Do atheists have anything to learn from religion?

[Xamonas Chegwé]

No.
There is nothing religion provides that can not already be found elsewhere.
Nothing.

Correct.

Except bad things. Like how to manipulate and control people, and stop them from thinking.

Nah. The nazis could do that. Religion is just people lying to themselves and others - nothing original there.

It's outlived Nazism though, and just about every other "-ism". It's got staying power, and we need to know why, if only to counteract it.

It offers people want they want without being able to deliver. It is con-artistry - pure and simple - only difference is, by the time most people discover they have been ripped off, they are too dead to do anything about it!

[Rum]

*lots of other stuff* they are too dead to do anything about it!

I like the concept of 'too dead'! Its a bit like 'slightly pregnant'!

[Animavore]

If I won such a stupid amount of money I'd become a producer of independent films and high quality science documentaries.

[Xamonas Chegwé]

I'd do my best to see my local rugby team in the top flight - and give a bit to Nottingham Forest as well - enough for a seat on the board.

[AshtonBlack]

We have learned from religion, it's now called PR.

[Pappa]

We have learned from religion, it's now called PR.

[AshtonBlack]

We have learned from religion, it's now called PR.

"It's funny because it's true." - Homer J. Simpson.

[Pappa]

We have learned from religion, it's now called PR.

"It's funny because it's true." - Homer J. Simpson.

"Hey, the commercials are on. If we don't watch these, it's like we're stealing TV."

Homer J. Simpson

[charlou]

Thank you - I like the 'cunts' bit myself - thought it was particularly succinct and apposite.

I like the cunts bit too..though also in a different and perhaps more literal context...

Why even compare the two?




+1 on XC's comment. Well put, indeed.

[Trolldor]

Especially not doubt.
Christ, are you even human? if you aren't familiar with doubt by now you clearly aren't doing it right.

You have lost me old chum. 'Doubt' becomes a specific spiritual (not intellectual mind you) issue in Christianity. Often explained in the context of Satanic temptation, lack of faith or similar wooo.

As a BAC (Born Again) in my late teens I have history with the 'doubt' thing.. they fuck with your head with it.

Nationalism.

[The Dawktor]

On the OP- yes- we have learned that if you manipulate peoples' insecurities, fears and desire for certainty - especially if the people in question are down-trodden, desperate, poor and a bit dim- you can get them to cheerfully hand over what little they have, to you, no questions asked!

[FBM]

On the OP- yes- we have learned that if you manipulate peoples' insecurities, fears and desire for certainty - especially if the people in question are down-trodden, desperate, poor and a bit dim- you can get them to cheerfully hand over what little they have, to you, no questions asked!

Are you talking about religion or perhaps one of the following:

the fast food industry/USA, Inc. (sub in your favorite patriotism/nationalism pusher here)/the auto industry/mouthwash industry/fashion industry/diet industry/
music industry/film industry/advertising industry/Wal-Mart/Starbucks/7-11/self-help industry/RPG, fantasy, cosplay, etc. industries...the list goes on.

They're all doing the same fucking thing. Playing off people's herd instinct to fit in and gain peer acceptance, sacrificing their common sense for social support.

Someone once told me that people learn to be either wolves or sheep. As just another human endeavor, religion is no different. I'd amend that to say that a few learn to think for themselves and give the whole bullshit symphony the one-finger salute and do what their common sense tells them is best, but they're not easy to find. They tend to live in old buses down by the river and the like. So I'm told.