peppermill at my-deja.com wrote:
[> ichi at earthling.net.god wrote:
[>> "Jeffrey P. Utz, M.D." wrote;
[>> : My point is that people live longer and healthier if they live
[>according to
[>> : their beliefs, whatever those beliefs are. At least according to the
[>> : studies. If your friends believes in Germane the flying
[>caterpillar, and
[>> : lives according to these beliefs, that is fine.
[>>
[>> I disagree.
[>>
[>> This all depends on what beliefs are included in his theology. If he
[>> would believe in the extermination of everyone owning a red car I
[>> could never accept his religion. If he went around knocking on doors
[>> trying to persuade people into the same belief I would regard him as a
[>> danger.
[>>
[>> Some beliefs are harmful and history shows that religion is a heavy
[>> cornerstone in every armed conflict that has been fought in modern
[>> time.
[>>
[>> On each side of the conflicts the preachers have stood preaching to
[>> the soliders soon to die that this or that god is with them and with
[>> divine help they will win victory over the bad, bad enemies.
[>>
[>> If you want something that relieves stress and has been shown to make
[>> people live longer, go get a kitten.
[>>
[>> And that's my personal opinion by the way.
[>>
[>> --
[>> Ichimusai #769.
[>> SPAM/UCE/UBE will be dealt with.
[>> Verba volent, scripta manent.
[>> Use PGP! E-mail <krikkit-pgp at algonet.se> for public key.
[>>
[>>
[>
[>Religion has often been used to justify terrible crimes against
[>humanity. But I think the problem goes beyond religion. Anyone who
[>thinks that his way is the only right or true way and that others must
[>follow his truths is dangerous. Plain old fashioned greed doesn't help
[>either.
And there's the key point; "Religion has often been used to justify terrible
crimes against humanity." It also is used to turn honest citizens into
crimminals, mostly brother/sister theists, based on the insecurities, ignorance
and prejudice of the theist legislator. Contrary to what is often asserted both
on alt.atheism and in real life, Christianity does not generate morality.
What many atheists have indicated is believe what you want, just don't bring it
into areas it doesn't belong, such as school boards and the legislative arena.
Follow it personally and set an example to others based on your beliefs.
Stoney
