Do you think religion should be abolished?If yes why , if no why not?

I think that religion didn't cause anything good but only start wars, create gilt , hold science back , repressing women's rights, repress sexual subjects , promotes violence racism sectrianism backwardness discrimination ignorance , violates human rights , opression of homosexuals , bigotry , hatred , extremism , terrorism . But sometimes it helps people cope with their problems. I want to hear your opinions and arguments. Plus excuse my English since it's a second language. 

PS : I meant abolish not by forcing but using logic and reason.

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Permalink Reply by Jim Schultz on January 18, 2013 at 11:13am

Tom - for clarification. You said "Outside the sciences and mathematics, have logic and reason ever defeated emotion?" Are you suggesting it would be a good thing for logic and reason to defeat emotion ?

Permalink Reply by Joan Denoo on January 18, 2013 at 2:48pm

OH! My goodness! I hope not! We need logic, reason, emotion, working to inform us and give us more information. Any one without the other two loses power. 

Permalink Reply by Tom Sarbeck on January 18, 2013 at 6:24pm

Jim, you're answering a question with a question.

Permalink Reply by Jim Schultz on January 19, 2013 at 5:05pm

Tom - I do not have an answer for your question. I was just curious where you were going with the question. 

Permalink Reply by Tom Sarbeck on January 20, 2013 at 4:41am

Jim, where am I going with "Outside the sciences and mathematics, have logic and reason ever defeated emotion?"

I've been in two such places - business and politics. What I saw inspired my question.

Permalink Reply by Jim Schultz on January 20, 2013 at 10:48am

Tom, I would accept math and to a large degree science as being more logic and reason based, although some scientists become emotionally attached to their theories and overlook those signs that tell them they may be on the wrong path. Certain aspects of business are driven by logic and reason, although marketing of products is usually based on an emotional approach. The stock market is often driven by emotion, although computer trading has decreased that. Politics is a whole nother kettle of fish. What I have observed over many years is that emotion plays a very large role in politics, probably an increasing role as the nation continues to "dumb down". By that I mean, the average citizen knows and cares very little about government, which is one reason why lobbyists are so powerful. 

Permalink Reply by Tom Sarbeck on January 21, 2013 at 2:26am

Jim, would you agree that the certain aspects of business you mention, as well as the development of computer trading and even non-computer trading, are driven by a fear of poverty?

Politics is certainly driven by a fear of powerlessness.

If I have sufficient wealth or power, I need not trust other people -- except police, firefighters, health care workers, suppliers of food and clothing, and those who make reproduction possible.

Hm-m-m, that's a lot of people a wealthy or powerful person has to trust.

Permalink Reply by Jim Schultz on January 21, 2013 at 6:08pm

Tom, no I do not think computer trading is driven by a fear of poverty. It is just an outgrowth of technological development and sophistication. I do think many aspects of politics are driven by a fear of powerlessness, or as a desire for more power. 

I agree that everyone has to trust a lot of other people, whether they have money or not. You could add airline pilots, engineers who design bridges, those who manufacture drugs, military, etc. Not sure what you are driving at here.   

Permalink Reply by Joan Denoo on November 11, 2012 at 1:17pm

Banning alcohol, smoking, morality, and any addictive substance or belief does not reach low enough into the psych of a person. There is pleasure or comfort or reassurance through addiction and one can't legislate these factors. If a person is addicted to alcohol, we can put them in jail if they drink and drive, if the addiction is smoking we can legislate they not smoke in public places, if the addiction is morality, the Puritans cut off the ears, noses and put a hot iron through tongues of Quakers; none of which changed the behaviors and beliefs. 

An atheist, liberal, left wing, feminist, has as much right to thought and actions that do not harm or interfere with others, as theists, conservative, right wing, maleist. 

Permalink Reply by JP Carey on November 3, 2012 at 10:09am

Frankly, not everyone in the world is smart enough to rid themselves of superstitions beliefs.  In a vacuum of religion, religions would arise.  We're wired that way.  But of course, a more educated population would reduce that tendency.

I believe that "collectives" like religion -BUT WITHOUT THE MAGIC WORSHIP, are the future way to go.  Based on reason, a place where the smart and not-so-smart can agree.  Collectives or organizations that can provide atheists with counseling, weddings & funerals, charities...  hope?

Religions are the mental equivalent of nations.  They have populations and laws (rules) and even a constitution (holy book).  By contrast, atheist are NOMADS with no nation, and therefor can't move mountains.

It's a paradox though -to ask "freethinkers" to join an ideology.
 

Permalink Reply by Joan Denoo on November 11, 2012 at 1:26pm

There is nothing about not believing in god/s that prevents one from counseling, weddings, funerals, caring for others.  Weddings and funerals with loved ones and those who want to show honor to these events happen in my garden. Support of peers provides very good counseling without the strings of religion attached. Many times battered children and women receive counseling to yield, pray, obey, turn the other cheek, love him to the lord, crucify yourself daily; not a very healthy thing to advise for a toxic environment.

Atheists are NOMADS; many often think and act out of care, concern and compassion for others. To be obedient or submissive to tyranny is no virtue. 

Permalink Reply by Steph S. on November 11, 2012 at 2:21pm

I so agree with you Joan. You can be "good" and show care, compassion and concern for others without god.

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