The moderate religion is ok argument

[Tigger]

I know this will be discussed elsewhere, but can someone put this point succinctly for me so I don't have to trawl the forum?

Many people agree that religious extremism is anathema, but they think that "ordinary" religious beliefs are harmless. Dawkins, Hitchins et al make arguments about why any religious belief can encourage the fanatics. In one sentence for me please, so I can argue with my in-laws. Ta.

[Thinking Aloud]

If there was no moderate religion, the extreme stuff would be completely unacceptable. Moderate religion gives extreme religion legitimacy.

[Tigger]

If there was no moderate religion, the extreme stuff would be completely unacceptable. Moderate religion gives extreme religion legitimacy.

That's the one I was thinking about, cheers. But why does it? The moderates will say that their beliefs are harmless, and that the fanatics' beliefs are "different".

[Bella Fortuna]

It's the thin end of the wedge, though. The ubiquity of 'moderate' religious belief lends it a credence and legitimacy in many people's minds.

[Thinking Aloud]

If there was no moderate religion, the extreme stuff would be completely unacceptable. Moderate religion gives extreme religion legitimacy.

That's the one I was thinking about, cheers. But why does it? The moderates will say that their beliefs are harmless, and that the fanatics' beliefs are "different".

Many "moderate" (i.e. non-militant) Muslims apparently believe that the actions of Al Qaida and other Islamic terrorists are justified by some interpretation of their holy book. Without that tacit support, the terrorist actions would be completely unacceptable.

Moderate Catholics support the Pope, but the Pope supports the contraceptives-give-you-AIDS lie in Africa. Without the moderates, the Catholic church wouldn't have the backing to pursue that kind of activity... Well, might not.

Edit: Oh, and if Moderates didn't exist, we could have laws and suchlike based on what's actually good for us and our surroundings, and not pandering to some cherry-picked, ancient middle-eastern dictates of morality.

[charlou]

It's the 'faith is a virtue' thing, Tigger. When people are convinced that a faith-based world view is superior to an evidence-based world view they'll accept ideas from authority rather than reason. Anyone who accepts a faith-based world view perpetuates and enables the conditions under which people can be exploited for motives from authority rather than reason.


The above is a key reason why I'm anti-theism, by the way.

That's more than a sentence but it's often difficult to be more succinct or concise than words allow ...

[Tigger]

I love this place, thanks. I need to dip into and contribute more often to the serious threads here.

[Animavore]

Just turn around and say "Religion is gay"

[leo-rcc]

I know this will be discussed elsewhere, but can someone put this point succinctly for me so I don't have to trawl the forum?

Many people agree that religious extremism is anathema, but they think that "ordinary" religious beliefs are harmless. Dawkins, Hitchins et al make arguments about why any religious belief can encourage the fanatics. In one sentence for me please, so I can argue with my in-laws. Ta.

When Kurt Westergaard made those cartoons and getting death threats in the process, the moderates were the ones saying "That he shouldn't have made those pictures and brought this on himself.". And not just Muslim moderates either.

[Bella Fortuna]

I know this will be discussed elsewhere, but can someone put this point succinctly for me so I don't have to trawl the forum?

Many people agree that religious extremism is anathema, but they think that "ordinary" religious beliefs are harmless. Dawkins, Hitchins et al make arguments about why any religious belief can encourage the fanatics. In one sentence for me please, so I can argue with my in-laws. Ta.

When Kurt Westergaard made those cartoons and getting death threats in the process, the moderates were the ones saying "That he shouldn't have made those pictures and brought this on himself.". And not just Muslim moderates either.

Speaking of which (but sorry for the derail): http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8437433.stm

[charlou]

Speaking of which (but sorry for the derail): http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8437433.stm

There's a thread on it here: http://rationalia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=7623

[Feck]

It is fine to moderately religious ie moderately wrong, moderately gullible and also missing the point anyway ?

How do you express a faith moderately "I love God .... but only a bit. "

[Bella Fortuna]

It is fine to moderately religious ie moderately wrong, moderately gullible and also missing the point anyway ?

How do you express a faith moderately "I love God .... but only a bit. "

Being only a little pregnant.

[Pappa]

Dawkins also argues that moderate religion teaches people to believe a pretty bland lie, when the truth is far more amazing and wonderful.

[Animavore]

I still think my argument captured it best.