final nail in the coffin of 'Anthropogenic Global Warming'?

Yes it is ironic that it is a blog, but hopefully it will help you to think twice before blindly following anyone who speaks out about a supposed "good cause".

"I remember the first time I sore an apple product because I realized IM ABOUT TO BE RIPPED OFF "

apple keyboards are cold to the touch and uncomfortable to use . the default mouse is frustrating im afrade 4 buttons are better than 1 (harder to learn but faster once mastered). I ohnistly don't think you can produce stuff faster on an apple pc than you can on a custom pc , also the custom pc will afford the user far more comfort and hardware speed for a far cheaper price.

the majority of the time apple design is like what dyson hovers have become its design for design sake all part of there marketing kind of like how many clothing brands operate. granted every now and then they do come up with valid and usfull design that benefits usability and function but then they try to transfer that to other products or aspects of the company it simply dose not apply to.

But most of all I Hate the anal superior attitude that the company enjoys to perpetuate and many of its users seem to enjoy. I don't mind it if a user is enjoying a good product and merly stating the facts for example I pods , imac laptops , can be very good devices for specific types of user but its when people blindly follow the entire company and all of its products. its like console fan boys or people that blindly follow AMD over lintel.

apple often end up making what I would consider to be fundamental product flaws in the pursuit of visual design. As i said the 1 button mouse is just plain stupid , the shiny back on ipods that gets scratched up, the lack of screen protectoin on ipods forcing users to put them in a case if they want the screen to remain visable , the ipod nano easy breakable scree, The lack of connectivity on the laptops. having the pc in the same unit as the screen forces the user to replace both costly devices when one brakes or malfunctions.

I do wish whoever that more companies used brushed aluminium to encase gadgets if apple are good at anything its sturdy laptop cases.

>> ^oxdottir:
>> ^quantumushroom:
Dear Rachel:
FOX questions the authority and in some cases, the sanity of this corrupt, clueless administration while you and your cronies blindly follow Hopey the Changeling. Your ratings reflect this. Fin.

Instead of two years ago, when Fox questioned the sanity and patriotism of anyone who questioned the then current administration. This makes so much more sense.


He's a broken record. Why do you bother? This is someone who takes shit from WorldNetDaily seriously... Seriously? He's certifiable.

>> ^quantumushroom:
Dear Rachel:
FOX questions the authority and in some cases, the sanity of this corrupt, clueless administration while you and your cronies blindly follow Hopey the Changeling. Your ratings reflect this. Fin.


Instead of two years ago, when Fox questioned the sanity and patriotism of anyone who questioned the then current administration. This makes so much more sense.

Dear Rachel:

FOX questions the authority and in some cases, the sanity of this corrupt, clueless administration while you and your cronies blindly follow Hopey the Changeling. Your ratings reflect this. Fin.

this would be a good opportunity to talk about why having closed mind and unchanging beliefs are bad , it should enlighten people as to why blindly following a religion that is fundmentalty dogmatic and requires a dogmatic mentality is a bad thing to do.

I think the guy is right not to marry them after all Christianity is largely racist so why would you want a Christian wedding , I bet these people haven't even read the bible all the way through or understand all the shit in it but still want a fucking Christian wedding.

Clearly there are benefits from having faith, people who have a deep faith tend to live morally righteous lives, and people who "find" faith, tend to right their wrongs. The ten commandments are just a good set of ideas to follow to live longer. The problem I have with faith, most religions for that matter, is that the stupidest people seem to be attracted to it, as its pointed out in this video. It's all a crutch, though. A place holder for your decision making process. Any thing the bible can tell you, could have been just as easily produced by your own mind. The want to act better, the urge to live an honest life... It's all there in front of you and a book has little to do with it.

Most of the arguments for why a "God" exists are baseless and easily refutable... but you assume the person you are dealing with is on the same level of willingness to understand that you are or that you need them to be in order to make a meaningful decision. The biggest problem, and this stands for all humans, is that you can't reason with the unreasonable. People who are stupid enough to blindly follow some poorly written, and poorly re-written book are lying to themselves anyways, and probably have no interest or aren't capable of understanding logic and evidence.

This video is really for the benefit of people who already know that you can't prove "God" exists, What they need to do is make a video explaining how to snap the masses out of this 2000 year brain washing. I'm thinking something with a lot of colors and pictures of animals.

This thread is all about people who can deal with complexity and nuance, and those who can't.

Was there ever a cop-out so easy to make and so devoid of pith? I trow not. It is ever so when those pesky, nasty, mean old facts and logic end up troubling the counsels of the followers of a pied piper. The persons unable to grasp nuance and complexity in this debate are the ones who are blindly following Obama, and taking everything he says at face value. Obama is in trouble. His numbers are dropping horribly. He's lost the support of the public, and his own party is wobbling.

Last night was not a speech for the public (who he's lost). Not was it a request for Republican cooperation (which he doesn't need). Last night was a warning shot at democrats who are getting nervous at how much the public is against this vague, undefined, secretive, expensive, socialistic bill.

"The time for bickering is over..." That was aimed smack dab at his own party to shut their pie-holes, line up, ignore their angry constituants, and goose-step where he tells them to go. Obama is telling the eroding Democrats in his party anything/everything he thinks he needs to say in order to give them just enough CYA to cram his bill through over the objections of the people. In doing so he's trying to get the entire country to ignore the details. He's trying to soar his bill through with rhetoric alone, and he's hoping there are enough Obama-zombies out there to make it work without too much political blowback.

Obama's claim that the bills do not cover illegals is window dressing. There is more than enough evidence and historical precedent to lend credence to the accusation that the bill will end up covering illegals as sure as the sun rises. I'm sure Obama really BELEVES that just because it 'says it' in the bill then that means the issue has been dealt with. Actually taking the time and effort to make his bogus claims reality is for his minions and flunkies to deal with at some unknown future time...