[quote]angry chicken wrote:
Freedom of speech has gone too far.
[/quote]
I think the idea you are expressing here before this phrase is valid and on point, but this part here, these 7 words, in and of themselves, are wrong and dangerous.
Freedom of Speech hasn’t gone too far, it cannot by its very nature.
I think a better way to say this would be "The contemporary ideal of American “freedom of speech” has been perverted, and is now more “freedom to say what is socially acceptable”. What you are getting at is one of the downfalls of democracy and why that form of government was outright avoided by the Founders. After living through the Glorious Revolution, the discovery and demand for government to protect natural rights, the founders (more educated on history than our current crop of ‘statesmen’) knew mob rule would trample those rights.
I don’t think Freedom of Speech has gone too far, not at all. I think it has been perverted and limited to 1) what the majority says is okay to say, which is often determined by 2) what sells.
So in short I think you are “right”, but that one particular phrase isn’t.
These shootings have NOTHING to do with religion, although the religious among us will have a hard time viewing anything outside of that lens. They have NOTHING to do with gun control - Americans have always had guns. They have everything to do with the evolution of a sensationalist, asshole-glorifying Liberal MEDIA bent on selling advertizing and shaping the American people into a herd of cowardly, defenseless sheep waiting helplessly in front of their TV/computer/smartphone for the latest detail and instructions on what to do (because they can’t think critically for themselves).
[/quote]
Try to replace the word “religion” with an exceptional “value system” that was put in place from the beginning. And then suddenly ripped away with nothing to replace it.
If you think of it that way my friend you may have a different take on the matter.
[/quote]
IMHO, “religion” doesn’t have a monopoly on right and wrong, my friend. A “value system” is a set of beliefs and behaviors that is reinforced. What is the MEDIA reinforcing?
It’s not a LACK of religion or a LACK of values and good people. It’s a fucking blitzkrieg of filth flarn filth, grand theft auto VII (the one where you can not only kill the bitch but rape her family), and 2 girls 1 cup that ANY kid with an internet connection can have access to… And there is a certain SMALL percentage of the population who is sick enough to be affected by it.[/quote]
Well, I agree with most of what you’ve written. But keep in mind that over the years religion has permeated our society. It has not been in vogue for decades but none the less still there. With commandments that say “don’t kill, honor your father and mother” etc.
Now I ask you what has replaced this as we throw it out of institution after institution?
You’re a good guy and you’re never going to hurt anyone who does not first try to do you or your family bodily harm. So in terms of that part of religion you don’t need it. But that’s not how America’s children are growing up. Church attendance is down along with single parent households going up. And as you’ve said the violence that Hollywood produces and the cesspool that is pop culture are only increasing. Where is the counter balance to all of this if not religion? It has worked in the past!
Whether you belive in God or not the value system that Christianity represents speaks out against senseless violence like the kind we’ve just experienced. And if there is no loud consistent voice telling our youth not to do such things…what stops them?
…I’m sure plenty of Native American innocents were killed by settlers…
[/quote]
It is typical historical revisionism to mention this ^ and fail to mention what precipitated many of the atrocities you’re referring to, namely the atrocities visited on the settlers PRIOR to their vicious responses.
Don’t ever buy into the “Dances With Wolves” bullshit that all the red man ever wanted was to live in peace and harmony with Nature until the evil, religious white man showed up. The North American continent was a continual bloodbath and slavery fiefdom well before the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria ever left their Spanish ports.
[/quote]
You are missing my point entirely. I wasn’t in any way establishing blame at all, and I’m sure Native Americans did than their share of horrific things too. My only point was that strictly religious people have done awful things in the past (killing children is killing children, whoever “started it”), and I think that’s hard to argue against. And, as I have said numerous times, I’m not taking this stance as a dig at religion - I just want to say that children have been brutally murdered long before atheism became common, so I think it makes no sense to blame school shootings on atheism.
[/quote]
Look closely at the US as that is the place we are talking about.
Yes, religious people can do horrible things. People are people and we are seriously flawed.
