Why do so many people on here, especially the self-described atheists, spend so much time discussing religion? I know that everyone has had a rough time because of religion, but that happens with other things throughout life, and we move on. With religion, it almost seems like some people just can't let it go. I see far more religion bashing than I would have expected. Sometimes I think this website's name should have been "Religion Bashers" or something instead of agnostic.
I don't think spending so much time and thought on something you've already made your choice about is productive.
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57 comments (51 - 57)
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.Perhaps you might consider that for many here it isn't just that we have made up our minds about religion, but that we feel part of a movement that broadly and collectively aims to struggle against and challenge religion, working however we can in our own ways in pursuit of that struggle. So, it is hardly surprising that those of us of that view would want to what you crudely call religion bash, to share experiences, note where we agree and disagree, share information, and discuss what can be done in pursuit of a secular world. There are so few places where this is possible, and this thankfully is one of them. For my part, and in my own small way, being part of that struggle against religion is what drives me. It's a struggle that, as Bertrand Russell wrote, doesn't just go back to the Enlightenment, but all the way to the Greeks. And when I look at the virulence of religion in the modern world it worries me that it's a struggle we still may lose. It happened once before. It was called The Dark Ages. So yes, some of us like to discuss it in detail here.
David1955
Level 8
Apr 12, 2018
0
@David19585: The word "bash" is crude? I have seen far, far worse being said on here, plus I don't think it is crude.
The part about the movement....wanting to religion bash...I don't see where wanting to bash believers' religion(s) is a good thing--for any reason. What your movement is doing just what the believers do to you. Basically, it sounds like your movement is pretty militant. I may be wrong, but that's my perception.
I seriously doubt that things will getter any time soon. I hope they do, for everyone else. In truth, it won't matter to me, because I'll be dead.
@marga the criticism of religion is about the religions, the nonsense they promote, the appalling things they do, not attacks on people. The attack against nonreligious believers is personal. You read it everyday in articles about atheists. So your comment is false equivalence, in my view. Your last sentence is defeatism. I don't agree. The growing rise of secularism and religious non belief particularly in the west is a clear trend. It's why religionists are so worried and why they attack atheism and atheists personally. So as long as I'm alive I'm not giving up hope. Do my bit. Wish I could do more.
@David1955 I never said you attacked people. In fact, if you'll re-read my post (right above your reply), I specifically said "...wanting to bash believers' religion(s)..." I do not agree that my comment is false equivalence, quite the opposite, but you are, as always, free to believe what you want. But what last sentence is defeatism? If you would tell me, I'd appreciate it, because now I'm curious.
@marga "I seriously doubt things will [get] better any time soon.... I won't matter to me, because I'll be dead." Perhaps it was dark humour, but it seemed defeatist to me. Things are getting better, but we need to keep up the effort against religion.... And so we come back to your post and people talking about religion which you questioned on this site. Full circle.
@David1955 It wasn't meant to be humorous or defeatist. It is factual and truthful. I have terminal cancer, and I am now on hospice, with, at most, a few weeks to live. My sentence was simply stating a fact.
However, your needing to keep up the effort against religion...to me that sounds too militant. I'm an old broad, lol.
@marga I am very sorry to learn this. I couldn't have understood the context of your comment. I just make the point that I consider the term militant atheist, a term which was coined by believers, to be a compliment, though I prefer the term activist atheists. Militants and activists have lead the charge over the decades in changing attitudes about gender, race and other issues. Issues need militants to bring about change. That's how I see it. Anyway I wish you all the very best with your treatment.
Whether or not one believes in a supernatural being, the subject is fascinating. All civilizations have produced a system of ethics, even if only to subjugate the masses. Religion is a way of organizing people into an ordered society. The different ways that religion serves to enhance or degrade a people is endlessly interesting.
Sweetsari
Level 4
Apr 12, 2018
0
I am a self described atheist.... I don't talk religion or god.
GipsyOfNewSpain
Level 9
Apr 11, 2018
1
Religion is the evil opiate of the masses. Many of us talk about it so much because it ruins lives. Ruins relationships. Ruins politics.
ElusiveMoby
Level 7
Feb 22, 2019
0
I think we discuss religion because it is a dynamic field. We also like to keep tabs on the latest "fundi" declarations and personally I like to make jest of them. (like the Noah arc) The very latest (Yahoo news today) is how the world will end April 23) Probably a good idea LOL. then we had this "advanced" scholar who was going to prove the world flat.
I' believe in separation of church & state and might go a step further and hope people would stop feding this superstitious bs to their kids. I was brought up Methodist, really more fundamental than the mainstream church and got a heck of a shock when visited the nys museum in Albany to see how the world would have looked like 2m years ago
gothicmtn86
Level 4
Apr 15, 2018
0
The lack of religion defines us as being different from everyone else.
nicknotes
Level 8
Apr 11, 2018
0
I believe that is absolutely not true. I believe it just defines your belief as opposed to a religious belief. That is the only difference.
@marga sorry we don't have any beliefs we have science
@markdevenish No, you have a belief in science as holding all the answers
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