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Originally Posted by Snake Vargas Good points. If we're all monkeys, why should I not kill other people? Why should I not eat them? Where's the reasoning behind that? |
Well, on the most basic level it's because it is possible to achieve more in a group than on your own. Even monkeys "know" that.
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Originally Posted by Snake Vargas Will society boil down to "might makes right" - the only reason why you should not kill others is that the government says not to, and that they have the power to imprison you if you do? |
Of course not. It is easy to turn that statement around and say that the only reason religious people don't commit crimes is because they believe that if they do, they'll end up in hell. Morals, ethics and values (or lack thereof) are not religion-dependent per se.
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Originally Posted by Snake Vargas One more thing - why are many people so adamant that people with religion shouldn't be allowed to participate in government or public affairs and public commentary? That "there is no God" is a religious view in itself, in terms of category. Furthermore, even if not, then people with religion still count as citizens and should be accorded every right that any other citizen has, including the ability to speak in public, be a president or be a judge. |
All people should be allowed to participate, but one religion should not be able to rule over others and religious freedom should be guaranteed, and one's religious values should never be imposed on others. Legislation, therefore, should (IMO) never be based on religious dogma but on common sense.