Societal Dysfunction, Religion, Secularization.. are they related?

badshotbob · 10-05-2005, 07:56 PM

Some of you may know my opinion that this country is decaying morally which will lead to the inevitable implosion as a result of turning away from God.

With that said, here's a guy that has the polar opposite opinion. Mr. Gregory Paul has done himself a little study that will have us believewe as a nation are in rough shape societally speaking because we are not secular enough.

Here's the link, check it out.A little lengthy, but terribly interesting.

http://moses.creighton.edu/JRS/2005/2005-11.html

What do you think?

kevin1 · 10-06-2005, 03:59 AM

I don't agree with all of his findings , but generally I think he may be on to something . It's possible to have a moral compass without having a theological base , it's called common sense .

burniegoeasily · 10-06-2005, 08:47 AM

My view is, some people need religion to keep them from doing wrong, give them a social set of values. Some do not, I know secularists who have a very good sence of right and wrong. Then there are others who could careless either way, they are going to do bad. So to lump it all in one group would not do the subject justice. It is also obvious what happens when one uses religion to justify hanis acts, like the KKK, Muslim extreamists, Jim Jones, etc. etc.

cardeer · 10-06-2005, 11:28 AM

A secular huminist has no rights and wrongs.That is the definition.They believe if it feels good do it. Even if is murder or rape or child molesting.How can that be Good ???

kevin1 · 10-06-2005, 01:51 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: cardeer

A secular huminist has no rights and wrongs.That is the definition.They believe if it feels good do it. Even if is murder or rape or child molesting.How can that be Good ???

Speaking for the secular humanists , I disagree with your assesment of us . I don't rob , rape , kill , or otherwise do things that more religious folks would consider wrong . Don't broadbrush us , Cardeer . We have many of the same concepts of right and wrong that you do , we just don't meet every Sunday for preaching and bingo .

Denny · 10-06-2005, 05:57 PM

Kevin,

I don't think you are a secular humanists .

Bob, one variable data can be crapola.

kevin1 · 10-06-2005, 07:02 PM

You're correct , Denny , but just say "atheist"
and you always start a ****storm . Cardeer did in fact use a rather broad brush with his post .

zekeskar · 10-07-2005, 12:20 AM

I'm an athiest and I have never been arrested, contribute many hours to community and youth activities, have a stable family life (married 25 years, two good kids), love to hunt and fish and vote for both republicans and democrats. I think Pat Robertson and Jessie Jackson are fools.

Whadya think about me?

cardeer · 10-07-2005, 01:49 AM

WELL I believe in Absolutes

CalHunter · 10-07-2005, 03:54 AM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: zekeskar

I'm an athiest and I have never been arrested, contribute many hours to community and youth activities, have a stable family life (married 25 years, two good kids), love to hunt and fish and vote for both republicans and democrats. I think Pat Robertson and Jessie Jackson are fools.

Whadya think about me?

Although claiming that you've never been arrested is quite similar to saying you've never been caught, I think your intended point is still a good one. Just because a person is not religious does not mean they are an unlawful, irresponsible or uncaring person.