Perhaps this is a bad joke under the circumstances, but I would like to practice social-distancing from religious people -- permanently! Reading about the crazy responses from many religious leaders and people about this virus, brings home the truth that many don't just have an aversion to reality concerning their religion, but an aversion to reality (truth, facts, evidence etc) generally!
I feel this terrible virus is exposing a lot of home truths about a lot of things -- and people.
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I don't think that's a good idea. Especially if we want to show religious people that we can be good ethical and compassionate human beings. We don't have to respect their beliefs in the process but the only way atheism can grow is if we talk with people.
CommunityTom
Level 7
Apr 9, 2020
1
You can talk all you like, but "there's thems as won't listen".
I'm having fun seeing the arguments between believers about it. The one true religion is so diverse!
burnhippiesfor
Level 6
Apr 9, 2020
2
Be happy!!!
It has become almost mute!!!
Religious individuals see nothing but their rights to be above everyone that are non believers, even if they have to cull their flocks to stay in power holding dominion over their followers!!!
of-the-mountain
Level 9
Apr 9, 2020
0
That's been my stance for years, no joke involved!
tinkercreek
Level 8
Apr 9, 2020
2
Wow, you just noticed this? Welcome back from Pluto, sweetie!
AnneWimsey
Level 9
Apr 9, 2020
2
I don't think closing ones mind to alternate philosophies is very productive. The problem is not religion, or religious people, but the type of theology or religious practitioners that close their minds all other beliefs and insist that all others are wrong. Much good has been done, even scientifically, by religious intellectuals. And as an artist, historically, the art world would be much less rich without religion. I use the term agnostic to describe myself but I think calling oneself an atheist is closing one's mind to something that nobody knows for sure!
fishline79
Level 7
Apr 9, 2020
0
Well, I'm not going to get into the agnostic-atheist debate again. It has been done to death here on this site, and I'm sick of that. But on one point you said, don't confuse philosophy with religion or theology. Interest in philosophies is one thing, but religions are based on mysticism, supernaturalism and non rational beliefs. It's not a matter of closing the mind, but rejecting these things, and on good grounds.
@David1955 OK, I am merely saying that in ignoring all emanations from people who are religious believers is closing ones own mind to potentially useful or enlightening knowledge or experiences.
[facebook.com]
As a former xtian this is true. There are some who really believe in loving and helping. There are also others who are holy religious attention whores who just want to spout off how much knowledge they have of the bible
Religion, particularly of the orthodox variety, is a cesspool of bad ideas. It is the problem. So-called 'alternate' philosphies must be reality-based, otherwise we get what we have in the White House today--alternative facts.
It is no victory for religion to say that someone who held irrational beliefs overcame them and actually did something positive for humanity. And to assert that it took religion to sponsor or inspire great art is shortsighted. In the absence of religion, the artist turns to another patron and is inspired by subjects within the natural world.
@fishline79 there are notionally religious people -- it's all show and little more -- and there are the profoundly religious. The former may have something to offer, intellectually. But the latter have corrupted brain processes and have little to offer, from my experience. It is these people who are vocal and, frankly, loopy and dangerous during this pandemic.
@p-nullifidian So we should simply ignore anyone who happens to do something positive if they are a practitioner of religion? Frankly, I don't think it is irrational to try to practice the precepts of the unwitting founder of Christianity, like returning good for evil and helping unfortunates. He was not trying to start a religion. Furthermore, I never asserted that art would not exist without religion. You twist my words to support your own biases. By the way, I am an artist and an Agnostic.
@p-nullifidian, @David1955 I certainly would not argue against that assertion, and, by the way I am in essential agreement with you. I'm sure you heard that the Kansas Supreme Court overturned the Governor's ban on Easter services, thus endangering everyone in the country! Even Catholics are told to go to services, countermanding the Pope's own pronouncement that they stay home!
@fishline79 Fair enough ... I stand (sitting actually) corrected regarding the existence of good art. But I don't think one can argue that Christ wasn't trying to start a religion, or at the very least, spread the gospel through his apostles, per Mark 16 or Matthew 10. Peace.
@p-nullifidian Could be, if he even existed!
I agree with you fully. With the religious it is happening because they have to know more than you do and they think they have all the facts. Their god hates the same things that they do. Different congregations of them focus on different things as "their truth." Yes, they cherry pick the bible.
DenoPenno
Level 9
Apr 9, 2020
4
ha! It isnt called "fruit of the tree of knowledge" for nothing, eh?
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