Its religion which offers certainty. So may be the question is otherway around. Have you found out the secret to the origins of life?
Being doubtful and tolerating others is the way forward.

Here's my point (for those who cannot infer one for themselves): if the pragmatist prefers not to be chaffed for their nonchalance about the afterlife, shouldn't the believer be paid reciprocating respect? After all, neither has edged the other as far as insights into the 'world' (if any) beyond death.

I'm sorry Shaafiee, but I reserve the right to consider religious beliefs unfashionable, stupid and insane. And it has nothing to do with the knowledge of origin of life or life after death.

neither has edged the other as far as insights into the 'world' (if any) beyond death
but the respect is gone when one claims to know & make laws based on it

Simon,

This thing about 'tolerance' seems very one-sided from your reply.

But the believer *has* claimed absolute insights into the 'world' beyond death.

Anonymous@9:15,

That's generalizing.

On Fridays when I walk back home from the Mosque I see people from Divehistan stand in groups doing their self-righteous snickering as if poor us, we've been denied the goods of the Afterlife.

The religious garb seems to be the height of fashion. The people from Divehistan are "religious" about their fashion. There are whole islands that've chosen the veil as the best of haute couture.

Simon, are you referring to every religion or a particular religion? LOL

Shaafiee,

Come on man. You ought to know better. It has nothing to do with tolerance. If your religious beliefs are stupid or maybe even insane then no amount of intellectual juggling can make it anything else, right? My opinion of those beliefs will be unchanged.

And what did I say? I said I reserve the right to "consider" religious beliefs stupid or insane.

It is one thing to be tolerant and another thing completely to have an opinion.

Most fundies and fanatics think the way you do - without understanding what tolerance really means.

Simon,

First of all I don't believe you've established your claim that the belief system of Islam is stupid (you more than 'consider' it from all related compositions on your blog). You need to do a lot more than just claim it in order to convince people. Without real proof what you yourself are doing is hinging on your 'beliefs'.

Secondly, what if I were to openly offer the opinion that you're a spoiled brat who has a problem completing anything you've started? Is it fair of me to make such an accusation in a public forum? Is that not infringing upon your rights? Or are you carrying a dictionary from Neverland?

Lastly, you emanate a very Maldivian trait from that last statement. You seem to lose your sense of civility when you get worked up over a discussion. I see no reason why you should imply that I'm a fundamentalist/fanatic just for offering my 'opinion'. If you want the gloves to come off then I'll be more than happy to oblige.

LOL.

Man, I am not pointing at Islam alone here. I am saying that I reserve the right to consider any religious belief stupid. Why are you so worked up about that? And yes, no matter what you say Islam has some very very very stupid things in it. That is my opinion. Get it?

And what I write on my blog is also my opinion. I don't go rallying or organizing events to persecute religious people. What is wrong with you man?

You see, I am not trying to convince people of anything. I express my opinions and that's that.

You can openly offer you opinion about me and I have the right to openly defend myself. This is how it should be. It is called debate.

And speaking of dictionary. You shouldn't talk about dictionaries, Shaafiee. Remember the thing about decapitation? Yeah, that was really, utterly, awesomely stupid of you. So please don't try to wave your dictionary claim in my face man. I know who doesn't have a dictionary.

Anyway, I didn't imply that you were a fundie at all. I said fundies think the way you do without understanding what tolerance really means. Shaafiee, everything is up for debate. Do you agree on this? Not even religion is immune from debate. And if you subscribe to that notion of immunity for Islam then you are no more different than those fundies. Do you get what I am saying?

Simon,

I did ask Warm Pixels to look up a proper dictionary. I guessed people like you would already have one. I guessed wrong. Once again, please do look up 'decapitation' on a proper (if you don't know what proper means don't be shy to ask someone) dictionary. Your vain 'holier-than-thou' rebuttal only highlights how worked up you're getting.

Now, where in any of my rantings have I claimed immunity for Islam? I can only see it as a fabrication concocted to hide the fact that your bias towards atheism compels you to demonize religion. But then we already know that. So, why keep coming back for more?

Simon sounds like a delusional angry man, approaching death and in deed of justification of a laundry list of immoralities... must be consoling but pointless nevertheless.

Simon sounds like a delusional angry man, approaching death and in deed of justification of a laundry list of immoralities... must be consoling but pointless nevertheless.

Simon,

You said in your comment dated 2:27 AM, May 01, 2009,

"...religious beliefs unfashionable, stupid and insane..."

And then in the comment dated 11:41 AM, May 02, 2009, you said,

"..And yes, no matter what you say Islam has some very very very stupid things in it."

Aren't these two phrases contradicting?

If religious beliefs are "unfashionable, stupid and insane", then why Islam has "some very very stupid things"? Does this mean, you believe that there are good things in Islam as well?

So then why religious beliefs are "unfashionable, stupid and insane"?

You are really confused guy! You need some consultation dude!

Simon,

Just in case you can't afford to buy a dictionary (and to help you lay to rest your 'bin Laid' affliction) here's one definition for decapitate in my dictionary:
'cut the end or top from (something)'

(Some people still need to be spoon-fed methinks)

Shaafiee,

"You're a spoiled brat who has a problem completing anything you've started?"

This sentence applies to you too.

And one more thing, at least Simon has a happy family, which you don't yet. I wish you all the best instead of picking on people's personal issues.

Riyaz

Guilty as charged, 'Riyaz'.