Moderator: Moderators
Should Religion trump Reason?otseng wrote:Why should I be allowed to be exempted from the mandate of the medical establishment [with regard to immunization of my children] on religious grounds, but if I have rational grounds it would not be enough reason?
My guess is that it is a result of the first amendment.McCulloch wrote:Should Religion trump Reason?otseng wrote:Why should I be allowed to be exempted from the mandate of the medical establishment [with regard to immunization of my children] on religious grounds, but if I have rational grounds it would not be enough reason?
Why do superstitions get special treatment?
Murder is only one form of homicide. Murder is the illegal killing of another human. The other forms of homicide you refer to are not, by definition murder. Murder is always wrong, under the law and in the eyes of religion.C-Nub wrote:I think you'd be hard pressed to convince me that something, anything at all, is a bad idea because of superstitious or religious reasons. If someone walks up to me and says 'murder is bad because it says so in the bible,' I'd still have to say that they're at least in part wrong. First off, that's too much of a blanket statement. Murder isn't wrong if, for example, you're a soldier, at least, society doesn't think so. I'd never be a soldier because I just don't go to 'killing people' as a problem solving method. Mercy killing someone who's in a vegetative state is arguably ok, as is, once again arguably, abortion or even murder in self-defense. In some places, it's ok to shoot someone for being on your property uninvited or minning for gold where they shouldn't. I happen to disagree with killing someone for burglary or tresspassing, but that's just me.Murder is, under some circumstances, alright, and when it is bad, which is probably most of the time, that's not because its in the bible. It was bad before there was a Bible, and it will still be bad after we've hopefully disposed of the stupid, wretched little book that's caused so much trouble already.
Sad, terribly sad. Did you hear about the young girl who died recently of diabetes because her parents wouldn't give her insulin because they thought they could help through prayer alone?joeyknuccione wrote:I have a childhood friend who has cancer. She is a great person, but she has decided to pray her cancer away rather than allow doctors to treat her. The church she goes to is very much into the whole laying on of hands deal. She is convinced their prayers are going to cure her. Her church had her stop all contact with me because I begged her to see a doctor. They told her I was under the influence of Satan, and to never speak to me again. Fortunately she emails me with updates. I am no longer allowed to visit her house because she doesn't want her people to know she still has contact with me. This is a girl I've known since childhood. I attended her wedding, I have babysat her kids. This is what religion can do to folks.
Coyotero wrote:Sad, terribly sad. Did you hear about the young girl who died recently of diabetes because her parents wouldn't give her insulin because they thought they could help through prayer alone?joeyknuccione wrote:I have a childhood friend who has cancer. She is a great person, but she has decided to pray her cancer away rather than allow doctors to treat her. The church she goes to is very much into the whole laying on of hands deal. She is convinced their prayers are going to cure her. Her church had her stop all contact with me because I begged her to see a doctor. They told her I was under the influence of Satan, and to never speak to me again. Fortunately she emails me with updates. I am no longer allowed to visit her house because she doesn't want her people to know she still has contact with me. This is a girl I've known since childhood. I attended her wedding, I have babysat her kids. This is what religion can do to folks.
Reminds me of a joke my grandmother told me once:
A town is flooding, and the evacuation bus comes to a man's house to pick him up. He refuses to be evacuated, saying "the lord will provide for me". The next day, the flooding is so bad that the first floor of his house is full of water. Some guys in a raft float up to the window and tell him to jump on. Again he refuses, saying "the lord will provide". On the third day, the man is forced on his roof, a helicopter comes, imploring that he climb aboard to be rescued. Once again, the man declines rescue, saying "The lord will provide for me". On the forth day, the man drowns. In heaven, he approaches God and asks "Why didn't you provide for me in my time of need?" and God says "I did, I provided you with a bus, a raft, and a helicopter."
