|~~ANT~~|
Ex-Bluelighter
Let me start off by saying that I sort of identify as Christian, so obviously I'm a little biased. I say "sort of" Christian, because I don't believe Jesus was a real person and - if he was - he wasn't literally the son of God. But, I believe in the teachings of the New Testament (more or less) and I think Christianity has had a hugely positive effect on humanity... taking into account all the terrible things that have resulted from it.
I change my mind all the time... I used to be strictly atheist, convinced that when we die there are no surprises. Then, gradually, I became an on-the-fence agnostic. Now I very strongly believe in life after death and some sort of transference of consciousness... I also used to be far left wing (in terms of politics) and now I am approaching far right...
A lot of discussions are nothing more than intellectual competitions. More often than not, from my experience, people aren't willing to consider if they are wrong. They go to great lengths constructing increasingly complex arguments to convince themselves they already know the truth.
I want to know the truth. I want to be wrong. That is how I try and approach things, but sometimes ego gets in the way... I'm just trying to make it clear that I don't want to offend anyone. I want to have a civil discussion with people who want to discuss this topic. If you feel any bitterness or negativity about the following, I'm genuinely sorry to triggered that and it's probably best if we just agree to disagree.
...
Having said all that, this is my opinion: the world is better with Christianity and better without Islam.
It is socially acceptable in Australia to say the church is an abomination and that all priests are paedophiles, but it isn't socially acceptable to similarly criticise Islam. There are two primary reasons for this: (1) you don't have to be afraid of the Catholic church sentencing you to death, or someone killing you in the name of Christ; and, (2) there is confusion about differentiating between nationality/culture and religion when it comes to Islamic countries.
Not being able to be critical of other races, cultures, or religions means that we tolerate things in society that we would not otherwise tolerate. Most people in this country that are openly homophobic or sexist are condemned. But if you happen to belong to a powerful organisation that fits under the religion-umbrella, then we - as a society - are not sure if we should condemn these attitudes.
Do we care more about so-called racism / Islamophobia than we do about women or homosexuals?
Do we care more about so-called racism / Islamophobia than we do about our own social standards?
Compared to Christianity, twelve times as many people have been murdered in the name of Islam... Mohammed was a warlord and a rapist. Whereas Jesus is a symbol of purity and self-sacrifice... Both religions have contributed massively to charity, but Islamic charitable donations typically stay within Islam.
If either of them is a religion of peace, isn't it Christianity?
Why should we tolerate an organisation (religious or otherwise) that promotes values we steadfastly disagree with?
The Nazi holocaust killed maybe 10 million people.
The Islamic holocaust killed over 80 million people.
Some 25 million people have died in the name of Christianity.
Over 300 million people have died in the name of Islam.
I change my mind all the time... I used to be strictly atheist, convinced that when we die there are no surprises. Then, gradually, I became an on-the-fence agnostic. Now I very strongly believe in life after death and some sort of transference of consciousness... I also used to be far left wing (in terms of politics) and now I am approaching far right...
A lot of discussions are nothing more than intellectual competitions. More often than not, from my experience, people aren't willing to consider if they are wrong. They go to great lengths constructing increasingly complex arguments to convince themselves they already know the truth.
I want to know the truth. I want to be wrong. That is how I try and approach things, but sometimes ego gets in the way... I'm just trying to make it clear that I don't want to offend anyone. I want to have a civil discussion with people who want to discuss this topic. If you feel any bitterness or negativity about the following, I'm genuinely sorry to triggered that and it's probably best if we just agree to disagree.
...
Having said all that, this is my opinion: the world is better with Christianity and better without Islam.
It is socially acceptable in Australia to say the church is an abomination and that all priests are paedophiles, but it isn't socially acceptable to similarly criticise Islam. There are two primary reasons for this: (1) you don't have to be afraid of the Catholic church sentencing you to death, or someone killing you in the name of Christ; and, (2) there is confusion about differentiating between nationality/culture and religion when it comes to Islamic countries.
Not being able to be critical of other races, cultures, or religions means that we tolerate things in society that we would not otherwise tolerate. Most people in this country that are openly homophobic or sexist are condemned. But if you happen to belong to a powerful organisation that fits under the religion-umbrella, then we - as a society - are not sure if we should condemn these attitudes.
Do we care more about so-called racism / Islamophobia than we do about women or homosexuals?
Do we care more about so-called racism / Islamophobia than we do about our own social standards?
Compared to Christianity, twelve times as many people have been murdered in the name of Islam... Mohammed was a warlord and a rapist. Whereas Jesus is a symbol of purity and self-sacrifice... Both religions have contributed massively to charity, but Islamic charitable donations typically stay within Islam.
If either of them is a religion of peace, isn't it Christianity?
Why should we tolerate an organisation (religious or otherwise) that promotes values we steadfastly disagree with?
The Nazi holocaust killed maybe 10 million people.
The Islamic holocaust killed over 80 million people.
Some 25 million people have died in the name of Christianity.
Over 300 million people have died in the name of Islam.