Actually I do believe in God, but I dont have a specific religion becuase I feel that religion cuases more problems than it fixes. Also, I feel that God is the main aspect of every religion, so why not just focus on him, and forget all the other differences.
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Thing is, non-religions don't tend to spend billions of dollars on churches. He's not debating the philosophy of religion and what-not. He's debating whether the intense spending is really needed. Also, as a suggestion, in your essay/speech/report/whatever you may want to address the counter argument of the semi-free market capitalism we have (that people can spend money on whatever they want so long as it doesn't violate law) by stating that churches are not required by most religions, that most simply say you need the religious texts: bibles, etc.. Just spending money on books rather than huge ass buildings would decrease the price a lot and thus save more money for such institutions as cancer research. Furthermore, address the social problems of churches. That being that it sometimes divides people into certain groups, and often decreases logical reasoning. It's mildly depressing when you encounter a creationist. Additionally, without churches, religious tolerance might skyrocket over time. Spending time separated with a large group of people telling you that all other religions are wrong (though indirectly) certainly doesn't help those people gain acceptance for other people's religious ideals. Don't go too far into reasons against religion, that probably wont help your grade, nor help you get along with your more than likely predominantly christian audience. Dwell more on the economic problems it's creating.
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Volte wrote:
You believe no God exists, and you think you're right. You're no different than they are. A lot of atheists, me included, prefer to word it as a lack of belief (i.e.: "I do not believe (a) God/gods/goddesses exist(s)"). | |
If i was speaking to an age group older than 18-21 I would have to watch what I say. Most people in this age group dont really know why they believe in a certain religion, let alone understand it. They are christain for example, becuase their parents raised them that way, they never really had a choice. Luckily my teacher feels the same way I do. He thinks religion should not be taken literally.
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I actually will agree with you on the parent-thing. Although neither one of my parents are Christian and it was just a personal decision on my part, most Christians/Muslims/whatever are a particular religion due to that being what they were raised as and they just flat out dont know anything else.
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Most atheists consider themselves polar agnostics. It's not that we say "God doesn't exist", but more, "We have no reason to believe god exists." If the proof was there, this atheist, at least, would have no problems changing his mind. It's hard for someone with rock solid beliefs to understand how this could be possible.
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I'm pretty much that way. I admit that there could be something like a god, but I don't believe there are. There just isn't a need for any such being, and there isn't any evidence to support it.
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Popisfizzy wrote:
I'm pretty much that way. I admit that there could be something like a god, but I don't believe there are. There just isn't a need for any such being, and there isn't any evidence to support it. ...hm. It's true there's no proof of a god, but at best there have been miracles that happen in such a way it's unbelievable that there was that much of a coincidence. Most religions just take those huge coincedences and give their "god" the credit for doing it. (or at least christians do as far as I know) It seems people try so much to prove that a miracle actually happened that they don't really give much link between the cause of the miracle and how their god caused it. I'm sorry if this might have been off topic, with the fact he wasn't trying to bring up and religious discussion, but your post was very insightful popisfizzy. | |
Knifo wrote:
Im going to estimate around how much money America alone has spent on churches, something which is dedicated to a belief that may not even be real, to that of which the money could have been spent on something like cancer research. Im guessing the amount is in the many billions. What makes you sure that the money would necessarily go to cancer research if it weren't spent on churches? It would just as easily end up anywhere else. | |
Yes thats very possible. But if it were idealy donated towards cancer research than it would make a huge difference. Although that would never happen, im just using the senerio as an example of how the money could be used otherwise. God does not require churches that cost in the miillions for his worship.
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Yeah I agree. You have the big bang and all, but what created the materials involved in the big bang? Nothing can just appear. So Thats were science fails. But than again, God cant just appear either. Just a question we will never know.
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In that case maybe it'd be a better idea to focus your argument on wasteful spending in general. Focusing on churches makes it sound like you're trying to pick on a religion, hence the way this thread unraveled. :P
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But I am picking on religion... sort of. Im doing sort of a science vs religion persuasive speech. The church argument im using is only one part of my speech.
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No, it's where science has yet to find an answer. Just because we don't know the answer doesn't mean the answer is unknowable. At one time people believe the sun was either a god, or put in the sky by god for us. We now know that's just not the case.
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The materials in the big bang have existed since the beginning of time. The big bang created both space and time, and the energy from the big bang has existed since that point. They weren't "created from nothing" in the normal sense.
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I am also in the need of someone who knows the bible well, and has at least read it. What are some other thing in the bible, (such as the earth being created in 6 days) that dont really make sense and add up in todays society.
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Of course there's a chance that a cure simply doesn't exist.
Also you'll have to take into account the money they put back into the community. I might not like religion but churches actually have some value.
Don't forget to take into account how many of the resources are donated. I would imagine they pay very little for labour.