depressingcomments
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Edit: People keep asking how this isn't disrespectful to people with religion. I typed up an explanation and then realized I don't give a fuck if you understand or not.
Edit 2: I try to upvote every comment on all my posts but some of you are butthurt beyond all sense of reason. Breath. Relax. You think I'm a dumb fuck. I think you're a dumb fuck. We're equal that way.
Edit3: I'm so bored, all comment responses are now going to be trolling. Normally declaring that I'm going to troll would defeat the purpose but I learned a long time ago that imgur doesn't read anything.
Edit4: I wonder how many edits it takes to get enough downvotes that this drops off the FP.
Edit5: Why are you still upvoting? This is an absolute train wreck of a post.
sunnydelinquent
Remember that South Park episode where they kill each other for science? I member.
lurkymclurkerson
ALL HAIL THE WISE SLOTH
azazyel
But what would we base morality on? http://imgur.com/9fRGnqB
thedarksideoftheforce
SendNudesPleases
That Jesus has tiny little hands.... like Trump!
weeBob
Also if people realized that they are basically just antiquated forms of government.
wormfood
How is this respectful of anyone?
trousercat
Nah. Some people need it as a moral compass. Others use it for strength. It has its purpose.
YourMumKnowsMe
You don't need religon for a purpose or moral compass.
trousercat
Maybe you don't, but some people do.
YourMumKnowsMe
If you need religion to guide your moral compass then you had problems anyway. Purpose is different though.
Captainbetray
Amen to that brother.
DungeonMaster69
"I think 2 is more than 1"
BenjaminT247
Saranghae89
What about cults? They're fun.
MostPeopleAreIdiots
Same thing
PassiveAggressiveHotdogVendor
Wanna join mine? We believe in the almighty power of minions "mee mee's".
SugarSmack
Well, I do like kool-aid.
Fi20Z37V
Honestly religion isn't a bad thing. It's just the religions that use fear to control that are a problem
Attaroo
So Christianity? I'm going to hell if I don't believe the same things you believe, right?
Attaroo
Because of what an ancestor of mine did which I had no control over, but the only way I can be redeemed is your belief. BS.
Fi20Z37V
And some factions of Judaism and some factions of Islam. I'm not calling out everyone in those religions, but definitely some groups
Moghul
I still think it's bad. Some teachings can keep you from looking too closely. Like creationism.
ShamelessOToole
So so many alternative facts in this entire comment section.
Virunuss
Ok, here's my thoughts on, at least Christianity: Its great for the average person, gives them a kind of moral code to live by, keeps 1/4
Virunuss
them acting like good people in general. Also gives people who need it a reason for living. So, yeah, for most people, its fine and good.2/4
Virunuss
However, like in everything, extremists ruin it. People who take the worst parts of the text at face value, caring not about symbolism 3/4
Virunuss
or the context of how life was at the time of the writing. Its turns into a weapon for those people, instead of a guide to live a good life.
Virunuss
(FWIW, I'm an atheist, but I've thought about this a bit)
BigFatSlut
ThySausagePrince
OH MY SCIENCE
HitlersRupturedColon
Mobileuserwholikestoberandom
I'm pretty sure it's not a reference. Just a guy grabbing some popcorn and getting ready for the show
HitlersRupturedColon
South park did an episode where cartmen was frozen and woke up in the future. Religion was replaced by different beliefs about athiesm.
Mobileuserwholikestoberandom
Ah, my bad. Sorry!
HitlersRupturedColon
No reason to apologize about it, its cool. You should check out that south park episode though, its great. Fear the otters
TallLightnHandsome
Everyone has a belief system.
Attaroo
And it would be better if those all started from rational thought instead of the sky faerie tells me.
13fingerfx
-5? Not fair. Have a tiny stick, drowning man. (I agree with you.)
Attaroo
LOL. The points are as imaginary as their god. It matters not at all unless you give it meaning. :D
13fingerfx
If it helps I went into your posts and gave you 5 extra upvotes. You have a net profit of one. Spend it wisely. Redeemable fucking nowhere.
Attaroo
Gratsi. :D
billyshep
Easy there neckbeard
cryptonat
Easy there sheep
Thismuchistrue
Religion is like a penis, it's nice to have one and be proud of it, just don't take it out and wave it around in public.
madetheaccountjustforyou
And don't shove it down your children's throats.
