Just deport the Muslims to India. The Hindus will take care of them.

https://apnews.com/fc33669f25c98b0762917ea093f21916

Sometimes religion is its own cure.

And set an example. Instead, like authoritarians everywhere. they persecute everyone not like them.

Kind of destroys your whole religion is good bs.

People do things, and they justify what they do using a variety of reasons.

because of religion or God?

Good things, and bad things.

people do good things because of religion and God.

You have stated repeatedly that people do not do bad things because of religion. But "it's just the nature of humanity"

So is the opposite true as well, do people do good things because of religion, it is a very straight question.

What are some of the variety of reasons? And are God and religion two of them.

Some people cite a belief in a deity. Among these theists, some behave badly.

Some people say that they are unsure, or do not believe in a deity. Among these people, some behave badly.

a religion or belief for a bad behavior?

Just as "atheists" do not put Uighurs in concentration camps, but Chines atheists who control their government do.

does something good that is connected to religion. If religion is not the motivational factor, than religion should have nothing to do with good behavior as well.

And that topic is the Chinese persecuting the Uighurs for the crime of being theists.

Is there a reason that you do not wish to discuss this?

you bring that up in threads about other topics?

Understood. It is difficult for some here to admit that everyone can be guilty of intolerance.

that is an incredible strawman. But I believe their are reasons for the intolerance, like religion, bigotry or political philosophy. Not just some ambiguous "human nature".

So I have now posted a reply to the topic, will you reply to my question?

China is perhaps among the most flagrant offenders.

not because of any religious belief. But you refuse to answer if you think good deeds are also due just to human nature, and not because of any religious belief.

So I would suggest that it is part of human nature.

Is it OK we therefore look at what seems to promote or reinforce it, to learn more about how to combat/prevent it? Or is that off-limits for discussion in the Religion group? Will you simply continue to "WHATABOUT CHINESE ATHEISTS" every time someone mentions intolerant teachings found in a religion?

How can humans combat their nature?

By not venerating teachings and texts that promote and reinforce it, perhaps?

outweigh our differences.

That should be part of the fight against intolerance, should it not?

Based on your experiences, and study.

I defer to experts.

That might be a good topic for a post here.

That socialization plays an extremely important role in informing human social behavior. But we've gone over this already.

Religion isn’t responsible for anything, because that’s just “human nature”, except when it isn’t.

If you didn’t know any better, you’d think some people have been indoctrinated into believing all things bad come from the red guy with a bifurcated tail and all good things come from the old white guy with a long beard.

People do what they do because that's what they do? No one should ever be charged with incitement?

If people break the law, they should accept the consequences.

Suppose a holy book says to stone gays?
Suppose a priest says to shoot gays?
Suppose someone does?

See the connection?

But I believe that in the US, certain things are seen as incitement. So I googled the term, and:

Are they just "words in a book" to you?

You're being very disingenuous here.

That is the question posed to you.

You're making an argument about what constitutes incitement. This is an analysis of said argument. I can understand why you'd rather not defend your position, though.

in and of itself should be a crime?

of being theists? That is the actual topic here, although all of the diversion has been offered.

So do you agree that the Uighurs are being persecuted by the Chinese government for the crime of being theists?

People are not being imprisoned "for the crime of being theists."

They are being imprisoned for being a threat to the state.

The Chinese government also imprisons atheists who are a threat to the state. You know this, because it's been shown to you. But you continue to repeat your false claims, in order to support your agenda.

This is why no one takes you seriously.

Your argument is with the people whoa re actually being oppressed because they are theists.

I know that this conflicts with your narrative, but perhaps you should consider changing that narrative. Actual scientists know that when evidence contradicts a theory, it is unscientific to reject actual evidence.

A *thorough* reading does not.

But even if this were the only reason, what does it say about the Chinese atheists who control their government?

You still haven't proven it's only atheists who control the Chinese government. You assume and assert, but you've never proven.

So go ahead, cement your argument.

How can you be sure? Are you going to take the word of an authoritarian government?

you already know the answer.

if you have not, and have never read how Communist atheists did the same thing in the USSR, then you need to do some reading.

Thank you for admitting it.

But hell, for the sake of argument, let's say you're right. Let's assume everyone in the Chinese government is an atheist. Considering that they are arresting and detaining religious people, non-religious people, travelers, computer-savvy people, educators, business people, and just about every other group of people possible... are they doing this because atheism says they should, or are they doing it to protect the power of the Chinese state?

So are these Chinese atheists exhibiting intolerance? A similar level of intolerance as we see in, say, Saudi Arabia?

I then said that for the sake of argument, we would proceed. Don't play these stupid tricks to try and boost your ego. Just drop the shit.

