More obnoxious laughter followed

No, it’s whatever you say, my Sweet Prince.

Noob should’ve used PNPM

Religious people do good and evil because of their faith and they are no different than anyone else doing those things for their own reasons.

They are absolutely different, because in some major religions, devotion is rewarded or promised heavily in the afterlife, which creates a great incentive. These people are more likely to become radicalized or extremists, often going out of their way to impose their worldview on others through harassment, aggression, or influence. I’ll point to Mother Theresa, who inflicted so much pain on others when she thought she was doing good, often withholding pain medicine and other treatments. She said suffering is what God intended, and so she did… unto others.

There you go. You’re more preoccupied with ceremony than substance because your substance has run thin.

Oh, now it’s whining! First, I’m emotional, but then you realize that backfires, and now I’m whining.

And my feelings are hurt. 😂 Sorry but I feel like laughing with all this. Loud, obnoxious laughter would be the emotion I’m feeling right now.

Oh, of course I don’t.

Whoa, that’s a very nice reply! Thank you, and thank you for taking it seriously, too. I was being downvoted and I was hoping you hadn’t taken the question the wrong way. I’m glad that’s not the case because I’m genuinely curious.

Ah, I should’ve stated that I’m gay. That’s the biggest factor. It feels like it multiplies all those percentages by a way smaller fraction because the dating pool is a puddle. I honestly don’t see many people that I like who would be interested in a monogamous relationship because I think queer culture in my country has different priorities, so it feels like it raises the stakes and the pressure every time I give a relationship a go with someone who seems compatible. I’ve even changed my views to match the culture, but no luck yet.

And let me just vent this, but my luck has run so ridiculously bad that even the guy who bragged about having had three different 5-year relationships and got me starry-eyed left out that his last one had been abusive for years and tried that shit on me too. These things tend to linger in my mind, y’know? It’s rough out there.

they are no different than anyone else doing those things for their own reasons

They are absolutely different, because in some major religions, devotion is rewarded or promised heavily in the afterlife, which creates a great incentive. These people are more likely to become radicalized or extremists, often going out of their way to impose their worldview on others through harassment, aggression, or influence. I’ll point to Mother Theresa, who inflicted so much pain on others when she thought she was doing good, often withholding pain medicine and other treatments. She said suffering is what God intended, and so she did… unto others.

Yeah, after they established a reputation and many years of hard work. Religious orgs don’t need to do all that. They show a spiritual symbol and everybody assumes they’re doing the Lord’s work.

Go cry about your feelings elsewhere

I think you got emotional and started projecting. But don’t get confused now and start breaking rule 1.

What, is that supposed to be a zinger? I’d criticize any religion, but the only religions immediately around me with any noticeable impact are Catholics and La Luz del Mundo. I don’t care to talk about hypotheticals or extreme cases because those are unproductive. Or tell, why are you keen on talking about the exceptions to the rule?

Oh, interesting, how do you mean?

I want to specify that I’m taking about all the dominant religions in the West with known charities like the Salvation Army. I don’t particularly know or care about the Hare Krishna who gather downtown once a year offering free food with an ulterior motive and practically no noticeable social impact for anyone other than themselves, for example.

I don’t think I could talk about all religions in the world, but I can safely talk about major trends and commonalities. That does not make me ignorant.

Well, how about we flip it: why are secular organizations not recognized for the work they do? I mean, why are religious institutions getting all the credit as if they were inherently more virtuous?

The only advantage religion has is its active community that propels initiatives as part of a grand ideal. I don’t think the actual work would go undone if the project had already been established from the overwhelming support of an existing secular community. Helping others is, after all, human nature.

I think you’re not taking into account its hierarchical nature founded on unquestioning obedience, and the unearned & inherent facade of trust it has for some people. These tools aren’t available for the non-religious which is very enabling if your goal is to exploit. And exploit they have.

Sure, but religion arguably does just as bad if not worse in all kinds of areas.

It touches on everything from the warped understanding of the world, to superficial gestures of kindness for loyalty in return, to substituting health care with dangerous consequences, to giving criminals a clear conscience, it promotes hateful group thinking, subjects their followers to paths of radicalization or extremism, it both promotes & is used as a tool for suppression and subjugation of others, etc, etc. Yes, religion can do good, but the underbelly is hideous.

They are just as flawed as the rest of us.

Or even more so! They also know a few social tricks to get what they want. Oh, I’ve seen it. Lol

Romantic relationships as promoted by society. After dating so many different types of men and always being let down, I’ve decided it’s not worth my time.

And after hearing so many stories of cheating partners doing shady shit, breaking people’s hearts, perpetrating abuse, gambling life savings away, etc., I’ve decided it’s a bunch of BS that either works for very few people, or you need to seriously compromise and overlook a lot of shit with the average person. And I’m so done with that and I’m also frustrated and jaded.

So now when I see a couple all lovey dovey i see them with derision and I start to wonder how long they have until the inevitable breakup or if one of them is doing some shit on the side.

Holy shit, that would’ve eroded my trust in my mother completely.

I didn’t get in trouble, but the principal wanted to know who had scribbled a phrase on our table with an eraser that had already been removed. 🙄

Nah, fuck your stupid detention for that.

Some take up 30% of the page… In plain 2025! Disgusting.