Atheists are having it too easy.

[ibis]

Yeah, we did that. I still say it's a draw.

I would say that religion is used as a justification only as long as something (such as racism, misogyny, etc) is more generally socially acceptable. Religion has sometimes inspired people to change the moral status quo, but in general it has simply been used to support the moral status quo - when that changes, religion is usually fast enough to row in behind the change and offer new justifications for the new morality.

[Mercurial]

Yeah, we did that. I still say it's a draw.

It's only a draw if religion can motivate as much good as evil, cancelling itself out. Surely it would vary depending on the religion. For example:

Religion A: Believes in Zeus, believes theft is wrong, believes women are inferior to men

vs.

Religion B: Believes in Ra, believes theft is wrong. Believes we shouldn't eat fish on Friday.

Religion B is surely going to cause less evil in the world than religion A, all other things being equal.

[ibis]

It's only a draw if religion can motivate as much good as evil, cancelling itself out. Surely it would vary depending on the religion. For example:

Religion A: Believes in Zeus, believes theft is wrong, believes women are inferior to men

vs.

Religion B: Believes in Ra, believes theft is wrong. Believes we shouldn't eat fish on Friday.

Religion B is surely going to cause less evil in the world than religion A, all other things being equal.

Depends what they do to you for eating fish on Friday...

[Almanac]

It would presumably depend upon the specific example. Atheists like myself tend to have more of a problem with evangelical christians than we do with Wiccans, for example.

That doesn't surprise me all that much.

[Almanac]

Depends what they do to you for eating fish on Friday...

That was part of the Church's discipline, which can change from time to time. The Church's moral teaching never changes, nor can it.

[ibis]

That was part of the Church's discipline, which can change from time to time. The Church's moral teaching never changes, nor can it.

Certainly that claim has never changed. Tell me something - is it possible for a baptised Christian to be a soldier?

[Almanac]

Certainly that claim has never changed. Tell me something - is it possible for a baptised Christian to be a soldier?

Of course.

[ibis]

Of course.

And was that always the moral teaching of the church, that it was possible?

[Mercurial]

That doesn't surprise me all that much.

Can you guess why?

[just a thought]

A few videos from eminent scientists and their view on the Christian Faith and God. Just a thought.

Geneticist Francis Collins argues that the 'Moral Law' poses difficult questions for atheism, but makes sense to Christians. Through this Francis came to accept the existence of God, and discover who Jesus really is.
Videos Posted by Test of FAITH: Francis Collins personal story - Encountering Jesus | Facebook


The Cambridge Professor [Simon Conway Morris] of Evolutionary Palaeobiology is unusually candid about why he rejected materialism and became a Christian.
Videos Posted by Test of FAITH: Simon Conway Morris Personal story [1] - Coming to faith | Facebook


Biologist Darrel Falk tells the story of his coming back to faith and the events leading up to that.
Videos Posted by Test of FAITH: Darrel Falk personal story [2] - Finding faith | Facebook

More videos and discussion at: Test of FAITH