Now, to continue, I have never denied that ANYONE can be intolerant. That is some kind of straw man position that you have repeatedly tried to assign to me, and other people in this forum. I don't hold it. They don't hold it. So stop trying to force it on me, OK? Deal?

The key question to be asked, then, is WHY are the people in the Chinese government intolerant? WHY are the people in the Saudi government intolerant?

Are the people in the Chinese government intolerant because of something they think atheism requires?

Are the people in the Saudi government intolerant because of something they think Islam requires?

it does not matter what the claimed motivation might be.

Do the Chinese atheists feels that their intolerance is motivated by their atheism? Some might, but I cannot answer for them.

Why won't you allow discussion about that?

As has been pointed out to you on multiple occasions by multiple people on multiple threads, you never hesitate to promote when someone claims their religion motivated them to do good things. Why do you insist religion can never motivate someone to be intolerant?

SO to make that argument is false.

You always say people "claim" to be motivated, not that they ARE motivated by religion to do bad things.

But there are verses in the bible and koran that specifically promote intolerance. You are begging the question by wanting everyone to think they're just reading those things incorrectly. As if you are the holder of all the TRUE religious teachings of the world, and anyone who comes to a different conclusion than you is just "claiming" to understand it differently so they can justify the (in your opinion) bad behavior.

Get it yet?

No.

But who are you to say your interpretation is valid, and theirs isn't?

perhaps the person who claims to see these verses as promoting intolerance is looking for justification.

Just as citizens who claim to find justification for intolerance in the histories of their own countries.

Are you the decider of what the bible says?

History does suggest that.

You don't know if you've interpreted your holy book correctly. You can never know.

People can truly be motivated by their religion to be intolerant. It can and does happen. Do you admit this, at long last?

I do not define for others the correct interpretation of the Bible.

You are saying that those who are inspired to intolerance by their religion are wrong, that there is no intolerance in any religious teaching (thus saying they are wrong) and further, you are promoting prejudice against non-believers by saying that no one can truly follow religious teachings and be intolerant.

People can truly be motivated by their religion to be intolerant. It can and does happen. Do you admit this, or not?

Luckily for you, straw is in abundant supply.

Explain how I "misframed." I dare you. This is your go-to escape hatch - you get argued into a corner with your own position, and then say you were "misframed" and run away.

Or even easier, just answer this question:

Do you think religious teachings can ever promote or encourage intolerance? Yes or no.

Do you admit this or not?

If I have misframed what you've said, then please explain how instead of just dismissively throwing out a knee-jerk response.

It can and does happen. Do you admit this, or not?

This is not exactly true, but it's what you say in order to obfuscate the issue and support your agenda.

People cite specific religious teachings to support their position. You know, like the parts of the bible that say you should kill witches. Those horrible teachings exist, no matter how much people like you want to shut your eyes and pretend they don't. Because just as you pick and choose what parts of the bible you want to accept, so too do the horrible people like murderers and terrorists. They have just as many verses in the bible or koran to point to as you do.

But you can't stand this reality, so you keep trying to say it's just people being bad and making up the claim that it's supported by their religion.

Until and unless people like you accept there really are bad things taught in religions, those bad people will still have the power.

Or, continue diverting because the Chinese government is run by atheists.

then you will have the moral standing to dictate what people talk about on your threats.

Til then, tough shit.

What kind of Christian attitude is that, g? Did Jesus tell you to turn the other cheek, or did he tell you to take an eye for an eye?

it doesn't work. Mainly because it's not the reason why.

But you've got your agenda of hate, and that's that.

you would have seen that your claim here is easily refuted by the facts of the situation.

But you do have your agenda.

Not your agenda. I understand your frustration with this, and your need to hate and attack because of it.

Noted, and understood. The Chinese atheists who control the government are extremely intolerant.

Tons of experience using it.

BTW, can you provide your evidence that the people who control the Chinese government are ALL atheists? You've been asked to support this claim many times, but you never have. I wonder why that is?

A perfect score.

Got a response for #75 yet? You've been avoiding this thread for a few days, figured you couldn't come up with a good response. Looks like I was right, since you're kicking this irrelevant part of the thread.

BTW - you don't get to complain about whataboutism until you stop doing it. I challenge you to refrain from "WHATABOUT CHINA" posting on other threads. Will you accept the challenge? Or will you still mete out "eye for an eye" justice on those you think deserve it, just like Jesus ordered you to?

And 3 responders immediately engaged in diversion, and whataboutism.

But you've also demonstrated a really poor grasp of what "whataboutism" really is.

Anyway, still awaiting your response to demonstrate that you're not defining what religion is for others.

Carry on.