Jun 07, 2008 2:33 PM GMT
This is PART ONE of the video version of "The God Delusion" by Richard Dawkins
The Root of All Evil? Part One
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Jun 07, 2008 2:33 PM GMT
This is PART ONE of the video version of "The God Delusion" by Richard Dawkins -
Jun 07, 2008 3:53 PM GMTReligious beliefs could be considered a root of all evil because of their hypocrisy and the threat of eternal damnation if one does not conform. However, I think money is the real root of all evil. Look at all the corruption and wrongdoing in today's modern world, it is all for lining ones pocketbook. Wall Street is an outstanding example of too much wealth and power concentrated in too few hands. Those miserable, greedy bastards on Wall Street just can't get their fill of big money. -
Jun 07, 2008 4:14 PM GMTI agree with what Richard Dawkins says all the way
... we are indoctrinated into this viral belief system from birth
it gives us a belief system that allows us to do things and treat other people in ways we would not do other wise
because YOUR man in the clouds says so...
you can
own slaves?
kill and/or maim people who don't believe as you do?
in some cases neglect or abuse your children?
perpetuate prejudices according to race, and gender?
horde wealth and power and use it against others?
and lastly...
use what is purportedly the word of God (the Bible, Koran
or any other religious book) and pick and choose what you can to make others second class citizens
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Jun 07, 2008 5:05 PM GMTWhen/where was this on? Can't recall it being aired in the UK!
I'm actually reading the book now, its proving to be interesting albeit at times infuriating!
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Jun 07, 2008 5:14 PM GMTHumans are the root of all evil. Religion and money are just tools of domination and inequity. We wouldn't be evil if we weren't so human. -
Jun 07, 2008 5:19 PM GMTThat was an amazing program. Richard Dawkins is so right on. I especially liked how he made reference to things not being absolutes/black or white. Life is many shades of gray.
It also reminded me of this scene from Donnie Darko:
I'm going to google video right now to watch part 2!
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Jun 07, 2008 5:22 PM GMTmickeytopogigio saidHumans are the root of all evil. Religion and money are just tools of domination and inequity. We wouldn't be evil if we weren't so human.
That reminds me of a few years back when I heard this guy say that humans are the cancer of the earth. -
Jun 07, 2008 5:56 PM GMTmickeytopogigio saidHumans are the root of all evil. Religion and money are just tools of domination and inequity. We wouldn't be evil if we weren't so human.
Hmmm...I don't necessarily consider "money" or any form of barter system a "tool of domination" or inherent inequality.
As far as "evil" goes, the American scientist Steven Weinberg asserts: "Religion is an insult to human dignity. With or without it you'd have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things it takes religion."
I don't think it is fair to lump the vast majority of people in the "evil" column.
There is a certain kind of person who believes the world should be a certain way and it does not matter how many people must perish in order for such a vision to come true. -
Jun 07, 2008 8:14 PM GMTswimbikerun said
There is a certain kind of person who believes the world should be a certain way and it does not matter how many people must perish in order for such a vision to come true.
And just as bad is the kind of person who allows such thinking to exist. In some way liberal religious folk are just as dangerous as any fundamentalist. The same level of irrationality just with a happy face painted over it.
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Jun 07, 2008 9:17 PM GMTTrance23 said[quote][cite]swimbikerun said[/cite]
There is a certain kind of person who believes the world should be a certain way and it does not matter how many people must perish in order for such a vision to come true.
And just as bad is the kind of person who allows such thinking to exist. In some way liberal religious folk are just as dangerous as any fundamentalist. The same level of irrationality just with a happy face painted over it.
Huh?!
I'm not sure that I even completely understand what you are saying.
I would love for you to elaborate.
If you are insinuating that there is an issue of morality, I think you should (if you haven't already) watch part 2 on google video.
It goes on to explain that morality has been around a lot longer than religion has.
It also explains how atheism can also be looked at as life affirming because it puts an emphasis on making the best of your life because its all you get.
I think that there is a very positive message there.
Personally, I am agnostic. I grew up as a Unitarian Universalist so free thinking and tolerance of different points of view is something that has always been a part of me. I don't see how that is dangerous. Isn't it my human right?
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Jun 07, 2008 9:35 PM GMTIf you say it's a human right to believe and don't call on people to prove the case of belief then you also by that same right allow extremism.
Plus you ignore the real question: Which God should we believe in? The unknown spiritual loving possibility of a unitarian universalist member or the hating God of a fundamentalist christian? Why is one of these two stance any more rational than the other when neither can offer a shred of proof for any of the many claims.
That's all I'll offer: Religion is just something that can't be debated it seems because in the end there is no reaching those who argue for the possibility only because the reality of no afterlife is a scary thought. There is no rational reason whatsoever to be a believer in any kind of human related supernatural religion or deity. People just need to realize that for themselves and lose the crutch.
