Chat discussion...

oldmansacks

BlackHatUsing the example of a "terrorist Muslim"...

This person will believe that what they are doing (the act of terrorism) follows with what they believe is proper Muslim belief and behavior. They themselves probably believe that they are Muslims, and they probably believe much of the core beliefs associated with Islam.

Other Muslims, however, will probably be angry to hear that this person is being labeled a Muslim, since they themselves probably believe much of the core beliefs associated with Islam, believe they are good Muslims, yet think killing in the name of the religion of Islam is not proper Muslim belief and behavior.

Bottom line: the terrorist thinks what he's doing is right for a Muslim to do, the non-terrorists think the opposite. Neither is right since what it means to be a good Muslim is very subjective, much in the way that there is no single definition of what it means to be a good person.

i like your old avatar better.

LOL

Disincentivy

TheKingHave you guys opened any of the "holy" books? The Bible has rules for keeping slaves and stoning your children to death if they misbehave. The Koran absolutely recommends violence against infidels.

People need to really take a hard look at what they're worshiping. Most religious people, in my estimation, do one of two things:

1.) Tell people they're a "Christian" or "Muslim" or "Jew" or whatever, but don't really think that much about it and probably have nebulous religious beliefs when pressed on it (i.e. believe in a higher power but not the stuff in the Bible literally)

2.) Have never really thought that hard about it and refuse to because they are blinded by what they WANT to believe.

There very well may be a God or some higher power, but it's time to move past bronze age texts written by sheep herders with rules for illiterate desert dwellers.

Have you read any of the holy books? In their native original language? How many scholars have you heard their interpretation of the verses, phrases, grammatical dispositions? Have you lived with people of that faith of both extremes? Have you had discussions with them about what they believe?

For example: There are 73 branches (types) of Islam, 72 of them are laughable and extreme and these are the ones that stand out, because they are entertaining and make good news headlines and idiotic stereotypes. You don't hear about the good side of Islam where killing is prohibited and considered a major sin unless it was for defending your Family, land (country), or self.

Same thing applies to Jews, there are how many branches? Some of them are too extreme to the point they call little girls (as little as 6) whores and sluts for simply going to school. This does not stain all Jews, and it doesn't give anyone the right to generalize and paint them with a certain color. But do we know about the Jews in Israel who protest the works of their government and volunteer to help Palestinians? Most of us don't.

The books might be ancient but they outline what is generally accepted as good or bad behavior.

Some of the extremists may think they actually are defending their land and families and can still try to justify the violence/killing.

My thought process is...if you need some old book to tell you how to live and you follow that shit blindly, you are pretty fucked up. I always thought religion was for the sheep, those simpletons who don't have the mental strength or capacity to justify their own existence. Just another form of propaganda.

Disincentivy

TheKingHave you guys opened any of the "holy" books? The Bible has rules for keeping slaves and stoning your children to death if they misbehave. The Koran absolutely recommends violence against infidels.

People need to really take a hard look at what they're worshiping. Most religious people, in my estimation, do one of two things:

1.) Tell people they're a "Christian" or "Muslim" or "Jew" or whatever, but don't really think that much about it and probably have nebulous religious beliefs when pressed on it (i.e. believe in a higher power but not the stuff in the Bible literally)

2.) Have never really thought that hard about it and refuse to because they are blinded by what they WANT to believe.

There very well may be a God or some higher power, but it's time to move past bronze age texts written by sheep herders with rules for illiterate desert dwellers.

Have you read any of the holy books? In their native original language? How many scholars have you heard their interpretation of the verses, phrases, grammatical dispositions? Have you lived with people of that faith of both extremes? Have you had discussions with them about what they believe?

For example: There are 73 branches (types) of Islam, 72 of them are laughable and extreme and these are the ones that stand out, because they are entertaining and make good news headlines and idiotic stereotypes. You don't hear about the good side of Islam where killing is prohibited and considered a major sin unless it was for defending your Family, land (country), or self.

Same thing applies to Jews, there are how many branches? Some of them are too extreme to the point they call little girls (as little as 6) whores and sluts for simply going to school. This does not stain all Jews, and it doesn't give anyone the right to generalize and paint them with a certain color. But do we know about the Jews in Israel who protest the works of their government and volunteer to help Palestinians? Most of us don't.

The books might be ancient but they outline what is generally accepted as good or bad behavior.

Translation: "What you need to do is follow people that cherry pick what they like and don't like about the Bible / Koran / whatever."

If you start cherry picking and deciding what to follow and what not to, then it's time to realize that morality does not come from an old book, but from a combination of the golden rule, empathy, and generations upon generations of societal development and betterment.

The Bible does not provide guidelines for being a moral person by any stretch of the word. Unless keeping slaves and stoning children is somehow considered moral.

I'll let Sam Harris take it from here:

Flake][quote=DisincentivyDon't get me wrong, I love magic.

I am sure you do, I mean it is after all, the only way to justify your avatar.