"What's so bad about religion?" (Richard Dawkins)

[Sonic3EXE]

It will take me atleast three more long comments to explain the bullshit behind religion and why it's not good at all.

[rioyuske]

@Sonic3EXE Based upon what? Your own personal beliefs?

[Sonic3EXE]

If your obedient, unquestioning and have an unshakable fear of your God to the point where you can barely live your life as a human or have little to large annoying limitations on the things that you can do, then there's something wrong.....that and the fact that your mind is also being controlled and deceived.

[Sonic3EXE]

Religion controls people Through guilt trip and fear. The guilt trip aspect is when the religion's god says that they created you and other things for and they love and etcetera. The fear aspect is when the religions God says they will damn you for eternity or create a certain natural disaster if you do not obey or sacrifice something. Another important factor is the religions reward system. The rewards are "blessings" and heaven.

[Sonic3EXE]

Religion is for people who are ignorant and satisfied with the world around them. My most hated religion of is Christianity because half the shit in the bible sounds like folk tales and dramatic unrealistic events

[roadkill1001]

From what I have seen of the opposing guy is quite positive, despite he's beliefs at least he isn't a damn moron like william lane craig

[ShawnRavenfire]

1. There are a number of religions which encourage questioning, such as Judaism or Buddhism.

2. Belief in things other than religion can drive people to violence. People will die and kill for nationalism, race, revenge, loyalty, etc..

3. True, it is beter to expose children to multiple religious perspectives, but keep in  mind that there is no shortage of children who, upon becoming teenagers or adults, convert to a belief other than the one taught to them.

[5anthonys]

@ShawnRavenfire Religion is the main source of evil on this planet. It teaches us to be satisfied with not understanding the world in which we live. The suicide bombing community is almost entirely religious. For this reason alone we should reject it.

[ShawnRavenfire]

@5anthonys I think that religious fundamentalism is the EFFECT of ignorance, not the cause. People choose non-questioning religions because they are already satisfied with not understanding the world. And while it's true that suicide bombers are typically religious, their motivation is based in nationalism and revenge. The religion is just the rationalization, which could easily by replaced with any non-religious ideology with the same results. Basically, I'm saying that PEOPLE are the cause.

[waynezor]

@ShawnRavenfire If religion could be replaced by any ideology, why is 100% of the suicide bombing community religious? If other motives worked just as well, shouldnt they be equally spread with religion only getting a piece of the cake of suicide bombing reasons?

If you strongly believe an all powerful father-figure/dictator wants you to kill other people in order to go to heaven (e.g. because of indoctrination), then that won't influence you in ANY way?I call bs. Religion = Evil

[EternalFuu]

@waynezor By that same kind of fallacious reasoning someone could say that science is evil because one can use scientific knowledge to create weapons of mass destruction. After all, 100% of all bombs and terrorist weapons were created using science, right?

[mercyless202]

@EternalFuu Scientific knowledge doesn't tell people they have to appease a god to go to heaven or avoid hellfire, and making a weapon is much different then using one.

[EternalFuu]

@waynezor Religions are just inert collections of propositions. Religions are only as good or evil as evil as the individuals who choose to practice/interpret them. People don't do good or bad things because of their religions; they do them because of the kind of individuals they are. Lets say that you've actually been raised to believe in some all-powerful dictator who wants you to go kill people does that necessarily mean that you'll trust such a being, let alone comply with it?

[mercyless202]

@EternalFuu True, but many people aren't exposed to anything else (or very little). Interpretation requires different perspectives that are shunned in religious communities. You cant get those perspectives when your taught the same lessons over and over. THE INFIDELS MUST DIE!

[EternalFuu]

@mercyless202 I grew up in a fundamentalist family (pentacostal to be exact). All the people I knew were theists and I was sent to private school for most of my childhood. I still ended up as an atheist by the age of 13 and I did so by using my own critical thinking skills.

IMO, the real problem isn't so much religion, per se, but that people too easily allow their thinking to be dictated by the beliefs and expectations of others.

[EternalFuu]

@mercyless202 I agree with you that a lot of religious doctrines are not only factually inaccurate but also morally questionable. However, like I said before its not the doctrines themselves that are dangerous but what people choose to do with them. Cultures and communities accurately reflect the average quality of the individuals that make them up; even a relatively benign religion like Buddhism can be twisted into something ugly in a community of hateful people.

