Oh yeah? What about MINE!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-suvkwNYSQo

Hate to break it to you, Bible thumpers: Parents who raise their kids without religion are doing just fine, studies say, possibly even better. Overall, not believing in God seems to make people and their offspring more tolerant. Less racist. Less sexist. Enviro-friendly. And their kids care less about what's cool, which—say it with me—only makes them cooler.

the rest of that is here:

http://jezebel.com/godless-parents-a...job-1682844001

There's something really funny about quoting other people who criticize people who can't think for themselves.

almost everything is quotes--original thoughts are as rare as eggs with double yolks (i ate 4 yesterday, so good)

anyway, the article itself was too long and navel-gazing and boring, but the research quoted there (zuckerman, pew) was satisfying (almost as satisfying as a double-yolk fried egg, over easy, on split peas with rice).

#bringbackourheads

I mostly meant quoting Bill Maher (hack comic, jokes written by others) or Stephen Fry (who I like but don't have to slavishly follow) as if this appeal to authority is any different than saying, "The Bible says X, so it's true."

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There are 2 or 3 issues where I absolutely can't help taking a contrary view to the one being espoused. I have religious relatives and when I'm around them I can't help pointing out the stupidity of their beliefs. Then I'm around atheists and I can't help pointing out the stupidities of that perspective. In both cases, I think I make good points.

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I'm curious about something.

In China, Christians have to go to state-authorized churches. If a Christian lives 100 miles from the nearest church, too bad.

Is this an offensive violation of basic human rights?
Or, since the religion is dumb, it doesn't really matter?

Really, just want to know how people respond to this situation.

i just posted a link to a news item from a gossip website plus a blurb, did not claim it was the uncontested truth nor offer beheadings + eternal damnation to anyone who wouldn't read & memorize & worship. so i don't know how that compares, but whatever.

anyway, since you ask, china is the fucking pits--the state as religion.

ultimately, as you hint, the problem is authority-- absolute, uncontestable, unshakeable authority.

some day in the distant future (i hope) after humans have gotten rid of religion they might be able to get rid of the state.