Why respect religious belief?

[thedailyflash]

because the atom is held together by the sound wave

What Holds The Universe Together?

[Scottish_Republican]

Originally Posted by kathyv

Well stated SR!

In the States this whole evolution vs creation thing has become a political agenda, keeping the focus away from what's important. It makes absolutely no difference in the long run!

Evolution in it's most basic form is a theory, Theistic Evolution in it's most basic form is a theory, Simple Creation boils down to faith.

Whatever you happen to believe about how the earth was formed and how life came to be won't get you into Heaven or send you to Hell so it has become a platform for political posturing and media shark fests! So much bickering over trivial things only serves to reinforce the doubts and disgust of those who feel like CJ, I think it's a shame to cause anyone to look at their world or humanity cynically or with questions like this.

If a person professes Christianity, they should hold themselves, and police themselves, to a higher standard of respect and love and not let these kinds of squabblings taint another person's perception of their faith.

Thanks Kathy.

I just think it's a shame that more Christian politicians in the States can't be more like MLK and less like Jerry Falwell (who was apparently pretty anti-black in the 50s and 60s, and wouldn't baptise any blacks til '71)

I guess that the other side do themselves no favours sometimes either. I despise Richard Dawkins - I think he's an awful man, and I know this is personal, but the fact is that the medium is the message, and if you have an awful smug Public-schoolboy-stereotype such as Dawkins as medium, then your message is warped...

If the so called Christian Right in the States actually looked at what Jesus said, they would spend less time criticising "global warming" and more on trying to alleviate poverty and war.

[ANDY-J3]

Originally posted by Scottish_Republican

Everybody goes on about the evolution/creation thing, but the fact is that this is essentially an American thing. Most European Christians believe in evolution, and if they believe in Creation, so what? It doesn't make a huge difference in much of everyday life - your average Jock Tamson believes in far weirder things, like horoscopes, and Aberdeen FC will win the premiership.

There is no such thing in the age of global communications as essentially an American thing. Creationist websites originate in the US and misinform kids from every country in the world. You have the likes of Kent Hovind who for years was spreading creationist propaganda as if it were proven fact then is sentenced to ten years in prison for being a lying conman. Obviously evolution isn't going to be challenged but you just can't concede an inch to creationists because it's a self perpetuating cycle- the more they go unchallenged the more vociferous and aggressive they become in spreading their message. I don't tolerate evangelical Christians- I treat them with utter disdain and whenever I manage to pin them down to a debate I go straight for their jugular. Richard Dawkins might be brash and abrasive but his approach is 100% right considering the people he's confronting.

[kathyv]

I don't know who Richard Dawkins or Kent Hovind are so I really can't comment on either of them. I do know that whatever you choose to believe, evolution or creation, both have to be taken on faith because each belief can and does punch holes in each other's philosophy.

As far as I am concerned, it makes no difference. I believe what I believe and I am not going to browbeat anyone or insist that you accept my views just because they are mine, you have to decide for yourself after looking at all sides of a question.

I will also state that many 20th century American evangelical media gods, (Jerry Falwell comes right to mind) misrepresented their faith by refusing to acknowledge or baptize blacks because of American political views of the time. It was wrong and as far as I am concerned, un-Christ-like, He refused no one and modern Christians should be the same. Any religion that refuses to accept or include is a cult.

[ANDY-J3]

Kathyv,
Your response typifies exactly what I'm saying. Evolution of species is a fact- no biologist denies that it occurs and only the biological mechanisms involved are theoretical. In fact creationists are totally unable to provide anything other than meaningless rhetoric to try and undermine it and their views are dismissed out of hand by the science community. The very fact however that you believe creationists can punch holes in it just indicates how successful their propaganda is in the US- they have never once in fact even mounted a serious challenge to evolution never mind punch holes in it. Evolution of species is a proven fact supported by incontravertable evidence not a matter of faith-it is not for theologists to try and undermine the credibility of science and that fact is recognised everywhere except the US for some reason. Kent Hovind is perhaps better known as Doctor Dino- one of the most vociferous spokesmen on creationism over the past decade in spite of the fact that he didn't even hold a scientific degree. He was recently convicted on over 30 counts of tax evasion and other offences and is serving ten years in prison yet this individual was lauded by creationists and his propaganda was accepted by them as gospel truth.

[bell-the-cat]

Originally Posted by kathyv

I don't know who Richard Dawkins or Kent Hovind are so I really can't comment on either of them. I do know that whatever you choose to believe, evolution or creation, both have to be taken on faith because each belief can and does punch holes in each other's philosophy.

What a stupid comment.
If you want, you can believe that my assertion is merely taken on faith. If you do, it makes you seem even dumber.

[bell-the-cat]

Originally Posted by ANDY-J3

Originally posted by Scottish_Republican

There is no such thing in the age of global communications as essentially an American thing. Creationist websites originate in the US and misinform kids from every country in the world.

Don't forget, it is state-supported ideology in almost all Islamic countries.