Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven

[miga]

uncleglen Wrote:

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> I meant to say 'dissemination ....' how it came

> out as 'desemination...' probably unconscious

> reference to other 'faith' goings-on.

> R. Dawkins is not arguing against the past because

> the religious beliefs of the past are alive and

> well today. Faith schools are still operating

> using dogma from the past, much of it

> fundamentalist, and it is just as bad as it was 30

> years ago- if not worse.

> All faiths are self-serving. The leaders are just

> the same as politicians...instead of crosses on

> ballot papers, read 'bums on pews' or whatever.

> It's all just a way of keeping the poor and needy

> satisfied with the promise of this 'heaven' ffs

I have similar misgivings about organised religion (and faith schools) as you, but I think faith or spirituality are a different category, and not indicative of irrationality or ignorance. When Dawkins speaks to someone like George Coyne, then it's an interesting conversation about faith or lack of it, but all too often he concentrates on weird fundamentalists who deny evolution, themselves a minority of a minority. In this country less than 10% of people go to Church weekly (according to the Humanist society).

[Blah Blah]

Let's ask ourselves, why did religions (faith evolve)? They evolved in two ways, in trying to address aspects of human nature that were viewed as destructive, and in trying to explain the wonders of the world that science hadn't yet explained. We can easily reject much of the latter and label those who ignore scientific evidence as ignorant (and this is what Dawkins attacks). But there is some value in the former.

Nothing indoctrinates us more than advertising. There are billboards on pretty much every street corner and in every sitting room via the TV. So although I'm an athiest, I would be slow to reject all religion as BS (there are far more dangerous forms of brainwashing out there).

There is a philosophy in amongst religions which is the reason there are foodbanks for people to go to (where would they go without that?). And most religions, not just the monotheist ones, demand giving to and feeding of the needy. Many religious festivals are based on some form of giving or forgiveness, which has it's sole aim in well being and harmony. These are not qualities found amongst the cold capitalists of the city and government. Materialism has never made up for a lack in human relationships, or a lack of community.

[stringvest]

Re: Atheist rebels

The Jains now theres a troublesome lot.

[Otta]

I watched "Jesus Camp" on Netflix last night (see link below). Some of the stuff going on in there is way past the line of child abuse in my book. Also desperately worrying how deeply entrenched in American politics and law this evangelical mentalness is.

https://vimeo.com/33740057

[????]

Don't worry at least we have "the religion of peace" ahem, doing its best for woman's rights, cultural integration and all round tolerance

[steveo]

An American acquaintance once said: "Yeah, thanks for sending us all your religious nutters."

I think we should be more grateful to the septics

[uncleglen]

By septics do you mean people who spread mrsa around and impending doom ...or did you mean sceptics?

[Jah Lush]

Jeez! Cockney rhyming slang - Septic Tanks = Yanks.

[Parkdrive]

I thought the only way to heaven was by jihad. Ducks and runs for cover

[millie7uk]

shite is better than boris