[M3PanoS]

I'm that one dislike. :)

I feel so privileged.

[fandanstan]

Dawkins is naive. Religion does not inhibit questioning of the universe since there were innumerable religious philosophers and scientists. Secondly, religion is not the only thing that can be used as a weapon by unscrupulous people; immoral ppl can use butter knives as weapons as well. That doesn't prove anything.

Dawkins is a joke. He is your run-of-the-mill atheist with the most stereotypical views of religion.

[dawtchins]

@fandanstan Yes but the religious are told , and are told to worship a man who gutted their kid for god . Dawkins is right when talking about religion making nice people to bad things. as has been said if there was no religion, good people would do good things and bad would to bad, But if you want a good person to do bad things bring in religion. And as for questioning the universe , the bible only talks about the earth and sun being created ,

[fandanstan]

@dawtchins Religion doesn't make good people do bad things. What are you talking about?

If someone is bad, they'll do bad things regardless of whether they're religious or not. And if someone is good, they'll do good things regardless of whether they're religious or not.

Saying "religion CAUSES people to do bad" is unproven, unlikely, and just plain ignorant and stupid. There are so many more peace-loving religious ppl than there are bad ones, so that sort of shoots that theory down.

[sybite]

@fandanstan "Saying "religion CAUSES people to do bad" is unproven, unlikely, and just plain ignorant and stupid."

Wow. Not only is it proven it's obvious. You must be dumber than a bucket of wet hair to not see how religion promotes intolerance. Religion promotes racism, sexism, homophobia and war. Can you name a current war that doesn't involve a religion? Try it. It's been proven that our prisons are filled with the religious but our places of higher learning are filled with atheists.

[dawtchins]

@sybite I agree with most of your points but prisons are usually run by christians and have a priest there who tries to convert them, plus i dont think petty crimes or crimes of passion are religious.

[sybite]

@dawtchins Blah. That's not the point. It doesn't even make sense. The fact remains that our prisons are filled with xians and our places of higher learning are filled with atheists.

[dawtchins]

@fandanstan well based on the uproar youve created you must see youve stepped into the realm of idiocy, you dont have to watch the news long til you hear about religion creating huge divides and deaths . All im saying is that all religions are false and that we dont need iron age mythology any more, we have made fascinating leaps which should be celebrated but are not due to religion . The prophets and people who wrote these scriptures would have definitley had celebreated science .

[sybite]

@fandanstan "Dawkins is naive"

The irony is palpable. Dawkins was a doctor of science with numerous honorary doctorates from the worlds leading universities and you're a moronic half-wit. You couldn't win a debate with Dawkins if he was asleep.

[sybite]

@244872120144168192 " christians come in to the jails to rebuke demons"

Christians go to prison when they break the law and get caught. You can pretend they're there to "rebuke demons" though. Have fun with that.

[sybite]

@244872120144168192 " this world well always well be of religion."

And babbling, spamming, half-wits that can't spell, punctuate or make sense.

[LOGICandREAS0N]

Who wouldn't get angry when you explain something 100 times and they still don't understand.

Christians are the best trolls, no matter how much evidence you give them, they still won't think it's enough. Yet, you ask them to provide a logical explanation for something and they say "god works in mysterious ways"..

[saxmanchiro]

Laughter is the best medicine for what ails ya.

[db314159]

It's so sad that this doesn't have more views.

[standingonair777]

Richard has always been a babe

[cablepanos]

Religion is ego masquerading as humility.

~Bill Maher

[technogandhi]

I love you Richard Dawkins.

[neighbor1961]

Most of us are born in societies that bring us up to believe so many things! All religions and cultures decide so many things for us. Few people ever question their religions, cultures or societal ways. The UK keeps driving on their left, The US keeps holding World Baseball Matches ( with only one country) Mexicans insist on eating spicy food. We could all change so many things that are absurd!

[MrBoomSonic]

Everyone forgot the Evil of science.

[sybite]

@MrBoomSonic If you think science is evil then stop playing video games, turn off your computer and go live in a cave.

[MrBoomSonic]

@sybite steve job is not a scientist.... :o

[sybite]

@MrBoomSonic Steve Jobs didn't invent computers. Not to mention that's moot.

[MrBoomSonic]

@sybite If Steve job didn't build the mac computer, who did? go google it...

