Originally Posted By SpokkerJones I'm just trying to figure out whether or not it's okay to dislike a religion. I mean, to some extent you don't choose whether to be involved with a certain religion in the sense that people are often brought up a certain religion so it's a part of you for as long as you can remember. On the other hand, you can stop practicing your religion at any time, but you can't change your skin color or sexual orientation at whim. For example, I was raised Catholic and went through all the motions, but I ended up an Atheist. Is it okay to dislike Catholics, Mormons and Atheists? That's what I'm getting at. Is religion as sacred as skin color or gender or something?
Originally Posted By skinnerbox <<Is religion as sacred as skin color or gender or something?>> It shouldn't be. Religion is always a product of its time, and times always change. Religions that are hopelessly mired in rigid dogma and incapable of adapting to change are basically worthless and often destructive. Skin color and gender are based in biology. I believe that orientation is also based in biology though many cultures and religions refuse to accept this. That's the problem. Strong empirical evidence supports biology based orientation but many religious ideologies refuse to even consider it, just as many political leaders refuse to acknowledge man-made global warming. I believe that disliking one particular religion is hypocritical if one also accepts others which are similar in nature. Disliking all organized religions which preach that theirs is the only "true religion" IMHO is a sign of maturation and positive mental health.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***I believe that disliking one particular religion is hypocritical if one also accepts others which are similar in nature.*** I don't dislike Religions per se unless they support criminals and criminal activities and even cover it up (Catholic) or try to take away other peoples' rights (Mormon/Catholic/others). I don't even care about the "we're the right ones" dogma, I mean, that really kinda goes with the territory. If you think you're right, and that God actually TOLD you so, then naturally you believe the others are wrong. Personally I think they're all wrong, even if there is a god out there somewhere.
Originally Posted By SuperDry Wow - with an attitude like that, I guess you know where you're goin' eventually!
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost >>>just as many political leaders refuse to acknowledge man-made global warming<<< Skinnerbox, you were doing pretty well until you got to that spot. I look at it more as "people tend to blame mankind for everything and although I can acknowledge that global warming my be happening, I don't necessarily think that man had as much influence as we are led to believe." I know, off topic, but this situation bothers me. History and science will tell you that this planet has experienced warming and cooling often during it's existence. We may well be into one of those warming cycles now. Mankind probably has contributed to it, but in such a minor form as to hardly be measurable. Sort of like...whatever happened to the hole in the ozone anyway? We humans have inhabited this planet for such a comparatively small time. It makes me wonder just how egotistical we are that we think we can influence weather simply by our presence. No, it's something much bigger than us and who knows, it maybe that we are headed on the same path as the dinosaurs. Maybe a million years from now there will be a theme park someplace with a Humanland. Sort of a Geriatric Park.
Originally Posted By ADMIN <font color="#FF0000">Message removed by an administrator. <a href="MsgBoard-Rules.asp" target="_blank">Click here</a> for the LaughingPlace.com Community Standards.</font>
Originally Posted By Mr X ***We humans have inhabited this planet for such a comparatively small time. It makes me wonder just how egotistical we are that we think we can influence weather simply by our presence. No, it's something much bigger than us and who knows, it maybe that we are headed on the same path as the dinosaurs.*** Our comparatively short term on the planet as a species is so completely irrelevant, I'm amazed you even bring it up. This is not an issue of egoism (the "God made the Universe so he could make "Earth" and thus make "Humans" is an example of egoism, for sure, but this ISN'T). We CAN and DO have a great impact on the biosphere due to our extreme behaviors which pollute the planet. Don't think we have "much of an impact"? Detonate 50-100 nukes and get back to me. That's not an ego thing, we *are* capable of wiping out most life on the planet at the touch of a button. The fact that we are doing it piecemeal is just that much worse...we ARE the frog cooking in the pot right now, make no mistake. I'm optimistic about our chances, I really am...but everyone has to STOP being idiots and start snapping out of it and realizing what we're doing and start saying and doing something about it...THEN, I think we might through innovation and conversation, stand a chance.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <History and science will tell you that this planet has experienced warming and cooling often during it's existence. We may well be into one of those warming cycles now. Mankind probably has contributed to it, but in such a minor form as to hardly be measurable.> But that's precisely NOT what science is saying... <a href="http://mb.laughingplace.com/MsgBoard-T-108332-P-2.asp" target="_blank">http://mb.laughingplace.com/Ms...-P-2.asp</a>
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I think the moderators on this board are extremely fair. I also think all the slams against Mormons are more politically motivated than anything else, and really have no place here. If there is any religion truly worthy of slamming, it is Islam. Their views on the role of women, on homosexuality, etc. are far worse than the Mormon's. The prescribed punishments for offenses are absolutely barbaric. A fringe group of Islam encourages terrorism and vile practices like beheading people. Yes, it is a relatively small fringe group. But tell me ANY other religion that has a fringe group with such reprehensible beliefs. Well, I can think of a certain group from Kansas, but that would be about it. But that gets away from my main point. If Islam were slammed on this board the way Mormonism is, there would be NO COMPLAINT about anti-Islam posts being deleted. Why is a reprehensible religion like Islam given a free pass when Mormonism is constantly held to the flames? Just curious...
Originally Posted By Dabob2 Probably because these boards have a large percentage of Californians, and the Mormons' involvement with Prop 8 hit close to home for a lot of people. I'd rather we not slam anyone's religion, though the actions of people within the religion, be it financing a fight for inequality, covering up criminal acts by priests and moving them around to re-commit them, or blowing up people in the name of God, should be fair game.
Originally Posted By ecdc >>And that would make you an idiot.<< X, I have no idea why you feel compelled to say nonsense like that. And then you turn around and wonder why your topics are "censored?" You're too smart to say stuff like that. It's a personal attack and could easily be admin'd. And then I'm sure we could all look forward to another new topic about how picked on you are for having your posts admin'd. Come on, you don't do yourself any favors with crap like that.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo All religions have positives and negatives, but I have to admit, I have met a higher proportion of muslims that are tolerant of non muslims, than christians that are tolerant of non christians.
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder Sign me up for post 52. I didn't want to be the first, but I was certain someone else would also say what 52 contains, so I was waiting to be able to second one, considering my problems with getting X to realize that it is possible other people can interpret community standards differently than him.
Originally Posted By barboy ///Is religion as sacred as skin color or gender or something?/// You bet SpokkerJones! To millions faith/belief systems/religion is far, far more sacred to them than their own sexuality, gender or race. There is nothing remotely as sacred to them. Faith to these folks is the reason to live or the sole purpose of existence and would certainly trump their bisexuality, Irish heritage or being female.
Originally Posted By barboy ///Religions that are hopelessly mired in rigid dogma and incapable of adapting to change are basically worthless and often destructive./// I don't understand that.
Originally Posted By barboy ///Why is a reprehensible religion like Islam given a free pass when Mormonism is constantly held to the flames? Just curious.../// Well RoadTrip, because sawing off heads of homosexuals, stoning, hanging or imprisoning them is not nearly as terrible as denying them marriage.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Well RoadTrip, because sawing off heads of homosexuals, stoning, hanging or imprisoning them is not nearly as terrible as denying them marriage.>> Thanks for explaining that. It is pretty much what I thought. How can you compare cutting out a woman's clit with denying gays the right to marry? Silly me!!
