(January 3, 2015 at 12:36 pm)Parkers Tan Wrote: I would argue that the problem is as much with the people. Do you think religion is the only fuel for their extremism? There's a reason why Gaza produces more suicide bombers than Shiraz. Political stability and economic opportunity go a long ways towards alleviating extremism, just as despair fuels it.
I would never argue that religion is the sole cause of violence and cruelty. Neither would I argue that any religion, no matter how peaceful, couldn't be twisted in some way to promote violence. The fact that the Christian right in America has turned a quasi-socialist like Jesus into a Randian prosperity-gospel icon underscores how new religions can be created all the time.
That said, I would argue that religion is the quickest, easiest and most effective way to promote violence and intolerance. Nothing sanitizes inhumanity quite like "GodWillsIt". Nothing demonizes another group quite like a holy war against perceived demons.
I would also argue that some religions are more dangerous than others. The Abrahamic faiths in particular seem more prone to violence and intolerance, likely due to their perceptions of a struggle between two forces, their god and a devil, and their belief in the stakes of some eternal fate after we die.
Atheist Forums Hall of Shame:
"The trinity can be equated to having your cake and eating it too."
... -Lucent, trying to defend the Trinity concept
"(Yahweh's) actions are good because (Yahweh) is the ultimate standard of goodness. That’s not begging the question"
... -Statler Waldorf, Christian apologist
"The trinity can be equated to having your cake and eating it too."
... -Lucent, trying to defend the Trinity concept
"(Yahweh's) actions are good because (Yahweh) is the ultimate standard of goodness. That’s not begging the question"
... -Statler Waldorf, Christian apologist
