for the vast majority of religious people, it's a personal belief that doesn't impose on the free will of others.Aside from the fact that those beliefs generally have no basis in reality outside your own head but they inform your decisions and have an effect on the world.
Is there anything wrong with denying your child a life saving blood transfusion because you believe that the Bible forbids it? How about believing that God hates infidels (He does) and that blowing yourself up in a crowded cafe will get you some extra perks in Heaven? Those actions are perfectly logical, even preferred because it says so in the book that the Boss has given us.
Putting aside one's political beliefs for a moment, if one were an agnostic, atheist or even a deist, wouldn't one be quite disturbed by the pervasive religiousness of politicians on both sides of the aisle? Wouldn't the fact that the great bulk of politicians claim to have a personal relationship with a fictional being they call 'god' and that a fantastic narrative about heaven, a messiah and this fictional being is true and explains the origin of the universe and earth itself, be cause for alarm? These people go to a church on a regular basis and claim to be able to speak to god through prayer. And of course they claim that their legislative policies are inspired by this god.
Without a doubt, the probability that their prayer is actually being received and interpreted by some divine being is just about 0. So any personal relationship with some deity is undoubtedly made up in their head. The same goes for their religious narrative, and all the fables thereof. The probability of it being true is very nearly 0, if not actually 0. How do we know? Because reality doesn't work the way these narratives have described it. Science has clearly shown this, and there isn't a single shred of evidence that it ever did work in the way the narratives describe.
So those who are supposed to be the most level headed and rational people around, are head over heels into supernatural belief systems. A couple questions come to my mind. Is the strong correlation between those who hold political office and these supernatural belief systems evidence that policymaking is in large part a faith based action in itself? And my other question is, isn't it about time that the large numbers of non-religious people start questioning the religiosity of politicians?
No, the fear of religion is itself a religion. It has the same potential for manipulating people as any organized religion. Like seeks like. Those that are under its spell can exhibit cult like tendencies.
Dangerous in what way? Do you feel personal danger? Or are your concerns altruistic?
Atheism is Satan's lie to trick the fools into believing that there is no God.
Luke 11:23 (King James Version)
23He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.
Proverbs 13:20 (King James Version)
20He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
Atheism is Satan's lie to trick the fools into believing that there is no God.
Luke 11:23 (King James Version)
23He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.
Proverbs 13:20 (King James Version)
20He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
Hayabusa Rider said:There are two "gods" there. One has the likeness of an elephant and the other an ass.
Well if you put it that way, why not? I mean if the religious are automatically stupid then the alternatives must be ruthless sociopaths.
Demonizing is a fun and easy game that all can play.
You completely passed on the real problem, which isn't religion in politics, but politics in politics, AKA "party uber alles" or "How can we look good and make the other side look bad at all costs"
It's interesting that one can be anally raped and ignore it completely while complaining about acne.
In other words, people who are atheist or agnostic are just as likely to make a fool out of you as anyone else, and in extreme cases have resulted to the USSR and China purges. Does that have to be the case? No, but then I don't get off on bashing people for their religion or lack of it. It's what they actually do that's the issue.
I wouldn't be so smug if I were you. You are easily used, just as much as the religious.