Cyprus-Forum.com

[miltiades]

An article in today's Sunday Times reports on the Joseph Rowntree Foundations' statement based on a poll carried out , that religion IS the new social evil , confirming that the root of all Human evil stems from religion. Looking at the world today its not difficult to come to the same conclusion with so much hatred and murder emanating and driven by religious doctrine.

"""""CHARITY set up by an ardent Christian to fight slavery and the opium trade has identified a new social evil of the 21st century - religion.

A poll by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation uncovered a widespread belief that faith - not just in its extreme form - was intolerant, irrational and used to justify persecution.

Pollsters asked 3,500 people what they considered to be the worst blights on modern society, updating a list drawn up by Rowntree, a Quaker, 104 years ago.

The responses may well have dismayed him. The researchers found that the “dominant opinion” was that religion was a “social evil”.

Many participants said religion divided society, fuelled intolerance and spawned “irrational” educational and other policies.

One said: “Faith in supernatural phenomena inspires hatred and prejudice throughout the world, and is commonly used as justification for persecution of women, gays and people who do not have faith.”

Many respondents called for state funding of church schools to be ended.

The findings contrast with Rowntree’s “scourges of humanity”, which included poverty, war, slavery, intemperance, the opium trade, impurity and gambling.

Poverty and drugs remain, but are joined by issues such as family breakdown, young people’s behaviour and fears over immigration.

Tom Butler, the Bishop of Southwark, rejected the indictment of faith. He said: “People meeting together, week after week, for worship, support and education in church, synagogue, temple, gurdwara and mosque can not only help people build local community but can teach children to become good citizens.”

However, Terry Sanderson, president of the National Secular Society, said he was “extremely pleased”.

“Britain has had it with religion,” he said.

[bill cobbett]

Absolutely agree with the majority view of the respondents in this poll.

Religion is clearly and definitely divisive, a waste of time that causes no end of friction between peoples and serves no purpose other than to line the pockets of the priests and the churches.

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... bill c. ...still believing in a return to the Occupied Districts, in this life and not the next.

[purdey]

It depends who you are Bill. Not all of us cause friction or wear a badge denoting our beliefs. There are far more every day things that cause friction in society, THE BLAME CULTURE been one.

[bill cobbett]

It depends who you are Bill. Not all of us cause friction or wear a badge denoting our beliefs. There are far more every day things that cause friction in society, THE BLAME CULTURE been one.

Sorry P., no offence, but I have to say that personally I despise all religions/faiths, including the one of my upbringing, the one that is traditional to the Island so I am happy to have the chance to wear my non-believer's badge.

I have to say that I do not think that any religion can be reasonable based as they all are, on unreasonable grounds.

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bill c. ....still believing in the Second Coming to Famagusta

[GorillaGal]

what does this mean the "NEW" social evil? it's been that way for centuries.

[miltiades]

what does this mean the "NEW" social evil? it's been that way for centuries.

Only just been recognised as such.

[Get Real!]

Religion is just one of the many cunning tools invented by humans to control others so one should blame the inventor instead of the invention.

[GorillaGal]

what does this mean the "NEW" social evil? it's been that way for centuries.

Only just been recognised as such.

recognised by who? the author of the artical, or the author if of the studies.... people have known for centuries that their religion is better than the other's.....

[miltiades]

Is it not revealing that the worlds most religious nations are also the worlds most literate nations .
Cruelty to humans and animals , deprivation of human rights , intolerance towards the less fortunate also widespread . Yet God is King !!

[GorillaGal]

Is it not revealing that the worlds most religious nations are also the worlds most literate nations .
Cruelty to humans and animals , deprivation of human rights , intolerance towards the less fortunate also widespread . Yet God is King !!

crazy, isn't it? god is love, lets kill in his name!