7 February 2012, 8:59 am
Mao, Stalin, Pot Pol, Crusades, Salem witch hunt, islamic terrorism. What do all of these have in common if not people misusing the edicts of people's belief for their own greed and power? Is it any more correct to say that atheism cannot cause violence because it is simply a lack of belief, then to say that christianity can not cause violence because it preaches turn the other cheek? Seems to me that violence and war are caused by people not by religion or lack thereof. If I am wrong, please let me know how. Glutton, I am a deist not theist, but can I assume that since you feel the need to insult, that your viewpoints are so flawed that insults are your only resort to legitimate questions? This is the normal stance of intelligent people who debate, whatever their stance on religion may be. Further, how you take this as an attack against you is beyond me, as I clearly think christians saying atheism causes violence is incorrect as well. Andy, Political agenda? The crusades were caused by the Ottoman empire infringing on teh Roman empire. In fact I would love to hear one case in history of religion causing a war that did not have a political agenda. Jimmy and Galactus, You are mistaken. One you are suggesting that the major tenets of Christ are less important than someportions of the old testament, which is not a view most Christians hold. Two, people, including Hitler have already used the science-only philosophy to justify genicide, and currently Dawkins is calling Christianity and anathem to Science. That viewpoint could as easily be used as justification to wiping out christians, but for you are not in the majority. Bourke, It is not logical to place all violence done by atheist as due to atheism and then to turn around and take the stance that violence done by christian was not due to christianity. The measurement stick must be equal. In fact Hitler exactly proves my point by using both evolution and Christianity to justify his actions. Do you need any more evidence that all viewpoints can be misused? Jimmy, What you are saying is that while Jesus told me to turn the other cheek, you tell me God is going to be happy if I kill these people, and I am going to believe you? Don't think so. And how is this any different then whatever silly justification one may come up with for atheism justifying killing? Bourke, The end conclusion of the link you provided, is that greed and being power-hungry, not religion or atheism has caused all of the needless death. Not sure if you caught that point, but it is a very good and compelling case. http://www.godandscience.org/apologetics/atrocities.html Glutton, I do believe in some form of god and you do not see me shooting up a candy store. Sheesh! Interesting statistic: in the 1816-2005 period there were 205 wars between non-democracies, 166 wars between non-democracies and democracies, and 0 wars between democracies. So what is the cause of war again?... Read More »
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