[sybite]

@MrBoomSonic The first computers were not macs. Nevermind. I can see you're either a child or mentally challenged.

[MrBoomSonic]

@sybite even people who are mentally challenged are smarter than an atheist... =D lol Now that is a fact.

[sybite]

@MrBoomSonic "even people who are mentally challenged are smarter than an atheist."

Really? How about the guy you keep talking about? Steve Jobs. Do you think he believed in your imaginary friend? And the Woz is an outspoken Atheist. Indeed all research proves that the more educated a population the more Atheists. Our prisons are filled with christians. Our places of higher learning are filled with Atheists. Your babble is pure nonsense. You're a half-wit.

[MrBoomSonic]

@sybite Sorry Sir, I rather speak to a mentally challenged people than an atheist... Thank you =D lol

[peterb1968]

@MrBoomSonic In other words you would rather talk to a theist.



[Rael0505]

@MrBoomSonic How Christian of you!

[ApatheticOmniscience]

@MrBoomSonic Ahh yes those dastardly mad scientists... Trying to make make us join their satanic cult of reality...

[MrBoomSonic]

@ApatheticOmniscience testing human with poison drugs such as mercury in vaccine and labeling human being as monkey is satanic's reality... =)

[ApatheticOmniscience]

@MrBoomSonic Ehh, not interesting... I think the parts when all the scientists joined together to fight bloody crusades in the middle east, prevent new knowledge from arising in Europe, kill off infidels during the Spanish inquisition, and burn women for witchcraft are much better than that conspiracy. OH WAIT!!

[MrBoomSonic]

@ApatheticOmniscience killing people slowly with drugs and more drugs that are included in medicine with potential side effect is better than witchcraft combined altogether...

[ApatheticOmniscience]

@MrBoomSonic Know what's even worse? Ignorance.

When science invents a time machine, I'm sure you'll be the first to make a residence in the dark ages.

[MrBoomSonic]

@ApatheticOmniscience I can guarantee you that in the life time that you live in, a time machine will not be created. Hence, you need not worry about scientific fantasy of making a residence in the dark ages..

[rareblackatheist]

@MrBoomSonic

You fucking idiot. A nail clipper can be used for evil. I guess we should get rid of them too?

[MrBoomSonic]

@rareblackatheist I know atheist like to be a black ape according to richard dawkins.... =P

[rareblackatheist]

@MrBoomSonic

According to Dawkins "we are all Africans" Which includes dumbass like yourself. But anyway, nail clippers can be used for evil, so should we get rid of them?

[MrBoomSonic]

@rareblackatheist Not really, according to Dawkins, "Atheists are all black apes and descendant of apes" here a banana for you. I believe you would need a banana instead of a nail clipper. Its weird that an ape is asking me for a nail clipper...=D

[emaildoctor]

What's infuriating about religion? It fraudulently co-opts human beings and human minds into a way of thinking and being that robs them of their native ability to reason and learn about reality. It fabricates a primitive and artificial fantasy that is all about perpetuating ignorance to control people and subject them to authority exercised by the least productive, most opportunistic, and immoral members of any society, its pandering politicians, despots, and their allies the clergy.

[IronicAtheist]

I want to be the first ex-religious to make claim of the damage it has done to me. I do not believe there is a god, but i feel damage from a hook being ripped out of my brain, to where it left a whole, and that whole is an opening that is an opportunity. To know this means that what they do literally is "brainwashing" seeing as how if i probably didn't take that hook out until later, i would be the person who hangs onto religion to give myself false hope for unnecessary reasons.

[ViciousBeats16]

who said Questioning is wrong, the questions are encouraged, and the answers are in the Qur'an. study it, the Arabic language is complex. no one said you cant learn. this guy is one confused dude

[icarus212001]

@ViciousBeats16 The Qur'an, like the Bible, are forbidden from denying God (or in this case Allah (same person, I suppose)). The question Allah/God is to deny him as taught in both books. He's not confused.

[ViciousBeats16]

@icarus212001 The reasons for denying God are petty and they have no legs to stand on, the signs are in this creation, if you deny, your ungrateful. We came from a droplet of lowly fluid, and we came to be this grown adult, with a complex brain, and a conscious to know right from wrong. The Questions mean to gain a better understanding on who God is, what are his attributes, why we exist, and backing that up with sufficient proof's from the scripture given. And in Al-Qur;an it is proven. REFLECT

[Casshyr]

@ViciousBeats16 If ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, Marry women of your choice, Two or three or four; but if ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one, or (a captive) that your right hands possess, that will be more suitable, to prevent you from doing injustice. Qur'an 4:3 You want me to read a book that contains crap like this? You must be outta your freaking mind.

