Quote:
Originally Posted by ignite09
Religion obviously can have an effect on the actions of people, I've never said otherwise. I already also pointed out that the part of my post you just quoted was based on personal experience, was read the bible as well. Religion is an excellent tool too promote violence if that is what someone intends, and people who might inherently be non violent can be incited into violence based on a religious belief. However, the implication that the removal of religion from humanity would also remove our natural violent tendencies is ignorant. Look at most of the wars fought over the last century, the desire for new territory, the desire to kill those different from you, the desire for resources have been just as responsible as spirituals beliefs for the violence. People will always find a reason to kill other people.
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I agree with what you're saying here. But at least without religion you can deal with these other motivators rationally. You can avoid violence if you can talk to the other party rationally, but a religious basis for violence affords no rationality, which complicates things. Its like trying to reason with an agitated schizophrenic: if they have some crazy reason for punching you, you're getting punched no matter what you say.