HereticsAllOfYou
Define "better off." And I don't mean a list of conditions. I mean define what is good objectively and how we do it.
Attaroo
Volumes of books have been written on that. Hard to explain in 140 characters.
HereticsAllOfYou
And few, if any, are conclusive. What is "good" is far from a settled issue among philosophers. And yet you expect us to adopt a definition.
Attaroo
But then, most things in life that are of worth aren't easy.
HereticsAllOfYou
A definition, I should add, that is far from fully developed. You say "better off" as if it's a settle issue. Philosophers disagree.
AssBat
Religion was originally a stop-gap for our lack of knowledge. Thundergods explained the weather. Soon, we retained the notion of gods, (1/3)
AssBat
but started understanding the science behind the unexplained. While that was occurring, the POWERS that be found political strength (2/3)
AssBat
with the backing of religion is POWERFUL. Now, @OP is right, we do not need religion. We are only TOLD we need it by the powerful (3/4)
AssBat
The hope granted by believing in an omnipotent and benevolent god is what the weak desire so the powerful give it to them & keep the power.
lordmonk3y
Shit people are gonna be shitty whether they're religious or not. In the end it isn't religion that causes problems, it's assholes.
Foag
Uhhhhhm you think there'd be as many suicide bombers tho?
NickMillion
They'd probably just set off the bombs remotely more often than not
13fingerfx
Yeah, but religion often gives arseholes a common cause...
Attaroo
Right. Love to see your reaction if you heard someone shout Allahu Ackbar in a crowded room.
lordmonk3y
I see your point but I think you missed mine. The person who blows himself up is a dick regardless of his reasons. If he didn't have Islam >
lordmonk3y
idislikecomingupwithuniqueusernames
I don't disagree, but I'd point out religion gives people an easy justification that is near impossible to argue against.
BajaChicken
People can find shitty justifications anyways. Hitler started WWII for land, and to power undesirables. Stalin killed 20-60 million 1/2
BajaChicken
"for land power, and to kill undesirables"*
BajaChicken
to preserve the USSR. Mao killed anywhere from 15-80 million for progress. People do evil shit. Religion is one scapegoat. 2.2
idislikecomingupwithuniqueusernames
2) of protection or that psychos won't exist, but at least they can't simply say "because god says so." Make them work for their lies.
RhetoricalRobot
"Hitler and Mao did bad things in the name of their respective religious beliefs therefore religion isn't the reason." Rhetorical nonsense.
BajaChicken
If progress, or racial superiority are religions, then we just need to get rid of free will and the world will be better off.
idislikecomingupwithuniqueusernames
1) Again, I don't disagree, but the fewer unassailable reasons people have the easier it is lay bare their bullshit. That's not a guarantee
Aimanfire
I'm a Christian and will respectfully disagree. I also hope you'll come around to it but that's not my decision to make.
depressingcomments
In the hellfire of dumbassery and simplemindedness; this is how to christian. Calm disapproval and the hope they convert, not pushing. Thank
khaleesimotherofkittycats
I'm really sorry that that's your experience with Christianity, do you live in the Bible Belt in the USA?
depressingcomments
Ohio, but the west side which is pretty bad. Regardless, I actually meant relative to this post.
khaleesimotherofkittycats
Ah, ok
depressingcomments
you.
doyouevenrobot
I think we'd be doing the same shit, just using different asinine 'reasons' for it.
dmax12
Jesus, this. If your world view concludes that God does not exist, humans are the cause of all of it. "life finds a way"
doyouevenrobot
I find it amusing how people are reading so much into my original statement.
SchrodinergsSpy
I read a story on here earlier about a guy using the Bible in court to defend why he and his step son raped his daughter for 3 years.
Cheomesh
Not allowed in the bible.
PleasantPeasantPheasant
I hope he lost. his dick. both of them.
SchrodinergsSpy
I don't believe they have gone to court yet. But if anything justice may be rightfully served while they are in prison awaiting trial.
captainmojojojo
Religion tends to neglect reason. Without religion reason would be the only authority.
YoullBePerfectWhenYoureDead
Yeah, that's why the world has countless tragedies that are unrelated to religion. They must have been fueled by reason. Sure.
