I've noticed something else too. People, simply cannot understand, other people. They simply can't. You can try, but you can't. It is not possible. Humans are inherently too diverse. You can understand some of them, but the fact that some people genuinely prefer, say, iron-fisted authoritarianism over democracy, and aren't being blinded or misled or anything, simply does not occur to say, libertarians. It simply doesn't.
One of the main precepts is, for example, (and this is for all religion), a belief in a moral structure for the world, as opposed to the bleakness of straight atheism(which, it is. Humans don't inherently need to be good, and evolution dictates, they shouldn't be, except to the extent that being a social animal dictates they need be.).
The sheer amount of misconceptions people have with atheism and secular morality, even on the internet where this information is incredibly readily available, is staggering. I am remembering countless people who assume evolution has anything to do with morality.
A moral framework based on rationality is more moral than an arbitrary moral framework based on supernatural punishment/reward, even if both moralities are functionally the same. A good secular morality promotes moral action because it is the right thing to do. Not because you risk punishment.
You have made my point. It is, for
you. For me it is stupid. What does right thing to do
mean? It is completely up to interpretation, and those are as wide-ranging as can be. Religion is one of those answers. And, I can tell you this right now, and I demand that you don't contradict me. Religion is not, about, fear. It is not. If you think this, you are thinking of phony superficiality which pervades religion. It is not, about, fear. A man without fear is not a man without faith. (now I'm drawing from "Philosophy and Superheroes, specifically the section on Daredevil"). Think about the Martyrs who threw themselves to the lions. Are they, scared? Are Suicide Bombers scared? People who hold it in a time where it is punished, the Jews for millennia? Any religion during Communism?
And to quote Rabbi Ben from Woody Allen's Crimes and Misdemeanors:
It’s a fundamental difference in the way we view the world. I couldn’t go on living if I didn’t feel with all my heart a moral structure with real meaning and forgiveness, and some kind of higher power
Just trying to fight the notion here on bay12 and on the internet in general that religion is some sort of blind faith and/or god-fearing hicks:
Religion is a way to civilize stupid people, who are smart/wise enough to do what's right without it.
If you're only nice to other people due to fear of divine punishment (Jehova/Santa Clause), you aren't actually a nice person.
Like this guy. I thank you for your appropriately timed comment.