Religion - Pros & Cons Options

[darkphyre]

What Atheists think about religion

Atheist Criticisms of Religion

Not all atheists are hostile to religion, but many do think that religion is bad. Here are some of their reasons...

• Religion gets people to believe something untrue.
  
• Religion makes people base the way they run their lives on a falsehood.
  
• Religion stops people thinking in a rational and objective way.
  
• Religion forces people to rely on outside authority, rather than becoming self-reliant.
  
• Religion imposes irrational rules of good and bad behaviour.
  
• Religion divides people, and is a cause of conflict and war.
  
• The hierarchical structure of most religions is anti-democratic, and thus offends basic human rights.
  
• Religion doesn't give equal treatment to women and gay people, and thus offends basic human rights.
  
• Religion obstructs scientific research.
  
• Religion wastes time and money.

Religion has good bits to it.

Most atheists willingly concede there are some good things about religion, such as:

• Religious art and music
  
• Religious charities and good works
  
• Much religious wisdom and scripture
  
• Human fellowship and togetherness

I agree with just about everything on this list. What do you think?

[darkphyre]

Religion gets people to believe something untrue.
    *Who are you to say that it is untrue?

Who are you to say it's true?

Religion stops people thinking in a rational and objective way.
     *Is it not rational to not waste your life on drinking,lying, and doing wrong?

Religious people have no monopoly on morality. I hardly believe that a person who participates in a religion is less likely to lie or drink than someone who doesn't.

Religion forces people to rely on outside authority, rather than becoming self-reliant.
      *No person is completely self-reliant, everyone has to depend on someone

But it's better to be dependent on someone that is real, no?

Religion imposes irrational rules of good and bad behaviour.
       *the word to use wouldn't be irrational

"When a slave owner strikes a male or female slave with a rod and the slave dies immediately, the owner shall be punished. But if the slave survives a day or two, there is no punishment; for the slave is the owner's property. (Exod. 21:20-21)"

That's sure a rational rule.

Religion divides people, and is a cause of conflict and war.
       *Race divides people so is ethnic diveristy also bad?

Religion is more often a cause of conflict and war than race. As well, ethnicity is unavoidable, whereas religion is a choice.

The hierarchical structure of most religions is anti-democratic, and thus offends basic human rights.
        *Who is to say what human rights are, that is up to your own judgement. Plus the basic human rights came from the Bible

The basic human rights are internationally recognized. They are not open to interpretation.

Religion doesn't give equal treatment to women and gay people, and thus offends basic human rights.
        *You cannot classify all religion as the same. Christianity does not make women inferior, if it did i wouldn't be a Christian. Gay people since when do they get their own catergory? they are the same as straight people

"(1 Tim 2:9-12 NRSV) also that the women should dress themselves modestly and decently in suitable clothing, not with their hair braided, or with gold, pearls, or expensive clothes, ...

Let a woman learn in silence with full submission.

I permit no woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she is to keep silent."

Yay for women! As for gay people, if they're the same, why can't they get married?

Religion obstructs scientific research.
        *Scientific research how? You cannot use the theory of evolution because it si exactly what it states a theory

Ok, I won't use evolution. Right now, George W. Bush is preventing/limiting stem cell research solely based on his religious views. These stem cells have the potential to cure or treat many diseases and disorders.

Religion wastes time and money.
        *If that is the case all time and money is wasted, because if i wasn't spendning time with God I would be wasting my time having sex and wasting my money smoking weed

I guess you're just naturally a morally corrupt person. I'm not religious, and I don't smoke or drink or have sex.