[Charles]

Originally Posted by zenjenn

religious people (defined as those who regularly attend a place of worship) generally give more to charity, are less likely to become depressed, commit suicide, or abuse drugs or alcohol.

Religion May Contribute to Adolescent Depression | Psych Central News

Atheist divorce rate is Lower than Christian

Abortions more likely among students of religious schools

10 Reasons Atheists Are More Moral Than Religious Fundamentalists « de-conversion

Atheist Doctors More Likely to Care for the Poor than Religous Doctors - pressesc.com

Ten reasons why atheism is superior to religion

[Charles]

Originally Posted by zenjenn

Sophisticated religion is not a collection of superstitions - but rather something that is meaningful and stabilizing - and certainly strong enough not to fold like a house of cards when confronted with physics.

Actually, that's exactly what it is. The only difference between a religon and a cult is size.

Science has trumped religion many times in history:

Science Trumps Religion; Here's Why It's Dog Days for God - Associated Content - associatedcontent.com

[zenjenn]

Charles, virtually every source you site is agenda-driven. And there's a broken link. And the random "atheism is awesome" top 10 list put up by a random mathematics professor? And "de-conversion.com"? Seriously?

Funny how all these atheists approach atheism with such... religious zeal.

And you do realize that most of our society's values come from Judeo-Christian origins, right? The truth of the matter is, without a higher power, morality is entirely subjective. There are atheist intellectuals that argue exactly that. Who are we to judge anything whatsoever as moral or immoral?

And without a design, existence is pretty much devoid of meaning. You and I are simply elaborate self-deceived robots communicating for no reason. Even humanist and secular philosophies about ethics and values fundamentally were framed by a religion-based society at their inception.

The only difference between a religion and a cult is size.

I am a member of a religion, and no one has ever asked me to shun my family, fork over all my assets, proselytize at airports, or drink lethal kool-aid.

[southernnaturelover]

I'm Agnostic, it's much easier that way. LOL

[zenjenn]

I'm Agnostic, it's much easier that way. LOL

Being agnostic is the most intellectually honest position. But a little unsatisfying, I think.

[southernnaturelover]

Originally Posted by zenjenn

Being agnostic is the most intellectually honest position. But a little unsatisfying, I think.

I think many people turn a little Agnostic towards the final days of their lives. It doesn't matter if you're Christian or Athiest, when it's near your time to go you'll begin to question things. (just my opinion)

[Charles]

Originally Posted by zenjenn

******

And without a design, existence is pretty much devoid of meaning. You and I are simply elaborate self-deceived robots communicating for no reason.

*****

I am a member of a religion, and no one has ever asked me to shun my family, fork over all my assets, proselytize at airports, or drink lethal kool-aid.

(This thread is off the tracks.)

******


Says who?


*****

Just because you are a member of a religion or cult doesn't mean you take on every attribute of the extreme religion. You don't mount explosives on your body and run into buildings either - does that mean you aren't religious?

The fact of the matter is, you wouldn't believe what you believe if your parents didn't "train" you to think that way (assuming you acquired your religiosity growing up). If you grew up in Iran, there's a good chance your parents would "train" you to hate Jews.

YouTube - Another Brainwashed religious child

[Huntsville_secede]

Originally Posted by mimpdaddy

I think people outside the state want to see Alabama fail at anything.
From music, sports, economically just about anything and some people in the state mainly in Huntsville. Why?

Honestly most people could care less about Alabama it's not a place they constantly are thinking about. They may be ignorant about it and have stereotypes and inaccurate information about it but it's the same as with most things people are ignorant about, they just don't care about it enough to take the time to be properly informed. I know before I moved here I was hardly thinking about Alabama. I'm not the type of person driven by what other people say I always take the time to research and understand things for myself. Alabama is a different place that you have to get used to other states in the South seem to be better fits for transplants more melting pots for people trying to adjust to someplace not too different than where they are from. Alabama is more homogeneous, trying harder to keep things how they are and less accepting of different kinds of people IMO than other southern states.

All of the negativity towards Alabama though isn't completely unwarranted. For the longest time Alabama has been one of the most uneducated and poorest states in the nation, they have made vast improvements in both of these areas and other areas. Mimpdaddy know you know the black belt is one of the poorest, most behind parts of Alabama. Huntsville may not have the history of those other cities in the state but it does help people have a better perception about Alabama nationally but other cities in the state have done so also. You have to think about all the negative stuff that happened in Alabama it's stuck in people's minds it will be a while before it is completely forgotten and people have to discover the positive stuff about Alabama but in order for that to happen they have to be interested in being informed about it. But as far as hating its more so that people are ignorant about the nice things about Alabama than them just wanting to hate on it. I've seen Alabama people do the same thing bash places they know nothing about and never been to I guess its just how people are.

[mimpdaddy]

I was kinda pissed off when I started this thread. Really I was listening to some groups in hip hop that from the gump that get overshadowed. But you have about a one an a million chance to make in music. So I really can't get mad but it's hard to not get mad when alot of artist from the gump sound better than most of the crap on the radio. I agree about Huntsville in some respect but Huntsville doesn't really have a connection with Alabama, it's in the state but the people here only accept it when they want to identify with us culturally or when it benefits them some way by saying they are from here. I know people don't think about bama but that's the problem. It has been alot of great people that have come from here and alot of great things that have happen here. Black people from others states downgrade Alabama when the people from this state were the first to stand up during the civil rights. But people go to Memphis for civil rights. Just think about the people that have come from here.
Nat King Cole
Holyfield
Hank Aaron
Rosa Parks
Bo Jackson
Willie Mays
Charles Barkley
Ozzie Smith
Satchel Paige
Coretta Scott King
Hank Williams
Tom Joyner
The Temptations
Tuskegee Airman
Booker T. Washington
George Washington Carver

Can we please get some respect.
But they think of us as rednecks.

[Southlander]

I'm lovin' the fact that Hank is right in the middle of your list!