The only point that I’m trying to make is that religion is a value system and the less important role that it plays the more apt already borderline young people are to act out and harm others.
Keep in mind I think there are many good influences on children, relgion is a major one but there are others. Two parent homes for example. But as we have less religion we also have less two parent homes. And generally less stability.
It is hard to argue against the fact that God and religion have been a very stabilizing influence in our society for decades. Once again, removing it and replacing it with only our very base instincts guided by violent entertainment from many areas absolutely harms young minds.
Finally, I am not talking about yours or anyone else’s belief system. That is a secondary topic. Even an atheist should appreciate the positive influence that religion is capable of when it comes to morality and especially not wanting to harm others. And if you have children (someday) trust me when I say that you want them attending church, church functions and other positive influential activities.
I am sure many of them did. I’m also sure that there were many who had nothing of the sort. John Joel Glanton and his boys would fall into the latter category.[/quote]
Certainly in the old west there was an abundance of outlaws who would steal the gold from your teeth. Or kill you for your scalp if they thought they could sell your hair. But their murderous ways were almost always for profit. Sure…they were bad men. But as I’ve been saying even the lowest of the low wouldn’t kick a school house door down and shoot little kids.
We’ve got a special kind of human being that we’ve bred in this day and age. We’ve taken God out of their lives, put in just the right amount of senseless violence. And made sure that they were exposed to it at an early age. Also, in many cases that the child has grown up without the proper parenting. When you remove the Judeo-Christian value system marriage means nothing and couples can come and go as they please. And if they have children that’s a shame because YOUR feelings come first. As you are now the center of your own universe, in essence your own God.
Oh yeah…this is a unique recipe that we’ve concocted and it will be paying us back in blood and pain for many years to come.[/quote]
Interesting… With god taken out, mass killings are not any higher than they have been in the past as shown in the op.
I think it is has more do with proper parenting than it is with proper religion. If I remember, Jeffrey Dahmer’s parents were religious. There’s plenty of great parents out there that are not religious, and plenty of religious parents that are not so great.
Not sure if I am reading your post correctly, but it looks as though you’re saying that somoene that isn’t religious will put themselves before their child? I find that hard to believe.
I am sure many of them did. I’m also sure that there were many who had nothing of the sort. John Joel Glanton and his boys would fall into the latter category.[/quote]
Certainly in the old west there was an abundance of outlaws who would steal the gold from your teeth. Or kill you for your scalp if they thought they could sell your hair. But their murderous ways were almost always for profit. Sure…they were bad men. But as I’ve been saying even the lowest of the low wouldn’t kick a school house door down and shoot little kids.
We’ve got a special kind of human being that we’ve bred in this day and age. We’ve taken God out of their lives, put in just the right amount of senseless violence. And made sure that they were exposed to it at an early age. Also, in many cases that the child has grown up without the proper parenting. When you remove the Judeo-Christian value system marriage means nothing and couples can come and go as they please. And if they have children that’s a shame because YOUR feelings come first. As you are now the center of your own universe, in essence your own God.
Oh yeah…this is a unique recipe that we’ve concocted and it will be paying us back in blood and pain for many years to come.[/quote]
Interesting… With god taken out, mass killings are not any higher than they have been in the past as shown in the op.
I think it is has more do with proper parenting than it is with proper religion. If I remember, Jeffrey Dahmer’s parents were religious. There’s plenty of great parents out there that are not religious, and plenty of religious parents that are not so great.
Not sure if I am reading your post correctly, but it looks as though you’re saying that somoene that isn’t religious will put themselves before their child? I find that hard to believe. [/quote]
And someone who is religious will put god before their child, so either way the children lose.
I am sure many of them did. I’m also sure that there were many who had nothing of the sort. John Joel Glanton and his boys would fall into the latter category.[/quote]
Certainly in the old west there was an abundance of outlaws who would steal the gold from your teeth. Or kill you for your scalp if they thought they could sell your hair. But their murderous ways were almost always for profit. Sure…they were bad men. But as I’ve been saying even the lowest of the low wouldn’t kick a school house door down and shoot little kids.
