overheard at lunch

[schneereich]

i went to subway for lunch, and overheard a man and a woman talking at the next table:

man: does god REALLY want us to explore other planets? what if it's in his plan to have us all die when the sun becomes a red giant?
woman: the sun will never become a red giant. you've fallen into an evolutionist perspective.
man: *gasp* it's not evolution! it's just the science of stars. in about two billion years, the sun will become a red giant.
woman: two billion years? how can we know that? the universe is only 6000 years old! that kind of time scale isn't possible!
man: well, i can't argue with that. but does god really want us to explore other planets?
woman:  well, the stars will continue to shine after armageddon. it's in genesis!
man: so does that mean we should go to those stars?
woman: no, that's why god put them so far away.

 these people make me sad. 500 years ago, they're the type of people who would be adamantly opposed to sending exploration ships into the ocean. i can just imagine their 16th century equivalents saying "god doesn't want us to explore the new world. that's why it's so far away!"

[Flask]

Exactly.

That's why there shouldn't be religion, in my opinion.

[Fake from State Jarm]

religion is instinctive. (constructing belief systems is instinctive. modern recognized, 'official' religions are just one iteration or the instinct)

but dont worry, religion also evolves, and is subject to natural selection. stupid people's belief systems will destroy themselves.

[King Pengu]

I don't care for religion. It's unnecessary for me.

[Dontasemebro]

1. We can't do anything against God's will, as he has power over us to do as he wishes.
2. If we try to go into space, God will either facilitate or not. He'll tell the tonice, or he'll tell the astronaut. depends on if ur prot or cath
3. The bible says that we shouldn't try to explore because there bad things there.
4. Im a devout athiest.

[dark tyrant]

1. I beleive in god.
2. But I also beleive in evolution.
3. I hate religous wackos.
4. RIA type wacko's are cool.
5. THIS IS CAKETOWN!!!!!!!!
6. I'm a megalomanic.

[DrunkWino]

1. I beleive in god.
2. But I also beleive in evolution.
3. I hate religous wackos.
4. RIA type wacko's are cool.
5. THIS IS CAKETOWN!!!!!!!!
6. dark tyrant is a megalomanic.

[—-]

1. I believe in god.
2. But I also believe in evolution.
3. I hate religious wackos.
4. RIA type wacko's are cool.
5. THIS IS CAKETOWN!!!!!!!!
6. dark tyrant is a megalomaniac.

[Prince Tomb]

1. I beleive in god.
2. But I also beleive in evolution.
3. I hate religous wackos.
d. Florida
4. RIA type wacko's are cool.
5. THIS IS CAKETOWN!!!!!!!!
6. I'm a megalomanic.

this and fix'd

[Flask]

When you stop being humane or civilized or smart because of a belief...well, that's just taking it too far. For those who have nothing else, a belief in some form of savior is fine, but when it then intrudes on your ability to think freely and cooperate with others, it should be ended right there.

[Joker]

When you stop being humane or civilized or smart because of a belief...well, that's just taking it too far. For those who have nothing else, a belief in some form of savior is fine, but when it then intrudes on your ability to think freely and cooperate with others, it should be ended right there.

So basically you're against people refusing to be humane, civilized, or smart, since one belief or another is at the root of every action. The fact that you tar every religious person with the same brush because of some bad apples is disgusting. It's like me saying everybody should be religious because atheists make Christian genocide websites (and they do, albeit they're a minority, and, hopefully, a miniscule one).

In my opinion, religion itself isn't bad. If it were gone, people would have, and create, plenty of other beliefs to kill each other and try to suppress free thought with. The real problem is the darker side of human nature perverting good things for twisted ends. It's not like there's anything inherently wrong with belief in a higher power. If anything, it's probably a great thing in the lives of many who do.

[Flask]

>_>

I get the feeling that you forgot to actually read my post.

I said when you start to act that way because of a belief, then that's taking it too far. I'm not saying all religion is inherently sadistic and wrong.

[Joker]

Well there was your post before that ("That's why there shouldn't be religion, in my opinion."), and, chances are my post will apply to SOMEBODY who's going to post anyway since the internet is full of militant atheists.

[Flask]

Yep. It's my opinion that there shouldn't be religion. I've always felt that all we really need is culture. But I see that religion is a good thing for some people, so obviously it will not be removed.

[Joker]

Culture doesn't fulfill the need many have to explain the unexplainable, or pretty much any spiritual need.

[Flask]

I'm not arguing with you, Joker, even though you seem to want to. I'm stating my opinion, and nothing more.

[wethepeople]

Joker, religion shouldn't stay in place because it helps people kill each other for a good reason. Religion itself is a good idea, but when it intrudes on your life (Stabbing someone in the heart for God, for example.) and how you think (tonicE IS HOLY), or how you feel its a probem. I don't follow religious practices, but people who do are cool with me. As long as they aren't extremists. Flask has a point, when it comes down to the point where religion is the backbone of keeping people alive, there's a problem.

[Untelligent]

Fundamentalist Christians and Atheists are IMO the most irritating religions I have come across.

*is nonreligious*

[—-]

I find religion, personally, pointless. But since other people are so into it I don't ever mention it. I hate it when people go all "GODGODGOD" on me.

[pielord47]

Fundamentalist Christians and Atheists are IMO the most irritating religions I have come across.

Atheism is not a religion, it is the lack of having a religion.