Views beyond Atheism

[Sam]

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Just kinda testing the water here really, what is everyone's view when it comes to active Atheism?

Should religious people be left to their own devices and ignored? Do you think religion is detrimental to society, should we be actively attempting to spread our lack of belief, or does that make us just as pushy as religious preachers? Are religious teachings dangerous?

My personal views on the subject are that religion is dangerous, the teachings are dangerous and the world would be better off without religion. The bad most certainly outweighs the good, and for this reason I'm becoming more and more inclined to doing all I can to encourage people to think for themselves rather than having it done for them.

I ask this because I'm wondering whether it's worth having a board dedicated to it, a discussion of things (no matter how big or small) we can all do to help fight organised religion and spread atheism. (and no, I don't mean in the angry PETA vandal sense)

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Good post Sponge,

I think this is a question a lot of us have probably asked ourselves at one time or another. I don't think we should ignore any paticular demographic group religious or secular, it's only in being aware of the feeling of each individual group we can gauge the potential for problems or unrest etc.. Personally I do find aspects of religion determental to not only society as a whole but also the individuals affected by them, for instnace many religion promote 'faith' as the highest achievement over logical enquiry and free thought that can only serve to dull your perceptions and your mind. While I have no problem with those who wish to practice a personal belief in God or the subtle religions proposed by the like of Bonhoeffer I do take issue with evangelical religion, especially that which prays on people in time of vaulnerability to aid their own ends.

Do you think there is a difference between presenting a belief to someone and indoctrination?

Absolutley, presenting a belief is when you give someone of equal intelectual capacity (i.e. the same age etc...) a chance to consider and evaluate your beliefs and make their own decision. Indoctrination id when you pray on the young or otherwise vaulnerable part of society and breach your beliefs to them as inescapable truths they must either accept or reject and suffer for it in someway.

So, should indoctrination be prevented, or should it be allowed in the name of free speech (no matter how bias)?

Indoctrination should be prevented, just as we would prevent people being indoctrinated into a suicide cult etc... It's a matter of protecting those who cannot protect themselves not obstructing the preachers 'right' to free speech. Do not get me wrong I have no issue with the teaching of religion but in line with my comments above, I hold indoctrination as a seperate issue.

Regards

Sam