Imagine No Religion

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Well, when a woman's body just automatically shuts down, reproductively, after bearing one and only one child, I'd be behind the idea.

Which, of course, is never.

If natural selection were based on the current situation rather than on the one our ancestors dealt with hundereds of thousands of years ago, that (or something more extreme) would certainly be the case.

Overpopulation IS the largest problem in the world today. China is one of the only countries I'm aware of doing anything about it.

The majority of people are of a similar opinion as you. I'm well aware that my viewpoint is unpopular. So, humans will continue to breed like flys until life on this planet is unbearable. Then, as is typical, we will do too little - too late.

You might want to take note that many developed nations actually have a negative population "growth" and compensate for that with immigration. Rather than taking a draconian approach - as is not exactly untypical for China - maybe there are approaches available that respect a person's right to procreate. Not that a person's rights matter much in China but elsewhere they still do. And I, for one, hope that we keep it that way rather than following China's "leadership".

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

I understand and agree with your stance. Overpopulation is "killing" this world in many ways. But we are biological organisms and all programmed to reproduce. I'm all for birth control if it is safe, effective, without barrier between us, affordable, and allows for complete spontaneity.

Well, when a woman's body just automatically shuts down, reproductively, after bearing one and only one child, I'd be behind the idea.

Which, of course, is never.

If natural selection were based on the current situation rather than on the one our ancestors dealt with hundereds of thousands of years ago, that (or something more extreme) would certainly be the case.

Overpopulation IS the largest problem in the world today. China is one of the only countries I'm aware of doing anything about it.

The majority of people are of a similar opinion as you. I'm well aware that my viewpoint is unpopular. So, humans will continue to breed like flys until life on this planet is unbearable. Then, as is typical, we will do too little - too late.

[mawilson 2,133]

No thing is worth taking a human life.

That would depend on whose life you're taking, no?

Some lives are worthless. Suicide bombers, for example.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Nothing wrong with religion. It's not the source of the world's problems - it's only an excuse.

Amen to that sister. But I understand Lennon's sentiment.

[jundp 191]

Nothing wrong with religion. It's not the source of the world's problems - it's only an excuse.

Actually, nearly all of the world's problems can be directly or indirectly attributed to overpopulation.

China has the right idea with its 'One-Child' policy. I'd like to see other nations follow China's leadership in tackling the single biggest problem in the world.

While religion is insidious and has been responsible for countless acts of; cultural devastation, intellectual suppression, cruelty, murder and various other heinous activities over the centuries: I agree, it is not the root cause of the world's problems.

Well what about countries like Germany wherein the population is dropping?

And I'm sorry but I don't think China's "one-child" policy is anything for the rest of the world to model itself after. In fact, China, with it's many human rights violations (whether directly: Tibet; or indirectly: Darfur), should probably not be a model for anything human-related.

Religion=BAD

Life changing experience with the Almighty=AWESOME

Jawohl! Spirituality and religion aren't the same thing.

The only thing worth killing over is money and oil.

Everything else is silly and beneath a great civilization such as ours.

Nothing is worth taking a human life.

What makes you say that? Lots of things are worth taking a human life.

I don't believe that. I don't believe that different lives should be valued differently either. But then I'm pro-life....

[mawilson 2,133]

I don't believe that. I don't believe that different lives should be valued differently either. But then I'm pro-life....

Why not?

Is the life of a rapist or child molester worth the same to you as the life of, say, a neurosurgeon?

Edited December 10, 2007 by mawilson

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

I say the details of all religions are made up. I believe there is a Gob but humanity does a horribly bad interpretation of his will. But God's not upset because he gave us free will. It's all good.

[Jenn! 918]

At least there is also a tremendous amount of good done in the name of religion.

The good deeds you refer to are done by individuals who happen to be spiritual. These individuals might coincidently participate in religious activities. However, the good is not attributable to religion.

In that case, neither is the evil attributable to religion.

Fair enough, and pretty much what I meant when I said that religion is only an excuse for the world's problems.

[Caladan 19]

At least there is also a tremendous amount of good done in the name of religion.

The good deeds you refer to are done by individuals who happen to be spiritual. These individuals might coincidently participate in religious activities. However, the good is not attributable to religion.

But the evil is? I don't think you can have it both ways.

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

No Religion.

No Countries.

No Money.

We have the solution but we'll never act on it. The fear of losing power is far too great in us humans.

John Lennon had it right, sigh.

[Ban Hammer 13,352]

I don't believe that. I don't believe that different lives should be valued differently either. But then I'm pro-life....

Why not?

Is the life of a rapist or child molester worth the same to you as the life of, say, a neurosurgeon?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Actually, nearly all of the world's problems can be directly or indirectly attributed to overpopulation.

China has the right idea with its 'One-Child' policy. I'd like to see other nations follow China's leadership in tackling the single biggest problem in the world.

While religion is insidious and has been responsible for countless acts of; cultural devastation, intellectual suppression, cruelty, murder and various other heinous activities over the centuries: I agree, it is not the root cause of the world's problems.

I dunno - I don't think you need to look very hard to see that the world had plenty of problems when we weren't overpopulated. Oddly enough human societies have become generally less barbaric than they were 2000 years ago. Religion has had some part to play in bringing about a humanist enlightenment, irrespective of the subsequent problems that have arisen from the institutions of organised religion.

I don't actually think its really about religion either - but rather competing ideologies.

As far as that goes - I know that human rights have taken a bit of a back seat over the last few years, but suggesting that a country which has itself been criticised for its approach to human rights issues (not least with specific regard to the implementation of the 'one-child' policy) has the "right idea" on the issue of overpopulation - is rather frightening... I don't think that is an example that should be followed. IMHO of course...

I think recent history has shown that authoritarian forms of government have shown themselves to be responsible for far worse problems than we might attribute, in general, to religion.

Edited December 10, 2007 by Number 6

[Ban Hammer 13,352]

here's my version of that "imagine" song

[jundp 191]

I don't believe that. I don't believe that different lives should be valued differently either. But then I'm pro-life....

Why not?

Is the life of a rapist or child molester worth the same to you as the life of, say, a neurosurgeon?

Yes. But then my opinion is a very unpopular one. I am Christian and I believe that ALL humans are created in God's image and that we all have the right to live and be forgiven. I know that most people here won't agree with me, but that is my belief. I don't think that we have the right to choose who lives and who dies. Yes, I know that a killer has made that choice and therefore he should (according to many) not have that right to live, but again, that isn't what I believe. I work with the children of people who would be considered undesirable by most societal standards and yet they have produced loving, caring, empathetic, intelligent offspring.

That doesn't mean I advocate rape or molestation or murder or any other crimes. And I do believe in punishment. I don't believe in "an eye for an eye" and I don't believe in capital punishment any more than I believe in abortion.

[*JG* 2]

Nothing wrong with religion. It's not the source of the world's problems - it's only an excuse.

Some people would say it's the manifestation of the human brain's weaknesses and a good excuse for people to kill each other.

Take away religion and these things will find some other way to manifest themselves. At least there is also a tremendous amount of good done in the name of religion.

Nicely put.