"Bendy-buses, like atheism, are a danger to the public at large"

[Albion Rob]

Fair question. Two answers:

1. To redress the balance just a little. I could give a hundred examples but to use just one - we get taught about religions in school but humanism, athiesm and evolutionary theory get much less time.

2. Because, personally, I think that religious views stop people fulfilling their potential, and that we all suffer as a result, and believe that this is worth doing something about. Again, one example from a hundred possible - when you believe that your values, ethics and behavioural code come from the word of god transcribed and translated 2000 years ago, you close your mind to how good people can be just because we want to be, because we are (due to evolution) naturally altruistic.

I think either reason is reason enough. Does that answer your question convincingly?

I'm going to need to pick you up on your first point - evolution gets a fair hearing in schools, given it is part of the compulsory Science curriculum at all Key Stages. Religious Education, on the other hand, is not.

As a Christian, I'm not offended by the buses. People believe what they choose to believe. I don't think Christians get an easy time, I think many are marginalised for views which, if you boil them down to the very base, are actually quite productive in society - try to help those at the bottom of the ladder, be generous, be kind, don't sleep with your mate's wife, you get the picture - but I also accept that in our society, people place different values on different things and that no religion has completely covered itself in glory through the ages.

 

[MattBackHome]

I would love him to go round handing out his books in Riyadh town centre. Its about time atheism had its own martyrs if it's to compete seriously with religion.

Atheists aren't that stupid, on the whole.

 

[Lokki 7]

if you boil them down to the very base, are actually quite productive in society - try to help those at the bottom of the ladder, be generous, be kind, don't sleep with your mate's wife, you get the picture -

Murder homosexuals? Who decides which bits of the bible are good for society and which bits we ignore? If it's 'us', then what is the point of the bible in the first place? People had worked out a code of morality long before the bible appeared, it annoys me that Christians take the credit for it.

 

[Rusthall Seagull]

Murder homosexuals? Who decides which bits of the bible are good for society and which bits we ignore? If it's 'us', then what is the point of the bible in the first place? People had worked out a code of morality long before the bible appeared, it annoys me that Christians take the credit for it.

where in the bible does it say 'you should murder homosexuals' ? ? Please show me.

Christians don't take credit for a code of morality, they just say that they try to live their life by one.

 

[Albion Rob]

Murder homosexuals? Who decides which bits of the bible are good for society and which bits we ignore? If it's 'us', then what is the point of the bible in the first place? People had worked out a code of morality long before the bible appeared, it annoys me that Christians take the credit for it.

I'm not going to get into a row with you - I believe what I believe and you believe what you believe I've got no problem with that. I think the underlying code of Christianity is to treat people well.

However, I did think suggesting Rusthall Seagull's dad was a paedophile was a bit low.

 

[Mellotron]

No. The truth is that there is probably no god. Logically, because there is no evidence of one.

There's no evidence that there ISN'T one. Your logic is just as flawed as a believer's.

 

[Rusthall Seagull]

off that....Leviticus....

 

[Mellotron]

I'm going to need to pick you up on your first point - evolution gets a fair hearing in schools, given it is part of the compulsory Science curriculum at all Key Stages. Religious Education, on the other hand, is not.

As a Christian, I'm not offended by the buses. People believe what they choose to believe. I don't think Christians get an easy time, I think many are marginalised for views which, if you boil them down to the very base, are actually quite productive in society - try to help those at the bottom of the ladder, be generous, be kind, don't sleep with your mate's wife, you get the picture - but I also accept that in our society, people place different values on different things and that no religion has completely covered itself in glory through the ages.

Absolutely in agreement.

 

[Questions]

Murder homosexuals? Who decides which bits of the bible are good for society and which bits we ignore? If it's 'us', then what is the point of the bible in the first place? People had worked out a code of morality long before the bible appeared, it annoys me that Christians take the credit for it.

You are quoting old testament here.
Jesus and the disciples explained that their work was not intended to nullify the contents of the Old Testament, but that they had not mainly come to interpret the Scriptures either.

 

[Lokki 7]

where in the bible does it say 'you should murder homosexuals' ? ? Please show me.

"You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination." Lev 20:13
"If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death." 1 Cor 6:9

 

[Lokki 7]

However, I did think suggesting Rusthall Seagull's dad was a paedophile was a bit low.

Unfortunately for Rusthall Seagull, I am a mate of his. And I can promise you he has said much worse to me over the years.

 

[Lokki 7]

I think the underlying code of Christianity is to treat people well.

Agreed. Just a shame it is so often abused.

 

[Lokki 7]

There's no evidence that there ISN'T one. Your logic is just as flawed as a believer's.

Only if I had said "there is NO god". I haven't said that and nor has Dawkins.

 

[Albion Rob]

Unfortunately for Rusthall Seagull, I am a mate of his. And I can promise you he has said much worse to me over the years.

Ha, the scourge of real life encroaching on my internet paradise.

 

[Rusthall Seagull]

"You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination." Lev 20:13
"If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death." 1 Cor 6:9

you must have looked up the same website as me.....

btw, you are no friend of mine - HEATHEN!!!

 

[Albion Rob]

Agreed. Just a shame it is so often abused.

Agree 100 per cent.

 

[Mellotron]

"You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination." Lev 20:13
"If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death." 1 Cor 6:9

So it's not saying they SHOULD be put to death, but that at the time (when christians were definitely NOT in power, not existing and all that at the time) that they probably WOULD be put to death, which sounds plausible in what we would now see as a very backwards society.

Still, don't let facts get in the way of your axe-grinding, eh?

To be honest, I know people who were raised Catholic and I can entirely understand why you would feel almost a hatred towards the church. I am very lucky in that I grew up in a very liberal Church which was non-denominational and it was up to you what you believed.

 

[Mellotron]

Only if I had said "there is NO god". I haven't said that and nor has Dawkins.

Oh come on, Dawkins has said that tonnes of times. They've only had to include the qualifier "probably" as they're worried about causing offence.

 

[Mellotron]

Agreed. Just a shame it is so often abused.

It is. But by a small and annoyingly vocal minority.

Although I have to agree that some American Christians have very disturbing views that I could never agree with, regarding homosexuals etc.

Jesus never ever ever ever touched on the subjects of homosexuals or abortion, even though they were clearly subjects of debate at the time. If they aren't important to him, they're not important to me.

 

[Lokki 7]

So it's not saying they SHOULD be put to death, but that at the time (when christians were definitely NOT in power, not existing and all that at the time) that they probably WOULD be put to death, which sounds plausible in what we would now see as a very backwards society.

Still, don't let facts get in the way of your axe-grinding, eh?

You are surely not saying that it's ok, because God only SUGGESTS that homosexuals are put to death? That truly is a weak argument my friend. This is meant to be the guide to human existance remember.