To Atheists: Questioning religion
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Hello atheists of sgforums,
I have previously come into this part of sgforums to read a bit but never posted. I'm not directing this post to any particular person or post in the atheism forum. Just something I tell even more my friends.
It's one thing to question religion, but it's something else altogether when you start making insults and personal comments. Having read some of the posts here, I am sure some of you are mature enough to know the difference.
I respect those of you who have made your own decisions regarding religion/non-religion based on rational thinking. Which is more than I can say for those who make comments about religion for no reason other than hate itself.
Most of you I feel would understand what I am saying, but I just wanted to say something about this. Thanks for reading. -
There's always a fine line on this topic and often, little agreement can be found.
One man's legitimate criticism is another man's hate speech.
Personally, I strongly support religious freedom. In my view, religion is something close to a thought crime. Belief in religion and allowing that belief to guide your behavior and ethics is, in my opinion, utterly senseless.
However, as I said, I strongly support religious freedom because I think there is nothing wrong with "thought crime" and trying to control peoples thoughts leads us down a slippery slope.
Similarly, I think there should be no restriction on fantasizing about rape, incest, and even murder. We think about all kinds of things everyday, but it is what we do that really matters.
The problem I have with religious people is when they try to impose their views upon others. Take for example Section 377a of the penal code. I'm opposed to 377a because I feel no one should have any right to interfere with the private lives of consenting adults.
Section 377a states:
Outrages on decency.
377A. Any male person who, in public or private, commits, or abets the commission of, or procures or attempts to procure the commission by any male person of, any act of gross indecency with another male person, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 2 years."
First of all, I object to the definition of indecency. Who sets that standard? And why should someone else set that standard for me? And more importantly, why should the govt or anyone else have the right to interfere with my private life? -
I am atheist , not blasphemer
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But everyone is a blasphemer.
One definition I found was:
"Swearing in the name of God, denying the existence of God, saying evil things about God, asserting incorrect beliefs about God, etc. One religion's affirmation of their God is another religion's blasphemy about their God."
I think it's important to note that when a Christian states that Jesus is the son of god, he is blaspheming Islam. On the same note, when a Muslim claims that Jesus is just a prophet, he is blaspheming Christianity. -
I would always question logic of any religion even if my questioning borders on insulting.
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let's just say there alot of loopholes in the bible
and the creation magic thing, looks like an excuse -
Just not to talk about religions with deity or deities, just disagree with Buddhist over karma as you can have cause without effect, effect without cause.Originally posted by Phaze:But everyone is a blasphemer.
One definition I found was:
"Swearing in the name of God, denying the existence of God, saying evil things about God, asserting incorrect beliefs about God, etc. One religion's affirmation of their God is another religion's blasphemy about their God."
I think it's important to note that when a Christian states that Jesus is the son of god, he is blaspheming Islam. On the same note, when a Muslim claims that Jesus is just a prophet, he is blaspheming Christianity. -
Hi giga, I think this is more about belief/validity of the bible, which I feel is a different thing.Originally posted by gigabyte14:let's just say there alot of loopholes in the bible
and the creation magic thing, looks like an excuse -
Issue was never about asking you to believe in the same thing.
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Phase, the way you summed up religion, is so totally inspiring, so clear cut and easy to apply, it has moved me to the point of tears, like revealing to me a colour I have never seen, like a cat which had a moment ago coughed out a furball which has accumulated for weeks.
Are you from this planet? Are you from this country? -
Sorry I got your nick spelt wrong. Please accept my apology.
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Hi sumone. You may or may not be aware of this guy called Ron Paul. If you googled or Youtubed this name you will be sure to find a lot of information regarding this guy. I would like to point out in particular the presidential debate at South Carolina in which he makes the statement "they are here because we have been over there".Originally posted by SumOne:Hello atheists of sgforums,
I have previously come into this part of sgforums to read a bit but never posted. I'm not directing this post to any particular person or post in the atheism forum. Just something I tell even more my friends.
It's one thing to question religion, but it's something else altogether when you start making insults and personal comments. Having read some of the posts here, I am sure some of you are mature enough to know the difference.