Cheomesh
No. People act emotionally all the time.
captainmojojojo
Emotion is a driver not a path. Yes emotion can blur reason but it is still reason that chooses the path.
idislikecomingupwithuniqueusernames
That's very optimistic of you, but try to keep in mind who it was that created religion (irrational humans).
Datdudez
Instead of religion, we'd do it for country, or honor or "they had more oil than us!"
TheOriginalNonfiction
True. Humans don't really need much of a reason to be horrible.
RhetoricalRobot
No, religion does NOT hold up to scrutiny and, therefore, is as valid as correctness, this is old Anti-Intellectual Supremacy propaganda.
CitizenDickbag
Eh. In some ways, yes. But there is certain backwards-ass awfulness that is purely religiously-motivated.
philosofox
It's more that, that particular brand of awfulness is filtered through religion. It's like a prism rather than source.
BenSnow97
Not a reason to not try to stop it. The difference between religion and alternative facts is that we don't have real facts for the former.
doyouevenrobot
depressingcomments
Agree and disagree. I think it'd still happen, just marginally better than what happens now.
PrincessDonaldTrumpBANNED
Stalin and Mao say otherwise
NOTAlexJones
I too have opinions based on no data.
ItsCaptain0bvious
And for that reason, religions should be allowed to take advantage of people the way they currently do. Is that what you meant?
doyouevenrobot
BrosBeforeDINOS
The Allied Atheist Alliance is clearly the most logical choice.
gir2195
I was just about to reference this!
Daedravex
That way it's three A's, it is the most logical.
judgejudysbooty
Oh My Science
doyouevenrobot
Oh no, I'm not supporting anyone that cracks heads on their bellies.
BrosBeforeDINOS
Why would I care about the opinion of someone who uses a table when they have a perfectly good belly to eat on
doyouevenrobot
Some of us don't have good eating bellies, OK? Is that fine with you?
BrosBeforeDINOS
..........No. You must be emancipated from your inferior genes
FungusForge
Yes and no. The same people would scream "kill the gays" and shit but people would likely be less inclined to kill for afterlife perks.
doyouevenrobot
I think you have far more faith in people than I do.
FungusForge
Well, if no massive groups promised afterlife goodies, afterlife goodies wouldn't be as widespread a motive. Claiming afterlife goodies...
FungusForge
As motive would lump one with either the mentally ill or something like UFO fanatics.
FungusForge
Thinking about it, the lumping together of all muslims, or all christians, would not exist, as that wouldn't be present. Sure, they might...
doyouevenrobot
mydailydoseofantidepressantsisyourbooty
By assuming man would be better off without religion, OP's assuming it's a manmade construct. If it is manmade, then the problem doesn't (1)
ThySausagePrince
To me, religion is a reason for not being an asshole or killing people needlessly. But I'm just one dude.
RhetoricalRobot
Rhetorical nonsense. Religion is a style of thinking that people are taught. Teaching people to think without rational basis IS the problem.
mydailydoseofantidepressantsisyourbooty
lie with religion, but rather with man. Removing religion doesn't fix the problem. Taking away religion is synonymous to treating (2)
mydailydoseofantidepressantsisyourbooty
Treating a disease by treating the symptoms. Sure, it might make the patient feel better, but the disease will continue to kill. (3)
SSeas
This is the best answer I have ever read for this kind of context. I just want to thank you because it's so concise but still hard-hitting.
Rodeodoc
I respect your opinion even though you're wrong. The basic tenets of all religions are the basis for civilization - love your neighbor. ..2
Attaroo
That is not the basic tenet of all religion. And it's often not practiced by those that have that in their religion.
Rodeodoc
You've confused what man has produced as religious institutions with the core beliefs. I doubt you're opposed to being kind, respecting ..3
Rodeodoc
...others, looking after the poor and weak. Most religious institutions today are just corporate wankers.
TestAccount321
You're pretty naive if you think the lack of religion would make things better, or if something else wouldn't just take it's place anyway.
depressingcomments
You're pretty naive if you think I'll take your word for it and forgo my beliefs just because you said so.
SpecimenSpiff
YeahLinguisticsBitch
Oh the IRONY of that statement.
TestAccount321
Well, some people think the world is flat, but even though it isn't true, they chose to believe it anyway.
