Religion is a disease of the mind and you can't argue with a disease. If you point out the many flaws/evil statements in the bible, they'll claim you're interpreting it wrong......if you point out the absurdity of "free will", and our ability to influence outcomes, in the context of "god's plan", you'll get a lot of cognitive dissonance....if you point out the science of evolution/physics, they'll merely claim those are god's tests (test for what?....god already knows what's going to happen).

Epicurus said it best, "Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?".

But, the fact that someone can claim that we have "free will", yet also claim to be "god fearing" really underscores the level of cognitive dissonance involved in religious ideology: We're free to choose what we want, but if that choice doesn't involve worshiping our master (without a shred of tangible evidence), we'll be tortured in the most horrible way for eternity....seems legit.

P.S. - It's always cute when some religious person gives me the following argument: "But, what will you do when you're in front of god on judgement day....how could you deny his power"? To which I reply, "I wouldn't...I would willingly, and easily, both accept him/her and apologize for not following whatever edict it was that he wanted me to adhere to." To them, that means I'm a hypocrite and that my atheist "beliefs" are malleable. But, that's because they don't grasp that atheism isn't a belief system; it's an absence of a belief system based on the merits. If god shows up on my doorstep today, I'll be a believer.....it's really not that complicated.

The word religion actually means - to rejoin.

Some fine day we'll come to recognize what the work and teachings of Jesus Christ REALLY mean and signify, so I'm glad that it's been preserved and passed down through time and in that sense the church is good, but in so many other ways, well, we all know the history and the conflicts and the extreme ignorance and intollerance that religion seems to generate, but in matters of the heart and soul it still speaks and has something of great import to say about man's standing and destiny within God's creation.

Originally posted by Vrill
Epicurus said it best, "Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?".

That argument is pathetic and disgraceful.

Ya thousands of years of biblical scholars studying religions in every part of the world....

And you are the one smart enough to debunk it and call it a disease.
LOL

This idea makes me question your ability to use sound judgment when analyzing evidence.

In other words, you sound like a moron. Do some research before forming such a strong opinion.

I personally find those who bash others beliefs quite repulsive.
Belief is a choice, and who's to say your reality is any more real than another's based on what they believe to be true. Believe what you want just don't impose it upon others. The ideas and concepts are already out there, you just have to be ready to receive them.

Also if ones motivation to believe in religion helps them become a better person and enjoy a more fulfilled life, why do you care? Mind your own business!

If religion is a disease then Jesus is the cure.

thousands of years of biblical scholars studying religions in every part of the world.... And you are the one smart enough to debunk it and call it a disease

For thousands of years aphids have been letting ants enslave them- does that mean that if you don't believe in slavery you're stupid??

Religion is a tool of enslavement and those who have let themselves be enslaved by it for millennia are foolish.

I have a mental illmess. I have faith. Anything else you can to bash me for?
Whatever pleasure you get from asserting your superior wisdom gives me zero respect for you as a person.
Internet bullying degrades this website.