Presidential Election 2012 USA

[Guest]

Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
Did you miss your activation email?

1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever

Login with username, password and session length

[Mysthalin]

If organization of religion isn't alowed in a secular state, it suddenly does not become a secular state, but an imposed anti-theocracy. You blame the tool? I don't quite recall the book in the Bible (regular or Apocryphal) which featured Jesus slaughtering pagans, herding Jews into cchoncentration camps and enslaving people. I do, however, recall that the message of the Jewish, Christian and Muslim holy texts is one of peace and solidarity. The issue comes when people interpret that as they will. Instead of banning the tool, perhaps one should be better instructed in its use. A tool can be used for creation as well as destruction.

Getting rid of religion will solve nothing - many of the evils you speak would exist or already exist outside of it. Evil is universal. Malicious brainwashing before the age of 18? Maybe instead of getting rid of religion, crusade against children's advertisers, or Disney, for locking children into an ultra-consumerist ideology even from infancy.

I blame the tool that is organized religion, not the religious text. I'm pretty sure nowhere in the Bible does Jesus say "oh, and yeah, build me a bunch of extravagant and super-expensive churches and have pastors/priest preaching my word in a language most people can't even understand". Didn't stop Catholicism from being the evil piece of shit that it was in medieval times.

I do however recall the Bible (in particular the old testament) saying slavery is more or less so OK as long as it's not done to Jews, that it's OK to murder your own son as long as you're convinced god has a direct phoneline to your head and is telling you to do it and that anybody who so much as looks at a woman with lust is condemned to suffer eternally in the pits of hell. You know, batshit crazy stuff.

I have zero problems with Christians who believe in what they believe, while understanding the one, in my opinion, most important bit of the bible - the one about not judging people. I.e. - respecting people for their beliefs. What brings me into a blind raging fury whenever I get to talk to US christians is the fact they are the most hypocritical and ignorant pieces of crap on the planet - forgoing their own commandements to perpetuate that same religion. It doesn't seem like the normal avenues for the dumbing down of such stupid religious extremism have worked in the US, which is why I think the country should have a massive, institutionalised back-lash against organised religion. At least until religious dogma stops having any part in any political debate, and institutional persecution of non-Christians is abolished. Simply put - if the kids can't play with their toys without poking each other's eyes out, then take away their toys until they learn.

[Sachaztan]

Maybe instead of getting rid of religion, crusade against children's advertisers, or Disney, for locking children into an ultra-consumerist ideology even from infancy.

Actually adverts aimed at children is already illegal in several countries.

[Vermillion_Hawk]

I blame the tool that is organized religion, not the religious text. I'm pretty sure nowhere in the Bible does Jesus say "oh, and yeah, build me a bunch of extravagant and super-expensive churches and have pastors/priest preaching my word in a language most people can't even understand". Didn't stop Catholicism from being the evil piece of shit that it was in medieval times.

I do however recall the Bible (in particular the old testament) saying slavery is more or less so OK as long as it's not done to Jews, that it's OK to murder your own son as long as you're convinced god has a direct phoneline to your head and is telling you to do it and that anybody who so much as looks at a woman with lust is condemned to suffer eternally in the pits of hell. You know, batshit crazy stuff.

I have zero problems with Christians who believe in what they believe, while understanding the one, in my opinion, most important bit of the bible - the one about not judging people. I.e. - respecting people for their beliefs. What brings me into a blind raging fury whenever I get to talk to US christians is the fact they are the most hypocritical and ignorant pieces of crap on the planet - forgoing their own commandements to perpetuate that same religion. It doesn't seem like the normal avenues for the dumbing down of such stupid religious extremism have worked in the US, which is why I think the country should have a massive, institutionalised back-lash against organised religion. At least until religious dogma stops having any part in any political debate, and institutional persecution of non-Christians is abolished. Simply put - if the kids can't play with their toys without poking each other's eyes out, then take away their toys until they learn.

See that's where I somewhat agree. I personally think Bible Belt Christians shouldn't even possess that epithet. However, in this case religion is used as a veil. Removing Christianity from the area would not change the horrid practices which occur in such a place - it would only force them to hide them further. It's not organized religion that's the problem. You don't see Catholic clergies or Orthodox clergies exerting their influence on society. It's the people who are at fault, and not the organization itself. Taking away organized religion will do nothing but further attenuate the problem.

[Mysthalin]

Because Bible Belt Christians are not practicing organized religion (specifically Protestant Christianity)?

[Vermillion_Hawk]

They're practicing organized religion, but the undesirable aspects of their society are only superficially related to it.

[Sachaztan]

You don't see Catholic clergies or Orthodox clergies exerting their influence on society.

Only that's EXACTLY what they do.

The catholic church's ban on condoms is a glaringly obvious example of this, but there are others as well.

[Vermillion_Hawk]

What I should have said was government. Exerting influence on certain aspects of people's lives is fine - people can choose whether or not they can make decisions for themselves. I certainly don't obey every edict or doctrine which comes out of the Vatican, yet I am still Catholic.

[PonySlaystation]

Generalizations reveal it.

How is it generalizing? A large part of the christian community believe in creationism. That's a lot more than just a few bad stereotypes.

[Sachaztan]

What I should have said was government. Exerting influence on certain aspects of people's lives is fine - people can choose whether or not they can make decisions for themselves. I certainly don't obey every edict or doctrine which comes out of the Vatican, yet I am still Catholic.

Christianity exerts influence on the US government in several ways so no that isn't true. Abortion, taxation of churches and gay rights are issues which organised Christian groups have managed to influence legislation on in several states.

A great deal of Christians in America believes that the US government shouldn't be secular and exerts influence to steer it in that direction and they have been making progress.

Several states explicitly forbids atheists from holding office.

Speaking of Catholics, the Vatican exerts a great deal of influence on both the people and state of Italy.

And then there's a few outright theocratic states which by definition is absolutely influenced by an organised religion.

[Tymathee]

wow, 3 pages that quick...i missed some good stuff where we at?

[EIRRMod]

Im predicting Mitt Romney to win.

Read this lol.

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/us-election/9659694/US-election-2012-voting-machine-changes-vote-for-Barack-Obama-to-Mitt-Romney.html

[EIRRMod]

(And yes, I am aware that he didnt win)

[RikiRude]

I have to say I much prefer the opinions of my friends across the water and elsewhere in the world then my friends on facebook when it has come to the election.

[EIRRMod]

I have to say I much prefer the opinions of my friends across the water and elsewhere in the world then my friends on facebook when it has come to the election.

+1

[RikiRude]

My friends are divided into two categories. People into Obama. And people in a branch of the military service and their wives/husbands.

[EIRRMod]

My friends are divided into two categories. People into Obama. And people in a branch of the military service and their wives/husbands.

Ouch, really?

[AmPM]

Obama's overall support for the military is pretty bad. He's extremely unpopular with the armed forces and anyone that is a military family member in general.

Both are faulty. Shitty political system is shitty.

[aeroblade56]

lol there ever heard of this shitty anonymous group who was trying to vote for a 3rd party.

kust taking away votes :p

[tank130]

And..... Obama takes...... thank god intelligence prevailed.

[acker]

This should be interesting, debt ceiling fight is coming up.

"Interesting" in US politics generally means terrifying.