UN to consider a "blasphemy ban"

[stewvee]

Of course you can call me a fucking hypocrite if you want: my kid goes to a religious school for pre-pre-K five days a week because there are no secular schools in the area.

[stewvee]

More acts of hatred and terrorism and war have been committed in the name of God and religion than any number of humanitarian missions.

Citation?

[Moloc]

Gonna make me do my homework, eh? Ok.

[stewvee]

yeah b/c that's a really wacky generalization. no way to prove or disprove it.

[BlackRoija]

If you are referring to the countless pro bono trips to impoverished countries by church organizations to rebuild after disasters, or treat the ill, or build shelter for indigent folks, then you've got some logic problems.

I've been told a lot of these "victims" would actually rather not a bunch of unskilled American youth trek down to Haiti or whatever other ravaged place to take away potential work from the native people building houses or whatnot--and then considering the extra drain on food, water, shelter for the volunteers, usually ends up being more harm than help. As if that's of any relevance to the current discussion. But it's a thought.

[stewvee]

Again, citation?

[Brian]

Again, citation?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-77kdSfFjc

[JägerWolf]

Again, citation?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-77kdSfFjc

[badcarburetor]

...doesn't mean it's inherently cancerous.

Far too often religion stands at odds with - and in opposition to - science. That's enough for me to say it sucks, it's cancerous (whenever it is spread) and humanity would be all the better for throwing off its blinders.

^^^
In a nation where blasphemy is outlawed that right there could get me in world of shit. All for mocking something that does not exist.

No citation.

[BlackRoija]

Again, citation?

None. See: "been told". Hearsay. I've never done one of those retreats, so don't consider anything I say worth shit--the usual for me round these parts.

[Kaganator]

Again, citation?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-77kdSfFjc

[Ryan]

Personal spirituality is great and finding comfort/solace/enlightenment/satisfaction/etc. in it is a powerful experience I'm sure, though not one i've personally had.

I think the main point where religion is flawed is in organization and the "you're wrong for not believing what I believe" mentality it seems to foster. The concept of faith is a powerful thing, believing in something that you have no real proof of... but that strong of a belief in something, in something that for believers is the very foundation of their entire world, will always foster those feelings when confronted with an opposing view point. The very idea of faith is that you "know" you're right no matter what evidence etc. you're confronted with to the contrary and let's face it, human nature is to reject someone who is telling you that you're wrong... ESPECIALLY when it's something you feel strongly about and what do people feel stronger about than their own religion? Nothing. As long as there is organized religion in this world there will be conflict because of it. I won't deny that there is good in religion but I think the prejudice that it's organization fosters far outweighs any good it does beyond what people gain from it on a personal level.

[BlackRoija]

Well, here's my backup. Ain't just hearsay.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... world.html

The paper they cite can be found here:

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1 ... 010.487124

It's specific to AIDS-related volunteer work, but the same principles apply to your Habitat for Humanity-s and such.

[stewvee]

Well, here's my backup. Ain't just hearsay.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... world.html

The paper they cite can be found here:

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1 ... 010.487124

It's specific to AIDS-related volunteer work, but the same principles apply to your Habitat for Humanity-s and such.

A lot of goal post moving here.

I'm not talking about a one-shot deal or some sorta self-aggrandizing photo-op situation. The missions that I'm talking of (and I know people who have participated in them [friends and family]) are concentrated in a specific area and unfold over a period of time (more than a year; less than a decade).

This article uses logical fallacies to make its point, and adds the hollywood celebs contingent to bate right-wingers in need of red meat.

[stewvee]

...doesn't mean it's inherently cancerous.

Far too often religion stands at odds with - and in opposition to - science. That's enough for me to say it sucks, it's cancerous (whenever it is spread) and humanity would be all the better for throwing off its blinders.

^^^
In a nation where blasphemy is outlawed that right there could get me in world of shit. All for mocking something that does not exist.

No citation.

Pascal's wager?