(03-23-2010 08:39 PM)Rebel Wrote:  

(03-23-2010 07:29 PM)smn1256 Wrote:  If you think about it, fear is how governments and just about all religions keep the sheep in line.

This is the problem I have with you f'n atheists. You can't just say you disagree. You have to insult. Do I look like a f'n sheep to you?

Yes.

(03-24-2010 10:53 AM)RobertN Wrote:  

(03-23-2010 08:39 PM)Rebel Wrote:  

(03-23-2010 07:29 PM)smn1256 Wrote:  If you think about it, fear is how governments and just about all religions keep the sheep in line.

This is the problem I have with you f'n atheists. You can't just say you disagree. You have to insult. Do I look like a f'n sheep to you?

Yes.

It's responses like this that truly show how very witty and clever you are....I'm in awe Robert...truly. You are the epitome of the brilliant liberal mind.

(03-24-2010 10:51 AM)ummechengr Wrote:  

(03-23-2010 06:25 PM)Fo Shizzle Wrote:  Americans are scared. We cower and run to the government every time our security seems threatened.

We ran to the government because we feared what would happen to us in our old age...so we created social security.

We ran to the government because we feared for the well being of those we deemed less fortunate....so...we created the welfare system.

We ran to the government because we fear that our nation will be invaded taken over by some dangerous foreign interlopers...so..we allowed those in power assemble the massive industrial military complex we current have.

We ran to the government because we feared that our environment was becoming unhealthy...so...we created the EPA.

We feared that businesses and industries were unsafe places to work...so ..we created OSHA.

We fear that we cant afford to go to a physician and that we will die because we cant afford health insurance...so...this week we ran to the government and created National Health Care.

The above is just a short list of things we as Americans fear and have ran to the government for protection against. Each item adding to the bureaucracy that we are currently strapped with and the financial obligations that are associated with these bureaucracies.

We as Americans never stopped for a second and considered that the most powerful force ever generated from the liberty our forefathers gave us..THE FREE MARKET..might just be capable of handling these things without running to the government.

We have abandoned the power of the marketplace in favor of the power of government due to our FEARS. What we should have FEARED are those in power with the monopoly on the use of force,and the will and weapons to back it up. We have become slaves in a very comfortable plantation because of our fears.

How many more times will we run to the government because we are scared before we simply run out of ways to finance the solutions?

I say it is now too late. We have set the path to our demise and turning back now is all but an impossibility. Prepare for the worst.

"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security."
~Benjamin Franklin

This.

(03-24-2010 10:59 AM)ummechengr Wrote:  

(03-24-2010 10:53 AM)RobertN Wrote:  

(03-23-2010 08:39 PM)Rebel Wrote:  

(03-23-2010 07:29 PM)smn1256 Wrote:  If you think about it, fear is how governments and just about all religions keep the sheep in line.

This is the problem I have with you f'n atheists. You can't just say you disagree. You have to insult. Do I look like a f'n sheep to you?

Yes.

It's responses like this that truly show how very witty and clever you are....I'm in awe Robert...truly. You are the epitome of the brilliant liberal mind.

I just answered his question.

(03-24-2010 10:45 AM)Rebel Wrote:  

(03-24-2010 10:23 AM)smn1256 Wrote:  

(03-23-2010 11:01 PM)Rebel Wrote:  

(03-23-2010 09:57 PM)smn1256 Wrote:  

(03-23-2010 08:39 PM)Rebel Wrote:  

(03-23-2010 07:29 PM)smn1256 Wrote:  If you think about it, fear is how governments and just about all religions keep the sheep in line.

This is the problem I have with you f'n atheists. You can't just say you disagree. You have to insult. Do I look like a f'n sheep to you?

No insult intended. Most of my family is extremely religious as is my wife. I respect people who are religious, and, at times, envy them a little bit. I would imagine they have a better sense of comfort believing there's something waiting for them when they die. Trust me, I would not insult religion just because I'm not religious, but I might be a little critical if religion intrudes into my life....like what Muslims are trying to do these days.

You just called us all sheep. Yeah, no insult intended.

Whatever.

Don't priests call their parishioners their flock?

Wouldn't know. I don't have a parishioner.

Quote:The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want;
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters;
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for His name's sake.

If you think I'm insulting you, and I'm not, then this Psalm must make you nuts.

(03-24-2010 12:16 PM)smn1256 Wrote:  

Quote:The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want;
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters;
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for His name's sake.

If you think I'm insulting you, and I'm not, then this Psalm must make you nuts.

The Lord is my shepherd. What does that have to do with a preacher, pastor, parishioner, or other? There aren't too many of those f'ers I like to begin with.

(03-23-2010 07:57 PM)DrTorch Wrote:  As for religion, I'm not sure how Buddhism uses fear.

Buddhism doesn't exactly tend to keep people in line, either. But, there is certainly more to the influence of religion than just fear - discipline, asceticism and "bliss" certainly play large roles as well. And, then there's this ...




Random comments - Reb, for my part, I'm pretty careful about not insulting individuals (at least not without provocation) and showing them respect. With regard to Religions, Gods, etc. I use no such restraint as they are abstract or able to defend themselves, and I have no obligation to show them respect. Until September 11, 2001, I have traditionally held a lot of respect for people that act in accordance with and follow their beliefs.

Regarding Zimbardo, I have a lot of reservations about his research and the sweeping conclusions that he has drawn from them. I would never hitch my credibility to his.

(03-23-2010 07:29 PM)smn1256 Wrote:  If you think about it, fear is how governments and just about all religions keep the sheep in line.

Christianity, when done right, does not use "fear" to keep anyone in line. Based on the Scriptures I read, living in "fear" is not pleasing to God (Hebrews 11:1, and so forth).

Now, as for those other 'religions', I can't/won't speak to that. Carry on.