I love religion!

[Zagreus]

No, many religious people teach that the followers should not question, and should believe in things that there is little evidence for. (A Muslim would argue the Qur’an is proof of God’s existence. I know that’s a circular argument, but I’ve seen it used. Therefore you can’t say there is NO evidence, but there is certainly no ‘scientific’ evidence.)

That is probably the dumbest thing I've ever heard an atheist claim. Circular arguments are not evidence but flaws in reasoning.

No, it was a comment containing both a theist view and an atheist view in one. The trick in understanding ideas is to see things from another point of view in order to examine your own. My post contains two ideas:

Theist: God exists, and He shows Himself to humanity via prophets and so on, therefore the Qur’an is evidence that God exists.

Atheist: There is no scientific, empirical evidence that God exists.

You have gone from the assumption that God doesn’t exist to the conclusion that the Qur’an is wrong. If the Qur’an is right, it’s not circular, as God caused the Holy text, and therefore it is evidence. Only from a non-believer’s view is that incorrect. I don’t necessarily agree with Descartes either on things, but I still try to see his view when reading his works.

Other religious people teach very differently, and it is more the western faiths that have this idea of unquestioning obedience. Don’t paint the teachings of Buddha, Guru Nanak or Sri Ramakrishna with the same negative view.

Why not? When some religion claims re-incarnation I consider that just as void of evidence as I do of an afterlife. I do not hold any regard to religions worshiping an Elephant god any more than I do an invisible cosmos controller. The doctrine of Castes is no more humane to me than the idea of slavery.

My point was that these religious people did not teach unquestioning obedience, which was your point; I hadn’t even mentioned the afterlife.

Worshiping an elephant god? Yes, what silly backward Indian people they are! Remember I mentioned atheists just dismissing things they don’t understand? Hinduism is a very complex monotheistic theological system; and yes, I said monotheistic. You’d rather just dismiss it than examine the fact that the Hindu system is an intricate coordination of philosophical ideas. All I’m saying is I find it an interesting subject. If you don’t, then fine. The caste system is more complex than slavery too. Again, not necessarily something I agree with, but it still exists and is an interesting social construct. Hinduism is one of the oldest belief systems in the world, and the Rig Veda one of our species’ oldest documents, but it’s a load of old bollocks, right?

Don't tell me what to think or "paint" any other religion. I do not share your views on this topic and that is fine, but I am not telling you how you must feel on any subject, don't impose your views on mine.

I’m not telling you anything. If you’re dismissive of the subject, don’t comment in a thread about it, and don’t get the arse when someone says something you disagree with. It’s only an internet conversation. I’m not imposing any views on anyone. I said I like the subject, not ‘I think you should all agree with me.’ You can think what you like.

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If someone wants to rant at me about how there’s a world conspiracy and the twin towers were brought down by the US government, who is run by the freemasons, I’ll listen to them too. Doesn’t mean I have to agree.

Step inside little spider....

Is there a specific thread on this, per chance? I am interested in this stuff, but it's not something I'm that into or know that much on. I'm very sceptical.