EvF -
I already agree with you that you don't need the bible to be moral. All I'm saying is, and I dare say you are kind of agreeing with me, is that most religious people use their natural sense of morals, which most of us have anyway, to pick the good bits. In fact if you were asked to pick out some good bits I'm sure you'd be able to and you would. Can we not also agree that those who consciously don't omit the bad bits from their behaviour and attitude aren't very moral to begin with? See it all comes down to the individual. The fact that most religious folk don't do bad things any more than most atheists or agnostics or whatever, shows that most perople, whether religious or not, are moral. The bible is just a book, it doesn't force anyone to read it or follow it, people do that of their own choice. What they choose to take from it is determined by themselves, not the book. The book is harmless, so is Mein Kampf, and any other "naughty" book. Books are nothing, it's who reads it and what they do about it that makes any difference. As for delusion being unhealthy, I'm sure we could both make a list of things which the general public are deluded about. For example, most people believe that what the mainstream media says is all true. But in fact, for whatever reason, it isn't. And so on. If delusion in itself is so unhealthy, then why aren't we all nuts, why aren't we all killing each other? Do you see what I mean? I do think you're exaggerating. I'll go this far with you : A lot of delusion, in certain areas, can be a very bad thing. I'll also say this : The only thing, as far as I can think of right now, about religious people, that I (and I hesitate to say it, and actually I don't quite mean it but it's the closest word I can think of) disrespect (again, I don't really disrespect it) is the fact that they don't often question the bible, and at least try to make full sense of it. Other than that, I see them as cheerful, happy clappy, nice enough people. Sometimes a bit pushy but I don't mind.
I already agree with you that you don't need the bible to be moral. All I'm saying is, and I dare say you are kind of agreeing with me, is that most religious people use their natural sense of morals, which most of us have anyway, to pick the good bits. In fact if you were asked to pick out some good bits I'm sure you'd be able to and you would. Can we not also agree that those who consciously don't omit the bad bits from their behaviour and attitude aren't very moral to begin with? See it all comes down to the individual. The fact that most religious folk don't do bad things any more than most atheists or agnostics or whatever, shows that most perople, whether religious or not, are moral. The bible is just a book, it doesn't force anyone to read it or follow it, people do that of their own choice. What they choose to take from it is determined by themselves, not the book. The book is harmless, so is Mein Kampf, and any other "naughty" book. Books are nothing, it's who reads it and what they do about it that makes any difference. As for delusion being unhealthy, I'm sure we could both make a list of things which the general public are deluded about. For example, most people believe that what the mainstream media says is all true. But in fact, for whatever reason, it isn't. And so on. If delusion in itself is so unhealthy, then why aren't we all nuts, why aren't we all killing each other? Do you see what I mean? I do think you're exaggerating. I'll go this far with you : A lot of delusion, in certain areas, can be a very bad thing. I'll also say this : The only thing, as far as I can think of right now, about religious people, that I (and I hesitate to say it, and actually I don't quite mean it but it's the closest word I can think of) disrespect (again, I don't really disrespect it) is the fact that they don't often question the bible, and at least try to make full sense of it. Other than that, I see them as cheerful, happy clappy, nice enough people. Sometimes a bit pushy but I don't mind.
