You may realize why I put Stu on ignore a long time ago. It is like debating with a potted plant. No matter what you say, right or wrong, you eventually understant that you are not getting anywhere...
How about the basic set of principles which 99% of countries on earth choose to govern themselves by? Without the rules that are the same in almost every single religion there is no such thing as civilization. If you look at the basic messages of any religion they are the foundation for laws in almost every country. Love thy fellow man, do unto others as you would have done unto yourself, though shall not kill though shal not murder, etc... Without these basic principals which the majority of the world live by we are just like every animal walking around doing whatever impulsive action comes to mind. I am by no means a fan of any particular organized religion but there are many positive messages, and principles which every religion teaches, that if people actually chose to follow without exception, make the world a much better place.
Finally, somebody gets it. Religion is very necessary to the functioning of the modern state. Citizens will rally around the state itself, an individual, or a god. Sometimes is a combination of the three. Stu is an atheist, which is a religion. He has no more proof of no god than deists have proof there is. Those deists that have had no exposure to the paranormal, that is. Humans need a concrete structure to organize their thoughts around.
"Religion is regarded by the common man as true, the wise man as false, and the rulers as useful." ~Seneca the Younger 4 b.c.- 65 a.d
âNo man ever believes that the Bible means what it says: He is always convinced that it says what he meansâ- George Bernard Shaw 1856-1950
I fully agree, and i don't understand why people can not extend themselves and just get over the fact that some of the stuff in the bible may not be true, but the overall concept has provided more good for society as a whole then anything ever will.
Tell me something, do you deem yourself as "wise," if yuo are in fact wise then the bible is false. Do you consider the laws which modern society governs itself based on to be more "for the greater good," or "less for the greater good." do you believe it is pure fluke that we as human beings developed set of guidelines with which to live by, a set of morals which benefit a greater portion of society then they cause harm to?? Even though not one other species has accomplished this. Do you believe that you should be loving to your fellow human being? Do you believe you should do unto others as you would have done unto yourself? The fact of the matter is that if you were able to look past the simplicity of most facets of the bible and look for deeper meaning in alot of it, you would be much wiser, as opposed to the stupid arguments i hear on here about Adam and Eve not being true, and therefore the whole bible being a heap of shit.
do all of these things require an imaginary friend?does it even matter to you that the supernatural aspects of your deity are made up?does it bother you that this religion you want every one to follow condones,no commands, murder, slavery, incest and blood sacrifice. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBjmZKyHL_w "The most preposterous notion that H. Sapiens has ever dreamed up is that the Lord God of Creation, Shaper and Ruler of all the Universes, wants the saccharine adoration of His creatures, can be swayed by their prayers, and becomes petulant if He does not receive this flattery. Yet this absurd fantasy, without a shred of evidence to bolster it, pays all the expenses of the oldest, largest, and least productive industry in all of history. "Robert Heinlein