We’ve got a special kind of human being that we’ve bred in this day and age. We’ve taken God out of their lives, put in just the right amount of senseless violence. And made sure that they were exposed to it at an early age. Also, in many cases that the child has grown up without the proper parenting. When you remove the Judeo-Christian value system marriage means nothing and couples can come and go as they please. And if they have children that’s a shame because YOUR feelings come first. As you are now the center of your own universe, in essence your own God.
Oh yeah…this is a unique recipe that we’ve concocted and it will be paying us back in blood and pain for many years to come.[/quote]
Interesting… With god taken out, mass killings are not any higher than they have been in the past as shown in the op.
I think it is has more do with proper parenting than it is with proper religion. If I remember, Jeffrey Dahmer’s parents were religious. There’s plenty of great parents out there that are not religious, and plenty of religious parents that are not so great.
Not sure if I am reading your post correctly, but it looks as though you’re saying that somoene that isn’t religious will put themselves before their child? I find that hard to believe. [/quote]
Child abuse is up, and the killing of innocent children is up and that is my point.
Are you a parent? Do you realize how difficult it is to do “proper parenting” as you suggest when we are surrounded by violence and semi pornographic images on a constant basis? And that’s where religion comes in. It backs up the parents and confirms basic values.
Stop with the Jeffrey Dahmer example. That is the exception to the rule. Sort of like me bragging about my Uncle who lived to the age of 90 and smoked and drank heavily every date. Enough.
Someone who does not believe in God is more apt to put themselves at the center of their own universe. In essence they become their own God. And yeah…there’s more of that going on today than ever before. Their interests are more inclined to come before everyone else’s not all but many are like this.
I am sure many of them did. I’m also sure that there were many who had nothing of the sort. John Joel Glanton and his boys would fall into the latter category.[/quote]
Certainly in the old west there was an abundance of outlaws who would steal the gold from your teeth. Or kill you for your scalp if they thought they could sell your hair. But their murderous ways were almost always for profit. Sure…they were bad men. But as I’ve been saying even the lowest of the low wouldn’t kick a school house door down and shoot little kids.
We’ve got a special kind of human being that we’ve bred in this day and age. We’ve taken God out of their lives, put in just the right amount of senseless violence. And made sure that they were exposed to it at an early age. Also, in many cases that the child has grown up without the proper parenting. When you remove the Judeo-Christian value system marriage means nothing and couples can come and go as they please. And if they have children that’s a shame because YOUR feelings come first. As you are now the center of your own universe, in essence your own God.
Oh yeah…this is a unique recipe that we’ve concocted and it will be paying us back in blood and pain for many years to come.[/quote]
Interesting… With god taken out, mass killings are not any higher than they have been in the past as shown in the op.
I think it is has more do with proper parenting than it is with proper religion. If I remember, Jeffrey Dahmer’s parents were religious. There’s plenty of great parents out there that are not religious, and plenty of religious parents that are not so great.
Not sure if I am reading your post correctly, but it looks as though you’re saying that somoene that isn’t religious will put themselves before their child? I find that hard to believe. [/quote]
And someone who is religious will put god before their child, so either way the children lose.[/quote]
Yes, because the Bible is full of commands to harm your child. (eye roll)
I know you’re an atheist but we’re not talking about belief systems. We’re talking taking away an important value system that has been in place since the founding of the country. And replacing it with nothing but the filth Hollywood and pop culture pukes up.
I am sure many of them did. I’m also sure that there were many who had nothing of the sort. John Joel Glanton and his boys would fall into the latter category.[/quote]
Certainly in the old west there was an abundance of outlaws who would steal the gold from your teeth. Or kill you for your scalp if they thought they could sell your hair. But their murderous ways were almost always for profit. Sure…they were bad men. But as I’ve been saying even the lowest of the low wouldn’t kick a school house door down and shoot little kids.
