Sustainability? Certainly whether we create conditions that further human existence or result in our extinction is the greatest moral issue. Which magisteria, religion or science, is best positioned to succeed in the sustainability of our planet, and why?
Answer: Strange as it may seem I am going to go with religion on this one. Science has the best chance at improving food production, etc. to sustain an ever growing population, but sooner or later we are going to hit some limit that science does ont have sufficient time to overcome and we are going to be in deep do-do. Going for zero population growth also has its problems as we end up with a society where there is a disproportionate number of old people, and that places another great strain on society. If science is not capable of balancing this top-heavy society before it collapses then we are back with a big problem. My modest proposal would be to kill the old people. This will free up significant resources to improve the lives of the younger members of the globe. But this goes against what medical advances and science has achieved to date. Science can provide a method to do this but can not resolve the moral issue in this. For that we need religion. Religion will allow people to think that doing something bad is something good. Religion would allow for a purely arbitrary age limit - because God says that is the limit. Religion will actually make people feel good about going to their deaths, because they are doing Gods will by dying and will go to a better place. Religion will provide the social pressure for those that doubt to conform. So, unless we can achieve a zero growth population, and science can resolve the problem of a increasing proportion of old people who consume a disproportionate amount of limited resources we will need religion to solve humanitys problem.
Category: Religion; Date: 2010-08-31
My Dad is An Atheist, and I am a Christian...HELP?
My dad is a biology professor at Harvard and Atheist. He mocks religion all the time at home, and even has an account here on YA, does debates, and more. Anyway, I became a Christian this past month, because my girlfriend urged me to. I actually like it okay. When my dad found out, he actually said, "what are you a retard?". I just ignored him. Then, a couple of days later, he barged into my room and said, "listen son, I dont care what other people believe, but no son of mine is going to be delusional." Then he handed me a book by Richard Dawkins, and said, "read this, it will straighten out your delusions." I refused to read it. Then, he said if I dont stop acting ignorant, he will not pay my tuition. This is totally unfair, and he is acting like a big hypocrite. I feel he is only saying this because he is known for his atheism and books. What should I do??
Answer: Hello, Assuming you arent one of those beings that lurk under bridges, my advice to you is pray hard. God has the answer to the test that you are going through. If you really believe in Jesus, you will find out quick that he is very real, very powerful, and nothing to be ashamed of. He wont let you down. Richard Dawkins is a joke. He uses every rhetorical fallacy in the book Im using a rhetorical fallacy--there is no such book of rhetorical fallacies. Good job to your girlfriend. Tell her thank you. She has given you the best gift anyone could ever give. As for you dad, tell him Harvard started out as theological seminary to train men for the ministry. Tell him, things change. People change. Dig it? I will pray for you. Dont worry about the tuition. Dont back down, youll ultimately win his respect. If you fold because of money, hell know Christianity is bogus. Nick
Category: Religion; Date: 2010-08-31
Is it difficult for conservatives to distinguish "supporting Islam" from "supporting the right to be Islamic"?
I dont know. It doesnt seem like a really difficult distinction to me. But when I keep reading that liberals "support Islam," I start to wonder if conservatives are actually incapable of making the distinction. Let me see if I can make it simpler: If I supported Islam, I would probably give money to Islamic causes, attend a mosque, and state that I believed in the fundamental tenets of the Islamic religion. If I support the right to be Islamic, then I would probably say that while I do not necessarily have any Islamic beliefs, I wont do anything to prevent someone else from practicing THEIR Islamic beliefs, as long as it does not DIRECTLY interfere with someone elses right to life, liberty, or property. Is the difference really all that difficult to understand? I ask because weve been going back and forth for days now, and still I see people ask why liberals "support Islam."
Answer: republicans tend to have selective listening
Category: Religion; Date: 2010-08-31
I caught my 15 y. o. daughter kissing another girl, please help?