TestAccount321
I've personally experienced the dangers of religions fanaticism. But you're a fresh lamb if you think that people's ability to believe in
TestAccount321
whatever nonsense makes them feel good about themselves and/or sounds good at the time. People who called themselves men of science used to
TestAccount321
state that black people had smaller brains, thus it was okay to keep them as slaves. There are people that STILL believe in a flat earth!
Attaroo
Not to mention the bible was used to teach black people that it was moral of them to be enslaved.
IsaacZehPanda
And then there's communist Russia who banned religion, then killed more people in the name of communism than all religious wars combined
mellowdrama
Hold on. You respect everyone's right to believe, but your belief is to rid everyone of their belief. So, do you really respect everyone?
thoushaltnotpass
99% of Christians would agree on what he said if "religion" was replaced by "Islam".
Lubla
Way to go to generalize 99% of the Christians an pulling percentages out of your ass.
thoushaltnotpass
Find me a Christian who says the world is better thanks to Islam and/or that Muslims don't have to respect the right to believe in Christ
IsaacZehPanda
Islam can be used for peace, but it's been manipulated to where 70% of Muslims as of 2015 believe that gays should be killed/imprisoned
IsaacZehPanda
In my belief, we should just go back to paganism,
SkyHighInc
religion and faith are not mutually inclusive.
lDanielHolm
If you have religion without faith, it isn't religion. Faith doesn't require religion, of course -- it's simply believing without evidence.
SkyHighInc
Couldn't have said it better. Personally, I don't like organized religion, either.
depressingcomments
I'm not actively working to stomp out religion, people can believe whatever they want, I just think we'd be better without it.
[deleted]
[deleted]
lDanielHolm
Religion leads to good men doing horrible things, believing them to be good -- such as mutilating children. Nothing else does that.
IAmProcrastinatingNow
You can respect AND disagree with a choice
FlintStick
People will still find dumb reasons to argue and slaughter each other.
totallyahumanperson
I mean it'll be the same reasons (land, resources, power) just a different justification.
Uhhnoisaiddonttouchme
True but they will have far fewer reasons to justify it.
IsaacZehPanda
China killed more people in the name of communism than all religious wars combined, that's not even counting USSRs 20 million murders
FlintStick
Yup
Attaroo
Nah. The 30 years war alone had up to 10 million deaths. And of course religious superstition made a lot of bad things way worse.
Attaroo
Such as the black plague, where they went around killing cats because they were witches familiars, and witches cause plague.
Attaroo
Finally, all the wars in modern time are worse, due to technology and population size/density.
Attaroo
Ten million in Europe in 1600s is WAY more proportionately.
inevitableban
Most people use belief as a comfort, man. These extremists are a small but vocal sect. Religious extremism is a problem, not faith.
OldManTaylor
They come hand in hand tho. And we would all be better off without all of it
Hulkhulkthehulkinghulk
Not even just the extremists, religion permeates our government and corrupts many politicians towards horrid legislature
Himser
I think "faith" is a problem... when you blindly follow or believe something with no backing behind it... its illogical.
sweetands0ur
Bullshit. Comfort is bullshit. Embrace the fact that we have no idea how stuff works and stop cowering in your made up happy place.
Zlimeshili
There are two kinds of religious thralls. Active and passive.
Geo80
Faith = believing something with zero evidence. I find that highly problematic.
theTenderOne
Isnt that the point of believing? Acknowledging the lack of evidence and doubt around an idea but still choosing to stand by it?
Geo80
Yes, it is. And you can't see any problem with that?
theTenderOne
Not really, as long as you don't start shoving your beliefs down everybody's throat
IneedtochangemyusernameandIguessthiswillhavetodo
if they're choosing to believe something that doesn't hurt anybody, then let them have it, geeze
Attaroo
I see too many people say "I'll pray for you" instead of doing something. After all, it's all part of God's plan, right?
inevitableban
Convenience for the radically lazy. I'm raised christian, now... something and my entire upbringing was 'God acts through us not for 1/2
inevitableban
for us. If you can help someone in need, you should.' 2/2
Attaroo
Yep. Praise Allah. But tie up the camel. :D Of course, if we are the answer to our own prayers, why not just cut out the middle man?
inevitableban
Dunno, honestly. Spiritual validation? Universal acknowledgement? For me as a kid it was just being someone who could call himself 'good.'
lDanielHolm
Faith in and of itself is a problem (though a _different_ problem than extremists). Always question _everything_.
