Comments on: The Philosophy of Religion in an Age of Terror: What Is To Be Done? http://religioncompass.wordpress.com/2008/03/06/the-philosophy-of-religion-in-an-age-of-terror-what-is-to-be-done/ Edited by Robert Segal Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:28:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU By: therealianlogan http://religioncompass.wordpress.com/2008/03/06/the-philosophy-of-religion-in-an-age-of-terror-what-is-to-be-done/#comment-15 therealianlogan Sat, 17 May 2008 06:34:13 +0000 http://religioncompass.wordpress.com/?p=15#comment-15 Given the terrible crimes committed by atheists it is clear that the beliefs of Nietzsche and Lenin are not the place we should go to if we want to put forward the kind of argument put forward in this article. It is as if the twentieth century never happened. One might as well argue that it is only a belief in judgement after this life that prevents the worst excesses of human behaviour, as perpetrated by those who would appeal to Lenin and Nietzsche. You appear to be confusing Christianity with Christian Science. I thought the objection to Christianity was that it was obsessed with the suffering, and that Christians wished to escape this 'vale of tears' for a better place. Christian theodicy, beginning with Saint Paul is based around the reality of the suffering of the cross. Here is a couple of empirical facts for you: the largest provider of health care in Africa is the Catholic Church, whilst the atheist Chinese regime encourages war and prevents a resolution to the Darfur conflict. Doesn't fit with your argument does it? You say: 'Doubtless many believers – and philosophers of religion - will also resist the conclusion that religion should supersede ethics,...'. I say: 'Will they? What do you mean?' In one sense I agree with you, that practical considerations are important, but this leads me to the position that atheism is a very dangerous world view and atheists should have to justify themselves and their beliefs (including their objection to a belief in a moral system the origins of which is external to humanity) in the face of the realities of atheism. Given the terrible crimes committed by atheists it is clear that the beliefs of Nietzsche and Lenin are not the place we should go to if we want to put forward the kind of argument put forward in this article. It is as if the twentieth century never happened. One might as well argue that it is only a belief in judgement after this life that prevents the worst excesses of human behaviour, as perpetrated by those who would appeal to Lenin and Nietzsche.

You appear to be confusing Christianity with Christian Science. I thought the objection to Christianity was that it was obsessed with the suffering, and that Christians wished to escape this ‘vale of tears’ for a better place. Christian theodicy, beginning with Saint Paul is based around the reality of the suffering of the cross.

Here is a couple of empirical facts for you: the largest provider of health care in Africa is the Catholic Church, whilst the atheist Chinese regime encourages war and prevents a resolution to the Darfur conflict. Doesn’t fit with your argument does it?

You say: ‘Doubtless many believers – and philosophers of religion - will also resist the conclusion that religion should supersede ethics,…’. I say: ‘Will they? What do you mean?’

In one sense I agree with you, that practical considerations are important, but this leads me to the position that atheism is a very dangerous world view and atheists should have to justify themselves and their beliefs (including their objection to a belief in a moral system the origins of which is external to humanity) in the face of the realities of atheism.

]]> By: jimhwhite http://religioncompass.wordpress.com/2008/03/06/the-philosophy-of-religion-in-an-age-of-terror-what-is-to-be-done/#comment-14 jimhwhite Fri, 16 May 2008 20:23:33 +0000 http://religioncompass.wordpress.com/?p=15#comment-14 Moderator: please add "all" to the first sentence, before religions. Thanks Moderator: please add “all” to the first sentence, before religions.
Thanks

]]> By: jimhwhite http://religioncompass.wordpress.com/2008/03/06/the-philosophy-of-religion-in-an-age-of-terror-what-is-to-be-done/#comment-13 jimhwhite Fri, 16 May 2008 18:32:29 +0000 http://religioncompass.wordpress.com/?p=15#comment-13 Almost religions seem to be in crisis, primarily because they do not: 1 recognize and discuss the many reasons why people get involved in religion and how those reasons change over time; 2 come to grips witht he fact that many people who say they are Christian, Muslim, etc., do not really believe in that faith, but in their own ego-driven purposes (beware the Devil quoting scripture); 3 spend more time presenting the essential spiritual messages of their faith, rather than dogma and the need for money or preservation of buildings, etc.; and, 4 come to grips with the need to discuss the impact of those who say they belong to their own or another religion and do the opposite to the central messages of thoose faiths (the essential spiritual messages of all major religions are very similar). If we are not honest (ingtegrous) about the state of our religions, both to ourselves and the rest of the world, we will continue to lose those who need religion but cannot accept what is being done in the name of religion. Jim H. White God is Great, God is Good, God is Love - all the rest is irelevant Almost religions seem to be in crisis, primarily because they do not:
1 recognize and discuss the many reasons why people get involved in religion and how those reasons change over time;
2 come to grips witht he fact that many people who say they are Christian, Muslim, etc., do not really believe in that faith, but in their own ego-driven purposes (beware the Devil quoting scripture);
3 spend more time presenting the essential spiritual messages of their faith, rather than dogma and the need for money or preservation of buildings, etc.; and,
4 come to grips with the need to discuss the impact of those who say they belong to their own or another religion and do the opposite to the central messages of thoose faiths (the essential spiritual messages of all major religions are very similar).

If we are not honest (ingtegrous) about the state of our religions, both to ourselves and the rest of the world, we will continue to lose those who need religion but cannot accept what is being done in the name of religion.
Jim H. White

God is Great, God is Good, God is Love - all the rest is irelevant

]]> By: aabdulla http://religioncompass.wordpress.com/2008/03/06/the-philosophy-of-religion-in-an-age-of-terror-what-is-to-be-done/#comment-11 aabdulla Mon, 12 May 2008 17:07:55 +0000 http://religioncompass.wordpress.com/?p=15#comment-11 The misunderstanding lies in the term or in the meaning of forget worldly things. That in itself is going to extrems. We evolve as does our thought and when the thought does not evovle with us then it has the pontancial of causing confusion. There is nothing worce then a confused spirit of a collective which has no choice but to follow or even at times is forced to follow and practice such extrem leading to our distruction. The misunderstanding lies in the term or in the meaning of forget worldly things. That in itself is going to extrems. We evolve as does our thought and when the thought does not evovle with us then it has the pontancial of causing confusion. There is nothing worce then a confused spirit of a collective which has no choice but to follow or even at times is forced to follow and practice such extrem leading to our distruction.

]]> By: The Philosophy of Religion in an Age of Terror: What Is To Be Done? http://religioncompass.wordpress.com/2008/03/06/the-philosophy-of-religion-in-an-age-of-terror-what-is-to-be-done/#comment-3 The Philosophy of Religion in an Age of Terror: What Is To Be Done? Thu, 06 Mar 2008 16:54:30 +0000 http://religioncompass.wordpress.com/?p=15#comment-3 Clack, University of San Diego: Philosophy of religion as a discipline seems peculiarly resistant to change. A glance through the plethora of textbooks in the field gives one the impression of a subject largely cocooned from events. Clack, University of San Diego: Philosophy of religion as a discipline seems peculiarly resistant to change. A glance through the plethora of textbooks in the field gives one the impression of a subject largely cocooned from events.

]]>