bull****

If religion was not around, something else would replace it. Human being are creatures of violence, hatred and conquest, religion or not. If anything religion helps more than it hurts.

Buddism has just as much violence in its history than any other religion

i agree in a way...

Religious extremists make people believe that all religious people/religions are like that.

and about this whole hating gays thing... They don't hate gays (for the most part) they just don't believe in them getting married.

perhaps the last part is reaching... this is just the case with all the religious people I know. Including a pastor in America.

Not sure what you're getting at, could you be more specific please?

He's right. Religion is a fantastic tool for exploitation and diversity.

If organised religion still has power there is no chance whatsoever of unity

Not saying that humanity is capable of harmony because it is incredibly likely that it is not but the chance is reduced whilst different religions hold power in people's everyday lives.

someone mentioned that buddhists aren't against homosexuality for all people, just for certain priests. I was referring to that.

So yoooooou... disagree? :laugh:

Sure it is, but things would not be any better without it. Ideas are powerful and they can be twisted whether it's religion, nationalism, or liberalism. People naturally want to believe in something whether it is themselves, a God, or a nation. Nothing will ever change no matter how much people pretend we are 'progressing'

People who think all the worlds problems will automatically disappear with religion need a reality check

Okay Salman, but that's not contributing is it, you're just baiting now.

How tf am I baiting :conf2: it's a genuine view, and I'm passionate about it because I feel offended since I'm religious

Yeah but you can just stick with posting what you've already posted rather than just say that people need a 'reality check', which doesn't contribute to anything. You've had your say and if somebody cares to read it, they can. Throwing in the odd insult won't help

People talk about how religious people discriminate against people, yet religious people are discriminated against just as much but that's okay for whatever reason

But there are people on here saying the opposite to Salman who are also baiting. If people want to be religious that is there business and it should not be ridiculed by uninformed sensationalism.

Absolutely agree

If people desperately want to believe in something then I would argue that religion has exploited the very human nature. I don't doubt that for a second btw I an aware that a lot of people look to things for solace/guidance etc.

But in my eyes religion has burned too many bridges. Religion is in essence 'this is what happened, everything my teachings say are real and everybody else is wrong' and such a core belief as that is divisive.

I'm not surprised people have a problem with religion, as a species our progression has been shackled by its influence for far too long and we are fortunate that where we live we are able to question things without being branded heretics or maligned.

I'm not an atheist, but the men in frocks? ...no, no ,no.
Whether you worship god or the goddess both or neither, it's cool with me.
That's my view, if you take comfort from it great, if you are undecided fine... It's all the NO!.. THAT'S WRONG!... STOP THAT!.... DO THIS!
I don't like.

BUt, religious people are MOSTLY discriminated against by OTHER religious people for having a different religion, not by non-religious people or atheists.

Nobody is saying that.

This is a topic about human nature and civilisation.

Some people believe that organised religion and it's influence is part of a plethora of problems preventing us from ever attaining a real sense of unity.

That's quite a cynical viewpoint. The world is far from perfect and I am lucky to be in a rather nice part of it but I would much rather be here today than in plenty of generations and civilizations in the past. I do genuinely think we can sort ourselves out and establish an equilibrium with this planet. Judging by the responses in this thread I feel like one of the only optimistic ones in here.

We can absolutely evolve consciousness and explore space - both inner and outer - together in peace. It's a tough sell but that's no reason not to sell it.

I disagree. I have met very few atheists who did not discriminate against religious people and vice versa

Then the atheists you met were out and out dickheads and it's quite clear that they have colored your view of the whole thing, unfortunately.

Most of my friends are atheist and none of them give a hoot what anybody else believes.

Well my religion teaches me to be accepting, in fact it's a sin to discriminate people because they have other beliefs.

i have them same problem.