Ok some points in general (esp for ShellB and reverendjeremiah ); I understand I thread on the toes of oldies on this forum (post count and all). I just...don't really mind postcounts, sorry. I know you people are more established here, but if this a free for all when it comes to being rude, I'll dip my toe in the rude-pool too. And yes, reverendjeremiah, I know you were full of sarcasm. But I thought 'why not?', maybe you could understand where i was coming from and why I felt the way I did from my post, my views on how debating should occur. Your style is different, that is clear. I get it. I think I'll just focus on Statler from this point and keep the discussion going between us two (and whoever else feels they have a valid point to make) because I find it interesting and feel I can learn something.
As for courts and rights, I don't know much of it. This plays out in the USA, and I don't live there. Such rights are not really an issue here. However, in my opinion an institution should not get special tax privileges because it is religious.
You seem to define religion by it's exterior traits. I judge it by the insides. To give an example; sometimes I still go to church because I just enjoy the whole ceremonial thing about it. I stand, kneel and sit at the right moments, I still know all the prayers, the songs, the rituals, and I eat a wafer. On the exterior, I appear Christian. But I am not, because I don't believe in god. In the spirit of your description, I am a Christian. In the spirit of mine, I sure am not.
Of course, the whole 'religious or not' debate is a huge grey ground, which plays out differently for each description that is chosen to start the debate with.
As for courts and rights, I don't know much of it. This plays out in the USA, and I don't live there. Such rights are not really an issue here. However, in my opinion an institution should not get special tax privileges because it is religious.
You seem to define religion by it's exterior traits. I judge it by the insides. To give an example; sometimes I still go to church because I just enjoy the whole ceremonial thing about it. I stand, kneel and sit at the right moments, I still know all the prayers, the songs, the rituals, and I eat a wafer. On the exterior, I appear Christian. But I am not, because I don't believe in god. In the spirit of your description, I am a Christian. In the spirit of mine, I sure am not.
Of course, the whole 'religious or not' debate is a huge grey ground, which plays out differently for each description that is chosen to start the debate with.
When I was a Christian, I was annoyed with dogmatic condescending Christians. Now that I'm an atheist, I'm annoyed with dogmatic condescending atheists. Just goes to prove that people are the same, regardless of what they do or don't believe.
