If it were illegal to learn about religion before the age of 18...

[EGGO]

OP, I believe you are mistaking "learned" with "preached to".

 

[0roo0roo]

islam would probably face the biggest decline. it relies on massive peer pressure( constant public display of religion/headscarves/praying 5 times a day etc) and apostacy(death n such to those who dare leave the faith). its numbers are inflated by a serious lack of freedom. http://www.iheu.org/node/1541

 

[LordMorpheus]

Religion would be a much better force in society if this was the case. Teaching kids about religion at a young age and then encouraging them never to question it leads to a very childish understanding of religion and a childish relationship with whatever god they believe in. Waiting until 18 would allow people to start with an adult understanding of god and religion. The Catholic Church used to do things more or less the right way by holding baptism and confirmation until adulthood was reached.

It's not going to happen, but I think it would help. Most of the fundies have the same relationship with god as adults as they did when they were three.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
choosing a religion based on its merits? objectively? religious membership would plumet. considernig the evils/bigotry/irrationality/hate contained in each religion none can justify their existence.

Especially the religion of atheism.

religion is belief in the supernatural.

religion is not belief in anything. religion is not the lack of belief. for instance not believing in santa is not a religion. not believing in the tooth fairy is not a religion.

devalue the definition of faith at ur own peril

Atheism is a religion. It requires faith of belief. That this faith of belief appears the opposite of what is considered conventional is irrelevant. Theism believes, atheism believes not. Both involve the act of faith of belief in unknowables.

The Santa Claus and Tooth Fairy arguments are strawmen. You already proved yourself an hypocritical zealot when you said that religions are all about evil, hate, and bigotry, now you prove yourself ignorant as well.

I am not devaluing the definition of faith. I am explaining to you what faith is. Faith is maintaining a steadfast belief in something that can never be known or proven. If you strongly believed in the existence of alien life, that would be faith. If you strongly believed against the existence of alien life, that would also be faith.
Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence.

 

[Imaginer]

I dont get why so many people are grinding axes against religion. For one thing, the only religion that tries to advertise and gain your attention to convert is Christianity. In fact, I may think that assimilation is the root of that religion in itself.

And another distaste to religion is what is going on in people passing acts of terrorism due to the Islamic religion (extreme case).

I think its the "in your face" advertising of religion that people or you guys dont like. I have no problems with any religion at all and I dont consider myself athiest. There is a possibility that a superior being is out there somewhere, however by the definitions of current religions and their stories, it makes me want to disagree or doesn't sound right.

 

[FoBoT]

that would require amending the constitution to change the first amendment

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: Imaginer
I dont get why so many people are grinding axes against religion. For one thing, the only religion that tries to advertise and gain your attention to convert is Christianity. In fact, I may think that assimilation is the root of that religion in itself.

And another distaste to religion is what is going on in people passing acts of terrorism due to the Islamic religion (extreme case).

I think its the "in your face" advertising of religion that people or you guys dont like. I have no problems with any religion at all and I dont consider myself athiest. There is a possibility that a superior being is out there somewhere, however by the definitions of current religions and their stories, it makes me want to disagree or doesn't sound right.

Once you understand that political atheism is a competing religion, all that axe-grinding suddenly makes complete sense.

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
choosing a religion based on its merits? objectively? religious membership would plumet. considernig the evils/bigotry/irrationality/hate contained in each religion none can justify their existence.

Especially the religion of atheism.

religion is belief in the supernatural.

religion is not belief in anything. religion is not the lack of belief. for instance not believing in santa is not a religion. not believing in the tooth fairy is not a religion.

devalue the definition of faith at ur own peril

Atheism is a religion. It requires faith of belief. That this faith of belief appears the opposite of what is considered conventional is irrelevant. Theism believes, atheism believes not. Both involve the act of faith of belief in unknowables.

The Santa Claus and Tooth Fairy arguments are strawmen. You already proved yourself an hypocritical zealot when you said that religions are all about evil, hate, and bigotry, now you prove yourself ignorant as well.

I am not devaluing the definition of faith. I am explaining to you what faith is. Faith is maintaining a steadfast belief in something that can never be known or proven. If you strongly believed in the existence of alien life, that would be faith. If you strongly believed against the existence of alien life, that would also be faith.
Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence.

wow all that typing to get around the simple fact that you distort the definition of faith so far that is becomes absurd and meaniningless. santa claus and the tooth fairy are not strawmen, they fit your definition of religion perfectly, and rejecting their existence also fits your twisted and tortured definition of religion perfectly.

we are talking about RELIGIOUS faith here. not the faith that my horse will win at the track so i can win money. your own words damn you. you called atheism a RELIGION after all.

 

[LtPage1]

You just don't get it, do you?

 

[Malak]

There are some countries where religion, outside of the state religion, is not allowed. Anyone caught teaching or spreading another religion are either tortured or executed. Christianity still thrives. There is a reason why people believe, and it certainly has nothing to do with a fear of dying.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
wow all that typing to get around the simple fact that you distort the definition of faith so far that is becomes absurd and meaniningless. santa claus and the tooth fairy are not strawmen, they fit your definition of religion perfectly, and rejecting their existence also fits your twisted and tortured definition of religion perfectly.

we are talking about RELIGIOUS faith here. not the faith that my horse will win at the track so i can win money. your own words damn you. you called atheism a RELIGION after all.

Atheism is a religion. Its basic principles are religious faith. Once again: that this faith of belief appears the opposite of what is considered conventional is irrelevant. It is still faith.