Rabbi David Wolpe, author of Why Faith Matters, makes an excellent point about Religulous:
Perhaps Maher's greatest misunderstanding of religion is his central indictment: that religion is responsible for the world's violence. It is not. Violence is a product of human nature. Before monotheism, the Assyrians were not kind; the Romans were bloodthirsty beyond the imagination of religious regimes. When religion became less potent in people's lives after the French Revolution, instead of making the world less violent, it became far more violent: World War I and WWII, communism, Nazism -- all shed blood on an unprecedented scale. None were religious regimes or religious wars.
In fact, Stalin and Pol Pot were both atheists and Hitler was driven by other ideologies. The three of them together were responsible for more deaths than all of history's religious wars combined. This doesn't prove that atheists are inherently violent but it does undercut the central premise of Maher's argument, that our very fate is in danger because of religion.
UPDATE: I'm reminded, too, that the 20th century's greatest advocates of non-violence -- Gandhi and Martin Luther King -- were driven by faith.
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...and the Muslims are driven by what?
Men are inherantly violent, but anything that a man can get passionate enough about, will likely lead to violence against opposition.
Religion's problem is it creates a "we are right, everyone else is wrong" emotion, on some level and ultimately, "the loving God we worship is going to kill/punish or otherwise destroy all who don't believe as we do".
"God is love", but only to Christians. Everyone else is going to Hell.
www.isnrblog.com
isnrblog, I would offer to you the latest over on Michele McGinty's blog as an example of what Christianity is to Christians. Seems that there is an effort afoot to generate enough anger in certain conservative Christian groups that it gets someone to try to kill Senator Obama.
blog.beliefnet.com/reformedchicksblabbing/2008/10/its-not-just-that-ayers-is-a-t.html
Sarah Palin is encouraging folks who shout out "kill him" at her rallies against Obama. She thinks they "get it".
God is love, but only to Christians. Everyone else is going to hell, and they may help them get there faster.
Steve,
Thank you brother for your concern about this real issue. Bill and that other undoubted demigog are looking to divert attention to Atheist view. No matter what someones background, there is a need for belief greater than yourself. We are fallible man, we have no business dependeing solely on ourselves. Remeber Jim Jones, David Koresh, Heaven's Gate, etc!
We need to talk up not seeing this movie. If we see it, we make them stronger. Please say to America, "Do Not See This Movie". Bill should never work again!
Just had to say it was about time someone pointed out the emperor's new clothes (or the pope's, the rabbi's, etc.). The religious Order will of course swamp us all out in no time for daring to be heathen AND have our own say... but not before I've seen the movie, I hope ;-).
It is not religion that is bad; though it can be taken to extremes, so can any other human endevor. How much evil has been done in the name of America or "freedom". I would argue that the ideals behind the American Revolution and the US are positive despite what people have done with them.
So, too, the teachings of Jesus (I speak only as a Christian). "Judge not lest you be judged." "They will know we are Christians by our love." "Love God with your whole heart, mind, and soul. And your neighbor by yourself." Yet, much of Christianity has the reputation - deservedly - of being judgemental, condescending, and hateful. We're not doing it right (though I've met a whole lot of people who are - who truly love). Jesus talked of the value of the Spirit of the Law but we get rigid and forget Jesus' flexability.
This is a common problem and by no means unique to religion.
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