How many people here, for example, who consider themselves an atheist, grew up in a religious household? I know I did, and I know several others here have talked about their experiences regarding parental religious beliefs, such as Zephyrus.
Me too, I was raised Catholic, and even though I reject the idea of God based based on the fact that I believe there is not enough evidence, I still can't quite shake the
feeling that there is a God, even to the point of feeling slightly guilty (what is it with Catholics and guilt?) about saying God can go fuck himself in that earlier post.
I suppose also part of me still wants to believe. It's a hell of a lot more comforting believing that there is some purpose in life and some justice in the afterlife than coming to the conclusion that life is inherently random and that most probably when we're dead that's the end of that with no second chances.
Back on topic, I don't care if athletes have faith, whatever works for them. What really does shit me though is when athletes (and anyone else really) do the whole prayer and point- to-the-sky-act and then go and act in a way that's completely contradictory to what their religion is supposed to be teaching. Practice what you preach for fricks' sake.
I never felt the anger and potential guilt involved with "outgrowing" a religion.
You are lucky. I am envious.
To blaim it on religion is ridiculous.
Somewhat agree. While religion wasn't the root cause, (moreso the human drive for power and greed, as you mentioned), religion certainly made it a lot easier to get the whole shebang rolling, and thus should be at least partially to blame. It's not religion itself that's evil, rather the way humans misappropriate it.
Of course, they had no backing from scripture from this, just the word of the "holy leaders".
Disagree. There's passages in the bible that if taken literally can easily be used to justify violence against people of other faiths. For example, Deuteronomy 13:8-17 Says to do the following to people who believe in other Gods:
"Do not yield to him or listen to him. Show him no pity. Do not spare him or shield him. You must certainly put him to death. Your hand must be the first in putting him to death, and then the hands of all the people. Stone him to death, because he tried to turn you away from the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. Then all Israel will hear and be afraid, and no one among you will do such an evil thing again. If you hear it said about one of the towns the LORD your God is giving you to live in that wicked men have arisen among you and have led the people of their town astray, saying, "Let us go and worship other gods" (gods you have not known), then you must inquire, probe and investigate it thoroughly. And if it is true and it has been proved that this detestable thing has been done among you, you must certainly put to the sword all who live in that town. Destroy it completely, both its people and its livestock. Gather all the plunder of the town into the middle of the public square and completely burn the town and all its plunder as a whole burnt offering to the LORD your God. It is to remain a ruin forever, never to be rebuilt."