NextineX
Belief in anything without evidence is not good. I don't care what it is. We should strive to only believe what is demonstrable.
inevitableban
Right but we theorize conceptually. The concept goes in both religion and science, man. We have ideas about things, influence without a 1/2
inevitableban
demonstrable effect that we're looking for a hard answer for. 2/2
NextineX
Again, belief without evidence is not good. The difference is in science we don't believe things unless we can demonstrate it to be true.
YoullBePerfectWhenYoureDead
That's not even a little true about science.
inevitableban
Dismissive of theoretical physics in its entirety, man.
idislikecomingupwithuniqueusernames
And how do you believe one limits religious extremism without limiting religion?
inevitableban
No idea! I know i'm where I'm at with what I believe because I explored a lot of different ideas. My story doesn't connect to a bigger 1/2
inevitableban
more organized force. 2/2
madetheaccountjustforyou
One could argue that lying to yourself for comfort is something you would be better off without.
donotbeafraid
Yeah, I would say though, humans are (unconsciously usually) rationalizing things all day long so we can feel ok and fall asleep at night.
madetheaccountjustforyou
Yeah, and the world would probably be a little better off without that.
donotbeafraid
Isn't it impossible to escape? It's human nature. I feel like it's impossible for every decision you make all day to be based on hard facts.
madetheaccountjustforyou
I don't think practicality figures in here. Like saying we would be better off without cancer. We probably won't get rid of cancer, but (1)
bandabears
Let's be real, the problem isn't religion it's having a closed mind on it. It's the righteousness that is the problem.
donotbeafraid
Some things are "lies," some aren't. It's whatever is guiding your perspective. And religion is just another set of ideas that guides.
donotbeafraid
IDK, just a theory, I'm not a scientist..
inevitableban
Call faith whatever you want, baby. Its belief in a concept over hard facts. I don't personally believe that there's a person alive who 1/2
inevitableban
doesn't put a belief into a conceptual idea. 2/2
madetheaccountjustforyou
And? Is it healthier to lie to yourself or not? When someone you love dies, is it better to accept that they are gone, or convince (1)
madetheaccountjustforyou
yourself that they really just got sent to the magical (cloud) farm in the country where they run around happy all day and (2)
enigmatick
As an atheist, +1
TheLogicPolice
If you say that, is it really comforting to believe in something only to be comforted?
inevitableban
Its not believing in something for a comfort, its getting comfort from the belief in something. I believe that people are primarily good 1/2
inevitableban
and that's a comfort when you're skimming news and see the next tragic news flash go past. 2/2
noah9295
Thank you.
mallywanders
Exactly. I love my religion, and it helps calm my anxiety.
MentionADownvoteGetADownvote
I respect that but what you just said is a tautology. It really doesn't make sense.
lDanielHolm
If the only reason you want to believe in something is for comfort, how comforting is that belief? That isn't tautological.
MentionADownvoteGetADownvote
You said people use belief as comfort. Then you said you don't use belief as a comfort, you are comfortable because you believe >
WeAllLiveInAUserSubmarine
So, I'm from England and religion has had next to no impact on my life. I struggle to understand what it must be like in the States.
NoFuckingClue
Let me put it this way: Florida's state motto is 'In God We Trust'. It sucks having religion forced on you all the time.
arwenslartibartfast
I remember Stephen Fry saying there are very few differences between UK and US until you look at religion. ( Stephen Fry in America?)
PietreHyde
On Sunday's, shops shut. Is that not due to religion?
PaliQ
YOU CAN'T BUY ALCOHOL RIGHT NOW, EVERYONE IS IN CHURCH!
AvielMenter
I think it depends on region. I'm in California and it's the same way. But religiosity is much higher in other areas.
Shadowkrieger
Look up almost an news in England you will see how religion.
Emy1516
My own mother stopped speaking to me when she found out I'm atheist.... I guess thou shalt not judge doesn't apply.....
Cheomesh
It has little to no impact on mine, either, here in Maryland.
