["I am an atheist and from my experience, I find religious people are very insincere and hypocritical as what they profess is contrary to their actions. Secular humanism works for me and since I have never truly seen religion transform people's lives, I have therefore reached the conclusion that one can actually be ethical and humane without any need for God."]
Just go to a place where there is no concept of the Jewish G-d
Try India. Can you imagine that level of poverty and human suffering taking place in a Western country? they don't take care of each other. the idea of I am my brother's Keeper is not part of their moral landscape. It's a Jewish idea. And it permitates all of western society. People don't get to that idea on their own. It's not a natural human drive. People who live in western culture and say they are athiests and believe that they would be who they are without any religion are kidding themselves. They live in a culture where there is ethical and moral herd immunity: as long as there is a suffiecent number of believers in the population, the society will project Jewish values and protect those who have rejected G-d.
18 comments
1) brother's keeper is not part of the Jewish (or Christian) moral landscape. it came from sarcastic response, Cain said to God, when the latter asked him where is brother (which he murdered before)
Actually, Indian communities are very tight knitted, specially un the family sphere. Their poverty has to do with other factors. By the way, there are Christian and Muslims Indian, as well as African ones, so don't jump into conclusions(and travel to those countries, for that matter)
I would direct your attention to portions of Central & South America where there is rampant poverty. Ever heard of the gangs made of boys, nicknamed piranhas found in Lima, Peru?
Those are countries are xtian and still we the same type of behavior you're describing.
"the idea of I am my brother's Keeper is not part of their moral landscape. It's a Jewish idea. And it permitates all of western society."
It permeates muslim society too, but somehow those societies are third world hellholes anyway.
Now why could that be?
Can you imagine that level of poverty and human suffering taking place in a Western country? they don't take care of each other
Kind of like how you have God's Own Party (GOP) refusing to take care of poverty and human suffering here. If they had their way they'd totally end each and every social program and give that money to either the corporations, the church, or the military budget. Because giving tax breaks to the rich and making the middle and lower classes make up the difference isn't enough.
First, you go to India, or to China or Japan, now that we are into it. When you use stereotype, that's what happens
Are we talking about the Abrahamic God? If so, look at Africa. Deep levels of poverty, corruption and crime. And they're so far from secular that homophobia is rife across the continent including South Africa. Try a different argument.
I can't imagine that level of poverty and human suffering taking place in a Western country, govern by humanism and enlightenment, no. But I can easily imagine that level of poverty and human suffering in Christian third world countries in Africa and Asia.
So, the Jewish people take care of the Palestinians?
Babies who can't talk yet have a human drive to help other babies, so yes, people do get to that idea on their own.
What is a "suffiecent number" of believers? In Sweden, under 20 percent of the population answered "Yes, religion is important in my daily life". Importance of Religion by Contry
Can you imagine that level of poverty and human suffering taking place in a Western country
The poverty seen in India was extremely common in much of Europe (especially Eastern Europe) not even a century ago. For instance, many Jews in Tsarist Russia were dirt poor.
People don't get to that idea on their own. It's not a natural human drive
It's called empathy, most of us have it. Except Republicans, they want the poor to die.
Japan. Shinto/Zen Buddhist.
There's just 2,000 Jews in that country. All descendants of Immigrants/expats/Israeli Embassy staff.
Therefore Amaterasu must be smiling on ex-Megadeth guitarist - and Jew - Marty Friedman then.
Not seeing your 'G_d' mentioned in the anime series "Moretsu Pirates" & "Sailor Moon Crystal", which Marty did the guitar playing in the theme tunes for such. And unless there are any Japanese converts to Judaism in Satelight & Toei respectively, then I'm afraid that it is possible to be ethical & humane without any need for your particular deity, Anon.
...unless your 'G_d' was created by Amaterasu, then thanks for admitting that he - and thus the fundie Christains' 'God' - is an inferior being. >:D
"Moral herd immunity".
I love this. Sure. it's bullshit, measurably false and total babble, but it's genius on an apologetic level. It takes a concept which is used by skeptics to expose the flaws in antivaxxer arguments and spin it around to use against atheists. I expect to hear this line often in the future.
Hooray! A genuinely new pile of bullshit! Such a rarity.
Confused?
So were we! You can find all of this, and more, on Fundies Say the Darndest Things!
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