Religion, has it been a benefit?

[Father-Ted]

Has religion been an overall to benefit to mankind or would we have been better off without it.

[sith123]

yes, but that is where Islam differs. We believe in Muhammed, Jesus and Moses as well as all the other prophets. We do not dismiss them. We just dont believe that Jesus was the son of god or that he died on the cross.

[sith123]

//These are not contributions by religion per se but by people who followed the faiths. //

So how come suddenly when someone does something bad than this is about religion but if they do good than its not?

//Sith, that was a pretty good explanation thanks, you did leave god out though :-)//

lol, yes, but i was talking about their contributions to things that everyone believes in, religious or not. Things that affect daily life even if you're not religious, like art, science and architecture as well as others.

[beso]

sith //We believe in Muhammed, Jesus and Moses as well as all the other prophets. //

Do you believe in Joseph Smith too?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Smith

[beso]

sith //So how come suddenly when someone does something bad than this is about religion but if they do good than its not? //

Because their religion is their sole motivation and justification for perpetrating their crimes against humanity and has no rational beyond their faith.

Their contribution to science stands without the context of faith.

[Truthabounds]

There is religion and religion.
If the first man had obeyed there would have been no religion.
But man disobeyed and hence we are in the situation we are.

[jomifl]

Truth...what first man might that be? are we talking about Homo habilis, H. erectus etc. or are we off on a trip to fairyland.

[beso]

TruthRebounds //If the first man had obeyed there would have been no religion. //

No. That was the second man. The first one had to invent the idea of an unquestionable truth.

To maintain it then countelss men and women who followed would have all had to obey too. It worked while they murdered everyone who refused but ever since that practice was outlawed the church has been waning.

We owe a debt of gratitude to those who sacrificed their lives so we could enjoy freedom from the fascist tyrany of religion.

[Truthabounds]

Beso:
Well at least you cannot say you were never told.
The scriptures put life and death before each and every one of us.
The prophet Ezekial reports that everyone will Have to know it is
Jehovah.

[vetuste_ennemi]

What did Ezekiel mean, Truthabounds? What exactly is it that Beso's been told? Is there an implied threat here?

[jomifl]

TA, I am sure that you have been told this before but it is worth repeating and will save you a lot of time so that you can better spread the word. Biblical quotations are but pi$$ in the wind when argueing with atheists. The only people who pay them any attention are your fellow lost souls who appear to hold them in high regard for some unfathomable reason. I don't even read them because as god doesn't exist they are irrelevant. Hope this helps.

[beso]

Like any fascist doctrine the Abrahamic faiths rely on threats to ensure compliance.

Althought their threat is that "God will get you" it is interesting that by and large the threats have been carried out by the followers of the religion despite the Bible clearly describing abilities of God to inflict any punishment He wants at any time.

Now that they faithful cannot get away with murdering the dissenters one wuld think that God would step in and get back to killing the first born of whole societies of "sinners" like He did in the good old days when the Hebrews were enslaved in Egypt.

But no. All they have left now is "God will get you after you die".

[sith123]

//Do you believe in Joseph Smith too? //

no, as muslims we believe Muhammed was the last prophet.

[beso]

Jews believe Malachi was the last prophet (but Moses was the greatest).
Christians believe Christ was the last prohhet.
Moslems believe Mohammed was the last prophet.
Mormons believe Joseph Smith was the last prophet.

Can you detect a pattern here?

[solvitquick]

Difficult to pin it down simply beso but I'll try. All "modern" religions reject each other in order to keep their own religion (business) in being and keep their own "flock" in line and paying-up. All rely on their own prophets without a shred of evidence that their prophets were right. A bit like professional horse-race tipsters who mug their believers that they have the "inside" information. There will be no more prophets thanks to science, a more educated/sceptical population, the internet and media scrutiny as to their claims. So the religious businesses can only keep their shrinking market share of belief by referring back to the ignorance of the past and concentrating their salesmanship on the gullible e.g the US Bible-belt and of course political hypocrites (can an atheist be elected PM or President outside of Russia, China and other parts of Asia?). No in Europe or the North Americas. Sorry for length and deviations(?) but I know we are on the same general wavelength and congratulate you on your wisdom. Doubt if Father-Ted will chose a best answer and certainly no atheist (lol).

[solvitquick]

Above congrats also apply to Birdie1971 and of course Naomi at al xxx

[beso]

solveitquick //can an atheist be elected PM or President outside of Russia, China and other parts of Asia?). //

The Prime Minister of Australia (Julia Gillard) has publicly acknowledged she is not a believer.

Australians have one of the lowest rates of religious belief in the world.

[solvitquick]

Thanks beso, re Australia. Never knew that but continual improvement in my knowlege is what I love about the AB.

[solvitquick]

ps, beso what is your answer to your asking for a link between different prophets or was it simply a rhetorical question?