I don't believe there are gods but I can't prove it any more than theists can prove they exist. I can't prove there are no fairies at the bottom of the garden either. The whole thing is irrelevant because we don't need gods or fairies. Unicorns would be nice though.
However I am strongly anti-religious. I am not aware of anything that has caused more harm in this world than religion, particularly the Abrahamic religions. History is full of the atrocities that have taken place in the name of Christianity and now it seems it's the Muslim’s turn and their believe in Islam. I have heard all the arguments that it is only radical Muslims that are the problem and that the majority are peaceful. Read the Qur’an and judge for yourself which group is following what is taught in that book. The bible is just as bad and possibly worse based on a simple count.
Sam Harris said to imagine a future where people murder each other over interpretations of Star Wars or Windows 98. Could anything be more ridiculous? But that is no more ridiculous than the world we live in now.
When the last temple has been torn down, when the last holy book has been destroyed, when the last preacher has been defrocked, then, and only then, will there be peace.
I'm not religious myself, but your post is full of bad information. How many of those verses were pulled out of context to be counted? Is "though shall not kill" recorded as a mark against it because it references voilence? As friends your last paragraph... you don't think the elimination of religion would lead to an overall decline in morals, thus leading to more crime and violence? Lastly, do some research. The number of people killed in the name of religion is far lower than that of people killed over things like land, oil, money, etc. Should we get rid of all those as well?
@lostcanadian: one of your points is that people are killed in the name of religion. I called you on it, and you cite numbers from a book you don't believe. That has nothing to do with my viewpoint and everything to do with you failing in spectacular fashion to use simple logic. It's a shame you're not capable of an intelligent conversation.
@DesiredNightmare: Are you saying that people aren't killed in the name of religion? It wasn't one of my points but now that you mention it I think they certainly are.
I said: 1. I am not aware of anything that has caused more harm in this world than religion, particularly the Abrahamic religions. History is full of the atrocities that have taken place in the name of Christianity and now it seems it's the Muslim’s turn and their believe in Islam. I used the term "harm".
2. Then I asked people to read the Qur'an to determine whether fundamental Muslims or peaceful Muslims were following the teachings of their holy book intimating there were horrible things in the Qur'an and then said the bible was just as bad.
3. Then I provided statistics on violence and cruelty in the bible to support my claim.
As far as the rest of what you said, have you ever heard the term "Ad hominem argument"?
@lostcanadian: it's not my fault you can't back up any of the claims you've made. I disputed the claim that religion has caused all the harm you claim. Your reply is best guess numbers from a website that thrives on bashing the bible... the Bible you don't believe in?
@DesiredNightmare: I'm not sure but I think it was something Ricky Gervais said. I have no idea where he got the information or even if he just made it up. If it was him you would have to ask him not me. As I said though the first number is a little meaningless.
I hear ya. Well I won't try to disprove your point, I have zero debate skills. And starting an argument would probably go nowhere, besides the fact that I don't want to argue. But I will express my disagreement.
@lostcanadian: One more question: Why did you read the bible cover to cover? Were you a doing it for religious reasons or were you doing it for the sake of knowledge?
