Phil >>Well I apologise for that, but I was angry at your idea that anyone who isn't religious has no morals. You said and I quote;

"Atheism...does not teach principles, morals or a better standard of living, it can't, as it has none to offer"

Which is one of the most unjust, arrogant, ignorant and offensive things I have ever heard a religious person say. Who the hell do you think you are? You think your beliefs somehow make you a better person? They don't.<<
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Phil "isms" are not people, rather they are caused by people or embraced by people. I might think "hunting" for sport is a serious injustice to animals and say so, however that does not mean to me, that all who hunt for sport are injust.

My attack on Atheism and its lack of merit, is brought against the "concept" and not the people who adhere to it, I mean strictly speaking. Rather, it is against the effort to convince those who choose to believe in a higher power than men and its divinity as a Creator, as being foolish...therefore built of fools. You see, it is the "ism" that is put on a platter...as something that one should intelligently relish in being the smarter way to go, when it has never proven that it is...and in fact, has shown the opposite when we look at the governments who have adopted it.

Personally, I feel most religions attempt to build character, certainly Christianity does (something I feel is different from "the Church"). I have known many kind Bible readers, believers, who would not do anything to obstruct your right to *not* believe in a god. So when I see belief in a higher power trashed simply because many proponents have abused it, then I feel...much like you must right now...that such trashing is extremely unfair...yet, it goes on on this board quite often. How do you feel about that?

One might say, Atheism is merely a non-belief in any deity, yet its proponents go out of their way, to wave its banner. If the banner is waved before me...I will speak my mind, every time that I feel like it, and perhaps a time or two...when I don't.

There must be a system of guidance for mankind, that is dependable, as well as agreeable and it has to be more than what man himself has to offer...because no matter how good the intentions seem to be, mankind is not...the agreeable sort and the assorted governments (politics) and all their bickering prove it. Killing the concept of God, does not promote harmony, it does in my view, weaken the conscience. It makes humankind more animalistic and prides itself so.

I must say here, that I deplore much of what "religion" has done that has only served to give God...a bad name. Then again, I do not feel, many people...truly practice what they preach. So I understand, why Atheism exists. I use to consider it viable...at one time myself, but that was long ago, and truth is...now I wish, I hadn't.

Take care Phil...thanks for the apology. I hope we at least understand each other a bit better now.

Touche',
El Stevereno