NuclearButtPlugFromPlanetX
Khyron2k
I live in Utah. One of the biggest car dealerships is run by a mormon. He got laws passed to prevent car dealerships being open on sundays.
RhetoricalRobot
Asserting that you're aren't smart enough to understand how counterfactual thinking has shaped reality doesn't mean what you think it means.
tekcor
Depends on region. Down south, everything revolves around the churches. Up north, the scientific method has at least some value.
tumoore
Uh, what are you reading about the US? frankly it's become a bunch of atheists trying to make anyone religious feel stupid. Churches are1/2
tumoore
Closing faster and faster.
WeAllLiveInAUserSubmarine
2012 Gallup poll: only 15% of Americans believed in pure evolution, whereas 46% believed genesis occurred in the last 10,000 years...
Mongolas
My dad was denied a job because he didn’t go to church.
BlindGoldfish
Religion only effects you if you let it effect you... incredibly easy to live a religionless life if you don't make a deal of it yourself
WontSomeonePleaseThinkOfTheChildren
So, terrorism has next to no impact on your life? Amazing.
WeAllLiveInAUserSubmarine
Terrorism hardly affects anybody. Counter-terrorism, however...
yaboibaal
I'm from England too and the only way religion has affected my life is I say things like, "Holy fuck" and "Jesus Christ".
CantStopTheRock
It might not haven't much impact on you, but it certainly does have an impact on many others. Treatment of lgbt, abortion etc.
WeAllLiveInAUserSubmarine
Abortion has been legal in the UK since 1967. LGBT is generally well treated (same sex marriage is legal) but of course not universally.
MissEmma85
Except on Sundays, when we can only shop between 11 - 4
WeAllLiveInAUserSubmarine
Is that a religious thing? I thought it was about regular hours and a work-life balance for retail employees
Thehumanracestinx
Nope. Based on the Christian day of rest being Sunday. As for American employers caring about their workers quality of life...
Thehumanracestinx
Mairoa
Non religious businesses here often have their actual slow day closed, which is normally Monday. Also you can't buy alcohol Sunday sinc
Mairoa
Gah, in some places.
mdzmdz
Modern English society has been shaped by historic Judo-Christian influences even if we don't believe in the sky fairy anymore.
WeAllLiveInAUserSubmarine
Well naturally. But it's background noise; it's rarely in your face.
partsground
This is how it was described to me, as an Arkansan, from someone across the pond...
FreyaNicci
I moved to Little Rock from Reno and sweet zombie Jesus this place. People are so rude and inconsiderate and vulgar.
partsground
Sweet Zombie Jesus indeed.
partsground
"They have more churches than we have pubs." *shrugs* I've never been to your side of the pond so I wouldn't know.
WeAllLiveInAUserSubmarine
Well the UK has a lot of churches, but religion doesn't feature in advertising, schools or government to any real extent.
PaliQ
Also the churches there tend to be massive gothic/victorian/medieval type castles. They're artwork in themselves, can appreciate w/o belief.
partsground
YOU AGAIN! 'ello
WeAllLiveInAUserSubmarine
Cheerio!
clsmn13
I live in the bible belt. It's impossible to get elected if you don't praise Jesus.
SomeCrazyNerd
Well considering all/almost all congress identifies as a religious and there's never been an atheist ot agnostic president.
daveydwb
No President has admitted it...
SomeCrazyNerd
Yes it's possible one was. Who knows?
Zlimeshili
That you know of.
BobbitWorm0924
Except for legislature being made based solely on religion that impacts everyone.
rabiddutchman
It's like Mad Max, but without the awesome cars
jrrudgate
I was raised Catholic in the deep south and it had and has zero impact on my life. It's all about how you let it impact you.
peachiepie
Yeah, I'd love not to let Texas laws based on religion affect me, but that's now how it works.
TheBrochacho
Except for laws that are passed based on religious values...
jrrudgate
Yeah. You are correct. Oversight on my part for the laws. Napoleonic Code.
quietwalker
Imagine a circus. You're a spectator, but they put you in the center ring. Everyone else is a clown, doing outrageous things, but they (1/6)
quietwalker
see you as the outsider. You're odd because you don't take a pie in the face every sunday, or won't mock people by honking your nose at(2/6)
quietwalker
them they talk, or complain that you don't want to be sprayed with seltzer. They close certain businesses or forbid the sale (3/6)
quietwalker
of certain items either outright, or on certain days, because it doesn't meet their standard of funny. Worse, they judge you on your (4/6)
quietwalker
clowness. If you're not clown enough, you won't get hired, elected, or even trusted. Same if you're the wrong sort of clown. The worst (5/6)
gir2195
Unless a person lives in certain parts of the "bible belt" and some rural parts, it is not much different. People just like to complain.
