Some Abers Go On And On About Religion...

[Paigntonian]

Couldn't a little respect for our opinions, as Christians, be appropriate? Why do atheists and agnostics continually knock our churches. It is to justify their opinions, that is to say that they feel in some way superior and that they can only justify themselves through attack. I wholly respect others' views about religion so please allow Christians to have theirs. It does seem that some can only maintain their views by attacking that of others.

[Mamyalynne]

It becomes white noise after a while and you stop reading it I'm afraid, which is sad really.

[ummmm]

But it's a Q&A site.

[Mamyalynne]

Agreed Ummmm, so a little more sensible discussion in answers rather than jibes about fairies at the bottom of the garden and snipes about talking snakes would be so much more grown up.

[royfromaus]

'I wholly respect others' views about religion so please allow Christians to have theirs.'


So if I say I am superior because I'm an atheist, you would respect that?

[sunny-dave]

I have a lot of respect for people who quietly practise kindness to others and who respect views and opinions which differ from their own - there are many AB members who do precisely that. Whether they are Christian or not is irrelevant to me, they are good people.

I have no time at all for most organised religion - the cause of more suffering and distress in this world than just about any other mass movement. This type of organisation must be robustly challenged if we are to save the world from future depredations.

I have even less time for the indoctrinated adherents of most organised religions - their innate vision of themselves as somehow superior to me, with my lack of any need for theistic beliefs, is not something I will let go unchallenged.

Atheists/Agnostics have been vilified, marginalised and persecuted by Mass Religionism throughout history - I don't see why I should sit quietly in the darkness and wait for the next fanatic to beat me with their Righteous, Religious baton.

[gness]

Paigntonian. I find it strange that people believe in a god but if that was as far as it went I'd take no notice.
Having both witnessed and been a victim of the cruelty of the Catholic Church I am unable to take no notice.
Christianity has been a blight on this world. I am told to look at the good Christians do. They could do good without Christianity. Many people do.

I am so happy to see the church in Ireland losing its hold on people but there is a long way to go. I support in whatever way I can those who have suffered at the hands of priests and nuns.

I have Christian family and friends I love dearly. They are good and kind people, some of whom do wonderful things for others not because they are Christian but because it's in their nature.

So a little respect? Not from me.

Well you did ask.... :-)

[JimF]

^^ What she said.

[jennyjoan]

I agree with you Paign - my belief is that if religion "helps" people to survive this harsh world - then so be it. Like others I don't like religion to be rammed down through people's throats but for me Christianity comes a long way and I very much understand how many people have suffered at the hands of nuns and priests - when they (nuns and priests) wore that formidable habit, it was frightening to people who were starved of education.

Having said that, I had the two most beautiful cousins (who were siblings) who became nuns when they entered (at 16 I believe). One has died and the other is living in Jerusalem and the two most beautiful serene beings that ever were, and they gave their lives for what they believed in.

[JimF]

I get that, JJ, but don't you feel that your cousins were just wonderful people and would have been just as wonderful people without being Christian?

[jennyjoan]

Jim F - do you mean without being nuns - yes probably. But in 1950s that was a chosen vocation.

The nun who died recently went on to be a head nun in England and was a wonderful support after she retired - to helping unmarried mothers and prostitutes and all kinds of wonderful things. Things she could not have accomplished in the ghetto where she lived at 16.

[tamborine]

I was a boarder in a convent & found it a wonderful experience & preparation for adult life. I do read the atheists & agnostics on here but it washes over me as pixels and hasnt changed me as a practising RC.

[waterboatman]

Everyone is entitled to believe whatever they want. It's a personal thing and nobody has the right to interfere.

[murraymints]

I don't think ANY sort of organised religion is necessary or pre-requisite to having a kind heart and to practice a care unto others mantra....I find religion to be a minefield at times and is responsible for much war , hatred and bigotry..born Catholic..but I like to think I belong to the church of "DO UNTO OTHERS..."

[rowanwitch]

If God existed - it doesn't... mankind created God's to explain things before science
If God created religion- it didn't... mankind did, to go control the behaviour of others
If there was one consistant path - there isn't different paths developed to meet the needs of different cultures
If religion was a force for good- in balance I would say not.
I would say carry on with your beliefs, but a child will grow out of the need for imaginary friends and this is the stage humanity is entering. The fundamentalist movements are a child's last tantrums to get its own way, also to be outgrown. A loving world should support those children in leaving their imaginary friends behind and learning the world can be a kind living place without doctrine or scripture.
So I do not attack you, I point out you are almost certainly clinging to a thing that no longer has a place, I wait for you to realise humans do good because it it a good thing of itself and beneficial in the wider society, and even the reward for goodness is explained by science. Feel good hormones released as a reward by signals from our brains.

Remember as intelligent creatures we can make choices for good or ill, trying to do good just makes life better. I give up the Child's hope of heaven in return for being an adult on the Earth

[MallyJ]

rowanwitch....absolutely correct...in my opinion. I agree totally with what you say here.

[naomi24]

Why should religion be exempt from criticism? The religious don’t have a special claim on ‘respect’. When you look at the messages some people of religion send out to non-believers - that they’re morally inferior, certain to be judged and condemned after death, etc - you can hardly be surprised at the responses. As far as I’m concerned people can believe what they like - unless it affects others - which sadly religion usually does.

[CrapAtCryptics]

My view was that its the overtly religious people who initiate the threads whereas the ill judged atheists get involved later. As an atheist I make it a rule not to get involved with closed minds.

[rowanwitch]

It's shooting plastic ducks in a barrel I suppose

[10ClarionSt]

In answer to the OP, why should anyone respect any religion? As a nation we tolerate religion. What's wrong with that?

[Peter Pedant]

this seems as good a place as any
can anyone tell me what Luke 16 1 means? - pilate mixing the blood of galileans with sacrifices
bit paschal - ly rather than christmassy

this thread - atheists sayingbeastly things about christians

this is a case of the knockers (*) knocking (**) the - - - knocked up(+) I suppose
(*) atheists that is !
(**) criticising
(+) Mary just about to have the ickle baby Jesus - that sort of knocked up

just a comment
Luke anyone?