I respect those of you who have made your own decisions regarding religion/non-religion based on rational thinking. Which is more than I can say for those who make comments about religion for no reason other than hate itself.
Most of you I feel would understand what I am saying, but I just wanted to say something about this. Thanks for reading.
The insults you talk about. Its known as Blow Back. You have to examine what your brethren have been doing around the world, including recently, the small and now still officially anti-gay Singapore.
I'm sorry I can't help you educate these people. When you itch, you scratch, even though you know the itch will come back. -
I never question religion, coz its never ending
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Hi crosshairs, when I mean religion like that, I don't necessarily mean Christianity.Originally posted by crosshairs:Hi sumone. You may or may not be aware of this guy called Ron Paul. If you googled or Youtubed this name you will be sure to find a lot of information regarding this guy. I would like to point out in particular the presidential debate at South Carolina in which he makes the statement "they are here because we have been over there".
The insults you talk about. Its known as Blow Back. You have to examine what your brethren have been doing around the world, including recently, the small and now still officially anti-gay Singapore.
I'm sorry I can't help you educate these people. When you itch, you scratch, even though you know the itch will come back.
I choose not to talk about the anti-gay issue more because I have no real opinion on it. You can say I'm indifferent.
It's one thing to criticise and point out what people are doing wrong, it's a different thing to be insulting merely on one's choice of beliefs/lack of beliefs. -
Which religion are you talking about? If you refer to religion A, you will have to provide references from this forum that you seem to have issues with.Originally posted by SumOne:Hi crosshairs, when I mean religion like that, I don't necessarily mean Christianity.
I choose not to talk about the anti-gay issue more because I have no real opinion on it. You can say I'm indifferent.
It's one thing to criticise and point out what people are doing wrong, it's a different thing to be insulting merely on one's choice of beliefs/lack of beliefs.
The "insults" you are refering to. Which are they? Why do they qualify as insults? A reaction is a reaction, right or wrong based on your judgement. If you do something, if you initiate an action, expect a result. -
Haiz..... none in particular. And I don't think you truly get what my first post was about. Thanks for trying though.Originally posted by crosshairs:Which religion are you talking about? If you refer to religion A, you will have to provide references from this forum that you seem to have issues with.The "insults" you are refering to. Which are they? Why do they qualify as insults? A reaction is a reaction, right or wrong based on your judgement. If you do something, if you initiate an action, expect a result.
I'm not really trying to initiate anything. And I don't think there's any need to explain further, lest the misunderstanding gets deeper. I do not know how you are seeing this issue, but I am not taking this as a confrotation of any sort. This thread was never meant to be confrontation in any way so I hope you won't take it too personally.
Anyway I think the first post carried my point clear enough. If anything, I was just speaking generally without anyone in particular.
If you don't mind crosshair, I will try not to address you very much after this post because I worry this discussion is going in a direction that I don't want it to take. -
Then why do you start it in the first place? WHat have atheists ever done to you? Are you an atheist? You think what you wrote was not meant to be confrontational? If you change your mind about leaving this thread as it is, I will be right here to reply. You're welcome.Originally posted by SumOne:I'm not really trying to initiate anything. And I don't think there's any need to explain further, lest the misunderstanding gets deeper. I do not know how you are seeing this issue, but I am not taking this as a confrotation of any sort. This thread was never meant to be confrontation in any way so I hope you won't take it too personally.
Anyway I think the first post carried my point clear enough. If anything, I was just speaking generally without anyone in particular.
If you don't mind crosshair, I will try not to address you very much after this post because I worry this discussion is going in a direction that I don't want it to take. -
You know what the problem is? You're vague. Being vague does not provide a good excuse to stirr up controversies. You put words in other people's mouths. You purposely misread forumers' replies. You know very well when you started the thread that there will be replies, putting up disclaimers does not protect you from public opinion.Originally posted by SumOne:I do not know what your intention is, but I will not reply you in the thread as you seem to be bringing it in a different direction altogether. Maybe because of the misunderstanding over my posts. Still, thank you for reading.
Admit it. You are being vague. Intentionally.
Come clean with it. At least there will be grounds for reconcilliation. If you still do not admit to "acting blurr", either you are really blurr, or you have a hidden agenda.