We’ve got a special kind of human being that we’ve bred in this day and age. We’ve taken God out of their lives, put in just the right amount of senseless violence. And made sure that they were exposed to it at an early age. Also, in many cases that the child has grown up without the proper parenting. When you remove the Judeo-Christian value system marriage means nothing and couples can come and go as they please. And if they have children that’s a shame because YOUR feelings come first. As you are now the center of your own universe, in essence your own God.
Oh yeah…this is a unique recipe that we’ve concocted and it will be paying us back in blood and pain for many years to come.[/quote]
Interesting… With god taken out, mass killings are not any higher than they have been in the past as shown in the op.
I think it is has more do with proper parenting than it is with proper religion. If I remember, Jeffrey Dahmer’s parents were religious. There’s plenty of great parents out there that are not religious, and plenty of religious parents that are not so great.
Not sure if I am reading your post correctly, but it looks as though you’re saying that somoene that isn’t religious will put themselves before their child? I find that hard to believe. [/quote]
Child abuse is up, and the killing of innocent children is up and that is my point.
Are you a parent? Do you realize how difficult it is to do “proper parenting” as you suggest when we are surrounded by violence and semi pornographic images on a constant basis? And that’s where religion comes in. It backs up the parents and confirms basic values.
Stop with the Jeffrey Dahmer example. That is the exception to the rule. Sort of like me bragging about my Uncle who lived to the age of 90 and smoked and drank heavily every date. Enough.
Someone who does not believe in God is more apt to put themselves at the center of their own universe. In essence they become their own God. And yeah…there’s more of that going on today than ever before. Their interests are more inclined to come before everyone else’s not all but many are like this. [/quote]
What is the general demographic of point 1, just out of curiosity?
I am sure many of them did. I’m also sure that there were many who had nothing of the sort. John Joel Glanton and his boys would fall into the latter category.[/quote]
Certainly in the old west there was an abundance of outlaws who would steal the gold from your teeth. Or kill you for your scalp if they thought they could sell your hair. But their murderous ways were almost always for profit. Sure…they were bad men. But as I’ve been saying even the lowest of the low wouldn’t kick a school house door down and shoot little kids.
We’ve got a special kind of human being that we’ve bred in this day and age. We’ve taken God out of their lives, put in just the right amount of senseless violence. And made sure that they were exposed to it at an early age. Also, in many cases that the child has grown up without the proper parenting. When you remove the Judeo-Christian value system marriage means nothing and couples can come and go as they please. And if they have children that’s a shame because YOUR feelings come first. As you are now the center of your own universe, in essence your own God.
Oh yeah…this is a unique recipe that we’ve concocted and it will be paying us back in blood and pain for many years to come.[/quote]
Interesting… With god taken out, mass killings are not any higher than they have been in the past as shown in the op.
I think it is has more do with proper parenting than it is with proper religion. If I remember, Jeffrey Dahmer’s parents were religious. There’s plenty of great parents out there that are not religious, and plenty of religious parents that are not so great.
Not sure if I am reading your post correctly, but it looks as though you’re saying that somoene that isn’t religious will put themselves before their child? I find that hard to believe. [/quote]
Child abuse is up, and the killing of innocent children is up and that is my point.
Are you a parent? Do you realize how difficult it is to do “proper parenting” as you suggest when we are surrounded by violence and semi pornographic images on a constant basis? And that’s where religion comes in. It backs up the parents and confirms basic values.
Stop with the Jeffrey Dahmer example. That is the exception to the rule. Sort of like me bragging about my Uncle who lived to the age of 90 and smoked and drank heavily every date. Enough.
Someone who does not believe in God is more apt to put themselves at the center of their own universe. In essence they become their own God. And yeah…there’s more of that going on today than ever before. Their interests are more inclined to come before everyone else’s not all but many are like this. [/quote]
What is the general demographic of point 1, just out of curiosity?
And how did you arrive at point 4?[/quote]
Point four is a logical conclusion from all of the other many horrible things that occur when we take away a value system that has worked well for decades. When there is no higher power things and people are then elevated to that position. I believe that much of our youth has elevated pop culture to that status. Others place themselves at the center of their own universe when there is no other value system. Granted it’s just my opinion but it makes perfect sense.
