"where's The Harm?"

[joko]

people often say this regarding religion, in the spirit of 'live and let live' - as though its all a lovely harmless fuzzy warm thing, and they cannot fathom whats wrong with it.

are some people really that oblivious to all the other stuff that happens either directly or indirectly because of religion? - any and all religions

i always find that such a bizarre and pointless argument - as though people will just shrug and say, "aw yeah, suppose you're right, lets leave it at that eh?"

it would be a great argument if the religious could let everyone else live and let live ... but they whole problem with religion is - they can't and won't and don't let anyone else 'live and let live'...

[cupid04]

And this argument coming from an atheist. Works both ways you know!

[joko]

?
what do you mean cupid? that makes no sense

[cupid04]

Joko. I saw a post of yours in R&S the other day [I can't do links] where you were peeved because everyone was being agreeable. And you commented something like:- where's the fun in that, because all you wanted was an argument. What does that say about you?

[society]

What do you mean "what do you mean "?
Live and let live :)

[Wharton]

Would you like me to pray for you joko?

[cupid04]

Let Society have the best answer!

[joko]

oh cupid get a grip,
i don't know what you are talking about - i don't recall saying that, and if i did i will have been being sarcastic or making a joke.

accusing me of being argumentative, does not alter the question.

if you can't answer it then don't bother commenting

[joko]

thanks wharton

[Buenchico]

Hmmm.

As anyone who has read my posts on here (and knows that I'm happy to join in public anti-Christian protests) will know, I'm not exactly pro-religion!

However my No.1 drinking partner is a practising Roman Catholic who attends Mass several times per week and observes religious practices that I struggle to understand. I'll never say "What's the harm?" (because I believe that religion is the worst thing that has ever happened to human society, placing it way above things like natural disasters or cancer) but in the interests of simply enjoying a Sunday night together in the pub, I might well say "Live and let live" in order to move the conversation along.

Am I being hypocritical or simply sociable? (That's a genuine question. I honestly don't know the answer)

[joko]

my question is not really about the live and let live bit - thats kind of a given that people should be like that.

its that people use the phrase "wheres the harm?" - both believers and non believer - seemingly unaware that religion does any harm

my question is how can people not be aware?

[tonyav]

Am I being hypocritical or simply sociable? (That's a genuine question. I honestly don't know the answer)

Well Chris, you could be drinking instead of talking.

[jno]

well, what harm are you talking about?

Please don't try to convince me that religion causes all wars - it doesn't and hasn't.

[Buenchico]

>>>Well Chris, you could be drinking instead of talking

What do you think I'm doing at home now, Tony?
;-)

[joko]

chris i think you are just 'choosing your moments' - just because you feel strongly about something does not mean you have to confront it all the time.

[tonyav]

Drinking and posting at the same time, Chris, very good, and the woman say that men can't multitask ;-)

[joko]

i didn't say it did jno - i said the harm religion does - so i am referring to any harm that can be attributed to religion - i am talking in general.
there are lots of types of harm

[craft1948]

But a great deal of comfort can also be derived from religion.

[joko]

i agree craft, for some people yes ... and that is presumably why many people say "wheres the harm?" - but that doesn't mean you can just ignore the fact that it also causes a lot of trouble and harm for people too - that outweighs the good

[craft1948]

Personally I disagree with it outweighing the good, but obviously I can only call on my own experiences.

[jackthehat]

I would never seek to deny or gainsay anyone who derives personal comfort from their particular flavour of Spiritual identification.

I do believe, however, that the troubles start when there is a drive to blanket the rest of society with that same religion and its' tenets.