Why Not Outlaw Religion

[ukanonymous]

So we have cults of Satan worshipers multiplying in numbers and we allow them to practice their beliefs and welcome them to our lands to find they hate us. Some hate so much they would give up their life just to take a few of us out. No true god would demand loyalty only a devil would. So why not outlaw it like China does kind of. They limit the practice of it and it really is great. Religion is merely a group opinion and it is a mental dissident to truly believe it. Why can't it be outlawed?

[Khandro]

naomi;// I have no objection to religion as long as it remains with the individual.//

An important aspect of ALL religions is what might be called 'the spiritual community'. If necessary an individual may practice his religion in isolation, but the coming together and sharing is a fundamental component.

[atalanta]

Better to outlaw the brainwashing of children. Nobody under 18 to be indoctrinated with religion, so when they reach an age when they can think for themselves, they can decide if they want to accept imaginary friends and
pie - in - the - sky. Instead of religion, schools can teach logic, reasoning, clear thinking, philosophy, etc., to prepare them for this great decision. In my opinion, young people won't even feel the need to come to a decision. Religion will soon be seen as both mediaeval and pointless.

[woofgang]

atalanta. as has been said further up this thread, religion is outlawed in schools in the US also in France.
interesting article here
http://www.economist.com/blogs/erasmus/2013/09/religion-and-education-england-and-france

[baza]

^ This will be the same schools that teach the children to tell their parents to vote Labour, another pie in the sky group.

[jourdain2]

I didn't realise I was mentally ill. So that is why I have these fights with my atheistic daughter who seems to want to convert me to something - or nothing? I'll make an appointment with the Dr. right away.

[jomifl]

Khandro, I think that is also called 'mass hysteria' ...:-)

[naomi24]

Khandro, what he said^

//religion is outlawed in schools in the US also in France. //

When churches, synagogues, and mosques abound, outlawing the odd RE lesson in mainstream schools doesn't cure the problem but getting rid of faith schools would be a step in the right direction.

[joggerjayne]

I wouldn't agree with outlawing religion.

But I would be in favour of stopping treating people in a special way, just because they follow a religion.

There is no legislation preventing discrimination on the grounds os, say, height, or hair colour.

So I could advertise for a new cleaner, and say "no short people, or redheads".

But, even if I were a devout Orthodox Jew, who would find it extremely awkward to work with a Christian or a Muslim, I couldn't say that in the advert.

And people in the religious hierarchy, bishops and cardinals and the like, are treated like dignitaries, when they should really be treated like deluded, slightly mad people.

[DTCwordfan]

You've got my "Out" vote on this, not the EEC though.......

[benhilton]

Some interesting points made here , but would outlawing religion mean outlawing belief in God ?
Atalanta , if a secondary school pupil , say 12 or 13 , beginning to think for himself and seeing the natural world around him ( maybe he did the gardening and watched the plants and insects ) - if he , thinking rationally and logically , said to one of his teachers that the universe and the life in it could not have created itself , it must have been created by a God , would he fail your logic , clear thinking and rationality test ?
Naomi the entire house of lords is unelected and I'm not sure whether bishops actually ever use their vote ?
Beso , how many sermons have you actually heard ? Here's a brief summary of a recent one at my local church (RC) - the gospel reading was the one where Jesus famously answers the political zealots of his day by saying " Give unto Ceasar what is Ceasar's and give unto God what is God's " - The sermon that we got on that was that if we want to be good Christians we must not only pay homage to God , we must be good citizens as well , it's not sufficient to do only one , we should do both .
Lastly , those of you mentioning mental illness , is putting the organisation which gives such wonderful sermons as the one above , is putting them into the same category as , say , ISIS , a sign of mental illness ?
Well I hope I've given you a few things to ponder there .

[DaisyNonna]

If a child is born into a strict religious family there is no way that child will not be influenced by it. As the child grows and matures into a thinking being there may come a time when he or she either accepts or rejects the religious thinking. It is up to the individual. Banning religion in schools will make no difference.

[naomi24]

benhilton, // Naomi the entire house of lords is unelected//

True - but the rest of them aren't working to an agenda founded upon an ancient and unsubstantiated book. Most of them live in the real world, albeit the real world of privilege.

The supporters of ISIS aren’t mentally ill - they are indoctrinated and following their religion to the letter.

[wildwood]

/The supporters of ISIS aren’t mentally ill - they are indoctrinated and following their religion to the letter./- like lambs to the slaughter.

We should rekindled the sungod and raingod. At least they answer by lighting up most of this planet every morning, and rain dances are always answered, even if that does sometimes take a few weeks.

[ukanonymous]

atlanta that was a perfect answer! It should be like sex or smoking. Only permitted when you reach a certain age. Therefore you have at least a choice. I had to go to church every day and tried my absolute hardest to believe. But never could somehow. Thats a great idea.

[ukanonymous]

//Atalanta , if a secondary school pupil , say 12 or 13 , beginning to think for himself and seeing the natural world around him ( maybe he did the gardening and watched the plants and insects ) - if he , thinking rationally and logically , said to one of his teachers that the universe and the life in it could not have created itself , it must have been created by a God , would he fail your logic , clear thinking and rationality test ?//

At that age you know nothing. Therefore can believe almost anything. Which is why there are age limits to sex etc. It is because people under a specific age can be easily influenced. Same with religion.

[Khandro]

ukan. As a child were you also 'influenced' to not steal and not to tell lies? or would you have preferred to wait and find out whether these were good or bad ideas?

[ukanonymous]

To be taught not to steel or tell lies as this is no good for humanity and I could have faced criminal problems.
Don't get me wrong khandro I do not agree with half the tripe that is in the national corriculem but religion is merely an opinion. Remember there is no proof of any religion. If there is then I stand corrected.
But Getting taught to believe in someone else's opinion is not what I call freedom.