(September 5, 2009 at 2:35 pm)Arcanus Wrote: Adrian on more than one occasion has referenced this quote attributed to Steven Weinberg: "Religion is an insult to human dignity. With or without it, you'd have good people doing good things and evil people doing bad things. But for good people to do bad things, it takes religion."
In the context set forth by this quote, could someone explain how it takes religion "for good people to do bad things"? That is to say, explain a good person doing bad things. Before I rip that quote to shreds on my blog, I want to ensure I have understood it properly. So, people, weigh in with your thoughts and I'll use them to evaluate whether or not I have understood Weinberg correctly.
The obvious example is Islamic terrorism ... Ignoring those who send the poor saps in I would not for one moment brand those people as evil, as an evil (in terms of an effect) sure, but not actually evil ... I believe they believe they are doing the right thing for their god.
It's also worth noting that I think Weinberg's quote doesn't quite get it right ... I think "religion" should be replaced by "ideology" (that doesn't excuse religion, religions are ideologies) and I think it should be acknowledged that ideologies CAN make bad people do good things.
Kyu
Angry Atheism
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Where those who are hacked off with the stupidity of irrational belief can vent their feelings!
Come over to the dark side, we have cookies!
Kyuuketsuki, AngryAtheism Owner & Administrator
