Atheists are more intelligent than religious people, finds study.

[RobertX]

I don't know if I've said this before, but I'll say it again: I'm not religious, but I have spiritual beliefs. I was not brought up from "Original Sin," nor do I ever receive Communion. Heck, I don't even go to church, but when I have something to confide, but no one is available to listen, I go there. It's not religion, it's spirituality.

Now hawkman, just to be sure, are you saying that people who have spiritual beliefs are dumbasses? Just because I don't off myself and think atheists are wrong, am I a simpleton?

I don't believe in magic, and I question religious beliefs, but I study religion as a hobby. While I see through some stuff, I also believe others to be a source of strength.

What do you say about that?

[hawkman]

I believe any one who blindly follows any religion and preaches it to be the gospel truth need to have their heads examined. Blind faith creates hate in other's beliefs and the people who hold them. Ther are 3 reasons in this world people go to war for. Religion, power and agreed. I think all people have a right to believe in whatever God they want but religion itself should be outlawed worldwide as well as the monetary system. Unfortunately we still need leaders and laws, so power hungry people get a pass but with the elimination of the other 2 leaders can be somewhat reeled in. So no I don't think people are mentally deficient for having spiritual beliefs, (something created this universe), and whatever brings you peace of mind should be sought. Buddhism is not a religion, it's a state of mind, if people sought peace instead of an unscientific reason for everything the world would be a much better place. And no I'm not religious or Buddhist but I can't say I'm an atheist either though it's the closest word to describe my beliefs.

[RobertX]

Religions come from beliefs. So, if I believe in something, should I be an outlaw and fry in an electric chair? Doesn't quite make sense.

(The monetary part is agreeable though.)

EDIT: I read your piece a few more times and started to believe more of what you're saying. Just that I still don't think religions need to be outlawed.

You're right about one thing: blind faith brings catastrophic consequences, but faith is needed to shape life's balance and stability. You can't do without that. Faith is the whole point of religion, just like faith is the whole point of marriage. You trust it, and you don't feel despair because of a lack of faith.

Of course, like you said, blind faith is bad, even Jesus Christ said something like that in his test against the devil. Praying for a God to save you works only if you're in your darkest hour, not when you treat praying as something that will be convenient. When the devil told him to jump off a cliff and have his God save him, he refused to, stating that you should not put God to the test. I'll have to read it again to clarify, but that's one of the key areas I've studied about religion back in school.

[LZA]

Religions come from beliefs. So, if I believe in something, should I be an outlaw and fry in an electric chair? Doesn't quite make sense.

(The monetary part is agreeable though.)

EDIT: I read your piece a few more times and started to believe more of what you're saying. Just that I still don't think religions need to be outlawed.

You're right about one thing: blind faith brings catastrophic consequences, but faith is needed to shape life's balance and stability. You can't do without that. Faith is the whole point of religion, just like faith is the whole point of marriage. You trust it, and you don't feel despair because of a lack of faith.

Following ANYTHING blindly is not good... If you have questions, you should be able to ask without being considered evil or wrong. MY faith includes believing what I believe with the sense that I can break it down, question and answer anything, and even CHANGE my faith if I find new info.

The problem with organized religions is they only describe a fraction of the whole...

I think I've posted this before, but the people I lived with in the ghetto, would argue about it all the time. I brought up the point about fossils being millions of years old and how can the bible be right... I was told that fossils were planted by the devil to question Gods word. I knew then that normal conversations could not be had with zealots like that...Plus, with every question they would get angrier and angrier... If you are right, Y U mad bro? Truth is blindly following is uncomfortable becaue they would like to know, but were told not to question... No god of mine would tell me to do that

[RobertX]

I guess we're all in agreement.

I like it when we all agree.

Well, when I became of age where I started questioning religions, right and wrong and the Ten Commandments were what I questioned. Then I realised that the Bible, while as words of God, was still written by humans.

I remember in the Michael Moore documentary about gun violence, "Bowling for Columbine," there was a Marilyn Manson video, which contained lyrics like, "I am not a slave to a god that doesn't exist." I know how it can be offensive, but I also know it can be true even with the existence of God.

It's a mind fuck, but a mind fuck that lasted since the beginnings of Christianity.

[LZA]

I guess we're all in agreement.

I like it when we all agree.

Well, when I became of age where I started questioning religions, right and wrong and the Ten Commandments were what I questioned. Then I realised that the Bible, while as words of God, was still written by humans.

I remember in the Michael Moore documentary about gun violence, "Bowling for Columbine," there was a Marilyn Manson video, which contained lyrics like, "I am not a slave to a god that doesn't exist." I know how it can be offensive, but I also know it can be true even with the existence of God.

It's a mind fuck, but a mind fuck that lasted since the beginnings of Christianity.

There is a fallacy in arguments... I think it's the authoritarian argument. It's when people in authority or "the know" say something, it carries more weight.

The bible and religions are "authorities" so they are less likely to be questioned, by essentially, they are created ny men, who can twist the facts (or make them up) to fit their needs knowing they won't be questioned since people "never question authority"

Same thing for cops and doctors.. People think what they say goes because of who they represent. But the cop can be a bully headcase and the doc a cokehead quack. The preacher, eh, just a kid diddling pervert. Not to say they can be wrong as individuals, but it's our job to take the info we get and determine if it makes sense, If it doesn't, question it regardless of if the person saying it is in some sort of power. end of the day, there are people in power, are just people... no better or worse than you or I

[hawkman]

Most cops are just power hungry authoritarians who didn't have the fortitude to become lawyers. And I stress the word most as some are actually concerned citizens who truly wish to help their community. As for Doctors, I have found in my experience they are very opinionated fools who don't know there ass from a hole in the ground, they blindly follow big pharma like a god handing out manufactured chemicals falsely proven to be useful and helpful so the rich investors can get even richer of the pain and misery of others, there is a reason they call it practicing medicine, some need a lot more practice than others. I believe most religious leaders are a combination of both, they want you to believe that their way of thinking is the only way you will find peace. They use terms like "the fear of god", but why should you fear god when he/she loves you. They say if you sin against god you are going to hell,( and in most cases in the history of all religions they send you there themselves), then tell you god forgives all sins and god's "son" died on the cross for your sins so you will be forgiven. It is all just a contradiction of itself. A myth perpetrated to explain the natural world and universe that we still don't understand. There is absolutely no proof that a man named Jesus Christ ever existed or was ever killed on the cross. There are actually extensive records that were kept of people who were crucified (same as the records we keep today of crimes and criminals and death sentences), and yet there was never any record of the crucifixion of the "king of jews". One would think that such an important execution would have been recorded. Instead it wasn't even mentioned until almost a century after it supposedly happened in written stories. It's just another made up story invented to keep the people of that religion in line manufactured by the people in power to help them stay in power. You shouldn't have a fear of god you should have a fear of foolish power hungry religious leaders.

[BigDadE]

there's a certain irony that the atheist that originally posted this also committed suicide. if religion prevents that then i suppose that is good. btw God fearing does not mean you're afraid of God or the wrath of God. for your edification: Definition of God-fearing: having a reverent feeling toward God : devout.

[dueda]

Amen to that. May Poli find peace.