"If you can prove God exists, I'll resign"

[Reg the Fronkey FarmerModerator]

But you can’t honestly say that everyone thought that way.

Yes I can because the Church had complete control over people lives. Almost everyone did because they knew no better. Scientific endeavors were strictly monitored by the Church who also controlled many schools and most Universities. Those who dared to think differently or suggest that the Church view was wrong were forced to recant or were murdered by the Church authorities in some hideous manner. Death for heresy was a common occurrence. Of course very few Christians know anything about this.

“Many religions now come before us with ingratiating smirks and outspread hands, like an unctuous merchant in a bazaar. They offer consolation and solidarity and uplift, competing as they do in a marketplace. But we have a right to remember how barbarically they behaved when they were strong and were making an offer that people could not refuse.”

Christopher Hitchens, God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything.

A book most theists fear to read.

[jakelafortParticipant]

Ivy,

It is only extreme language if it is a gross exaggeration. If you called a baby sitter poison or her behavior cancer because she was on the phone while babysitting instead of playing with your kids but was otherwise responsible then i would agree such language is extreme. As i have previously mentioned we don’t think it is extreme for mothers against drunk drivers to be outspoken over driving drunk or for any of us to be vituperative when calling out child molesters or serial killers. But the harm done by drunk drivers or individual molesters or serial killers is an atom on Normandy Beach compared to the harm done by religion.

I am sounding like i have been brainwashed? Again, the sacrosanct almighty lets keep quiet even though we know it is all BS and has done incalculable harm taboo white elephant in the closet. I grew up around atheists and was encouraged to think for myself. So i didn’t simply read Bertrand Russell and company i read apologists and theologians. That is the opposite of brainwashed. My opinions are based on my assessment of the evidence.

The oft-cited us v. them has a superficial appeal. But each case must be evaluated on its merits. Am i becoming the same? Lets see. In my personal life i have helped a great many people both emotionally and financially and did not discriminate against the religious. I have at risk of getting the shit kicked out of myself stood up to bullies who were picking on vulnerable kids. I support the US constitution in terms of free exercise of religion. And i don’t demonize religious folks. Just like people who get cancer i don’t blame them. On other hand as you may have noticed i am not a great big flag waving fan of religion itself.

[jakelafortParticipant]

Reg, i read God is not Great. Had forgotten the how religion poisons everything part. But that little man behind the scenes surely noticed.

[Author]

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