What's the bigger social opiate, organized sports or organized religion?

Rugby IS our religion

And Buck Shelford is one of our prophets.

The Rugy World Cup starts tomorrow!!!!
Bring on the social opiates

 

Neither. Television is.

 

I hate watching ball sports, it's boring.

 

Well, with sports teams offering up prayers before every match, that makes sports the opiate of the gods!
Behold these excerpts from the holy playbook:

Exodus 32:6 And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.

1st Samuel 16:17 And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.

2nd Samuel 10:12 Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: ...

:lol: :lol: :lol:

 

Using every opportunity in an attempt to denigrate other peoples' religious belief systems . . . apparently in order to compensate for the apparent hollowness one must feel being an atheist. </span>

So, the warm fuzzy feeling one receives by virtue of being a superior atheist isn't in itself rewarding enough?
One must take every opportunity to tear down others who don't think the same way?
Get a life.

 

I like being an atheist, it allows me to take credit for my triumphs as well as accepting my failings. I can revel in my triumphs and work on my failings. I neither share the credit nor the blame with a god.

Actually I'm not a good atheist because I am god but this isn't the right thread to go into that.

There's a point, if there is a god is he an atheist or does he believe in a higher being?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Sufferin' Prius Envy @ Sep 6 2007, 11:32 PM) [snapback]508422[/snapback]</div>

Simmer down. Coupla points:

1. You yourself have countless times seized every opportunity to deride, ridicule, denigrate and insult people who have different beliefs in politics, art, morals, what's good to eat, the weather, fashion and everything else under the sun and moon, without regard or consideration for how deeply others might feel about their positions, yet you somehow think YOUR belief in something must only be spoken of in reverent tones, accorded a respect you refuse to grant others? Wake up buddy. You are not the center of the universe.

2. Didn't you see the smilies, both actual and implied? The first indication that whatever position you hold might be misguided is when you lose your sense of humour over it. Every response in this thread BUT yours was intended to be funny. Maybe some jokes fell flat. It's a good thing we all have day jobs and don't depend on night gigs as comedians to make ends meet. But you must think your belief is on pretty weak footing if you don't think it can survive being poked fun at.

Mark Baird
Alameda CA

 

Karl said it was religion. That's his story and I'm sticking to it.

Actually, in the US, I suspect the answer may be that for men it's sports, and for women it's still religion.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(airportkid @ Sep 7 2007, 12:29 AM) [snapback]508432[/snapback]</div>

Yeah . . . but only when THEY are being ignorant. :lol:

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(airportkid @ Sep 7 2007, 12:29 AM) [snapback]508432[/snapback]</div>

Actual or implied smiley from burritos and the other rabid God haters? :huh: The only smiley they would ever use on one of their anti-religion tirades is as a weapon.

It's not just one or two posts, it's a freakin' non-stop barrage of anti-religion crap from them. And heck if I'm going to sit back like a coward and not respond to their crap. :blink: :huh: :angry: <_< :mellow:

 

Isn't it called turn the other cheek?
Can we all accept that we all have different beliefs?
Why is religion being discussed anyway, someone must have raised it and as it isn't part of an atheist's life it's unlikely it was an atheist.

 

Panem et circus!

Actually, opiates relieve pain, which is what religion does for many people. Hence, it is an opiate for the masses, and I don't even see that as ripping religion.

Sports do not alleviate pain/soothe people, they get them riled up (and entertained). They are more like the amphetamine (coffee, stimulant, etc.) for the masses.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Darwood @ Sep 7 2007, 10:44 AM) [snapback]508572[/snapback]</div>

I'm not so sure about that... haven't you ever had a bad day, only to come home and find out that your favorite baseball team just took the lead in their division? It definitely helps to relieve the pain

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(eagle33199 @ Sep 7 2007, 11:00 AM) [snapback]508583[/snapback]</div>

Obviously you're not a Twins fan (at least not this year)

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Boo @ Sep 7 2007, 02:38 AM) [snapback]508439[/snapback]</div>

Wrong - for women it is shopping.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Darwood @ Sep 7 2007, 10:44 AM) [snapback]508572[/snapback]</div>

If you have no care for religion, and you feel you have no need for it, you are free to express it. If you believe governments use religion as the bread and circuses to keep the downtrodden masses in their places, go ahead and say so. If you are convinced that human society will not achieve any true happiness until the peoples' religious "follies" are surpasses through some greater understanding of each other and an economy built on that understanding, then sing it from the highest hill.

But please try to do so with respect and some intellectual honesty.

Of course Karl Marx was ripping religion. He intended to convey this, and it was received that way. To deny this is to exhibit misinformation or dishonesty. Today, the use of that phrase is loaded with derisive intent and meaning. (Perhaps more now than when Marx was writing.) If you believe it, then say it, but don't try to suggest that the Marxian phrase is not an affront to religion or religious people. It is.

Your use of the "panem et circus" phrase only enforces the derision that drips from the other phrase. Believe with your whole heart in your superior understanding, but please have the decency to show some respect for things that hold great meaning and value to others. I'll never be able to force it upon you, but I would like to ask it of you.

Again, if your goal is to show the world that religion is evil, bad and should be avoided, then have at it. But don't try to say at the same time that your use of loaded phrases is taken the wrong way.

Maybe we can't all get along, but at least we share some values. We do all own some pretty good cars, right?

Oh -- and as far as which is the greater "opiate" in America? I think the general question really points out a societal problem. Love of and near addiction to TV sports creates problems in many families. This can't be a positive for the community as a whole. Still, I just love watching college football on Saturdays. Ouch!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tleonhar @ Sep 7 2007, 11:06 AM) [snapback]508585[/snapback]</div>

Never have been Grew up in Ohio, just after the big red machine dot dismantled. I'm pretty much a die-hard Cleveland fan when it comes to sports... but don't get me started about how we've constantly been screwed over. Heck, the year the Indians had the best chance at winning it all the darned league went on strike. And then the Browns got sold to another city by some under-the-table midnight deal against all wishes of anyone not directly profiting from the deal...

 

"Again, if your goal is to show the world that religion is evil, bad and should be avoided, then have at it. But don't try to say at the same time that your use of loaded phrases is taken the wrong way."

Never was my goal, and if you've read my prior posts, I have derided burritos for doing what you seem to be lecturing me about.
I've stated in the past, despite my agnosticism, that religion is a great tool for many people and does far more good than evil. Please direct your criticism to Burritos, who fully enjoys getting people riled up about religion (read his signature). My only complaint with religion is when it mixes into politics and the inability of the moderate majority of Christians to tell the fundamentalists to shut up and quit pushing the flat earth society on our children.