Name three good things about religion.

[Seth]

...I observe that religion very frequently, if not the vast majority of the time, offers solace, comfort and happiness to it's adherents.

Guess who agrees with you on that point? Here's a hint: "Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people."

And what's wrong with opium, pray tell? If that's what people need to make it through the day without hurting others, what business is it of yours?

No offense to my friends who like to drink and do drugs, but I wholeheartedly agree with this. Why is it OK to be in a drunken stupor, but not in a religious one?

It depends doesn't it. Should we tolerate those who become self righteous violent drunks who demand that only someone who is a dipsomaniac is allowed to run the country, that we force-feed children alcohol, that consider tee-totallers worthy of contempt?

What people do to themselves is their business, when they demand it of others then the problems arise.

That's democracy for you.

[Audley Strange]

That's democracy for you.

I'm not a fan. No, I have no better alternatives, but that doesn't mean I don't recognise that I'm still being asked to swallow others shit, metaphorically speaking.

[Seth]

Stalin installed himself as God of Russia, so his was a very religious reign.

The last hundred years are far different than the 34,000 that preceded. I concede that religion had utility up until now, but I think we are entering a transition period where the balance is swinging away from religion being cohesive and useful, toward religion being divisive and crippling.

If anything, the last hundred years has conclusively proven that religion is both necessary and desirable in a society, and that atheism is a clear and present danger to societal stability and continued existence.

[amused]

Opinions and armpits...

[Seth]

That's democracy for you.

I'm not a fan. No, I have no better alternatives, but that doesn't mean I don't recognise that I'm still being asked to swallow others shit, metaphorically speaking.

Me neither, and I do. The constitutional republic of the United States.

[Hermit]

The problem with your claim is that it's false

The problem here is that you appear to be totally ignorant of what I do and do not claim.

[Seth]

The problem with your claim is that it's false

The problem here is that you appear to be totally ignorant of what I do and do not claim.

Pot, kettle, black.

[Hermit]

The problem with your claim is that it's false

The problem here is that you appear to be totally ignorant of what I do and do not claim.

Pot, kettle, black.

[Citation needed]

I'm not holding my breath for one, though.

[John_fi_Skye]

The problem with your claim is that it's false

The problem here is that you appear to be totally ignorant of what I do and do not claim.

Pot, kettle, black.

[Citation needed]

I'm not holding my breath for one, though.

Hi Seraph. I've recently posted about this same arsehole's wilful misreading of people's posts. It's infuckingfuriating.

[amused]

Seth is here to troll.

Which I support, in general.

Just be aware that Seth is here to troll.

He says as much in his signature.

Why is anyone surprised/upset?

[John_fi_Skye]

Seth is here to troll.

Which I support, in general.

Just be aware that Seth is here to troll.

He says as much in his signature.

Why is anyone surprised/upset?

I don't know about others, but I wouldn't like anyone to think I'm either surprised or upset about that wanker. I just find him fucking dull and pathetic.

[Gallstones]

Back to the topic.

One good thing about religion--I've only got the one right now--Sunday mornings in this weather, the church goers have already shoveled their sidewalks for my walk to work.

[Ronja]

I only read the OP (nice and succinct, Rum ) and here's my answer:

No. Can. Do.

Now I'll go back and see how many others answered the same. I expect not to be surprised by my mediocrity in this regard.

[Gallstones]

K of C pancake breakfasts.

[mistermack]

I have a very elderly aunt who has fairly advanced alzheimer's.
She has been very moody and aggressive, clearly not happy.
The doctors have changed her drugs, she's now clearly happier, more pleased to see us, but is obviously less in touch with the world. On balance, I think she's better off.

That's like religion for some people. They are better off on the drug of religion, even though they are less in touch with reality. It keeps them happier, and on balance, probably better off.

Like all drugs, it's best not to over-do it, and better if you can live happily without it, but it would still be wrong to deny it to those who are sadly in need of it.