Quote:
Originally Posted by Hack&Lube
Given so many conflicts that religion causes in this world, even the staunchest secularists need a good religious education in order to conduct a proper dialogue and argue their side.
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I have to agree. The thing is that both sides, in fact more than just both, since there are so many sides, get far to emotional about the issue and act as if they've forgotten their brain at home.
The issue isn't simple, nor is it really new. We've had hundreds of years of conflict of growing secularism (and science) versus religion. And even a longer history of religion versus religion (which pre-dates all the monotheism (belief in one God). Understanding the fundamentals of all these conflicts is essential to being able to argue your point - but also gaining tolerance of others.
Despite my lack of belief in God, one of my favorite hobbys is following/reading about the early Christian church. It's fascinating, and can teach us a lot about human behaviour, and the power of humans to corrupt and change anything for small personal gains, from the bible to the words of Jesus and even science.
And nothing seems to stir the pot like the threat of the end of something as fundamental as your belief system. I think that the American evangelicals who are on the extreme fringe (because I believe that most don't act out like those in the videos, nor do they share those views) are terrified of the challenge of modern America since it is largely secular and consumer driven and doesn’t care much about God, not does God play a major part of their life.
They feel threatened and backed into a corner and have mobilized their constituents to challenge the government, the freedoms and the sciences of the mainstream. In fact, they even attack other Christians. So, expect the unexpected from the lion backed into a cage and fighting for survival. (though I don't think they are really threatened, but I think they think they are)