As to point #1 there is more than enough evidence:
Be careful the above article was taken from that conservative rag The Huffington Post.
I used yet one more blatantly conservaitve site to make my point.
[quote]Many social workers say they are stunned by an increase in abuse in the middle class, putting additional strain on a system already under pressure.
“It covers across the socioeconomic spectrum,” Bilchik said. “So this isn’t about just impoverished families.”[/quote]
Hey this one really is from a conservative site. I guess both sides agree on this one.
[quote]Not only have the numbers of sexually abusive images increased in recent years the assessment says that prosecutors and investigators have documented trends showing pictures are more likely to depict violence against the victims. The children in these pictures are also increasingly likely to be toddlers or infants.
â??Tragically, the only place we have seen a decrease is in the age of victims. This is simply unacceptable,â?? Holder said.
The report cites statistics showing a 40 percent increase in the number of federal prosecutions for crimes related to child exploitation from 2006 to 2009.[/quote]
And contrary to what has been said in this said in this thread, Western Europe is not OK.
[/quote]
What do you mean by this? Since we’re talking about crime and murder in this thread, I’d have to disagree with you–it tends to be much, much safer than the United States.
I am sure many of them did. I’m also sure that there were many who had nothing of the sort. John Joel Glanton and his boys would fall into the latter category.[/quote]
Certainly in the old west there was an abundance of outlaws who would steal the gold from your teeth. Or kill you for your scalp if they thought they could sell your hair. But their murderous ways were almost always for profit. Sure…they were bad men. But as I’ve been saying even the lowest of the low wouldn’t kick a school house door down and shoot little kids.
We’ve got a special kind of human being that we’ve bred in this day and age. We’ve taken God out of their lives, put in just the right amount of senseless violence. And made sure that they were exposed to it at an early age. Also, in many cases that the child has grown up without the proper parenting. When you remove the Judeo-Christian value system marriage means nothing and couples can come and go as they please. And if they have children that’s a shame because YOUR feelings come first. As you are now the center of your own universe, in essence your own God.
Oh yeah…this is a unique recipe that we’ve concocted and it will be paying us back in blood and pain for many years to come.[/quote]
Interesting… With god taken out, mass killings are not any higher than they have been in the past as shown in the op.
I think it is has more do with proper parenting than it is with proper religion. If I remember, Jeffrey Dahmer’s parents were religious. There’s plenty of great parents out there that are not religious, and plenty of religious parents that are not so great.
Not sure if I am reading your post correctly, but it looks as though you’re saying that somoene that isn’t religious will put themselves before their child? I find that hard to believe. [/quote]
Child abuse is up, and the killing of innocent children is up and that is my point.
Are you a parent? Do you realize how difficult it is to do “proper parenting” as you suggest when we are surrounded by violence and semi pornographic images on a constant basis? And that’s where religion comes in. It backs up the parents and confirms basic values.
Stop with the Jeffrey Dahmer example. That is the exception to the rule. Sort of like me bragging about my Uncle who lived to the age of 90 and smoked and drank heavily every date. Enough.
Someone who does not believe in God is more apt to put themselves at the center of their own universe. In essence they become their own God. And yeah…there’s more of that going on today than ever before. Their interests are more inclined to come before everyone else’s not all but many are like this. [/quote]
While Dahmer may be an outlier, the millions of religious people in America that beleived in slavery, unequal rights for blacks, and the slaughter of the native americans is far from a bunch of outliers.
I’m not saying religion is evil by any means, i’m just saying that blaming all the evil that happens in the modern world on a societal lack of religion is far too convenient, especially from someone that is a believer. I think the problems are more complex than that.
That being said, we live in a more fair and equal society right now, today, than the world has ever seen, imo.
EDIT: and it’s not because of religion, but the rule of law.
While Dahmer may be an outlier, the millions of religious people in America that beleived in slavery, unequal rights for blacks, and the slaughter of the native americans is far from a bunch of outliers.
