Why are the religious so afraid of death?

[naomi24]

Without the concept that by worshiping an invisible man in the sky, people can somehow avoid the inevitable, religion would be surplus to requirements.

We're all going to die eventually, we won't know anything about it, so what's the problem?

[naomi24]

Well, the question was to Tony, Ankou, but if you let me know which religion he belongs to I'll try to answer your question.

[sandyRoe]

If I could just help convert one atheist I'd feel my life hadn't been entirely wasted.

[naomi24]

Why not start a thread and try it, Sandy? We could do with a bit of fun around here. :o)

[sandyRoe]

Do you think some who came to mock might stay to listen?

[Ankou]

naomi, you just mentioned faith, doesn't have to be religio-specific. tony believes in god. what harm has he done ?

[Nadis]

Has anyone had a near death experience and gone beyond the life flashing before the eyes bit?

[naomi24]

Sandy, I don't think most come especially to mock. They come with rational argument. I suppose you could try putting a rational argument for religion to them. ;o)

Ankou, make your mind up. Are you asking what faith has done, or what Tony has done? The first you need no answer to because you've seen the answers to that here before - the second, as I've already said, I can't answer because I have no idea what religion Tony belongs to.

[sandyRoe]

Sadly, that would be far beyond my poor capabilities. Others, such as Eldermann, are far more able than me to spread the joyous word.

[naomi24]

Ah, yes indeed. ;o)

[Ankou]

naomi, you said:

"As for what harm does faith do, where do you want me to start?"

tony has a faith in god. i asked, whats he done wrong, it aint my mind thats confuddled.

[LazyGun]

Well, I can only speak with authority about one atheist -myself - but I can tell you now Sandy that if you are relying on Elderman to make converts from atheists then you will have a very long and very fruitless wait.

Elderman is a poster child for atheists, because most of what he posts is either smug moralising, deadly dull sermonising, or risible argument with no foundation :)

I think that Elderman is likely to convert more believers to atheists than the other way round........ :)

[Ankou]

well he certainly has a large atheist following lazygun!

[tonywiltshire]

Naomi, I think I am harmless.
Where do you start with the harm religion has done?
It was not the cause of the last two world wars; it has been an excuse only in some other wars.

[jomifl]

Sandy, I have never thought of you as an arrogant or smug person but..'as I know a place in Heaven awaits me' has made me think perhaps your self mocking urbanity has gone for a stroll. Did you get a little 'nod' from on high? were you given a 'sign'? or have you just accumulated the required number of sunday attendance stamps?

[LazyGun]

I suppose we could all just ignore the holy trinity of elderman, truthabounds and goodlife ankou, but I have a policy of never letting those who express unscientific views as fact, or adopt a moralising tone about the way we should lead our life to state those views unchallenged.

Probably petty, but it just seems that ignoring them or allowing their posts to go unchallenged gives them the win ;)

[DTCwordfan]

a digression and excuse me, naiomi, but what happened to the New Commandments thread - that looked like it was going to be fun. I can't see it but then that may be me being stoooopid.

[DTCwordfan]

Type Your Answer Here...sorry naomi....I hate folk getting my (real) name wrong.

[naomi24]

Ankou, //tony has a faith in god. i asked, whats he done wrong, //

And I said I can't answer that because I don't know what religion he belongs to.

//it aint my mind thats confuddled.//

Oh really? Perhaps you're just being awkward then.

[craft1948]

With all the erudite, persuasive atheists on here I'm just amazed I manage to retain my faith :-)

[Ankou]

lazygun, nah just more fuel for the fire.

i heed not that my earthy lot
hath little of earth in it
that years of love have been forgot
in the hatred of a minute:
i mourn not that the desolate
are happier, sweet, than i,
but that you sorrow for my fate
who am a passer by.