Quote Originally Posted by 13'sbadkitty View Post
Money and land as an excuse to kill has killed as effectively if not more than any other excuse. Why was the genocide of the Native Americans perpetrated? It certainly had everything to do with what was perceived as a rich place to put their stuff, no? Because the Catholic Church commits atrocities against the people with regard to anything, i agree its wrong completely and if there is a hell i hope the first in line are the fundamentalist few who cause harm in Gods name. American politicians let how many die from aids because it was considered a good way to clean up the homosexual and addict problem? Ronald Reagan died a hero here as he intentionally allowed and encouraged this? As he colluded with the Catholic Church for political gain? For what ever excuse is used to justify bad behavior, religious or otherwise, isn't greed at heart?
Greed and power are the two prime motivators, I would say. And religion and politics are the two biggest methods for gaining the money and the power. But in politics, at least in this country, they have to at least appear to be trying to please the people in order to get elected. In religion, the leaders are appointed, sometimes even self-appointed, and generally claim a divine right to perpetrate their crimes. And when religion and politics get into bed with one another, things get way out of hand.

I think that many things are silly or deranged in this world, yet i usually know deep within that i don't get to pronounce those titles though without being judgmental. Deranged meaning crazy is sometimes a legit to call other times its a "this is out of my experience" and there for i am not accepting it.
Religions are quite good at doing just this. Look up Intelligent Design, or Creationism, especially. Their basic precept seems to be, "I can't imagine that his could happen all by itself, therefore God did it." They don't need to provide evidence, don't even want to look for evidence. God is the answer to everything they don't understand. I need something more.

There are many things i agree with you about, the basic difference to me being that i don't feel i have the right to judge other peoples experience. i sometimes wonder, if when people want to seek out information to support their view it isn't too easy to ignore what doesn't.
I try not to judge individuals on their beliefs or their experiences. I'm sure many of them are devout and sincere in their beliefs. It's only when they try to force those beliefs on everyone, by forcing them into schools or into the law, that I get up in arms. And as I've said, if someone wishes to discuss their beliefs, all I ask for is evidence to show why they think they're right. I will try to show evidence for why I think they're wrong. No personal attacks, no ridicule, no judgement. Just an honest discussion of facts.