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12/14/2004 Entry: "on religion"
 I want to clear up an impression that I may have left in my last entry. I don't hate religion. In fact, I like religion. I like what it does for people, I like that it gives people hope, and I like that it tends to enforce useful morals in people. Do I wish there was a God? Yes. Do I think there is a God? No. That being said, I never want to be responsible for someone losing their religion. It's not a comfortable place to be. However, where religion pisses me the fuck off is when people try to make laws based on it. When you legislate based on religion and religious morality, you sure as fuck better prove to me your God exists before I'm going to take you seriously and not want to punch you. Since you can, in no way, prove to me your God exists (people have been trying to prove and disprove God for years) then you sure as hell better not try to make laws based on that religion. Forcing your extranious religious morals on me is oppresive. "But Seager," you say "Aren't laws such as 'don't murder', 'don't steal', and 'don't put your penis in my hoo-ha unless I say it's ok' based on religion and morality?" The answer is kind of sketchy, but what it comes down to is NO, or at least not entirely. Allow me to explain: The "theory" of natural selection applies to societies as well as animals. Way back in the day societies with value systems that helped their society out competed societies without those value systems. For example, a society that thought killing and stealing is wrong would out compete one that thought it was A-OK. Likewise, societies with religions that enforced morals that helped society would, by definition, out compete those with without this moral enforcer. Thus, religions with morals that helped society were selected for. It's not random luck that all the major religions have the same core moral values, it's that way because IT HAS TO BE! No religion with vastly different values would be able to compete. Likewise, Christianity is so big because it's core values allowed for the slaughtering of savages 'back in the day'. That's going to give you a competitive edge over religions that are all about "being cool with everything." For instance, the US slaughter of Native Americans. (Some historians would argue that guns had a hand in that slaughter too, but I think we all know it was Jesus Power.) Anyways, what this shows is that conventional religions morals (10 commandants etc) are good for society, and thus when laws are made based on them they are not simply moral laws. They are created for the good of society. Now, where religion goes wrong is when it starts adding in stupid extra morals, like "don't be gay." I'll admit that marriage between a man and woman is good for society and helps children etc, but marriage between two men doesn't HURT society, and that's what's important. In fact, it would help society because general happiness would increase. (certain "Christians" might not be happy, but they'll get over it. They weren't happy when woman voted and the slaves were freed either) Likewise, abortion doesn't hurt society. I'd even argue that legal abortion is good for society. (That argument I'm going to save for later, but don't worry, it'll come soon and it'll be a doosy.) "But Seager," you ask "don't lawmakers say that they are making laws not allowing gays to marry etc etc on behalf of society?" Well, yes, they say that, but what they mean is that they are making those laws on behalf of their religion. They see no difference between religion and society because in their little world everyone believes the same as them and those that don't are godless heathens who should be evangelized to. (evangelizing is also a religious trait that was/would have been selected for) So what is the answer? Easy, when you feel like taking away or granting a right think "Will this hurt our society's ability to flourish and possibly compete with other societies?" If the answer is no, grant the right. If the answer is yes, take it away. Murder hurts society. Gay marriage does not. (yea, I know that some people believe it does, but they can't back it up. It's not like gays who are married are going to have less kids then single gays) In fact, you can build an entire secular morality system based on what is good and bad for society. Before you chime in and say that this moral system would lead to totalitarianism and the good for the State over the good of all, I need to add in one more definition. The "good of society" also implies a need for happiness. A good, competitive society will have happy people living in it. People aren't happy when you make oppressive laws "for the good of society." (allow that to sink in before you object) So there you have it. Religion was useful back in the day for societal evolution, but now that we are no longer savages (read: educated) we can rely on secular morality and religion needs to get the fuck out of government. Religion still has it's uses, but has NO place in law making. Likewise, we don't need to have Rev. Bush as our leader to have morals. SECULAR MORALITY EXISTS IN TODAY'S SOCIETY! Christ. Anyway, I have some fun election maps for you: Sweet topographical map of voter turnout - A must see Rev. Bush: God is my Father - not really a map British Tabloid Cover: 
Replies: 60 People give a shit!
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You were obviously raised well and to think for yourself. The irony of he ten comandments is that those who want post them do not believe in them. I know, let's first let the loonies demonstrate that they follow the ten words before we think about posting them. Posted by TOS @ 11/14/2004 10:59 PM PST
You were obviously raised well and to think for yourself. The irony of the ten comandments is that those who want post them do not believe in them. I know, let's first let the loonies demonstrate that they follow the ten words before we think about posting them. Posted by TOS @ 11/14/2004 10:55 PM PST
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