"With or without religion.." Quote. Is Weinberg wrong?

[robvalue]

Yeah, I think people are on the whole very easily lead, and want to conform. So if you give them an easy bandwagon to jump on, you facilitate it. The bandwagon can be a good cause or a bad one.

[dyresand]

Yeah, I think people are on the whole very easily lead, and want to conform. So if you give them an easy bandwagon to jump on, you facilitate it. The bandwagon can be a good cause or a bad one.

The only real reason why religion is still relevant.

[DeistPaladin]

... And there's a kajillion more who, while Muslim, think those guys are evil, or stupid, or at best misguided.

Those mobs might represent Muslims to you. But the aren't the masses of Muslims, which number 1.6 billion.

If only 10% of Muslims become murderous extremists that's still too many. It still means there's a problem with this ideology.

[dyresand]

... And there's a kajillion more who, while Muslim, think those guys are evil, or stupid, or at best misguided.

Those mobs might represent Muslims to you. But the aren't the masses of Muslims, which number 1.6 billion.

If only 10% of Muslims become murderous extremists that's still too many. It still means there's a problem with this ideology.

They need to find a better religion.... you know what i wish though i wish the world had extremist of peaceful religions like Buddhism or paganism. Since when is the last time any one heard of a Buddhist crusade or a pagan suicide bomber.

[robvalue]

Haha yeah, with radicals who are so relaxed they have meditated themselves inside out.

Give me a religion that doesn't talk about punishing people for stupid things.

I watched this debate between Hitchins and a Muslim guy, and the muslim was going on about wanting to live in peace and multiculturally. I don't understand how that can happen when you have muslims believing all christians are so evil that they are all going to burn in hell, and vice versa. How can you seriously expect them to value each other, without admitting their dogma is horse shit?

[dyresand]

Haha yeah, with radicals who are so relaxed they have meditated themselves inside out.

Give me a religion that doesn't talk about punishing people for stupid things.

I watched this debate between Hitchins and a Muslim guy, and the muslim was going on about wanting to live in peace and multiculturally. I don't understand how that can happen when you have muslims believing all christians are so evil that they are all going to burn in hell, and vice versa. How can you seriously expect them to value each other, without admitting their dogma is horse shit?

Quite simple Hitchens showed that guy how much of a hypocrite he was in front of a large audience. Hell even Jacky tells muslims and islamists even christians and jewish how it is.

[Thumpalumpacus]

... And there's a kajillion more who, while Muslim, think those guys are evil, or stupid, or at best misguided.

Those mobs might represent Muslims to you. But the aren't the masses of Muslims, which number 1.6 billion.

If only 10% of Muslims become murderous extremists that's still too many. It still means there's a problem with this ideology.

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.

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Since when is the last time any one heard of a Buddhist crusade or a pagan suicide bomber.

I just linked you to examples of Buddhist religious violence against Muslims only a couple of weeks ago. Have you forgotten already? Did you even read those articles?

All religions have extremists. All religions are mental poison.

[DeistPaladin]

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.

[robvalue]

Definitely. The more horrible crap there is in their hand book, the easier it is to justify things. If the book just talks about dancing and eating berries, you have your work cut out for you convincing people that it actually means killing funny looking people.

[Minimalist]

I just don't get the same vibe from the 187 Marches. Did the 'Murrica Firsters go ape-shit about the mexican flag? Yes. Don't put that on the marchers. The 'Murrica Firsters go ape-shit about everything.