Oh, we're not supposed to quote the person we're responding to? I always thought that made things easier to follow *shrug*
I do disagree with Christianity - but I would never want to prevent people from practicing it. If arguing against the validity of a religion is attacking it, then I guess you can say that's what I'm doing.
In this discussion, I'm just pointing out different opinions and reasons why heaven may be an archaic idea created by man. To discuss what happens after you die, people are going to bring their religious beliefs to the table - and in order for me to say, "I don't think God fearing people go to heaven when they die", it is helpful to point out the flaws in said religion.
As to whether religion is good for mankind? I think it is good only for controlling people and giving unfortunate people hope for a better life after they die. I think it is a travesty that missionaries try to rid "primitive" people of their own cultures and religions.
I guess if I had to come up with a rule, I'd say that religion is only good when it is kept to oneself (no missionaries, no laws based on religion, no killing based on religion, etc.). Society as a whole does not need religion to maintain order any longer. People either have morals or they don't - murderers will still murder and rapists will still rape (whether they're Catholic priests or not - I know, I know, that's a low blow, but seriously think about how religion helped them live a good moral life).
Would bigots still be bigots without religion? Yeah, probably - but they'd have a harder time rationalizing it. But, would you have suicide bombers if there wasn't that promise of the afterlife? They're not dying for their country over there - they're anticipating the 21 naked virgins after they blow themselves up. If you can't look at history to tell that religion is detrimental to society, look at the present!
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