[ViciousBeats16]

@Casshyr crap like this? you quote a verse connected to a war-torn society, were many battles are fought, many wives lose their husbands. Thus those who are left behind among the women and children become malakat aymanakum - they translate the Arabic to Captives that possess, a more proper translation are those whom you taken an oath to take care of. 1400 yrs ago, society is completely different, but of course your gonna Give verses, that at this point are not correspondant to this time and era

[Casshyr]

@ViciousBeats16 so you do admit certain passages within Qu'ran are irrelevant with respect to today's society and today's culture. This basically translates to "anything that in Qu'ran that isn't agreeable with us today can be discarded because they are written in the past". Well, then why not just forget the Qu'ran? Sure, you can believe God exists, but leave the Qu'ran out of it. Why cherry-pick passages to follow? You either follow the whole book, or you don't, you don't cherry-pick.

[ViciousBeats16]

@Casshyr Wars are on/off scenario's, im sure there will be a time where these verses will be applicable, but where i live, in the west there not. In the middle east, for sure, there"s conflict over there. The Quran is a guidance for mankind, your pinpointing a couple verses, the Quran is a reminder for humanity, we follow the Prophet Muhammad (saas) not Qur'an. We learn and reflect from the Quran, from stories of the Messengers of old, the things that will occur in the future etc. WE LEARN!

[Casshyr]

@ViciousBeats16 There is no reason to put Qu'ran over any other literature. I can use Shakespeare or Milton or even the Bible as a guidance for mankind. But all those books have flaws because they are written by men. Sure we can reflect form Quran, but we can also reflect from the works of Miguel De Cervantes or Charles Dickens. To put Qu'ran above all others is simply just wrong. I'll give you one more example why this is the case: polygamy.

[Casshyr]

@ViciousBeats16 Made a mistake there, i meant to give another quote: "And let two men from among you bear witness to all such documents [contracts of loans without interest]. But if two men be not available, there should be one man and two women to bear witness so that if one of the women forgets (anything), the other may remind her. (Maududi, vol. 1, p. 205)." => i hope you don't support this! A woman’s testimony counts half of a man’s testimony? What nonsense! This is not just for war times!

[ViciousBeats16]

@Casshyr a woman by nature is soft, God makes this command, so that no man can take advantage of a lone woman in a decision, woman tend to choose off emotion, and men have motives. This is why it requires at least 2 women. and Men are more agressive and stronger in nature, so how do you expect all women to make good decisions by themselves. Yes there are some women who can do so, but you will find most soft-hearted, kind, sweet, you know how women are, and how men can be,

[Casshyr]

@ViciousBeats16 that is sexism right there dude! You say you live in the west, I'm surprise u can make that kind of statement without feeling ashamed. Qu'ran is sexist against women, just like many ancient texts. I'm not only picking on Qu'ran. Bible, Shakespeare..all these texts are biased against women simply because of cultures of times. You know it. I know it. There is good and bad in every literature, don't make Qu'ran have special privileges over others.

[ViciousBeats16]

@Casshyr call it what you like, your views are bias, my views are fact. Are men and women the same? NO! both have different tendencies and qualities, Allah is the Creator and he knows best.

[Casshyr]

@ViciousBeats16 I can cite a lot more such examples: If you fear highhandedness from your wives, remind them [of the teaching of God], then ignore them when you go to bed, then hit them. If they obey you, you have no right to act against them. God is most high and great. (Sura 4:34).

Don't tell me you think it's ok to hit a girl!!!

[ViciousBeats16]

@Casshyr You can cite all you want, and its not hitting, stop misusing words. regardless i think its clear, the truth doesnt effect you. fear Allah, because there is nowhere you can hide from your Creator

[Casshyr]

@ViciousBeats16 sounds to me you ran out of actual things to say..that's too bad, i was just getting started. But congratulations!!!! Your sentiments expressed just now is precisely what atheists don't like. This is precisely the reason why they despise religion, and you just prove their point. Consider you won this discussion if you wish, but i think we're done here.

