1. Is religion a threat to rationality and science?

Comment #174989 by tba93968 on May 4, 2008 at 3:31 am

I thought this was a debate? Lord Winton who I have admired due to the high quality of many presentations in the past fails to refute any of the arguments presented to him. He seems to take a standard religious stance by retreating into the Bible to quote from what is probably a work of fiction. He may as well quote from Harry Potter.
Then Lord Winston describes some very weird behaviours adopted by Jewish people and asks if this is extremest? Perhaps to a sane person it would be, but to religious people is would seem quite normal as would talking in tongues, self flagelation,Stoning, mysogyny etc.
I am sad that Lord Winston raised Auschwitz as it has always caused anxiety for me as if there was a God how could he alow so many inocent die so horrible. Surely this is an arugument for No God
It seems we are giving every chance to the religious to convince us but with each one I listen to I become less convinced of their claims.

2. If you don't have religion, where do you find your sense of community?

Comment #174560 by tba93968 on May 2, 2008 at 4:47 pm

There can be no doubt that the church provides significant assistance and solice to many in the community. The sick, the greiving, the lonely and down and outs. This is not being addressed particularly well by the secular community. Other facets of 'community' are provided well by non religious organistions. However whatever aspect of community is provided it does not require a God to be involved in any way to make it work.

3. What are your qualifications to question religion anyway? Just who are you?

Comment #173583 by tba93968 on April 30, 2008 at 9:52 pm

I gained my qualifications to question religion the same way as I gained my qualifictions to question other elements of my life. That is by formal education and the informal education of life's experiences.
Religion is treated no differently to any decison I make. I ask 'does the product I am being offered perform as it states on the label? What evidence does the sales person provide to make those claims? Is the source of evidence reliable?
Be it Rinso or Religion if it really works the evidence will prove it very quickly.