Atheismix

[FaithAffirmed]

to me it comes down to what Dawkins says, something like, "good people do good things, bad people do bad things, but it takes a religion to make good people do bad things"! Personally I think it should be widened to ideology and acknowledge that religion can make bad people do good things but it still scares the hell outta me ... no gods will ever scare me, their followers do!

Always take the question and flip it before you ask it. As you quoted "...it takes a religion to make good people do bad things." There are countless examples of religion taking bad people and making them do good things.

Not trying to be funny mate but did you actually read what I wrote? I already said that bit, the bit you appeared critical of!

Kyu

I'll be honest actually I missed that with all the "bad" "good" in the sentence. My eyes must have glazed over it. Sorry about that, and I do understand the fears of followers. Hell I get nervous dealing with those people as well. Anywho again sorry for missing that!

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Sorry but I can't imagine 911 just as likely being caused by cheese enthusiasts mate. I think the belief certainly matters.

And I don't know if you've noticed, but yes - there are a lot of other ideologies that people have killed under. But religion is a big one! Dying for a supreme being, especially when you're expecting to go to a martyrs heaven for doing so - is quite a motivator if you so strongly believe it! I wouldn't expect the same from cheese enthusiasts to be honest. I don't see it as impossible but... - not exactly as likely!

EvF

Religion is only a big one because it deals with the big questions. Where do we come from? What is our purpose? How should I live my life? What will happen after I die? These questions when believed to be answered lead to fierce loyalty. Its the same reason people were willing to kill for communism vs. capitalism. But the tool doesn't cause the killing, the people do. Just like all those gun people believe "Guns don't kill people, people kill people." Even though I'm not a big supporter of guns, they hit the nail on the head there. The same reason we can't say violent video games causes aggression, rather aggressive kids will be drawn to violent video games. People who have no hope and nothing else or are mentally unstable will be drawn to something that will "give them answers." And its THOSE kinds of people who are willing to do the killing.