Why The Anger?

[Oakleaf51]

If you are not religious, why do you get so heated up at those people that are?

[smiffy65]

and by the way I am not a religious freak as some might say but just a mere believer

[Oakleaf51]

I would probably fall into the religious freak category then, but I don't fancy taking all the flak, so I'll keep my head down, and put my tin hat on.

[mibn2cweus]

Poke the beehive and run like hell! Best be wearing a bee suit as well.

D'oh!

[Romeo]

I happen to agree with you, Oakleaf. There seem to be some people out there who don't think anyone has any right to hold religious beliefs.

[naomi24]

No one denies your right to hold religious belief - they just don't understand your reasoning. Take Smiffy's reply for example. 'God is love'. Is that logical?

[jackthehat]

I get heated up because religion tries (and very often succeeds) to influence secular decisions.

I defend YOUR right to hold YOUR religious views and practise YOUR religion; however, YOUR religion (regardless of the logic-pretzels required to fully believe) not only impacts on YOUR life but MINE also.

I don't mind what you do in private or with like-minded consenting adults, but I really don't like it being shoved down my throat.

[jake-the-peg]

Well I am an athiest, not an agnostic, pantheist or whatever other quibble.

I think you got the best answer earlier on when Jenstar said "They can make decisions based on a ludicrous and irrational world view that affect me"

They can all live and let live as soon as they disestablish the church of England and take religion out of schools.

Any school should be able to cater for the religous in our society but if they want to pass on fairy tales they shouldn't expect government money to do it.

While schools are still made to put on "acts of worship" I reserve the right to get heated up.

[Oakleaf51]

It's a shame, but I have to agree with Mani.

[naomi24]

Maybe they're on a mission to convert Christians, Mani. I've mentioned the good things the church has done. I have great admiration for the Salvation Army. They actually do a lot of practical good.

People are entitled to express their views even if they are anti-Christian, so I'm not really sure what you mean when you say you would like the site to be used more responsibly. What would you have us talk about then?

[naomi24]

So what would you have people talk about, Oakleaf?

[Oakleaf51]

I think everybody should be able to say anything as long as it is their view.
I don't think we should laugh at each others view, and call them irrational, illogical, and such like, as it must stop some people from saying anything at all.

[WaldoMcFroog]

Well, Manuel, I *do* have an active interest in religion, as have many others. My interest developed through my interest in Evolution, the simplest, most elegant and most convincing of scientific theories.

I got a paper from an Elim church through the door that was full of utter lies about evolution, such as the old 'men are decended from apes' chestnut. It's fascinating that a religion which claims to be about truth resorts to lies to protect itself. Not even clever lies! You don't have to believe the theory to know that it has never ever suggested man evolved from apes. There are many more that I've heard. Not sophisticated ones. Bad, obvious lies.

The rise of religious fundamentlism is terrifying. We have faith schools in this country that peddle anti-evolutionary cack. We have a well-organised religious lobby in the US that influences foriegn policy. People that would like nothing better than to see armageddon in the middle east.

Then there's fundamentalist terrorists in the middle east, inspired by a warped version of Islam, who bomb civililian targets in London and NY.

We have Christians & Hindus who demand that free speech, one of the finest concepts that underpins our society, be thrown away lest some ideas be heard.

What I am saying is the notion that the non-religious should have no interest in religion is silly. Why shouldn't I?

Incidentally, it's a bit rich trying to act the wounded party regarding the questions in this section, given your own history of posting things like 'God rescues Lesbian from Lesbianism' and other such deliberately inflamatory "gems" in your zeal to witness to us all.

By the way, when you talk about the good that the church has done, I assume you're including the Catholic Church? I know a Catholic couple who've done some very laudible works in Jesus's name. Doesn't mean their religion is based on a load of hooey though.

[naomi24]

Waldo, well said.

[WaldoMcFroog]

Ta - though I meant "doesn't mean their religion *isn't* a load of hooey" back there, of course.

[naomi24]

Oakleaf, but if someone does find a view irrational or illogical, what other way is there to express that view other than to say it? The religious among us are at liberty to express similar views too aren't they? I do hope you're not suggesting we go down the potty politically correct road and start pussy-footing around for fear of causing offence. That would mean the end of intelligent debate and this site would then be completely worthless.

[naomi24]

Waldo, it's ok, I figured that out. :o)

[WaldoMcFroog]

What are the 'ridiculous arguments' you're talking about? Can you give examples?