Ok so I walk into my living room 20 min before my usual arriving time and I see my daughter Ill call her Jenny kissing another girl ill call her Amanda her age and I mean French kissing, so I called Amandas parents to pick her and asked Jenny to call off the other girls that was supposed to come for her sleep over. And boy, was she mad at me?, she was like furious, she gave me some rhetoric about religion being an imposition of men to control women I wont be able to call her to reason through religion anymore and she end up saying that as soon as she becomes 18 shell move to Boston or Des Moines, I wonder why those specifical cities. So, whats your opinion?, was I too hard on her? I just called out Jennys sleepover cause I was afraid shed do more than just kissing if I let her sleep in the same room then Amanda YES people I would have reacted the same way if Jenny would be kissing a boy, I think I would be more worried about a boy cause he could get her pregnant. To Rickys mommy I let her date boys her age, if shes behaving at home. To Summer Nicole: Yes I have a problem with her being bisexual it is not what God meant for women to do, and I was even more freaked out cause my baby girl Jenny was about to sleep in the same room with that girl Amanda. To A Cutie I completely agree with you.
Answer: As a parent, you did the right thing to end it where it was. She is in a poluted world, an evil, nasty place that condones and lifts up such behavior. This is a very touchy situation, and when she turns from Jesus, there is very little that can be done. I would take her to counseling. Shell balk, shell scream, shell be very mad, but its worth it. Homosexiulaity is often but not always triggered by some kind of sexual abuse she may have experienced, or is currently experiencing. I suggest not to punish her. I know, that sounds like a horrible idea, but hear me out. What she needs in you is a friend. She has clearly turned away from men and is seeking romantic and comforting companionship with females. Girls normally look for someone to make her feel protected. If you show yourself as someone she can lean on and rely on, even when shes at her worst, she will turn towards you and respect more what you have to say. It is a long and difficult process, and shell think she hates you for the majority of the time, but keep being open and always pray for her. Im afraid I have never raised a teenager, but I AM one, and I can see her side more easily than you may. Feeling humiliated for having been caught, shes going to take it out on you. SInce you do not agree with it, shes going to take it out on you. Because you are readily available, she is going to take it out on you. Please do not take it personally. She may mean it personally, but that is the whilrwind in which she has found herself speaking for her. Shell try to sneak out at night. SHell make out in school. But what you CAN do is make sure the calls/texts you wherever she goes, and set an alarm on the car, and try to be aware of any of her friends vehicles in the middle of the night. Put bells on her window or her door, anything. The only way to fix what is broken is to find the one who created it. Jesus created her to be a lovely, happy girl. She became cracked by sin and her own choices, but storm the gates of heaven on her behalf, and I too will be traying for you both.
Category: Religion; Date: 2010-08-31
A question for Americans: Arnt you sick and tired of having to hear about muslims and Islam?
I know I am. Ever since 9-11 all you hear on the news and from politicians is "muslims and islam, muslims and islam". Now we have to deal with their stupid religion from a backwards sand culture everyday of our lives. Im sick of it arnt you??
Answer: OF COURSE i sometimes dont even turn on the tv because if surf past a certain news channel ill hear about the stupid mosque being built two blocks away from ground zero. i would remind everyone that replies to this post osama bin laden is a Muslim, a radical Muslim who believed that America is evil and needs to be destroyed. because women have rights, and we dont worship the way he does, he thinks innocent people mothers and fathers should be killed because they dont pray to Allah or dont obey sharia law. the people who crashed planes into the twin towers were Muslims, and the Taliban are Muslims. i guess no one is going to see the connection here even if you used picture cards like ross perot
Category: Religion; Date: 2010-08-31
If science answers the "how" and religion the "why...?
as many christians on here have told me, then perhaps you religious people can answer the following "why" questions? 1. Why do oxygen and hydrogen combine to form water? 2. Why do some living cells sometimes mutate, start reproducing wildly, and result in cancer? 3. Why does uranium 238 decay through 11 sub-elements to become lead 207? 4. Why does silicon have semiconducting properties and copper doesnt? Keep in mind, "thats how god wanted it" isnt really an answer to a "why" question at all... Have at em.
Answer: I cant wait to see the xtian "responses".
Category: Religion; Date: 2010-08-31
Do you agree: If you decide to live in a foreign country, you should....?
....abide by their customs, and alter the way you practice your own culture and religion so that it fits in with that countrys way of living? Similarly, the country should not give in to immigrants demanding changes, like religious buildings of theirs being built, attempting to make the country like their native. To the person mentioning America: America has always been a melting pot, and it isnt officially claimed by any one nationality. So that is a different kettle of fish altogether to somewhere like England, which has always been a Christian state, or Middle Eastern countries, which have been Muslim for a long time.
