I'm not trying to start a huge debate here, I just want to see more of your opinion. Really, what religion that has been adopted has no reward or punishment system for its followers. Because in reality, what makes someone follow a religion if no reward/punishment exists? Human nature (altruism) exemplifies that. Are they going to force it upon you? Sure, but no true martyrs are forced or tricked into it(which is sadly what this thread title addresses and is sickening). But once again, as I have said...it is man that is behind the attrocities, not the religion itself.
well, I don't see what the traits of religion have to do with an aspect of it.
I pointed out that it wasn't Just because of the 72 virgins, you have pretty much admitted it's not, so really, there's no debate.
I'm not arguing religion as a system, I'm not arguing the particulars of religion, just the fact that suicide bombers commit the acts they do not only based upon the reward, some do, but the fact is that it's really complex.
I mean, you know my opinion on this.
you tried, perhaps as a joke, to oversimplify a matter, then pretty much admitted to oversimplifying but added a "my point stands" feel to your response.
which is weird, ignoring the political, ideological, economical factors and boiling it down to "horny teenagers and lonely old men" was laughable.
You didn't call it evil. It makes me laugh in all the Christian threads how some people try to make followers second guess their life by addressing the written flaws of man. Like how nearly everyone, including myself, harp on how annoying it is for followers to try and push their agenda when atheists and agnostics do the same
and why does it make you laugh? why is it funny that someone tells you to question what you believe in?
let's be honest here, someone had to tell you to believe in it in the first place didn't they? and, let's be clear here "the written flaws of man"?
then, gee, the holy text, the perfect word of god means NOTHING if it's flawed, hey, let's throw away the bible and do away with all this hypocrisy, if it's just about the "written flaws of man".
final note, what's the agnostic/atheist agenda?
seriously, "question stuff?" that's the agenda? seems like a basic idea that's responsible for most advances in humanity's history.
so, what would the agenda be anyway?