Turmoil in Egypt

[hoytedow]

Good luck, Vulkyn. Keep an escape plan.

 

[Vulkyn]

It seems Ethiopia would be my likely destination !

 

[Leo Lazauskas]

The Egyptian Army have the finesse and diplomacy of a crazy mass murderer with an axe, it is not their job and in the lack of police and a formal government its easy to "slip" into any stupid decision with out fearing consequences.

At least you have some Courts who are willing to oppose the Army.

I am afraid your country will be much poorer for several years.
The tourism industry is not going to recover for a while, especially if the Salafis
introduce segregated beaches and alcohol bans/restrictions.
I heard that some of the crazier people want to cover up the Sphinx too!

Get out while you can, Vulkyn.

 

[P Flados]

I agree with Vulkyn with regard to most major religions (however, I am really not that knowledgeable of Islam).

Careful looking at most examples will find that it is not the "religion" that caused the violence. Also, I do not see a lot of room to say that "religion" promotes people exercising power and control over others.

I see lots of examples of where religious leaders rose to positions of power and then the old saying about "power corrupts" was the next thing you see. Is this surprising. I think not.

I also see lots of examples of where corrupt people in power have made claims of religious authority or charter or mandate in an attempt to legitimize what they were doing. Again, most tyrants make far fetched claims for why they do what they do.
Do you believe any of their claims. I default to the opposite.

Most of the "religion" bashing is done by pointing to the actions of either evil or misguided people. Most of the "religion" bashing also ignores any positive results of good people actually adopting and following the real principles of their faith.

My faith has made my life better and has led me to be more diligent in trying to care for and help others. Most people I know that understand and follow the teachings that I follow are a positive influence on the work around them.

I do not try to exercise control over others. My church leadership does not try to exercise control over others. We feel it is the government's job to deal with social behavior. I see no problem with discouraging things like: killing, hurting, lying, cheating, stealing, raping, drunk driving, etc. It kind of makes society a nicer place to be.

 

[Leo Lazauskas]

I agree with Vulkyn with regard to most major religions (however, I am really not that knowledgeable of Islam).

Careful looking at most examples will find that it is not the "religion" that caused the violence. Also, I do not see a lot of room to say that "religion" promotes people exercising power and control over others.

It depends on the religion, and how far back you want to go back.
The old testament has enormous numbers of violent punishments or death.
There are still many people who believe in that sort of nonsense and
try to impose it on others. See, for example, the ultra-orthodox settlers in Israel at present.

I see lots of examples of where religious leaders rose to positions of power and then the old saying about "power corrupts" was the next thing you see. Is this surprising. I think not.

I also see lots of examples of where corrupt people in power have made claims of religious authority or charter or mandate in an attempt to legitimize what they were doing. Again, most tyrants make far fetched claims for why they do what they do.
Do you believe any of their claims. I default to the opposite.

Can't argue there.
The books accepted into the new testament were negotiated and edited in a
number of councils hundreds of years ago by corrupt psychopathic
clergymen. Only a completely gullible fool would think that they were divinely-
inspired or authentic.

Most of the "religion" bashing is done by pointing to the actions of either evil or misguided people. Most of the "religion" bashing also ignores any positive results of good people actually adopting and following the real principles of their faith.

Good people aren't the problem - it's the power-hungry who are dangerous.
The members of the religion that allows those tyrants to gain power are
also to blame. If that religion is the root of the evil, it deserves bashing.

I do not try to exercise control over others. My church leadership does not try to exercise control over others. We feel it is the government's job to deal with social behavior. I see no problem with discouraging things like: killing, hurting, lying, cheating, stealing, raping, drunk driving, etc. It kind of makes society a nicer place to be.

Then obviously you aren't the problem, and nor are atheists or those (like
me) who deny the existence of gods, spooks, spirits and BigFoot, but
share your desire for a fair decent society.

It is the crazy religious leaders and their followers who need careful
watching. You know the type - the ones who want to make it compulsory to
listen to their deluded nonsense and to have it taught in schools.

 

[Leo Lazauskas]

It seems Ethiopia would be my likely destination !

Not far enough away from trouble - and you might be tempted to become a pirate!

Consider South Australia.
It's just like Egypt - one major long river, enormous deserts, huge numbers of
camels, 46C in summer. Or is that too cold for you?

 

[P Flados]

It is the crazy religious leaders and their followers who need careful watching. You know the type - the ones who want to make it compulsory to listen to their deluded nonsense and to have it taught in schools.

How about leaving out "religious" and going with just "crazy leaders and their followers who need careful watching".

The overly "politically correct" types try to re-write history books constantly. This combined with other similar nonsense has pushed back progress in the American public education system at least 100 years or so. And when you get to higher education, the entire western world suffers from an Academia focused on a Liberal Social Agenda that is so disconnected from reality that it makes me gag.

