Originally posted by leonheartmm
much of the bible belt, in many ways isnt that different from much of the pakistani frontier or parts of iran or saudi arabia.
Lots of whiskey is from the Bible Belt; Jack Daniels and Jim Bean etc. There's not too many breweries in the Middle East. Southerners also like their pork.
One correlation: NASCAR in the South and drifting in Saudi Arabia.
Originally posted by chithappens
I was just wondering aloud. My point was that nothing can be changed when it comes to someone who really believes, or at least they will be very unlikely to be swayed by someone who does not have the same faith as them.
Plenty of people "really" believe something and eventually have their minds changed. The diversification in religious practices in the world is a general testament to this, while anyone could likely cite numerous anecdotal examples of this as well.
To throw you a bone, however, you have a point. Faith, by its very nature, is utterly blind and requires no outside reasoning or proof. For many whose devotion to such faith is nigh-absolute, no amount of argument for a differing view will sway them.
It's just going to far to say that "most" won't be swayed, even among ardent believers. Religious discussion isn't simply banging one's head against a wall. To someone willing to critically analyze differing viewpoints and weigh them against their own, the potential for change is indeed great.
Re: Religulous
Originally posted by Bicnarok
Just watched this DVD where this chap Bill Maher takes the micky out of Religion. Its not very factual and there are a lot of gaping holes in the arguments, but neverthless he makes some good points, anyone else seen this and if so what are your opinions.Heres a link for more info and a clip from youtube.
Lol actually everything in that film is a proven fact. Even the part about the gay gene. The only thing that's not a proven fact is the part that God is not real. But by that reasoning you can't prove the easter bunny, tooth fairy, or any other random magical being someone decides to create aren't real.
So just checking how many who have commented here have actually watched the film the entire way through?
The main message of the film is the Religion is irrational and should be seperate from the state which should be a rational thing.
How many times has a leader (read a leader who is religious) said "(Insert Deity name) told me to do (Insert Act)" or said "It is (Insert Deity name) will"?
Will the leader of a nation make decisions based on facts and rationality or will they make a decision based on religious dogma and "God told me to do it"?
Scary stuff.
Originally posted by Beliver
So just checking how many who have commented here have actually watched the film the entire way through?The main message of the film is the Religion is irrational and should be seperate from the state which should be a rational thing.
How many times has a leader (read a leader who is religious) said "(Insert Deity name) told me to do (Insert Act)" or said "It is (Insert Deity name) will"?
Will the leader of a nation make decisions based on facts and rationality or will they make a decision based on religious dogma and "God told me to do it"?
Scary stuff.
Most of the time they use that kind of language to muster support from the public.
Originally posted by Shakyamunison
Most of the time they use that kind of language to muster support from the public.
But shouldn't the people be concered that decisions that could effect them are being made by a person that hears voices?
"I want to kill all the monkeys in the world because God told me..."
or
"I want to kill all the monkeys in the world because it has been proven monkeys carry the ebola virus that is harmful to humans"
I know which leader I would rather follow.
(I would like to point out that I have nothing against monkeys...those cute little guys)
Originally posted by Beliver
But shouldn't the people be concered that decisions that could effect them are being made by a person that hears voices?"I want to kill all the monkeys in the world because God told me..."
or
"I want to kill all the monkeys in the world because it has been [B]proven
monkeys carry the ebola virus that is harmful to humans"I know which leader I would rather follow.
(I would like to point out that I have nothing against monkeys...those cute little guys) [/B]
I don't know; I have a headache right now and can't hear the voices in my head. I will let you know what they think when I feel better. 😉
Originally posted by Shakyamunison
I don't know; I have a headache right now and can't hear the voices in my head. I will let you know what they think when I feel better. 😉
You ever wonder why you don't get collective voices talking to multiple people at once?
"We heard a voice and it said....make a cake!!"
No its always one person spouting rubbish.
Originally posted by Beliver
You ever wonder why you don't get collective voices talking to multiple people at once?"We heard a voice and it said....make a cake!!"
No its always one person spouting rubbish.
We all have voices in our heads. However, delusion can lead some people to believe these voices come form outside of their head.
Originally posted by Beliver
So just checking how many who have commented here have actually watched the film the entire way through?The main message of the film is the Religion is irrational and should be seperate from the state which should be a rational thing.
How many times has a leader (read a leader who is religious) said "(Insert Deity name) told me to do (Insert Act)" or said "It is (Insert Deity name) will"?
Will the leader of a nation make decisions based on facts and rationality or will they make a decision based on religious dogma and "God told me to do it"?
Scary stuff.
You act as though without theism people would follow rationalism.
Originally posted by Shakyamunison
We all have voices in our heads. However, delusion can lead some people to believe these voices come form outside of their head.
But the difference is some of us are Joe Public and then some of us are in positions of power and control.
If I see a loony on a street corner ranting about the end of days...he's a loony.
If I see a leader of a nation ranting about the end of days (Sarah Palin is a good example)...then I am reinforceing the walls of my bombshelter.
Originally posted by Beliver
But the difference is some of us are Joe Public and then some of us are in positions of power and control.If I see a loony on a street corner ranting about the end of days...he's a loony.
If I see a leader of a nation ranting about the end of days (Sarah Palin is a good example)...then I am reinforceing the walls of my bombshelter.
You are not the audience that a person like Sarah Palin is talking too.