Answer: Edit: First and foremost, it depends what are considered customs. Things like the food you eat is irrelevant. No one cares what food anyone else eats They care about things like this though: Learning the language, abiding by the countrys laws, not ranting about things that are socially acceptable in that country which you dont like, or demanding something that doesnt fit in with that countrys political/religious system, eg. demanding that a church be built in a Muslim country like Turkey, or demanding to wear a burka, which is considered a threat to security and safety by most British people, because it hides your identity, if you live in a Christian country. I agree, completely. Firstly, its basic manners and respect - if you decide to live in someone elses country, you should be willing to abide by their customs and accept them, and blend into society. You should be willing to become patriotic towards that country, and not expect that country to bend over backwards for you and make it like your home country, because isnt that isolating yourself from the countries inhabitants, rather than you assimilating into their society. Furthermore, when immigrants demand things, the more they get, the further away they move from assimilating into society and respecting the country, and the more they demand from the government. It becomes as though they are "claiming" the country and trying to change it into their own, or get the "upper hand". It should be the immigrants who are bending over backwards to fit into the country - no one says that they have to live there, after all. If they dont like it, they can always go home or somewhere else. The government should be persistant that immigrants respect and abide by the countrys customs, and if anyone doesnt they should be deported because they are a threat to peace. The British government have done that, and its caused so many social problems.
Category: Religion; Date: 2010-08-31
What do you think of the deluded ways in that nation sandwitched between canada and mexico?
It seems the attitude in that nation is "God bless us We dont need forgiveness, we need blessings. We want to continue in our sins - just give us blessings. God, please bless our sins Bless our turning away from you Bless our rebellion against you and your word Bless our lack of reading your word Bless our neglecting to pray to you, and bless our half-heartedness toward you" i dont think a nation could become more deluded. But then again ive only seen one nation like this in my life. I bet its because the major religion in that nation is the religion of money. What do you think? http://www.LittleScroll.com
Answer: You got that right God is green and fits in your pocket in the USA.
Category: Religion; Date: 2010-08-31
If you could convert one other R&S regular to a religion or belief of your choice including atheism who...?
...would you convert, and to what religion/belief would you convert them, and why? Thank you for your answers, The Marlboro Man Amemahoney: ROFL Layana Nice Person Sassy So true. Pat: I AM a Christian. And I quit smoking 11 months ago Nikon JA
Answer: I would ask firball to convert to my catholic church because she has a fire that most parishes need. A unique peaceful fire. Hears a blessing, and a our father prayed just for you. Practice the holy rosary,practice makes perfect. We love you all,the holy family.
Category: Religion; Date: 2010-08-31
Why do religious types think that they hold some knowledge or truth that others do not?
Each religion is the same in that they all think they are right and all else is wrong. I cannot understand how for example Christians honestly think that they can hold the ONE and ONLY truth about God, life, and everything in between. Why are they so hellbent no pun intended on their certainty. Obviously God is not a concept any human can fully grasp. And using the Bible as the only source of truth makes no sense. A lot of people who chose to not be religious dont do so because they arent informed, they do so usually because they ARE. I have read the Bible, and there is no way you can tell me that its the only truth and that we all must live our lives accordingly. If there is a God, he would not make it to where there was only one way into his paradise through accepting J.C. as the savior. I just want to understand how people can say that I am going to hell because I refuse to accept what they consider to be the truth. I dont refuse to, I cannot. No matter how hard I try. So if thats the case, God must be very cruel. Because Im basically going to hell because I cannot do something. Even as a young child in church, I felt there was no way to know that what my preacher was talking about was right, and all else was wrong. So explain to me how logical, mature adults can swear to hold some sacred truth that cannot be accepted/known by all. I TRIED having a receptive heart The only thing that happened was feeling that this couldnt be right. Stop assuming. Maybe Im just not as gullible.
Answer: Indoctrination of impressionable kids is the main cause. Thats the source of most peoples religion. The result is such a feeling of surety in many that they cannot conceive it not being true, hence any use of evidence to determine reality is seen as superfluous, and even disingenuous. They feel that doubters just dont get it, though they cant really explain why. Its a flight from reason.
Category: Religion; Date: 2010-08-31
