(June 28, 2017 at 9:49 am)SteveII Wrote:(June 28, 2017 at 7:44 am)Whateverist Wrote: All good examples of the evil religion can do. I think it happens because they believe what they do is for a greater good. Sorry about the flames, Galileo, but it is God's work we do! Wipe out some infidel? Why not, we do it for God! Anytime people locate the rationale for their action outside themselves, there is reason to worry. If people want to entertain the notion that there is something beyond themselves I'd greatly appreciate it if they'd remain a little more humble about the extent to which they know what it wants from them. Invariably, what it wants ends up being what they want but stripped of any self doubt.Galileo was not burned (not even harmed) and his dispute with the pope was about political disdain and not over science.
If you have a beef with a decision the Catholic Church made, then criticize them by name. Lumping it into "religion" and then using as a reason for some other conclusion is disingenuous and inaccurate.
Well my point [bolded] still stands. This is the issue I think your lot needs to take seriously. The key to having a higher power in your life without becoming flaming assholes about it is to always bear in mind that it isn't your higher power. And consider the possibility that you may not be the apple of its eye, even if it were some wooey external agency as you picture it. Pro tip: He might find your lot a little too cloying and prefer the independence of skeptics.
