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Post by gridbug on May 3, 2007 14:55:47 GMT -5
Although from time to time I may say otherwise for various reasons, as a rule I have nothing against any of the gods, but I stand firmly against religions. They are social institutions that exist to control the masses, and rarely for the good of the masses themselves.
The sheep are not the problem, but the shepherds exist to fleece them and lead them to the slaughter.
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BlackFox
Senior Forumite
Stay thirsty my friends
Posts: 4,496
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Post by BlackFox on May 3, 2007 15:07:28 GMT -5
I would like to take this oppotunity to post a few quotes from a personal hero of mine, Carl Sagan.
"For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring. "
"You see, the religious people -- most of them -- really think this planet is an experiment. That's what their beliefs come down to. Some god or other is always fixing and poking, messing around with tradesmen's wives, giving tablets on mountains, commanding you to mutilate your children, telling people what words they can say and what words they can't say, making people feel guilty about enjoying themselves, and like that. Why can't the gods leave well enough alone? All this intervention speaks of incompetence. If God didn't want Lot's wife to look back, why didn't he make her obedient, so she'd do what her husband told her? Or if he hadn't made Lot such a shithead, maybe she would've listened to him more. If God is omnipotent and omniscient, why didn't he start the universe out in the first place so it would come out the way he wants? Why's he constantly repairing and complaining? No, there's one thing the Bible makes clear: The biblical God is a sloppy manufacturer. He's not good at design, he's not good at execution. He'd be out of business if there was any competition."
"I maintain there is much more wonder in science than in pseudoscience. And in addition, to whatever measure this term has any meaning, science has the additional virtue, and it is not an inconsiderable one, of being true."
I miss Dr. Sagan. The world could use him these days.
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BlackFox
Senior Forumite
Stay thirsty my friends
Posts: 4,496
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Post by BlackFox on May 3, 2007 15:13:32 GMT -5
When I was searching through the quotes, of which I posted a few of above, I didn't find the actual one I was looking for. It goes something like this...
"You call me an atheist, but I contend that we are both atheist. I simply believe in one less god than you. When you can understand why you don't believe in all the other possible gods out there, maybe you will understand why I don't believe in yours."
My attempt at something Carl Sagan said. Not an exact quote.
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Post by stray on May 3, 2007 17:13:03 GMT -5
When Jesus comes back, I'll nail his jew ass up again.
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Post by gridbug on May 3, 2007 17:36:45 GMT -5
Anyone that tells me they know the heart of god because they read it in a book or heard it from a preacher may as well be wearing a target that looks like a sphincter. Anyone that says they are right about god and everyone else is wrong deserves to have their beliefs trod upon. This is the kind of stuff that can turn into religious wars. There is never need to kill people because they don't like each other's imaginary friends.
If a little argument threatens your beliefs then they were probably not yours, but were spoonfed to you. Argument is overdue. Only by examining other beliefs can you come to better understand your own.
The bible and all other religious texts were written by MAN. The authors may or may not have been inspired, but the words were tainted by passing through the hands of man. Then many like the bible were heavily edited (which BTW the last paragraph of Revelation says you can't do) or retranslated, picking up more bias from man.
I know that with or without a prayer the sun will rise each day. This clockwork universe will keep running the same no matter what any of us believe. IF there is a creator I do not expect to find his/her/their story in a book or some preachy old fart. I look for the fingerprint of the divine in the creation itself. That is not tainted by the prejudices of the humans that came before. This is why I personally tend toward nature religions. You can all find whatever works for you. No matter what you or I believe the universe will keep going. No human nor god they may believe in is significant enough to change that.
BTW - try a nailgun Stray, you'll have a LOT more fun
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Post by stray on May 3, 2007 17:41:22 GMT -5
Religion is a crutch used by the weak and lame because they can't stand up and face the universe themselves.
This is why folks like L. Ron Phillips will pad his pockets with the sweet green of the rightously weak-minded and why the elderly on their fixed-incomes will go without the medicine they need in order to properly tithe so 'Abba's House' can get some new goddamn skylights or some other such silly shit.
Ignorance and fear have LONG been the tools of the 'heaven hucksters.'
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coach24
Full Member
The Softball Mafia
Posts: 232
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Post by coach24 on May 6, 2007 19:24:01 GMT -5
So you seeing ALL the Arabs on TV? well...all that make it to TV anyway
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