DGS49
Diamond Member
Sorry if this thread is a bit inflammatory...I have that tendency.
In our contemporary American culture we have examples of at least three "significant" religions that are, provably, nonsense. In order of nonsensicality (my word, sorry), they are: Scientology, LDS, and the so-called, Black Muslims (aka, the "Nation of Islam").
In all three cases, there is scientific proof that their basic theology or underlying "story" is made up, phony, baloney, or however you want to describe it.
BUT...
Should we care?
I am told that the Church of Scientology runs some remarkably successful substance abuse clinics. Mormons are "good citizens" from almost every viewpoint; they obey the law, pay taxes, don't get divorced much, and don't commit crimes. The Nation of Islam promotes healthy and responsible lifestyles among a subculture where those character traits are becoming more and more rare.
We, as the taxpayers subsidize these religions, whether we like it or not. Their property and income are not subject to tax, and yet they get the same services as those people and institutions that do pay taxes. They occupy land that otherwise would be subject to tax, thus taking away tax revenue that taxpayers must replace.
If some crazy religious leader founded a religion that worshipped extraterrestrials - no, wait, L.Ron Hubbard already did that - and believed the craziest shit imaginable - no wait, the Mormons already do - but those beliefs made their followers Good Citizens, good taxpayers, volunteers for the United States Armed Forces, and so on, shouldn't The Government do everything within its power to promote that religion?
Lord knows, atheists aren't worth a shit to society.
And shouldn't I teach my kids to believe and to follow the tenets of SOME religion, even if I am, shall we say, extremely skeptical myself about the truth of its beliefs?
Isn't it better that they believe SOMETHING that gives them some guidance in life, rather than turning out to be self-loving narcisists like that bitch on the music awards last week?
Just wondering.
In our contemporary American culture we have examples of at least three "significant" religions that are, provably, nonsense. In order of nonsensicality (my word, sorry), they are: Scientology, LDS, and the so-called, Black Muslims (aka, the "Nation of Islam").
In all three cases, there is scientific proof that their basic theology or underlying "story" is made up, phony, baloney, or however you want to describe it.
BUT...
Should we care?
I am told that the Church of Scientology runs some remarkably successful substance abuse clinics. Mormons are "good citizens" from almost every viewpoint; they obey the law, pay taxes, don't get divorced much, and don't commit crimes. The Nation of Islam promotes healthy and responsible lifestyles among a subculture where those character traits are becoming more and more rare.
We, as the taxpayers subsidize these religions, whether we like it or not. Their property and income are not subject to tax, and yet they get the same services as those people and institutions that do pay taxes. They occupy land that otherwise would be subject to tax, thus taking away tax revenue that taxpayers must replace.
If some crazy religious leader founded a religion that worshipped extraterrestrials - no, wait, L.Ron Hubbard already did that - and believed the craziest shit imaginable - no wait, the Mormons already do - but those beliefs made their followers Good Citizens, good taxpayers, volunteers for the United States Armed Forces, and so on, shouldn't The Government do everything within its power to promote that religion?
Lord knows, atheists aren't worth a shit to society.
And shouldn't I teach my kids to believe and to follow the tenets of SOME religion, even if I am, shall we say, extremely skeptical myself about the truth of its beliefs?
Isn't it better that they believe SOMETHING that gives them some guidance in life, rather than turning out to be self-loving narcisists like that bitch on the music awards last week?
Just wondering.
