Religious Circularity

cpolk · 22nd February 2006, 09:35 AM

Edit: Oops! Sorry, this should be in the "religion and philosophy" forum. Putting it there now.

It seems to me, and I would like the views of both the religious and the religiously skeptic, that every modern-day religion is set up so that, regardless of how you feel about a situation, you are justified.

Some examples from the Bible (because, well, it's just sooooooo easy) that have shaped the course of history:

Slavery is both condemned and condoned.

Killing is both condemned and condoned.

Thievery (particularly of land) is both condemned and condoned.

Warfare is both condemned and condoned.

Money laundering and extortion is both condemned and condoned. (You cannot bribe God, but you must tithe.)

Tolerance for other religions is both condemned and condoned.

The reason I bring this up is because a few nights ago, on The O'Reilly Factor, there was a Muslim guest speaking about how "radical Muslims" are misinterpreting religious texts. I am wondering - how can you misinterperet texts that justify you, whatever your position is?

Aussie Thinker · 22nd February 2006, 07:11 PM

Cpolk,

Welcome to the wonderful world of religious contradiction and justification.

The MAIN reasons that religions are a ridiculous load of hooey.

steve s · 22nd February 2006, 10:55 PM

Originally Posted by cpolk

It seems to me, and I would like the views of both the religious and the religiously skeptic, that every modern-day religion is set up so that, regardless of how you feel about a situation, you are justified.

That's always been one of my main complaints with fundies; how do they pick and choose which of the two contradictory positions they're going to believe. They usually give me some lame answer like "Any apparent contradictions are due to limitations in our translations of the bible, and not to any actual errors by god." Huh?

They're basing their beliefs on those translations.

Steve S.

cpolk · 23rd February 2006, 01:52 AM

I moved this thread to the "Relgion and Philosophy" forum, if you want to check it out there. I haven't added much to it yet; just God's views on Slavery. All are welcome to assist with referencing passages!

22nd February 2006, 09:35 AM	#1
cpolk Critical Thinker Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 314	Religious Circularity Edit: Oops! Sorry, this should be in the "religion and philosophy" forum. Putting it there now. It seems to me, and I would like the views of both the religious and the religiously skeptic, that every modern-day religion is set up so that, regardless of how you feel about a situation, you are justified. Some examples from the Bible (because, well, it's just sooooooo easy) that have shaped the course of history: Slavery is both condemned and condoned. Killing is both condemned and condoned. Thievery (particularly of land) is both condemned and condoned. Warfare is both condemned and condoned. Money laundering and extortion is both condemned and condoned. (You cannot bribe God, but you must tithe.) Tolerance for other religions is both condemned and condoned. The reason I bring this up is because a few nights ago, on The O'Reilly Factor, there was a Muslim guest speaking about how "radical Muslims" are misinterpreting religious texts. I am wondering - how can you misinterperet texts that justify you, whatever your position is?
cpolk Critical Thinker Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 314	Last edited by cpolk; 22nd February 2006 at 09:49 AM.

22nd February 2006, 07:11 PM	#2
Aussie Thinker Muse Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 873	Cpolk, Welcome to the wonderful world of religious contradiction and justification. The MAIN reasons that religions are a ridiculous load of hooey.
Aussie Thinker Muse Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 873

22nd February 2006, 10:55 PM	#3
steve s Illuminator Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,661	Originally Posted by cpolk It seems to me, and I would like the views of both the religious and the religiously skeptic, that every modern-day religion is set up so that, regardless of how you feel about a situation, you are justified. That's always been one of my main complaints with fundies; how do they pick and choose which of the two contradictory positions they're going to believe. They usually give me some lame answer like "Any apparent contradictions are due to limitations in our translations of the bible, and not to any actual errors by god." Huh? They're basing their beliefs on those translations. Steve S.
steve s Illuminator Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,661

23rd February 2006, 01:52 AM	#4
cpolk Critical Thinker Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 314	I moved this thread to the "Relgion and Philosophy" forum, if you want to check it out there. I haven't added much to it yet; just God's views on Slavery. All are welcome to assist with referencing passages!
cpolk Critical Thinker Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 314