Comments on: Bowling for God

By: Atheists Vs. Morals: Death Match for the Ages links « Q Transmissions

Atheists Vs. Morals: Death Match for the Ages links « Q Transmissions — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 16:41:37 +0000

[...] Michael Shermer piece [...]

By: qaiyum ashar

qaiyum ashar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:46:44 +0000

‘Is religeon good for society’is a very important question to be answered in the context of present social background of world.Exercising of any religeon has been destructive ever in society.Professor of one particular religeon has been heartedly enemy for other and it is i think never in a social and human favour.Now a days islamic terror is how much fatal or american activities are only to hurt islam not for humanity.Tere are lacs of examples to prescribe this bitter fact.

By: Michael Myggland

Michael Myggland — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 03:13:46 +0000

It seems to me that the effect of religiosity is to begin a cycle of which the perpetrators cause the problems, which they then feel obligated to solve. Teen pregnancy(when unwed…) – Not seen as acceptable, no effective sexual education is given, no clear and honest communication in the home. This problem begins with pre-conceived notions of what is, such as how a person will be treated if they transgress (usually something about brimstone). When they do, they are ones to be pitied, then doted upon with charity. The transgressor however did not know, did not understand or did not worry, about the consequences of their actions. Transgressor turns to religion, religion feeds and grows.
Largely the same applies to Homicide, child rearing practices, and life shortening activities. We who chose not to help this cycle continue are looked at as being less then civically active. So be it. What we really seek is to keep our hands off of a very hot potato that just keeps getting passed around with nobody considering that maybe they themselves were fully responsible for throwing it. It takes logic, introspection and a willingness to ask that the Non-religious possess, and the religious largely lack, to stop these problems before they start. Screaming about the evils of abortion, hell, and what such else is simply the response of those who do not know better, and fear being kicked out if they do. We do not have the resources to waste on people who Know not what they do, and refuse to learn why. I have been disturbed far too early in the morning, and shrieked at or shunned a bit too many times to add to the problem.
largely the same applies to Homicide, child rearing practces, and life shortening activities.

By: Dwayne

Dwayne — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:20:39 +0000

I personally don’t give to many charities because most of them are aimed at feeding children in Africa, or saving unwanted pets, etc. It may be a cold hearted view, but I believe in natural selection and that nature corrects itself (or attempts to do so). The planet is getting overpopulated at an exponential rate, and this is a huge problem. Why contribute to the problem by prolonging the lives of overcrowded, starving areas of the world?
However, I do contribute to scientific foundations such as FFRF, Richard Dawkins Foundation, as well as to certain political parties from time to time.

By: Russell

Russell — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:03:49 +0000

In my opinion, you either make an honest effort at understanding the world around you, or you have a crutch. Religion of any kind is a crutch, and not a very good one at that. The problem is obvious, metaphysics. If everything is magic, how do you know what to expect. That is why godless liberals think so much straighter than religious people. We may not be as giving, but there are bound to be reasons for that, whereas the religious simply do what they are told, plus a lot of those charity figures are people who give to their church which is hardly a charity.
I wonder how much of the giving done by conservative christians is to ease their troubled conscience for being told to shun those that are different from them.

By: Tom

Tom — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 18:31:51 +0000

As a recovering fundamentalist, raised in a fundamental Baptist preacher’s home, I can say from personal experience that religious people are very generous even to those outside their own church groups. When tornadoes strike, or a widow needs a kidney, or a disabled baby needs a home, I have seen church members give money and time that they certainly could not afford with no question as to the beneficiary’s religious affiliation. Just because you don’t agree with their theology, don’t devalue their generosity. And, just because I admire their generosity, I won’t disregard their religion-based intolerance.

By: Ted Goas

Ted Goas — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:33:22 +0000

“Is religion good for society?” Which part of religion are we talking about? (I believe Dr. Shermer has used this line in various debates)

By: John

John — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 21:26:45 +0000

Correlation between being organized in local groups such as youth groups etc. and religiosity might not be causally related (as the statisticians say).

For example in the US, being socially ostracized within these groups for not belonging to one of the religious groups could create a disincentive for them to join. A recent story about an unbelieving officer in the military and the pressure from his peers made me consider this possibility.

Also, this talks only about local social capital. What about like-minded people on the Internet where donating your time might just not be counted or similar work?

Finally, is there a counting of community organizations excluding religiously motivated organizations? I wouldn’t be surprised if that inverses the liberal vs conservative dichotomy, if my own experiences aren’t too biased…

By: P R Allen

P R Allen — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 19:39:31 +0000

Someone once said: “A little religion goes a long way”. Religion is a personal matter, especially in a secular, democratic society. My beliefs are no one’s business. Science and reason always dictate. Faith can be a comfort but it shouldn’t be irrational: Jesus does not appear in the natural folds of a tortilla. God does not tell you to fly an airplane into a building. He didn’t write any books. he doesn’t bend natural laws to create miracles.

The voice you hear is no doubt your own unless you forgot to turn off your bluetooth.

You want to donate money?…okay. Donate time?….even better.

By: Garrett

Garrett — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:28:05 +0000

I also wonder if the “programming” dictated among churches to GIVE spills over into other giving in one’s social culture?

Whereas, in contrast, a “non-theist” may not be taught to give, give, give (or tithe, tithe, tithe) and therefore the conditioning isn’t there and thus is not carried out.