What would you use as a yard stick then? Some of the stories in the bible and the 10 commandments seem quite contradictory. The 10 commandments seem quite contradictory in themselves.If there is some sort of supreme entity (the thing we call God/Allah/Jehovah/etc) then the last thing I'm going to use as a yardstick for his existence is the behaviour of some other flawed human, whether he's a Pope, Grand Mufti or a beggar in the street.
Its very true that religious groups can do great things, but so much lousy stuff has been done in their name its very hard to weigh up any actual intrinsic worth. Even ignoring any history from crusades, inquisition etc etc, if we looked at religion as it currently stands this century how much value does it really have for humanity? The value it does have could probably be filled with a more rational and less bigoted and REAL way of thinking and social grouping if there was a void to fill if there were suddenly no religions.... however this would require improved education.Similarly, some of you are judging Christianity by the acts of the Catholic church. There are multitudes of Catholic beliefs that directly contradict the bible, so I don't think it's reasonable to hold Catholicism up as the perfect example of Christianity.
If there is some sort of supreme entity (the thing we call God/Allah/Jehovah/etc) then the last thing I'm going to use as a yardstick for his existence is the behaviour of some other flawed human, whether he's a Pope, Grand Mufti or a beggar in the street.
That is true and pretty much separates it into the two issues of man made religions of which there are hundreds all of various value and worth socially at different times.No argument from me that religion as a concept has very shaky credibility. But religion is a human construct that is a separate issue to the existence of a god. If there is a god I see him slapping his forehead at the behaviour of humans, especially those who claim to have a monopoly on knowing him through their religion.
It's hard to know what makes a good yardstick for the nature/existenc of a god,, but religion sure isn't a good one.
There's any number of studies that show that, as a whole, non believers are more generous, and do more for the community than religious people....and they do it because they feel it's the right thing to do, not out of a fear of a Sky Daddy.Its very true that religious groups can do great things, but so much lousy stuff has been done in their name its very hard to weigh up any actual intrinsic worth. Even ignoring any history from crusades, inquisition etc etc, if we looked at religion as it currently stands this century how much value does it really have for humanity? The value it does have could probably be filled with a more rational and less bigoted and REAL way of thinking and social grouping if there was a void to fill if there were suddenly no religions.... however this would require improved education.
A fundamental flaw with it is that it is all a fantasy story, which to build any thing of any value on is a pretty darn shakey foundation.
Yeah definately, there is always room. But you don't have to be hawking level IQ to understand that a prophet did not slice the moon, another did not walk on water and that there is actually not multi armed elephant dude controlling the world.Stephen Hawkings wife apparently had a conversation with him about the Big Bang where she asked him what happened before the Big Bang and what set it off. Stephen apparently answered that it was impossible to know as all the laws of physics break down at that point, to which she replied "Good, so there is still room for a God". A point he couldn't refute.
The idea of that sort of god with respect to the gods of old is so different as to make the use of the same term pretty much irrelevant. And as we all know we are left with the same problem of what created that "instigator".Stephen Hawkings wife apparently had a conversation with him about the Big Bang where she asked him what happened before the Big Bang and what set it off. Stephen apparently answered that it was impossible to know as all the laws of physics break down at that point, to which she replied "Good, so there is still room for a God". A point he couldn't refute.
That makes me feel warm and fuzzy!There's any number of studies that show that, as a whole, non believers are more generous, and do more for the community than religious people....and they do it because they feel it's the right thing to do, not out of a fear of a Sky Daddy.
Would this also give some very religious people an over inflated sense of entitlement? God bequeathed it to me so I don't owe any living being anything for what I have been bequeathed.There's any number of studies that show that, as a whole, non believers are more generous, and do more for the community than religious people....and they do it because they feel it's the right thing to do, not out of a fear of a Sky Daddy.
I'm sure there are any number of studies that are inverse to your claim. As well.There's any number of studies that show that, as a whole, non believers are more generous, and do more for the community than religious people....and they do it because they feel it's the right thing to do, not out of a fear of a Sky Daddy.
Sorry, I should have been more specific...credible, peer reviewed studies.I'm sure there are any number of studies that are inverse to your claim. As well.
I'm sure there are any number of studies that are inverse to your claim. As well.
What's the credible part, a group that is authorised by you. :hand:Sorry, I should have been more specific...credible, peer reviewed studies.
Quote some.There's any number of studies.....
Yeah, sure. That's it.What's the credible part, a group that is authorised by you. :hand:
Its all in the timing. :hug:Quote some.
Edit. How's your timing?
Bahaha. And your counter evidence?That's enough. Don't look to hard you might be right.