Globalization

[sneakeypete 16]

Originally posted by: manticorefan

Religion has built more hospitals and universities than atheism hasquote>

Depends on which country you live in. The 3 major universities in my city are all non religious. Half of the hospitals are state built. A lot of the schools are state built aswell.

Then again, i guess we are in a different position in the whole globalization debate. we're a heavy exporter of raw materials.

[LarksTonguesInAspic 28]

My point was that religion offers something in return, even if some use it toward evil ends. Religion in a general Western sense pulls its weight, societally. The idea that all religion is bad (this tangent started with John Lennon's Imagine) is no less dangerous IMO than twisting of religion for less-than-holy ideals.

That's all, I wasn't trying to stir that pot of stew again

[LarksTonguesInAspic 28]

My point was that religion offers something in return, even if some use it toward evil ends. Religion in a general Western sense pulls its weight, societally. The idea that all religion is bad (this tangent started with John Lennon's Imagine) is no less dangerous IMO than twisting of religion for less-than-holy ideals.

That's all, I wasn't trying to stir that pot of stew again

[LarksTonguesInAspic 28]

My point was that religion offers something in return, even if some use it toward evil ends. Religion in a general Western sense pulls its weight, societally. The idea that all religion is bad (this tangent started with John Lennon's Imagine) is no less dangerous IMO than twisting of religion for less-than-holy ideals.

That's all, I wasn't trying to stir that pot of stew again

[chris0101 8]

Originally posted by: Ntq$310

There he goes again... bringing up the evil nature of American conservatives and how there wrong and to blame for all our issues.

quote>

Defensive, aren't you? You've just proved my point that everything I say will be interpreted as anti-Americanism or anti-conservatism, etc. If you re-read my statement, I concluded that the US has both its ups and downs.

Ironically, there are a large number of Americans who do agree with what I say, just as there are those that disagree.

Originally posted by: Ntq$310

But, there is no easy choice for our situation. Regions like the Great Lakes and Northeast are more industrial, and are facing more and more trouble surviving. Looking at the current downturn, those regions will most likely recover last. But, we could risk hurting the western and southern states in order to save other regions. What we need to do however is make a decision and take the action needed.

I think we need to save our industrial sector to a point, and besides, from what I can tell, all great world economies had a strong industrial sector. Besides that, the consumer economy is one that frankly, I don't think works for us.quote>

Ah, finally, something we agree. It is true that historically, empires like the British, the Spanish, the Dutch, etc. had a strong manufacturing base. Just before their collapse, much of their economy turned to finance. There's more money the way the economy is set up to move money around that already exists than to create new wealth - hence the sheer power of the finance industry today.

The real question is - can you persuade the powers that run the US of this? Can you change a system when the people that got into power are there because the current system put them in? Consumerism is the dominant ideology in the US, like it or not, and most people are very firmly into it. Less than 10% are employed by the manufacturing sector, and I'll bet an even smaller percentage in 10 years if the current trends continue.

[chris0101 8]

Originally posted by: Duke87

Originally posted by: manticorefan

 Religion has built more hospitals and universities than atheism has. quote>

Relgioius people have built more hospitals and universitites than atheist people have, yes.

Which, considering that they heavily outnumber the atheists, and did so even more throughout history up until recent years, is to be expected.

Add to that that atheists, not belonging to a religous institution, do not have a huge organization to back them. Individual people don't build hospitals, groups of organized people do. 

Athesits simply don't organize the same wat religious people do. Many don't like that  sort of establishment and far prefer to act independently and unilaterally in what they do. Which precludes doing anything too significant unless you're a millionaire.quote>

Most of the existing hospitals and universities (at least in the Western world) are predominantly secular. Sure, you have schools like Regent University, but they are the exception and not the rule.

And why is it that the universities and institutions most noted for scientific and technological breakthroughs are mainly secular? Science challenges the established thinking and encourages critical thinking while religion emphasizes faith and often blind devotion without skepticism.