[cconcepts]

Very well written. Although this article is quite emotive and could be considered an extreme point of view, I think it is important to read in order to understand the multitude of voices wanting to be heard in the current quagmire.

I disagree with some of the assumptions made but nonetheless think this is a voice that should be heard.

As a follower of Jesus (I have to be careful how I say Christian because of how loaded that term has become) I feel sad that the writer is marginalised as if it is something Christ would have done.

That Jesus has been attached to a particular political agenda is particularly heartbreaking.

Historically, when Christianity has gotten in bed with power it has been bad news for the essence of Christ and the humbling power of His work - I would argue this is because of the corruptibility of humans and not through something inherently wrong with Christianity.

I'm sorry for some of the things being done in the name of Christianity but this is an intelligent, thoughtful community - please find out for yourself who Christ really said he was and don't assume that what some powerbrokers say in Christ's name is true - their interests are vested.

I hope that HN continues its history of thoughtful, respectful discussion rather than the vitriol I am seeing elsewhere.

EDIT: Spelling/grammar

[bambax]

> this is an intelligent, thoughtful community

I really, really don't think so. "Jesus" (who probably never even existed) isn't the problem, though. Religions are.

That they should be "respected" as just a normal human behavior is the problem. That superstition should be considered seriously instead of being fought, esp. in young minds, is the problem.

That separate schools should exist in the name of superstition, that people should be allowed to not even send their children to school but indoctrinate them themselves, is the problem.

There is such a thing as too much freedom, and the result is catastrophic.

[choko]

I'm agnostic and have no strong feelings on religion, and I find your comments very intolerant. Views like yours have no place in this community. It's not ok for you to tell people how they should live their lives.

[miketery]

I disagree, the whole point of society is to work together and push each other to be a certain way; to the betterment of the whole. It follows then that when non conducive behaviors are found we should strive to get rid of them. In this case thoughts (religion) not grounded in critical thinking which can lead to things like glorifying death for nonsense causes.

[WayneBro]

Addressing religion as a whole is nonsense IMO. It doesn't exist by itself and you certainly cannot attribute the same qualities to every single religion.

The major religions are a mix of philosophy + politics. Philosophy in general is certainly grounded in critical thinking. These religions obviously serve as a method to deliver the results to the masses.

Nationalism is just as bad if not worse than religion in terms of causing death and war.

[miketery]

That's fair. However my point stands that it is ok to tell people how to live; that's society.

Regarding religion, it is more conducive to non critical thought than other thought frameworks that exist. At the very least by magnitude it has the most impact in terms of contributing to non critical thought worldwide.

Weather nationalism is worse or not doesn't change the criticism on religion.

[DougN7]

The next time people on HN say they don't see intolerance or contempt for religious folks on HN, I'll point them to this comment as an excellent example of both.

Origin stories are hard, if not impossible, to answer. Sure, we have the Big Bang. I've read the thing that exploded was estimated to be the size of a grapefruit. So where did the magic exploding grapefruit come from? The Big Bang pushes the quest back 13 billion years, but still doesn't answer it.

Or perhaps you like the theory that we're living in a simulation? I'd argue that is 95% identical to religion.

When I see this level of vehemence, I sincerely wonder if someone isn't concerned about the possibility of having to ultimately answer to someone or something for their life's actions.

[bambax]

How do religions help answer origin stories?? If the universe was created by God then who created God? If God "has always existed" then why can't the same be true of the universe? This is "turtles all the way down" over again.

About your last sentence: the hardest part of not believing in God is not having the consolation of thinking your enemies will burn in hell -- I don't miss heaven for myself but I do miss hell for other people.

[m0nty]

> I really, really don't think so

Hacker News is, I think that was the intended meaning.