Religious Criticism

[x9200]

Less than 7% of wars have had a religious basis. Most have had a power basis and atheists are just as guilty of that as any other. I can find the citation if you need it.

I am curious about this 7%. I would expect close to 100% to be greed or power based. Religion just was and is still used as a convenient and effective tool to manipulate the masses.

[Hannieroo]

Nobody said atheists have never been in any wars. They just don't feel the need to start one to get their point across. They also don't tend to object to other's views or feel the need to rant about it. On the whole an atheist is far more respectful.

[beppi]

Nobody said atheists have never been in any wars. They just don't feel the need to start one to get their point across. They also don't tend to object to other's views or feel the need to rant about it. On the whole an atheist is far more respectful.

This is patently untrue:
Communists are declared atheists, but have strong beliefs (just not into anything supernatural - except that humans are capable of being unselfish) and started several wars in the name of those beliefs.

I think the key word here is moderation - extremists (no matter for what) cause and start all wars!

[x9200]

I could be wrong but I don't recall any war started by the communists in the name of atheism. Atheism was kind of side effect and the main motive was liberation and fair treatment of the working masses.

[beppi]

I said they started wars in the name of their beliefs, not necessarily in the name of atheism. Sorry for not being clear enough.
And many of the wars fought in the name of religion really have other side or even main reasons.

[x9200]

Oh, ok my bad, I overlooked the 2nd part, but then still I am not sure if what the communists represented should be called atheism. Yes, they wished it could but I would rather call it some sort of anti-clericalism.

[beppi]

Atheism literally means the belief that there is no God.
Of course the communists created their own worldly gods and temples, some of them can still be seen in Moscow, Beijing, Pyongyang and Hanoi.

But we are drifting from the original topic.

[sundaymorningstaple]

So where do people like me stand in all this? I've been agnostic for 52 years. Fought in one war. (I didn't start it nor did I want it). Studied most of the major religions and a fair number of minor religions from the age of 14 up till around 40 when I decided I was just wasting my time. I can see Athiests starting a war as they have a believe, albeit belief of non-existence vrs the believers (regardless of the name of the faith). But agnostics are on the fence as is were......

[Hannieroo]

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst?

[x9200]

I am a theistic agnostic if this makes your life on the fence a bit easier.

[zzm9980]

Nobody said atheists have never been in any wars. They just don't feel the need to start one to get their point across. They also don't tend to object to other's views or feel the need to rant about it. On the whole an atheist is far more respectful.

I'll give you the point on starting wars, but I've seen just as many obnoxious atheists posting obnoxious shit on Facebook and various sites as I see religious people. Note I'm not religious.

[zzm9980]

I can see Athiests starting a war as they have a believe, albeit belief of non-existence vrs the believers (regardless of the name of the faith). But agnostics are on the fence as is were......

+1

Atheism to me just seems to be the religion of no god.

[Strong Eagle]

Atheism to me just seems to be the religion of no god.

Not really. Religion implies ritual, scripture, practice, organization, heirarchy, community. Atheism has none of that.

[x9200]

I'll give you the point on starting wars, but I've seen just as many obnoxious atheists posting obnoxious shit on Facebook and various sites as I see religious people. Note I'm not religious.

Yes, they do but I have the impression that for majority of them it comes from the frustration of living in religious societies. It is just a counter reaction or venting off.

[morenangpinay]

i have friends who are atheists and i dont understand why they keep talking or posting bout gods that supposedly don't exist according to them.but compared to where I come from, Singapore doesn't have such a strong religious presence in its society.