The Religion, Atheism and Science Discussion

[NicDots]

I don't know anyone that reads Harry Potter that tries to practice witchcraft. Schools should be happy kids are reading, period.

[Logan]

I think racism is such a boring thing to talk about. Every race at one time or another has been the victim of slavery or some kind of persecution. Everyone is horrified at the holocaust (and rightly so it was a horrible thing) but how quick people bring up the evils spread by christianityand how slow to remember Christians were made sport of in Rome as they were fed to the lions.

Black have mastered the art of playing the race card to the point it becomes caricature. As far as i am concerned however that has come to a close in America.

With a black man as president how much more can they really say it is the man keeping blacks down, when blacks ARE THE MAN NOW!

Muslims are targeted as suspicious because let's face it while not all muslims are terrorists, all terrorists are muslim.

The reason why racism hasn't died is because there is money to be made from it. Look at the Jesse Jacksons and the Louis Farahkans of the world. they have built there entire careers and empires on keeping racism alive.

And Whites are victims of racism as well. It's okay to call a white guy a "cracker", but look out if you call a black guy a "nigger". It is absurd.

It seems like it has become this game of who can be the most persecuted race. It a bit of a laugh really.

As the Americans say FUCK IT.

[Logan]

I can't stand the morons who read the DaVinci Code and then come to my trying to argue that Dan Brown proved that there is no God.

the DaVinci Code is fiction, and the author/publishers are quite open about that, look in your library and you'll find it alongside animal farm and harry potter LOLZ

How people think that it is factual i have no idea

Rob

They probably don't realize that Harry Potter isn't real either.

Actually the davinci code was based on research by Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh, and Henry Lincoln. and published in a book called "Holy Blood, Holy Grail" Quite an interestin read really and does raise some serious questions.

[NicDots]

I went to a few conferences with my old religion professor, and most religious scholars believe that the stuff the DaVinci Code is pure, unadulterated nonsense with no real backing. And that's not cause these religious scholars are all Christian. In fact, my professor was a Buddhist. He likened it to the book that had recently come out about China discovering America before Columbus...sure, maybe it happened, as the Chinese had the biggest Naval power in the world at that time, but alas, there is no proof.

[Blight]

[Trigger]

As I understand it Logan the Book that you talked about was a study unlike Dan Brown's which was a thriller.

[Logan]

As I understand it Logan the Book that you talked about was a study unlike Dan Brown's which was a thriller.

Yes it was study, a very scholarly work in fact. I didn't mean to imply that it was a novel or anything like that, so I'm sorry if that is the impression I gave. But that book and it's research was the seed for dan Brown's idea for davinci Code (which I thought sucked BTW). There are some interesting questions raised in the book Holy blood, Holy grail, that are moree than mere speculation.

It is 8 in the morning here so i can't think of anything off the top of my head but I will spend some more time with the book and get back to you.

[Zakk Daniels]

Read this book!

[Cpt Matt Sparrow]

Logan,

The debate has gotten, as debates of this nature tend to do, heated at times. I think yourself being a Christian, who is fascinated with theology; and also with an open mind, if you haven't already, read through the thread. I will be interested what you make of it.

It was started because I read that fascinating book you lent me in New Hampshire 'The Mystical Life of Christ'.

It was a great read and as a theory, made sense for sure.

Matt

[Cpt Matt Sparrow]

Actually i read somewhere that Harry Potter was banned by some catholic schools as it was "promoting" witchcraft.

Simon

Simon, many of the evangelical churches I have visited too, take a very dim view of Harry Potter and do sincerely believe too that it is actually Satan working through children's literature to corrupt.

At Suzie's school previously there have been teachers/assistants that have been asked to be excused if the kids have watched Harry Potter and most recently The Golden Compass.

The Church I used to attend (Suzie is still a 'believer') which was a Church of England Church used alot of self deprecating humour and I am sure our old Vicar would have found the Rowan Atkinson clip funny.

I think often on the net and also country to country things are seen very differently. I have learned that from this thread especially....However that doesn't mean it ever has to be "it is my way or the highway either"

Matt

[cableguyxx]

of course your own beliefs are just that, BUT, in general, Christians a a whole do believe there is only "One" way; his name is Jesus

[Paul Wolfe]

However that doesn't mean it ever has to be "it is my way or the highway either"

of course your own beliefs are just that, BUT, in general, Christians a a whole do believe there is only "One" way; his name is Jesus

Actually, Matt, having faith does mean just that. Do Buddhists believe that only some of Buddha's teachings are true? Do Muslims follow some of Mohamed's teachings and some of Buddha's? No, they choose their belief system and follow only that system. That is what faith is all about.

Back in the day, Reagan was accused of having 'situational ethics' which meant certain behaviors are acceptable under certain circumstances and not under others. Basically it's a way of doing whatever you want and making an excuse for your behavior so it seems like you did the right thing.

"Situational Ethics" don't work in religion. Either you follow the religion or you don't. With Christianity you follow the teachings of the Holy Bible, with Islam it's the Koran. It's the individual "preachers" of these faiths that seem to be the stumbling blocks for so many. But these men (and women) are more interested (most of the time) with having people follow them and not just the religion they espouse. These people are not what the religion is about.

[Cpt Matt Sparrow]

Hi Paul and Darin

You have both completely misunderstood my use of the "my way or the highway" saying.

I meant, and mean, that because there are differences of belief in society, on a forum etc etc, that doesn't mean there cannot be friendship and understanding despite those differences of opinion...hence my use of the saying

I did not mean it in reference to the belief system itself of any religion. I hope that is clear
I used the saying to illustrate that it is possible to hold different views yet maintain friendship.

Sorry about the empahtic underlinings but it is what we call in the UK a belt and braces job LOL.

You seem to have interpreted the post as if I was talking about Christianity. I wasn't, and also meant as a general comment on getting on with each others opnions.


Cheers

Matt

[Zakk Daniels]

I like everybody. Especially All the head Brewmasters at various breweries around the world!!

[Cpt Matt Sparrow]

I like everybody. Especially All the head Brewmasters at various breweries around the world!!

LMAO. Hello Craig!

Yes I like those good people too!

Matt