Study of religion devoid of faith blinkered, says Archbishop

[Warren Stupidity]

Picking up the slack....

He said “one does not have to be a believer to engage in interreligious dialogue or in reflection on religion as a social phenomenon”. In apparent reference to plans for classes on religion and ethics in primary schools, he continued: “But a study of religion which is entirely limited to the history and the sociology of religion may well be blinkered in its ability to understand the nature of faith and its relevance in the personal life of individuals and it relevance to public life.”

There was “no evidence that a totally ‘religiously neutral secularist society’ is the best space in which to foster dialogue between religions”.

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/religion-and-beliefs/study-of-religion-devoid-of-faith-blinkered-says-archbishop-1.2418766
Yes because in a religiously neutral society the nuttery that underlies religion would be obvious whereas if the discussion is limited to those who have fully engaged in magical thinking, the mutual back slapping and glad handing avoids that problem.

[DetlefK]

1. WHAT THE F**K! Read the second half of the article.

There were “forms of secular society worldwide in which hostility to religious values forces some religious groups into a dangerously narrow perception of their culture, into religious fundamentalism, and thus sharpen religious differences and misunderstanding of a pluralist society.The desire of a secularist society to reduce religion to the private sphere may make it hard for some to embrace fully the strong religious commitment of others.”

So it's the secularists fault that people of different religions are trying to kill each other?

"If only religions were allowed to say the craziest and most offensive stuff in public, people of different religions would finally get along!"

[longship]

2. The special pleading blows the mind.

Just make shit up when one has no rational explanation.

Oh!

[trotsky]

4. "forces some religious groups into a dangerously narrow perception of their culture"

What I believe he is referring to there is the subject of marriage equality. The RCC and fundies are equally distraught over the notion that they have to allow homosexuals to lead fulfilling, happy lives with the partner of their choice.

[trotsky]

3. Wow. Just wow. n/t

[Act_of_Reparation]

5. When someone rejects your nonsense, it is always because they "don't understand".

The perennial refrain of people who believe stupid things.

Got a problem with transubstantiation? It's because you don't understand.

Got a problem with Jesus' "sacrifice"? It's because you don't understand.

Got a problem with how we reconcile all the awful bits of our special book? It's because you don't understand.