YourMumKnowsMe
What is this infamous "Bible Belt"?
PhuckKnuckles
I was going to refute this, but then I remembered I live in the bible belt.
thetof91
We instead have a whiskey belt in Denmark. Much better.
HexagonalSky
I agree, it depends on your social structure or bubble you create for your self.
FloodingWaters
yeah, having traveled this nation quite a bit, i'd point out that basically anywhere rural and everywhere in the southeast
gir2195
Military kid?
FloodingWaters
nah. job takes me to client offices and other sites.
FussyZeus
It's worth noting though that most of those areas don't have shelters, community centers, or a lot of other facilities most people are 1/2
FussyZeus
used to having in the cities. The church often plays all of those roles and sometimes a lot more. It's not -just- about $deity. 2/2
gir2195
Yeah, almost all of the shelters, soup kitchens, and supply facilities that I've volunteered at were run by religious organizations.
partsground
I don't know if "certain parts" is needed in the above statement. (I live there and its pretty peppered all over with em).
Jarstark
In the belt buckle of the bible belt, im not religious so people think im satan himself. No matter how good of a person i am.
IShouldBeStudyingRightNowInsteadOfBrowsingImgur
Oh man I would have fun living there.
1800DanksAlot
I too live in the belt buckle. I feel like most people are twats about something and hide behind a bigger thing to get away with being (1/2)
1800DanksAlot
Assholes. Not just religion, happens everywhere with everything. (2/2)
gir2195
Can you move toward the more urban areas? When I lived in FL/GA, I noticed it was a bit more "progressive".
RoyalVoidKnight
Same, but I've got no issues, honestly. Maybe you just act like a prick, and people respond in kind?
Jarstark
Far from prick status, all it takes is someone asking what church i goto, then they recieve prick status for being judgemental twats.
Jarstark
Most always middle aged women, and there are some open minded people around here. I feel there's an age gap, as with everything.
OldManTaylor
Meh, congress trying to push through bills based on the Bible kinda sucks a lot.
TheBrochacho
^this. Separation of church and state please.
Attaroo
We are building the wrong wall.
gir2195
Watch the bills as they come up in congress, it's not as prevalent as you think. Stay informed https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/
OldManTaylor
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr586 this one is very scary to me
gir2195
Yeah, screw that, and everything it stands for. Also, don't forget to call your representatives.
OldManTaylor
Wow that's really cool
Thehumanracestinx
Religion affects all us. It makes abortions harder to get and less safe, it restricts the time and place we can buy booze,it's woven into th
gir2195
This is due to career politicians and old legislation. If we want a change, we need to take back the legislative positions in our government
Attaroo
Absolutely. The problem is its hard to compete with 'go to the church and get brainwashed 1-2 times a week'.
Attaroo
Most of the radicalization in the US is self inflicted. People choose it, for whatever reason.
Thehumanracestinx
e school systems. Don't believe me? Try finding a VPK that isn't through a church. It has shaped so much of our laws and customs and not in
Thehumanracestinx
A good way. Then you have the actual religious nuts of all flavors,blowing shit up and killing people for their religion.
twocatsgluedbacktobacktodefyphysics
I drive by billboards that say "Don't make me come down there! -God" and "Science is sin. Call this # for the TRUTH"
mrhobbybob
We had posters that say please dont swear, I thought those were a bit much.
NathanChristensen
Well fuck.
joejohnjohnson747
Honestly, am athiest and this is no problem for me. This is freedom of advertisement. They paid money like everyone else to use that sign.
IrisChiyoko
In SD a few years ago a couple of free thinker groups got together and managed to buy a couple of billboards that said
IrisChiyoko
"Don't believe in God? Join the club!" Then provided a link to a website to find out where these groups meet. There are a lot of out cry in
IrisChiyoko
Response, and people saying their religion was being attacked.