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Jun 07, 2008 9:50 PM GMTThis is a very engaging and enjoyable thread!
Don't worry man. I'm not trying to start a flame war. That's not my style. Just trying to understand you. Besides I'm always up for a healthy debate.
To clarify though, me being agnostic means I'm not sure if god exist, but I'd like to think that there is some purpose for our existence.
Also, being a Unitarian Universalist for me has nothing to do with religion. Its more about my respect for fellow man and tolerance of individuals choices, so long as they don't tread on another human's/human rights.
Growing up a 'UU' I learned about all the world's religions and was encouraged to question things and make my own choices. I feel very blessed that I was allowed such an enriching experience.
Saying which is the right god to believe in touches on a point that Richard Dawkins made in his documentary. That this struggle of 'my god is better than yours/the right one to believe in', is exactly why war has been waged for centuries. All without a single shred of proof. Just faith.
“We have just enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love one another.” -Jonathan Swift -
Jun 07, 2008 9:53 PM GMTWhen should we expect part two
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Jun 08, 2008 1:42 AM GMTMikePhil saidWhen should we expect part two
You can click through and it should be somewhere on Google video...
So did you watch it MikePhil? What did you think? -
Jun 08, 2008 2:41 AM GMTswimbikerun saidI don't think it is fair to lump the vast majority of people in the "evil" column.
I think you're misrepresenting me. For evil to happen it requires humans. Who are human. I didn't say YOU were evil. -
Jun 08, 2008 2:48 AM GMT
One man's root of all Evil is another man's living green planet. The solution: plant what you want in your garden, but don't try to force it on me. I know what I like to eat most and I grew my own. -
Jun 08, 2008 5:10 AM GMTReligion is manmade and the valuation of money is manmade.
Humans are the enactors of evil and their emotions are its roots.
HUMAN EMOTION IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL.
insecurity,
jealousy,
anger,
shame
which really are all derivatives of FEAR.
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Jun 08, 2008 5:15 AM GMT
You forgot LUST, you sexy thang , you!
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Jun 08, 2008 6:46 AM GMTIf humans are the ones who are evil, again, what then should we do?
Sidestepping the 'evil' of religion to go to the 'deeper' root doesn't solve anything at all.
It's like imprisoning the father of a rapist because he was responsible for the upbringing of the psychopath. -
Jun 08, 2008 12:29 PM GMTswimbikerun said[quote][cite]MikePhil said[/cite]When should we expect part two
You can click through and it should be somewhere on Google video...
So did you watch it MikePhil? What did you think?[/quote]
Swim, I'm being sarcastic
No, I did not watch it. I just have dialup and depending on how long it is, it could take hours to load. Any of those videos I have wasted my time on have been just a load of nonsense. Why should I waste my time on this one
The last one you asked me to watch, I did watch it. It took hours to load, and after all that, it was just this arrogant fool telling me because I was a Christan I must answer all his questions The video was made for no other reason but to insult Christians. I am assuming this one is the same.
You will have to come up with one hell of a good reason what I should wast my time loading this one
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Jun 08, 2008 12:35 PM GMTCivilization is the root of all evil, every bit of it.
Civilization even invented the word along with the motive. We can't escape civilization anymore than we can stop breathing air and survive.
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Jun 08, 2008 1:34 PM GMTThanks for posting that clip Swim.. I really enjoyed it.
If anyone made christians look bad it was that colorado preacher.
and that muslim convert WTF! -
Jun 10, 2008 2:31 PM GMTLapinblanc saidThanks for posting that clip Swim.. I really enjoyed it.
If anyone made christians look bad it was that colorado preacher.
and that muslim convert WTF!
Did you notice that was none other than Ted Haggard http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Haggard? Closeted crystal queen! -
Jun 10, 2008 2:39 PM GMTcrispro saidReligion is manmade and the valuation of money is manmade.
Humans are the enactors of evil and their emotions are its roots.
I believe human emotion is the root of all evil - namely:
insecurity,
jealousy,
anger,
shame
and everyone's favorite fear.
You forgot the number one sin: pride. -
Jun 10, 2008 2:42 PM GMTMikePhil said
[quote][cite]swimbikerun said[/cite][quote][cite]MikePhil said[/cite]When should we expect part two
You can click through and it should be somewhere on Google video...
So did you watch it MikePhil? What did you think?[/quote]
Swim, I'm being sarcastic
No, I did not watch it. I just have dialup and depending on how long it is, it could take hours to load. Any of those videos I have wasted my time on have been just a load of nonsense. Why should I waste my time on this one
The last one you asked me to watch, I did watch it. It took hours to load, and after all that, it was just this arrogant fool telling me because I was a Christan I must answer all his questions The video was made for no other reason but to insult Christians. I am assuming this one is the same.
You will have to come up with one hell of a good reason what I should wast my time loading this one[/quote]
But your waisting your time now!
Did you ever see father Ted?
