read the title! muhahah *stirs the pot*

dude this isn't clever..lol...perhaps start off the thread with numbered points as to why you think it should or shouldnt be banned?

So, what brought down the twin towers? Nanothermites, airplanes or King Kong (at least weakened it a little in the 'old' 'new' King Kong with Jeff Bridges).

This should really be a Poll-thread. Not here... it doesn't follow the rules...
(Poit's that is... mine is just sarcasm...)

Extremist followers/sects of religion brought down the twin towers, not to mention an act of retaliation which seems to get swept under the carpet, what DIDNT bring it down was "religion". I think it's too broad and general to suggest that.

I DID IT!!!!!!!!!

Doooode, I knew it. Poit didnt want the competition of large erected buildings.

As for religion, it is everyone's right to believe whatever they damn well want to believe. Whether or not religion is constructive or destructive for each person, many religious leaders preach the word of god and then kill in the name of god. I mean also, how many different ways do you want to refer to "god"? Who's way is right, who's is wrong? They all teach basically the same mess anyway. Yes I believe there are "higher beings", but as for some dude that sits on a throne, no - that appears to be just unintelligent people's "perception" of a higher being.

"many religious leaders preach the word of god and then kill in the name of god."

EXACTLY! I refuse to worship any "god" or "god like" figure knowing the millions of slain lives lost in "his" name.

Jesus said the only real sin is to deny any man his belief in his God.

That just about sums it up for me…. I.e. to ban religion would be far and away the greatest sin ever committed by mankind.  

Quoted from Bombus

Jesus said the only real sin is to deny any man his belief in his God.

That just about sums it up for me…. I.e. to ban religion would be far and away the greatest sin ever committed by mankind.  

Jesus also said to not idol him with symbols. What do you see when you see a church? those big bloody crosses! depictions of the disciples, virgin mary etc etc.

Question! Why would a religion based upon Jesus ignore Jesus's own request?

I like to live by the simple rule that:

You can do whatever the hell you want in your life, provided you do not infringe upon the rights of others.

I mean "within reason" though. For example, you can chop down a few trees down in your own backyard, although it technically reduces the amount of oxygen production for everyone. But doing something like drunk driving should of course be forbidden, and with consequences. And if you want to smoke pot, damn well do it - it is your own choice and you arent harming anyone else. Laws should be made far simpler: branched into the two areas of RIGHTS and PRIVILEGES.

Rights are what you are born with - to exist, to make your own decisions concerning your life etc.

Privileges are things like .. hmm, what would be a "privilege"? Something that is not your right, but if you abuse it, it can be taken away by whatever authority that governs it.

Of course if you do something like murder people, then to preserve the rights and safety of others, you will have whatever relevant privileges revoked, although your rights should still be preserved providing it is not likely infringe on the rights of others. And hey with regards to capital punishment, I dont agree with it, but I dont agree with keeping the bastards in prison at our expense. They should be exiled, to I dunno, the prison colonies in Australia where they can play with their own kind? Oh wait they already tried that... Australian's all let us rejoice, for we are young and freeeee... <-- national anthem

Really I'd love to construct fair law, but it'd be one hell of a job, although fair law would be based around core principles, which essentially would be similar to the 10 commandments. No I'm not religious, but religion still does have a good message, although it has been completely distorted.

Quoted from Steve

I like to live by the simple rule that:

You can do whatever the hell you want in your life, provided you do not infringe upon the rights of others.

I mean "within reason" though. For example, you can chop down a few trees down in your own backyard, although it technically reduces the amount of oxygen production for everyone. But doing something like drunk driving should of course be forbidden, and with consequences. And if you want to smoke pot, damn well do it - it is your own choice and you arent harming anyone else. Laws should be made far simpler: branched into the two areas of RIGHTS and PRIVILEGES.

Rights are what you are born with - to exist, to make your own decisions concerning your life etc.

Privileges are things like .. hmm, what would be a "privilege"? Something that is not your right, but if you abuse it, it can be taken away by whatever authority that governs it.

Of course if you do something like murder people, then to preserve the rights and safety of others, you will have whatever relevant privileges revoked, although your rights should still be preserved providing it is not likely infringe on the rights of others. And hey with regards to capital punishment, I dont agree with it, but I dont agree with keeping the bastards in prison at our expense. They should be exiled, to I dunno, the prison colonies in Australia where they can play with their own kind? Oh wait they already tried that... Australian's all let us rejoice, for we are young and freeeee... <-- national anthem

Really I'd love to construct fair law, but it'd be one hell of a job, although fair law would be based around core principles, which essentially would be similar to the 10 commandments. No I'm not religious, but religion still does have a good message, although it has been completely distorted.

But wouldnt that imply that Forester and the likes have the right to put mess on you?

They have every right to do that, doesn't mean that it is right to do. There's a massive difference.

Forester and the likes use their "rights" in a malicious manner, again - there's a difference in levels of what should be deemed appropriate as to what people's rights are and the manner in which they express them.

On the flip side, Steve then has the right to defend himself.

when i think about religion now, all that keeps goin round and round in my head is a comic bit from the late great bill hicks.

it went something like (cant remember cuz im too high right now) if jesus existed, do you think the first fuckin thing he wants to see when he
comes back down to earth is a fucking cross?
its like hanging a small rifle symbol around your neck and goin up to jackie after the assassination and sayin "hey just thinkin o' johnny!" *thumbs up*

In my opinion it is almost impossible to answer this question. On the one hand religion and belief give the people hope and strength and they come together but on the other hand we have the holy war and it seems as if only the good part can not exist without the bad part. Killing in the name of god is one of the absurdest things in the world.

Good point chayenne, i think you're correct with one thing: that being on earth, there cannot be Good without evil, just like we cannot have up without down, left without right, ignorant without enlightened. Just the way it is.