Does religion deserve respect?
 

It kills, it lies, it deludes and it makes billions. Do we respect it or should we hound it out?

Its not a question of respecting religion. Its about respecting the right of others to believe whatever gives them comfort or answers. Even if theyre deluded.

No religion,like most anything else in life should get respect unless it earns it.That goes for people who have religious beliefs and all people and institutions in general too.

Does a tramp deserve respect?
Does a millionaire deserve respect?
Does a mother deserve respect?
Does opinions deserve respect?
Do differences deserve respect?

Yes, yes, yes, yes and yes.

And evidently religion is used as an excuse for people like Bin Laden to fulfil their own selfish ends.

Decent people who just so happen to share certain beliefs about Gods and the afterlife should be left to do as they please, as should non believers and agnostics.

There's a difference between you rightfully disagreeing with their beliefs and unnecessarily ridiculing people for daring to not see things as you do.

:worship:

http://static.funnyjunk.com/pictures...theworld00.jpg

jehova's witness: Knock, Knock, "sh!t happens"

:laugh3:

Should we respect a religion that lies to children and tells them they will go to hell if they are bad and that a man died for them because they are sinners?

If you don't respect it then choose not to subscribe to it. Simples.

Or are you asking if it should be banned? Now that's very different.

I'm sorry, are you going for the broad religious pool which is very vast or making specifications? Do make it clearer.

Or are you someone who lumps everyone in the same boxes just so your insults and assumptions seem stronger?

jesus H christ. your points dont get any clearer do they. spit it out.

I do not believe in forcing religion on children. I was made to go to sunday school and learn about god and stuff, and I knew from a very young age that it was a load of bollocks, yet still had to go.

But yes, if people decide to follow it...their CHOICE should be respected. I dont necessarily respect religion in general and the lies it tells/problems it seems to cause but if it gived others hope and that, then whats the problem?

You're bashing "RELIGION". All religions are different and have different values.

So, throwing out insults and offensive remarks to "a religion" doesn't hold any water until you're specific.

Can your hard drive process that information or is your bandwidth limited?

are you saying that you dont think that the main religions cause problems in the world?

All religions lie to children (maybe not Buddhism) but we are dealing, as others have worked out, with the main religions here.

I think people who cause trouble tend to hide behind religion to try and justify themselves.

In general, I would say it does more good than harm.

With people who use religion as an excuse for their evil deeds and ruin the reputation of the genuine everyday believer? Yes.

Nail, banged on the head.

Very strong post, very reasoned.

No-one has to respect Religion which is, after all, nothing but an umbrella term under which all faiths seem to have been dumped. However, one should respect the rights of other people to believe whatever the hell they want that gives meaning and structure to their lives. I would say that telling children there is NOTHING for them other than this short, miserable life, at the end of which there is a black and empty oblivion, irrespective of whether they have been good or evil human beings, is just as illogical and without factual evidence as would be indoctrinating them into any particular religion.

Why not just afford people the courtesy and respect of allowing them to decide for themselves what they wish to believe in? - I daresay most of the belief systems of those on this forum wouldn't stand up to empirical scrutiny.

Contradiction.
But even with the main religions free will is a big factor for when that person grows up and decide whether to be "confirmed" or not.

I'd say vice versa tbh

just the issue of contraception and safe sex alone has caused millions of unnecessary deaths. Religion certainly doesn't encourage an open mind.

What good does it do?

Do you know how much real estate the catholic church have for example (billions)?

and yet every day they preach about Jesus who taught people to give up wealth and give it to the poor?

People are free to believe what they want but under no circumstances are my obligated to respect it.

It's a persons choice if they want to respect a belief system or not. I hate the current trend that because something is a belief it is therefore sacred and bound to automatic respect.

**** right off. Mormons are knobs.

Agreed about the financial side. Churches seem out only to get money. I remember when I was young and was dragged along to church with my grandma, twice a week she used to put 20 quid in the collection, but one week she was a bit skint so put a fiver in instead...and the ****ing glare she got was unbelievable, she was actually asked where her 'usual' contribution' was...I think thats taking the mick to be honest, a fivers still a lot more than most would put in.

Anyways, the good it does...it gives hope to those who would have nothing. I know most religions teach ignorance and intolerance, but for every homophobe born out of christianity, theres 10 little old women welcoming death rather than being scared because they think that they are going to meet god or something like that. Personally I think there is nothing at all after death but if it helps those on their deathbed, who am I to begrudge them that.

Not everyone follows the religious teachings to a tee these days anyway, I think you would be hard pushed to find someone who lived their life totally according to the bible or whatever. Everything has its good points and bad points.

While saying all this though, I must admit that I still just shut the door on the jehovas witnesses when they come round :laugh:

God told that guy to behead that woman

and if you think "that was not god" then lets see your proof

What on earth are you on about now...

So...some crazy guy says god told him to do something. And this means all religion is bad why?

that's what I think and I'm very happy to think that. Nothing there, nothing to fear.

There is nothing stopping anyone saying god told me to do this. This is why religion is bad. People use a fictitious situation to make people do things like kill, blow them selves up, give money, feel guilt and so on.

Thats terrible reasoning :laugh:

Just because a few crazy people make out that they did whatever for religion...

If there was no religion, they would just blame it on something else.

I massacred 200 people because the banana in my fridge told me to do it. Lets ban bananas.

Suicide bombers, 9/11 - all religiously motivated. taliban?

Now I get it. His still a Jesus freak but by pulling off this sort of gimmickery with these **** arguments his getting us to argue for him.

You cunning fox, you.

Allegedly

Strange given that the quran teaches peace though...sure it doesnt say in it anything along the lines of go blow up people you dislike.

This post has summarised just how ill educated you are.

Terrorists use religion as an excuse for their selfish crimes and that automatically makes anyone who believes in a God bad?

I say "a God" because everyone believes in different things. Even within specific religions not everyone is the same.

The screams of a mentally unstable madman who beheaded a woman in a supermarket is hardly symbolic of everyone is it?

This is worse than the complaints that Ronnie's baby swap in Eastenders was trying to represent all mothers who lost children to cot death.

So the "madman" cannot speak to god but a local priest can?

a suicide bomber cannot speak to allah but a bloke down the local mosque can?

how?

:conf:

either you're not very good at explaining your points or I'm a bit slow. Local priests are not committing extreme offences.

Since when do priests in general commit crimes and evil deeds?

Since when did priests claim they literally speak with God verbally?

Again, ill educated and not very bright at all.

And again, you're suggesting that if the madman did speak with God, that God is evil.
Well that's different to debating whether religion (belief or non belief) is wrong.

Clearly doesn't understand the concept of different religions and different people. You can't lump everyone in one category.

ireland for one place

all priests claim to speak to god via praying in churches