[sheepofblue]

Originally Posted by Proto

Thought this might stimulate a bit of debate

Pressing questions include the reasons, whether theistic or non-theistic, that the exceptionally wealthy U.S. is so inefficient that it is experiencing a much higher degree of societal distress than are less religious, less wealthy prosperous democracies. Conversely, how do the latter achieve superior societal health while having little in the way of the religious values or institutions? There is evidence that within the U.S. strong disparities in religious belief versus acceptance of evolution are correlated with similarly varying rates of societal dysfunction, the strongly theistic, anti-evolution south and mid-west having markedly worse homicide, mortality, STD, youth pregnancy, marital and related problems than the northeast where societal conditions, secularization, and acceptance of evolution approach European norms

OK a HUGE thread jack but just where did this rate info come from. While my knowledge of the Northeast is limited the perception of safer never was on my impression list

[figment]

Originally Posted by Proto

Thought this might stimulate a bit of debate

Pressing questions include the reasons, whether theistic or non-theistic, that the exceptionally wealthy U.S. is so inefficient that it is experiencing a much higher degree of societal distress than are less religious, less wealthy prosperous democracies. Conversely, how do the latter achieve superior societal health while having little in the way of the religious values or institutions? There is evidence that within the U.S. strong disparities in religious belief versus acceptance of evolution are correlated with similarly varying rates of societal dysfunction, the strongly theistic, anti-evolution south and mid-west having markedly worse homicide, mortality, STD, youth pregnancy, marital and related problems than the northeast where societal conditions, secularization, and acceptance of evolution approach European norms

...

Originally Posted by figment

A good argument stays on topic. Lets keep the arguments in this thread about judgment.

A very popular tactic: People who feel their position is slipping in an argument sometimes try and change the subject.

[Proto]

Threadjack?

Lovetolean said:

Right, which gets back to the original thread topic, judge not.

Way too many people use religion as an excuse to push their aims. Often violently, and in violent disagreement with the teachings of their religion.

Ideas are not the problem, people's perversion of them is.

and Nedro:

But I'm not killing anyone in the process!
I'm not killing Muslams
I'm not killing Jews
I'm not killing Doctors
Religeon does everyone of those and more!

[sheepofblue]

This thread has more thread jacks than Bacchus has bugs

[Getsome]

Originally Posted by Mojave954

Alrighty then, let the games begin.....

Going to need the bigger bucket on this one.

No doubt, pass the butter.......

[luvtolean]

Originally Posted by sheepofblue

OK a HUGE thread jack but just where did this rate info come from. While my knowledge of the Northeast is limited the perception of safer never was on my impression list

http://www.ihatetheusa.com

It saddens me that I could somehow be at fault for someone posting such drivel.

[Bacchus]

Originally Posted by sheepofblue

This thread has more thread jacks than Bacchus has bugs

OK, that's it, I WAS going to get into the game but now you have hurt my feelings. J/K of course - but there is no way I'm jumping into this one. I've already posted my personal thoughts about organized religion/spirituality/etc. and shall leave it at that.

Carry on, debaters...

Yes Mo Noyz, before you can say it, another direct cop out!