What are your thoughts on these quotes on religion & power?

[pgilc1]

"A tyrant must put on the appearance of uncommon devotion to religion. Subjects are less apprehensive of illegal treatment from a ruler whom they consider god-fearing and pious. On the other hand, they do less easily move against him, believing that he has the gods on his side." -- Aristotle.

"Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful." -- Lucius Annaeus Seneca.

"Religion is excellent stuff for keeping common people quiet." -- Napoleon Bonaparte.

Surely, really, when you think about it, religion is nothing more than a means of controlling the masses?

[Flintstone]

No argument here.

Next question.

[deckster]

Oh goody, is it that time already?

[mybrainhurts]

pgilc1 said:

Surely, really, when you think about it, religion is nothing more than a means of controlling the masses?

You're catching on quickly....

[pgilc1]

mybrainhurts said:

pgilc1 said:

Surely, really, when you think about it, religion is nothing more than a means of controlling the masses?

You're catching on quickly....

Oh i go much further than that. But was just curious as to how many other people think like that, given we live in a 'christian' society?

Is it a bit like the emperors new clothes whereby noone stands up and says 'are you all NUTS?'

[mybrainhurts]

[sstein]

Flintstone said:

No argument here.

Next question.

+ 1

[Zad]

Hence "Religion is the opiate of the masses".

[Rob_F]

sstein said:

Flintstone said:

No argument here.

Next question.

+ 1

+2

[Strangely Brown]

pgilc1 said:

Surely, really, when you think about it, religion is nothing more than a means of controlling the masses?

Noe Schitt Sherlock.

It's right up there with lottery tickets and football as a sedative/distraction for the hoi poloi.

[pgilc1]

Strangely Brown said:

pgilc1 said:

Surely, really, when you think about it, religion is nothing more than a means of controlling the masses?

Noe Schitt Sherlock.

It's right up there with lottery tickets and football as a sedative/distraction for the hoi poloi.

So, you dont believe in god, christianity, buddah, or whatever? Full stop? 100%?

[sstein]

pgilc1 said:

Strangely Brown said:

pgilc1 said:

Surely, really, when you think about it, religion is nothing more than a means of controlling the masses?

Noe Schitt Sherlock.

It's right up there with lottery tickets and football as a sedative/distraction for the hoi poloi.

So, you dont believe in god, christianity, buddah, or whatever? Full stop? 100%?

Yes, absolutely. 100% God does not exist. End of.

The same goes for the Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, Santa Claus etc..
-

Stuart

[Hedders]

pgilc1 said:

Strangely Brown said:

pgilc1 said:

Surely, really, when you think about it, religion is nothing more than a means of controlling the masses?

Noe Schitt Sherlock.

It's right up there with lottery tickets and football as a sedative/distraction for the hoi poloi.

So, you dont believe in god, christianity, buddah, or whatever? Full stop? 100%?

You say that like it's a bad thing.

[pgilc1]

Hedders said:

pgilc1 said:

Strangely Brown said:

pgilc1 said:

Surely, really, when you think about it, religion is nothing more than a means of controlling the masses?

Noe Schitt Sherlock.

It's right up there with lottery tickets and football as a sedative/distraction for the hoi poloi.

So, you dont believe in god, christianity, buddah, or whatever? Full stop? 100%?

You say that like it's a bad thing.

No, its been a revelation. I just find that general society seems to thrive on religion. It bemuses me.

[pgilc1]

sstein said:

pgilc1 said:

Strangely Brown said:

pgilc1 said:

Surely, really, when you think about it, religion is nothing more than a means of controlling the masses?

Noe Schitt Sherlock.

It's right up there with lottery tickets and football as a sedative/distraction for the hoi poloi.

So, you dont believe in god, christianity, buddah, or whatever? Full stop? 100%?

Yes, absolutely. 100% God does not exist. End of.

The same goes for the Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, Santa Claus etc..
-

Stuart

The Easter Bunny doesnt exist???

[cromptonenator]

Great, another post with a few hairy old quotes lifted from The God Delusion.

I can't stand these threads, I mean, what answer are you looking for?
You'll get the atheist affirming their belief in the non-existence of God, and a couple of Christians with some response or other.

[Strangely Brown]

pgilc1 said:

Strangely Brown said:

pgilc1 said:

Surely, really, when you think about it, religion is nothing more than a means of controlling the masses?

Noe Schitt Sherlock.

It's right up there with lottery tickets and football as a sedative/distraction for the hoi poloi.

So, you dont believe in god, christianity, buddah, or whatever? Full stop? 100%?

I certainly don't cling to the invisible friend theory as an explanation for the universe. No, I'm comfortable with the idea that there are some things that we don't "know". You can't prove a negative... but since the evidence is 99% against it I'm happy to go with that until something better comes to light.

ETA: I have no problem with personal religion. People are free to believe whatever they like. The problem is with organised religion. That is just a mechanism for the control of others and is dangerous. Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

Edited by Strangely Brown on Friday 25th July 23:31

[pgilc1]

cromptonenator said:

Great, another post with a few hairy old quotes lifted from The God Delusion.

I can't stand these threads, I mean, what answer are you looking for?
You'll get the atheist affirming their belief in the non-existence of God, and a couple of Christians with some response or other.

Interesting that out of 660 posts you've not actually started a thread? Easier to criticise others?

So what if its been covered before. Hasnt most things?

And if you cant stand these type of threads, who's holding an arm up your back to post a comment?

[fluffnik]

pgilc1 said:

Strangely Brown said:

pgilc1 said:

Surely, really, when you think about it, religion is nothing more than a means of controlling the masses?

Noe Schitt Sherlock.

It's right up there with lottery tickets and football as a sedative/distraction for the hoi poloi.

So, you dont believe in god, christianity, buddah, or whatever? Full stop? 100%?

Me neither.

I'm an equal opportunity atheist.

[sstein]

If Jesus had been killed twenty years ago, Catholic school children would be wearing little electric chairs around their necks instead of crosses.
-Lenny Bruce

Religion is the idol of the mob; it adores everything it does not understand.
-Frederick II

When lip service to some mysterious deity permits bestiality on Wednesday and absolution on Sunday, cash me out.
-Frank Sinatra

When the missionaries came to Africa they had the Bible and we had the land. They said "Let us pray." We closed our eyes. When we opened them we had the Bible and they had the land.
-Desmond Tutu

God made everything out of nothing, but the nothingness shows through.
-Paul Valery

Born again?! No, I'm not. Excuse me for getting it right the first time.
-Dennis Miller

If a man would follow, today, the teachings of the Old Testament, he would be a criminal. If he would follow strictly the teachings of the New, he would be insane.
-Robert Green Ingersoll