I’m not saying religion is evil by any means, i’m just saying that blaming all the evil that happens in the modern world on a societal lack of religion is far too convenient, especially from someone that is a believer. I think the problems are more complex than that.
That being said, we live in a more fair and equal society right now, today, than the world has ever seen, imo.
EDIT: and it’s not because of religion, but the rule of law. [/quote]
Exactly.
The US is a (morally) better place today than when kids prayed in schools. And that’s about all that needs to be said about that.
Which is not to say that the decline of public prayer somehow caused our moral betterment. Just that it hasn’t caused any kind of moral dissolution.
Stop with the Jeffrey Dahmer example. That is the exception to the rule. Sort of like me bragging about my Uncle who lived to the age of 90 and smoked and drank heavily every date. Enough.
[/quote]
Adam Lanza is also an outlier–he just happens to be an outlier that serves your argument well.
Neither Dahmer nor Lanza stand as evidence of any kind of trend, whether it be pro or anti religious.
And contrary to what has been said in this said in this thread, Western Europe is not OK.
[/quote]
What do you mean by this? Since we’re talking about crime and murder in this thread, I’d have to disagree with you–it tends to be much, much safer than the United States.[/quote]
I mean that I see what Nietzsche and Zeb are on about.
And no, the surface of the argument may appear to be about crime and murder but an in depth vision will reveal the essence of the discussion is how the void that was left when God was replaced by The Almighty Government.
Move your eyes from the side of your head to the front:
Government cannot fulfill the spiritual needs of the people.
The void that has been left is being replaced by things not virtues and these things are mutating the type of violence that afflicts society today.
Religion, just as science has saved and killed many millions.
Religion is a wonderful tool for those to use it wisely, just like science.
I can use God to nurture and defend my virtues or to cause many vices in the same way I can use nuclear power for good or to create a world of hurt.
I believe that religion is a means to an end: that end being the spiritual man.
Like university, you go through it and come out to stand on your own two feet spiritually.
That is true freedom.
You should “graduate” religion being about to exercise your free will in a way that respects your boundaries and that of others.
That is in direct opposition of what a liberal society is indoctrinating in people.
[quote]angry chicken wrote:
I think the root of the problem with the “moral decline” of the USA lies with three things that our country was founded on: Capitalism, Freedom of Speech, and the rise of Feminism/Liberalism.
These three forces meet resoundingly and is the force that drives the MEDIA. The root of it all is money. Money drives the advertizing which is dependent on the ratings. Bad news gets higher ratings and we become “immune” to all the carnage out there that gets drummed into us over and over again every hour on the hour in grisly detail. With the popularization of “reality tv”, airing people’s dirt has become normal and commonplace. Such that “instant celebrities” are created overnight, becoming rich and famous not for doing something great, inspiring or worthwhile, but for doing something completely idiotic. We now celebrate mediocrity and poor performance. Half the reason people watch American Idol is to watch Simon shut someone down (and that someone gets a million hits on YouTube the next day). THAT’s what sells these days. THAT’s what passes for entertainment. It’s fucking pathetic what the masses enjoy. This “pop-culture” has become so important (IMHO because of the rise of the science of subliminal advertizing) that more people can name all of the Kardashian sisters than can name their own Congressional representatives.
The advertizing industry has gone WAY beyond a clever phrase and catchy jingle. There are literally HOURS of research, thought and planning and thousands of dollars spent that go into every SECOND of every single commercial we watch. Subliminally it is a two pronged attack on our self esteem (you’re not good enough now, but with XYZ product you can smell/look/feel good enough to get the girl) and our rational mind (even though you’re in debt, it doesn’t matter, you need to SPEND, SPEND, SPEND!!!). They are using ALL kinds of subliminal gymnastics to sell two things: SEX and POWER.
