@f884fa2b I hear what you're saying, the only problem is that they're still imposing religious views on others - it's just that in these cases we feel the same on these issues so it works out. 

As far as Catholocism goes, the wreckage it has left through history can't be justified by a few folks that managed to find reinforcement on things they should have been doing anyway.

I do respect your point of view - no caveats, and I'm not saying everyone who's religious is a bad person. 

 @f884fa2b When someone already believes in a magic Angry Grandfather who lives on a cloud in the sky, it's not that far to take them to even further absurdities. 

 @134318c2 @0145c0c5 @dc243d62 Yeah, it's tough to throw them out when there's a big sign that says "Free Fud and Howzes".  Once we've created an ideal environment, it's almost impossible to meaningfully control them. 

 @0145c0c5 @134318c2 @dc243d62 Having been so successful with cockroach eradication I look forward to equal success with terror and prostration before our eventual insect overlords. 

 @3967703f As long as they hire "Executives" for the head of the executive branch, they will continue to get the ignorance, con, let someone else do it, and everything else that comes with 90% of CEOs.

Get someone who loves working with people, wants to solve the tough problems, and is willing to work for a reasonable wage and live in a nice house, but not a mansion.

Preaching to the pulpit here, I know, but it's just so frustrating. 

 @dbd17de6 @3fe52772 I am not a Jew and would completely defer to your knowledge of Judaism and its teachings.

Probably blame my poor phrasing, because my own personal exegesis was that the religious person has other things that factor into their decision making, even though they may also simply want to do the right thing.  I think the teaching was more to illustrate the fact that the athiest has nothing else that factors in.

Again, not my tradition so I defer to those for whom it is. 

 @3fe52772 One of my favourite teachings on this was a Rabbi on the intrinsic goodness of the atheist.  I'm paraphrasing a longish teaching here, but that the religious does what they do for fear of loss of favour, or doctrine, or desire to please the divine.  The atheist does good simply because it is the right thing to do. 

 @429bb265 It's funny with Maher and Barrymore the right thing they're claiming is also the thing that benefits them.

In my experience, when faced with two choices that 'are for the good of others' chances are that the choice that doesn't benefit me is the morally correct one. 

 @429bb265 This is a great example of why, before voting for someone for any level of politics one should first see if they are a landlord.  If they are, then you have a pretty good indication of what their priorities are.