The Harm in Belief

I would be in raptures if the belief in tomorrow was true.

This exactly expresses my own feelings about religion and why I take the time to seek out other considered, balanced atheistic opinions. I wish all the raving, fire-and-brimstone religious aficionadoes (of whom we seem to have at least one paid-up member frequenting these pages) could try to understand that this is what bothers us about their dubious morality.

They don't have to be paid up to be members of this website trulyfree. Anyone can join the website. Its just the Society itself that costs a membership fee. I think its about $40.00, less for pensioners, students etc.
I think you mean Mary.
Maybe she thinks she will be able to overwhelm Atheism with her logic. Maybe she is just that deluded.

I think many religious people hold on to their beliefs because they give them a means of controlling others, their kids, their wives, other people they deal with.
Not too many of them could hold their own in a proper argument about the existence of God.

I'm sorry but I feel the need to disagree with you.

Regardless of religion, would you have a world where no one questioned or opposed the things that you believe should be sanctioned by society with no questions asked? If that is what you believe then after all public debate, questioning and opposition has been nullified, why not then do away with the opposition parties in parliament also. What a lovely world that would be?

Are not the opinions of all people, no matter their motivation, just as valid as you think your opinions are?

To misquote a line from a "Yes Minister" program, "Just because you've picked up a virus must you infect everyone else with it"?

Organized religion has always been about mind control and the enrichment of the prime
promoter. In the past the community has had to house, feed and clothe their parish
priest in a manner generally superior to his parisioners and, as he climbed the ladder
of promotion, his conditions improved to the point of opulence. To be successful he had to toe the organizational line precisely and with charisma, luck and an ability to
whisper gossip into the right ears, could build a reputation as being reliable.
If one looks at the organizations surrounding the modern day "Super-preachers" of the
US, all these factors are present, as they are to a greater or lesser degree in every
other sect from Salvationist to Scientologist.
From the parishioner's point of view the priest is the go between with the diety, who
knows some or all of his secrets and with whom it is necessary to keep favour. This
enables the priest to manipulate his flock and to extract maximum benefit for himself
and the organization.