Add to the mix the lack of respect of the Media for ANYONE’S private life. After the way Bill Clinton was dissected after the Monica affair and details of the “cigar” were made public, NOTHING was sacred anymore. I mean less than a century ago FDR was elected President while in a WHEELCHAIR and NOBODY KNEW ABOUT IT! Nowadays, we know EVERYTHING. I think it has gone too far. “Investigative journalism” has led to sensationalism becoming the NORM. Compared to a few decades ago, it’s as if our whole news cycle has gotten on CRACK! Coupled with an inflated sense of political correctness (more reasons to trash people) the average news reporter has become a vulture on steroids (they compare EVERYTHING to steroids, don’t they?). They don’t give a fuck about “fact”. They care about RATINGS. And they will drag anyone through the dirt to do it.
We USED to have heroes, role models and people we could look up to. The modern media has changed all that. Now ANYONE who does something good, or tries to make a difference in the world in a positive way has to have EVERY aspect of their life passed under a microscope. If you’ve EVER done anything bad, objectionable or even “normal” to MOST people and you end up under the spotlight, within a week some fucking bloodsucker will be publishing something from ten years ago that’s embarrassing. Having role models is important, but when everyone who we believe stands for something is torn down, we lose hope. It’s not like the role models of the past were any better - it’s just that the press actually had RESPECT. Freedom of speech has gone too far.
I mentioned over blown political correctness earlier, now I’ll touch on that. Look at today’s sit-coms now. It’s perfectly fine to make men look like fat, stupid idiots, but GOD FORBID you portray a WOMAN or a MINORITY in a negative light… White men have become the butt of EVERY joke because they know that no white man will SUE anyone over it. (Now how long until someone cuts and pastes this ONE sentence and calls me a racist, even though everyone here KNOWS I’m not - I was using that as an example, but it will get social mileage, right? That’s what our media-influence instinct is to do now!) But the price of that is that we are effectively emasculating an entire generation of men. Think about it.
Boys are given labels of “ADD” or “ADHD” for the crime of being BOYS. For wanting to run around and be PHYSICAL and not conform to a female dominated liberal school system. They are taught to snitch on other students who are bullying them and are expelled when they are tempted to fight back or “take it outside after school”. The “manly virtues” glorified in our literature and history books will simply not do in today’s world. This society doesn’t want MEN around, so it cut off their balls at every opportunity. This feminizing and repression of the natural nature of MEN gives rise to all sorts of “ailments”. Passive aggressive little punks, cowards, and a whole generation of angry young men who hate their mothers and want to “show” society enough to want to shoot up a school. Then shooting up a school wasn’t enough, someone had to top it: a school full of KIDS.
These shootings have NOTHING to do with religion, although the religious among us will have a hard time viewing anything outside of that lens. They have NOTHING to do with gun control - Americans have always had guns. They have everything to do with the evolution of a sensationalist, asshole-glorifying Liberal MEDIA bent on selling advertizing and shaping the American people into a herd of cowardly, defenseless sheep waiting helplessly in front of their TV/computer/smartphone for the latest detail and instructions on what to do (because they can’t think critically for themselves).
[/quote]
While Dahmer may be an outlier, the millions of religious people in America that beleived in slavery, unequal rights for blacks, and the slaughter of the native americans is far from a bunch of outliers.
I’m not saying religion is evil by any means, i’m just saying that blaming all the evil that happens in the modern world on a societal lack of religion is far too convenient, especially from someone that is a believer. I think the problems are more complex than that.
That being said, we live in a more fair and equal society right now, today, than the world has ever seen, imo.
EDIT: and it’s not because of religion, but the rule of law. [/quote]
Exactly.
The US is a (morally) better place today than when kids prayed in schools. And that’s about all that needs to be said about that.
[/quote]
And the rule of law originally came from a tablet written by a gorilla refereeing a fight between a polar bear and a lion in Africa, did it?
The US is a (more-a-liberal ) place today than when kids played in schools ( we now have science to replace real toys and real paint: all can be done in an ipad ). And that is all that needs to be said:
Liberalism is not Liberty.
Liberal men are not liberated men.
Caged animals snap eventually and break down in many active and passive ways of violence.