Should religion be classified as a recreation?

[10ClarionSt]

I have no objection to anyone wanting to be religious. Whatever religion they want to follow. But why do we have to have religion in the school curriculum? Why do we have to give people time off work to observe a holy day or religious festival? What's the big deal about Blair becoming a Roman Catholic? I just don't understand any of it. We had the ridiculous situation of the teacher in Sudan with the Teddy bear. We don't have to respect anyones' religion. We can get by if we tolerate it. So, it should be classed as a recreation. Something you do in your spare time without any effect on anyone. Abolish all legislation that relates to religion and place it in the background where it belongs. That way I'm sure we won't have any of the problems that religion brings.

[jno]

perhaps if the teacher had known a bit more about Islam she wouldn't have got into that mess. It is a major component in the way the world is run, so it makes sense for pupils to study it. This doesn't mean they have to believe it - they should be taought about it rather than be taught it.

[beso]

Should religion be classified as recreation? No. It should be classified as a disease.

It is quite ridiculous how religions get special treatment. I don't undertand why they should be allowed to make unsubstantiated claims which undoubtedly influence people into making decisions which benefit the church. Any other type of organisation would be prosecuted for making misleading claims under corporations law.

While anyone else who incites vilification of other groups is subject to prosecution the Bible can idolise brutal violence. Particularly ironic are the laws against villifying Jews while they can preach hatred of others and their history of glorious genocide to their children. If the Bible was published today it would be declared illegal.

We are supposed to tolerate, even respect religion while churches can publish insults against those who do not believe. One church I saw recently had a big sign "Only a fool would not believe in God." How much tolerance would there be to a sign saying that only fools believe in God?

We are supposed to respect the believer's eager anticipation of Armageddon and allow those who are actively implementing it to do as they wish.

Religion is a pox on humanity.

[beso]

Unfortunately no. The church is highly influencial in politics and many politicans are religious or at least pretend to be.

[chakka35]

It is a regular complaint of Richard Dawkins that religionists are given places of importance on committees and influentail bodies for no other reason than that they are religious. They need have no other abilities or qualifications.
The House of Lords has 26 people who are allowed to help govern us simply because they have reached a high level in the promulgation of a particular branch of one particular superstition. Madness.

[Tinker,Wales]

"The House of Lords has 26 people who are allowed to help govern us simply because they have reached a high level in the promulgation of a particular branch of one particular superstition. Madness."

Whereas the House of Commons is run by a group who successfully lied to the electorate.
I know which group I'd prefer to be running the country!

[chakka35]

You seem to miss the point, Tinker, Wales. The people in the Commons, unworthy as many of them have turned out to be, are there because we chose them. And at the next election we can unchoose them.

The 26 Lords Spiritual have been appointed over our heads for totally irrational reasons. Would you still prefer them if they represented higher management in Astrology, Flat Earthism, Fairyland or the Magic Carpet industry?

[beso]

Religious people are proud bigots. Having them on any decision making group adds a conservative element that invariably hiinders creative thinking. They cannot be swayed in discussion and steadfastly believe in profoundlyunsavoury philosophy.

Religion continues to keep the planet living in the dark ages. Religion has always stood in the way of women's rights and many others of our most important advances. There should be no place in organisations that work onour future for people who lack even a rudimentary capacity to think.