"Religion is dangerous because it allows human beings who don’t have all the answers to think that they do."

"Religion is dangerous because it allows human beings who don’t have all the answers to think that they do. Most people would think it’s wonderful when someone says, ‘I’m willing Lord, I’ll do whatever you want me to do.’ Except that since there are no gods actually talking to us, that void is filled in by people with their own corruptions and limitations and agendas."

— Bill Maher

via friendlyatheist.tumblr.com

If you can just understand this very basic truth you can see that really any religious person is just being taken advantage of. Sure, in some instances people's lives are being manipulated for the better, but they are still being manipulated. Wouldn't you rather know the *truth* and make up your mind for yourself based on what we know and not something you're being told is real (that isn't)?

And everyone knows that in some instances people's lives are being manipulated for the worse--like every kid who's ever been molested by a priest. How can anyone call themselves Catholic after that? Your leaders are covering up for other leaders who gave into the very thing they claim to be strong against!

When it comes right down to it, the Pope knows there's no God--why else would he help those priests get away with their sins and avoid legal action? He knows he'd go to Hell for that if there WAS a God. But he did it anyway, so we can be pretty sure he knows there isn't a God.

From there, we can see that he's just trying to keep humanity on the path that best fits his views. What kind of un-democratic megalomaniacal person thinks it's OK to decide what's right and wrong for so many humans?

Believe what you want--I'm free-speechifying here. Words are only hurtful, powerful, insulting, pursuasive if you let them be. Stick to your faith and nothing I can say will change your mind. So, nothing I say about your faith should make you mad... assuming you can stick to your faith.

I decided to codify my policy on atheist-ranting on TheWikiPeteia--read it if you're finding yourself fuming with anti-atheist anger toward ThePete or any other truth-trusters. ;)

Posted via web from thepete's posterous