Quote Originally Posted by denuseri View Post
You dont actually know that...you were not there...there is no written evidence to support any such claim, its pure speculation on your part.
Really? That's the extent of your argument? Okay, then. For as far back as records go, there have been non-believers. Usually they were the more educated, or the priests themselves. But they have always been there. And when discovered they were usually persecuted.

Try applying the "you were not there" argument to your religious beliefs. That knife cuts both ways.

In the case of a pre-established idea, or belief or what ever you wish to call it, where you the thinker allready have a preconcieved knowledge thereof in common standing with the other individual...your stating a counter belief when you make a statement of dis-belief. The counter belief may be "I just dont believe that" or it may containt all sorts of stipulations like: "I dont believe that becuase of this and that and this other thing" etc; but, it is still a statement of "counter belief".
Sorry, I must be dense. I just can't wrap my head around the concept that NOT believing in something is just a different way of believing in something.

So you have a beef with anyone coming with an idea for any system of religion or philosophy of anykind?
Nope. Not at all. I only have a problem when they try to tell me that their idea is absolutely true when they have no evidence for it whatsoever.

No one said you had too...last time I checked the Mormons were not running around doing evil things in the name of their faith eaither.
LOL! No? Look up the story of gay marriage, especially in California. The Mormon church pumped millions of dollars into the campaign to fight that. Since when did denying people basic rights NOT become evil?

So once again, you have zero respect for the beliefs of others? Just becuase you disagee with the premise upon which they are founded?
No. I have zero respect for those who BLINDLY follow a charlatan because it makes them feel good, or because that's who their parents worshiped. If someone has studied, and researched, and come to a belief despite the lack of evidence, I don't have a problem. I can respect them for their honesty. I don't have to respect their beliefs.

Why yes I do claim it as a philosophy of virtue ethics, if you havent noticed by now honey I am a real life practiconer of Gorean Philosophy. I dont call myself a kajira for roleplaying purposes or shits and giggles hon. I guess you forgot I was a Gorean? You did participate in the thread I linked bellow wher I pretty clearly stated my beliefs on Gor if I recall.
Yes, I'm aware of that. I have no problem with that. But this is a perfect example of the kinds of things I'm talking about. You are, I'm sure, aware that this "philosophy" is based on a series of stories. Fictional stories. Very recent ones. Now, project this philosophy into the future, say 2000 years, when the very beginnings of it are hidden or lost. Can't you see how this could become a religion? And doesn't that give you at least some insight into how other religions can be formed based on absolute fiction?

Oh dear have I perhaps struck a nerve...Im so sorry if thats the case..I was simply pointing out that religions in and of themselves are not whats wrong with the world 'As evidenced by the behavior" of those who abolished said religions from their own countires.
Yeah, you struck a nerve. Just like someone repeating the same phrase, over and over. "Evil atheist state", "not believing is believing". "Religion isn't evil, it's the people who abuse it who are evil." The same things over and over. Like chalk screeching on a blackboard.

So why not let them and the people who "choose" to believe in them be as they wish so long as they arent hurting you. A secular state , where we ALL have the freedom to practice our given beliefs without fear of reprisal or interfereance or disrespect ffrom people of differeing beliefs is far more desierable imho.
That's what I've been saying all along! The problem is that the religious don't really WANT a secular state, they want a theocratic one. Freedom of speech, as long as you don't say anything blasphemous about THEIR religion. Freedom of expression, as long as you don't express discontent with THEIR religion. Freedom of worship, as long as you only worship THEIR religion. THAT is what I see happening in this country! THAT is what I'm fighting against!

Think I'm wrong? Try walking into a school board meeting, or a town council meeting, where they open each session with a prayer. Try asking them to open that session with a Bahai prayer, or an Islamic prayer, or a Jewish prayer. See just how "tolerant" they are. I would especially recommend trying this in the deep south or the midwest. I think you'd get a real eye-opening experience.