Since religion is based on faith, I don't believe it's possible to show any specific organized religion as having truth, validity and relevance today.
well not ALL religions are based on faith. buddhism, for example. it is a religion of reason and self-help. it does not rely on one's belief in an external force to help oneself. (please do not take this as an attack on other faith-based religions.)
and going back to your point, religions being based on faith does NOT preclude reason and common sense as well. after all, every major religion teaches that killing is wrong. that's nothing to do with belief, it's just a simple truth. and religion has even MORE validity today than ever. modern human beings need the guidance and solace that religion offers. now i'll be the first to admit that a lot of the religious teachings have been warped by man, saying it's okay to hate those that are different, or even kill in the name of the religion. but that is down to human failings, not the failing of the religion itself.
No one can demonstrate religion has truth. Maybe you missed the entire point of the film?
Laughing at people who believe in leprechauns isn't bigotry.
i did not miss the point of the film at all. like i said, i found a lot of the stuff maher said to be pretty spot on. and quite funny at times, esp when he's making fun of those who so obviously have issues. like people who believe in leprechauns. i can appreciate satire and a good roasting as much as anyone.
but maybe, saying "no one can demonstrate religion has truth" is a little short-sighted, no? you are not giving the benefit of the doubt to teachings that tell u the right way, the decent way, to live your life. that is "truth".
of course, u might say that u don't need religion to point out obvious stuff like killing and stealing is wrong. but many religions don't just stop at saying: "oh killing = bad." they try to impart a wisdom so you understand WHY killing is bad. not just for the victim, but for the perpetrator too. it basically tries to help give u the insight to not even WANT to kill. i know again, this seems contrary to what is going on out there with many religious fanatics. but they are simply NOT following the truth of their religions.
if at the end of the day, u are an atheist or agnostic, but u have the good sense and decency to live a moral and peaceful life without hurting anyone, then it's great too... then u ARE a religious person, in the truest sense of the word. u may not like labels, but actually it doesn't (or shouldn') matter what u label yourself. what matters is function, not form.
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