 

[Frosty]

If religion is NOT helping you become a more peaceful, civilized, understanding and compassionate then there is something wrong with the equation, you should choose the religion that helps you achieve that. y.

If you want to be a better man then be so. I don't understand needing the threat of famine pestilence or plague to do so.

I am the best person I can be, I don't have anyone to whine to, pray to, or blame.

Would you not think you would be better to be able to be better on your own , to stand on your own 2 feet and suffer the consequences of your own actions.

I am therefore more of a man and a human being, I am me.

I do what I do and I do not have an imaginary accomplice.

Atheism is certainly not for whimps, to be yourself , confident and socialy acceptable without an accomplice imaginary or not is not easy. Most people opt for the almighty way out with a confession now an again or some one or something on which to blame mistakes or even disasters. Such is the weeker members of out humanity. Perfectly understandable behavior but there are others--nay many others. usually silent that don't need such guidance.

Unfortunately we will have to tolerate this for good few number of years yet. ---sigh.

20012 or 2013 will bring I fear little relief from fanatical bombings in religious names.

 

[Leo Lazauskas]

How about leaving out "religious" and going with just "crazy leaders and their followers who need careful watching".

No. If proscriptions against women, non-believers and others minorities are in
a text, and taught to believers, then it's the religion.
If it also has imaginary spirits, spooks or other unseen ethereal entities, then
it's a crackpot belief system.

The overly "politically correct" types try to re-write history books constantly. This combined with other similar nonsense has pushed back progress in the American public education system at least 100 years or so. And when you get to higher education, the entire western world suffers from an Academia focused on a Liberal Social Agenda that is so disconnected from reality that it makes me gag.

Yes. The USA is well overdue for an age of Freethought.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Age_of_Freethought
There are too many crackpots who rely on invisible friends, Magic
Underpants, "The Devil Made Me Do It" excuses, and other nonsense.

 

[hoytedow]

Why don't you fix Australia first before worrying about US?

Onward, Christian Soldiers!

 

[Frosty]

The needy first Hoyt,--always the needy first.

 

[Frosty]

If religion is NOT helping you become a more peaceful, civilized, understanding and compassionate then there is something wrong with the equation, you should choose the religion that helps you achieve that.y.

Im still shocked from this quote, do people realy chop and choose a religion that suits you. Do you swap because it may not? I thought of it this way.

The recession has hit even Islamists, the 13 virgins has had to cut by 75% to a mere 3 from the 13 expected by suicide bombers. This was made even worse when pictures of the said virgins was asked for and they were shown photographs of Susan Boyle, Hillary Clinton volunteer have been reduced to a trickle.

However the big Zuzu that lives up the moutain and the Crocodile god both from the Amazonian region remains popular and are now registered offshore without death tax.

For those who wish to remain brand loyal the Chatholic Church has a trust for children aiming at the male under 12., A note to add is that the confession box is now called the suggestion box as many priests have said they get more information on what to do with thier religion than questons about it.

A beam of sunshine comes from the sun worshippers for the long term investors with a 55 billion year term. However after this time we suggest the future may not look so bright.

Many to choose from infact more like hundred;s making a wise choice difficult. But be warned that from say 100 and you choose just the one then it is 1 % chance of getting the right one as there is but one god meaning 99 % of you are blowing smoke.

You cant see it but Im shaking my head in disbelief. Not laughing, its too sick for that.

 

[Leo Lazauskas]

Why don't you fix Australia first before worrying about US?

There is no need to fix the Socialist Workers' Paradise.
We have an atheist Prime Minister, and you have a choice between Ron Paul
and a believer in Magic Underpants.

Onward, Christian Soldiers!

"Jesus killed Mohammed: The crusade for a Christian military"
http://harpers.org/archive/2009/05/0082488

If Romney is elected, you'll have to change the song to:
Onward, Mormon Soldiers!
Marching door-to-door.

 

[Leo Lazauskas]

You cant see it but Im shaking my head in disbelief. Not laughing, its too sick for that.

The only honest religion is The Church of the SubGenius.
Their motto is:
"Eternal Salvation, or TRIPLE Your Money Back!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_the_SubGenius

 

[viking north]

As I previously posted --Organized Religions are the most dangerious weapons on earth. The problem lies in the fact that flocks are in mass, blind followers open to the few manupilating leaders teaching twisted interpretated views of a book that in itself contradicts what it's suppose to represent. Nothing wrong with most of the 10 commandments, a good basic code in life to follow as I am sure were the same rules laid down by wise cavemen long before a bible ever existed. When religion becomes more than a personal belief it becomes organized and infringes on the rights of others. There in lies the problem as it is human nature to judge and compete which by the way is anti religious. As an Agnostic I try to follow a code in life which includes most of the logical rules of the religious books of the world not because they are written down in such god books but because they are logical rules declared by man to respect man long before our present gods ever existed otherwise we would have killed each other off long ago.