[ViciousBeats16]

@Casshyr Jahannam

[4me2cclearly]

Religion is the method whereby humans can rationalize their awful behavior to other humans and pawn it off as good deeds. The last time religion ruled the western world, the result was the Dark Ages. For a thousand years we allowed magical thinking to retard the advancement of knowledge, and the progress of humanity.

Ignorance and superstition lurk at the fringes of our society.

"Men never commit evil so fully and joyfully as when they do it for religious convictions"

-- Blaise Pascal

[justjulie37]

Yeah, what he said !

[anitahobart]

How eloquent a man you are Mr Dawkins!

[KentRigeI]

"Atheism alone can pacify the world today." – Andre Gide.

People will continue killing each other in the name of religion until religion becomes too unimportant to warrant behaving one particular way or another and people start being good and decent or evil and hateful for rational reasons, reasons which CAN be subject to modification with yet more reason or logic. Which will be a very different and very much more sensible world indeed.

[LsBaba]

Anyone who likes to dismiss Dawkins as "shrill and strident" ought to watch this video.

[flexbrat]

all religions are evil and based on fantasy !

[scoopmaster23]

Richard is doing humanity a wonderful favor by challenging people to think and not accept propositions without rational justification.

[lethalButters]

I really like this guy. And he's really polite about it too. Thumbs put to him and the video.

[arkangelio]

Great video. A great response from Dawkings too. Faith is NOT supported by evidence. 100%.

[rriverstone1]

How are we going to help people let go of superstition? What do we do to model an alternative, so people find courage to liberate themselves? How do we help the victims of religious righteousness?

[dewinthemorning]

@rriverstone1 "We", if you mean 'we' here on you tube, the answer is by making videos explaining why whatever the people who preach religion say (and make money and exercize influence over other people), is actually not true.

There are Christians on you tube who will never change their mind, but there are also people who are trying to decide. Some such people have contacted me, asking questions.

[sybite]

@rriverstone1 Education is the biggest enemy of religion. Evidence shows the more religious a population the less educated they are. Our prisons are filled with the religious while our places of higher learning are filled with Atheists. So I guess that's a start to educate the kids instead of indoctrinating them. IDK how to get around the cockblocking from religion though. Religion needs to end. It's used for bad more than good. It's a ruse.

[linuxman48858]

Dawkins is great. At least he can back up his claims with multiple sources. All those xtians can do is point at one 2000+ year old book that contradicts itself. The time has come and gone for religion. Wake up people, help your fellow man. There is no longer a reason to rely on the church to act as an intermediary to help the poor. This is the 21st century. Power to the PEOPLE!

[saxmanchiro]

Religion = Misogyny

Religion = Child abuse

Religion = Mental Slavery

Religion = Fairytales

Religion = Hatred of other religions

Religion = Zealousy

Religion = Sore knees/foreheads

Religion = Con

Religion = Respect not due

[MdandThcrew]

@saxmanchiro If religion is the source of all evil, then why was it a theist who invented the scientific method? Idiot!

[saxmanchiro]

@MdandThcrew Some theists manage to escape the herd and ask questions. It takes lots of courage to go against the herd, especially when a death penalty is awaiting you. Even today, there is a particular herd that continues to put apostates to death. I give credit to a strong theist(Priest) for my escape from the herd.

[emaildoctor]

@MdandThcrew Something can be the source of all evil and still produce good as well. Radical Islamist Hamas feeds many thousands of hungry underprivileged children in Palestine. Idiot!

[sybite]

@emaildoctor What a simplistic thing to say. As if those children couldn't be fed without religion. You miss emaildoctors point entirely.

[angryfatkid]

@saxmanchiro

By religion, I assume you mean Judeo-Christianity?

[saxmanchiro]

@angryfatkid Pick any god worship herd, and you have a religion.

[angryfatkid]

@saxmanchiro

But would that comment include religions such as Native American religions, paganism, cults, and other "non-mainstream" religions?

[saxmanchiro]

@angryfatkid Not sure why you think it's important. Let's go ahead and limit the list to the Abrahamic god worshipers. Happy now?

[angryfatkid]

@saxmanchiro

That, I can agree with.

[dacciani2012]

@saxmanchiro how do you really feel?

[saxmanchiro]

@dacciani2012 Not too bad thanks. Little dry nose today from the house being too dry but otherwise, pretty good.

[dacciani2012]

@saxmanchiro haha jokes