Reply #69: Then how come people can change their minds? [View All]

[Deep13]

I did not say that religion is not integral to human HISTORY. I said it was not integral to humanity. It does not have a biological origin.


And again, how is it bigotry? That a pretty serious accusation. Justify it. Saying so does not make it so.

There may be a religion that is not based on bigotry, out-group hostility or mind-control. But it is not one that exerts any real influence on the world. The ones most of us have in mind are founded on precisely those principles. Would gay rights, the equality of women or reproductive freedom even be issues of public discussion if it were not for irrational, bronze-age beliefs?

Why is it okay it be openly critical of Klansmen, of conservatives generally, of fundamentalist believers, but not of those who think that murdering an innocent man is a good way to escape from guilt? Why are all the ideas in the world open to criticism, but not ones that purport to be about god? Justify the respect you are demanding. Why should I have to conform to YOUR religious standards? Why?

And even if somehow you are right, there's still no god.