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As an agnostic who was brought up in a fundamentalist Baptist church, I would certainly suggest that there are a lot of reasons to be wary of Christian fundamentalists. But those reasons relate primarily to the political and social agendas being pursued by these individuals.
My guess would be that Christian fundamentalists engage in a disproportionately low amount of violent crime.
I've heard that Nation Of Islam is also very active in prisons with their proselytizing activities.
Yeah, so are the Hispanic drug gangs and white power creeps. Prisons seem certainly not to be places where an individual can get rehabilitated, but some do manage to keep clean and actually get an education there.
I disagree. I find that there is a justifiable disgust with fundamentalist religions of any ilk. Gays harm no one. They don't want to pass legislation to interfere in my life in any way. They are born gay. Religious zealots of any ilk usually want to change laws that affect my lifestyle. I would be a dolt not to resent that.
....and so you join in trying to portray them as violent aberrant psychos?
Hey, I'm pro-gay as well and quite frankly disagree with fundamentalists on a wide range of topics. However, I draw the line at trying to portray people whom I disagree with using hateful stereotypes and unsupported allegations.
These are the same tactics that are used by racists, anti-gay, anti-jew, anti-muslim etc. groups and quite frankly it makes my skin crawl a bit.
P.S. The EXTREME fundies are the best thing to happen to the gay rights movement in the last 20 years. A loud mouth making crazy unsupported statements about a group is a great way to actually generate sympathy and tolerance for the group in question. Makes you want to re-read this thread.
I am currently reading a book, "Under The Banner of Heaven", about the crimes of polygamists, and connection to Latter Day Saint church. Including why Elizabeth Smart was so easily manipulated by her abductor. Because of her religious beliefs. Really interesting book.
Disporportionate amount of horrible crimes seem to be commited by Fundamentalist Christians. Anyone notice this?
No. But if that's your mindset, that's what will jump out at you and stick in your brain.
You're probably also confusing reality with those who claim to be or become born again once caught and/or convicted.
There are, I believe, unscrupulous people who use religion and the people who are devout to their own purposes, although the leadership, like the leadership of the Muslim terrorists, don't really believe in the religion. Groups like Aryan Nation. Christian Identity groups. Even some of our political aspirants will cater to radical and backwards thinking just to get power.
Crimes against the environment, gays, women, a person can see in each of these issues religious pressure groups, which is why religion should not be dictating public policy.
I am currently reading a book, "Under The Banner of Heaven", about the crimes of polygamists, and connection to Latter Day Saint church. Including why Elizabeth Smart was so easily manipulated by her abductor. Because of her religious beliefs. Really interesting book.
Those polygamist folks are really extreme!
I, too, read that book and thought it had a lot of insights.
And now we know that Warren Jeffs is a pedophile. I really don't believe many religious extremist leaders are believers. People who follow them must have a certain disposition to put their heads in the sand and not want to admit the truth.
Religion has often been used as an excuse to harm others, look at the Muslim terrorists, look at us during the Crusades.
I read a few books and believe that one brought to light the questionable beginnings of Mormonism and the hypocrisy of its founders.
Last edited by goldengrain; 11-03-2012 at 08:55 PM..
This is why i stay away from all religions ....... they all have a bad history of evil ......... and than they tell my how i should live my life. I respect myself and others i don't need to be religious to be a good person. Religion does not make you but it looks like in many cases it can break you down
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It's founder actually claimed to be God! Oh, the heresy! 
