Anoushik

No, I didn't know that one. There was some talk going on a couple of years ago that Beethoven had African genes. (Even my history professor mentioned it.) Domino, it's amazing how easy it is to find things on the net. Here you can read about some controversies surrounding the world of Classical music. Isn't it ridiculous?

The Star-Spangled Banner! Happy Birthday USA!!!

Great! Should I start a new thread about Classical music? You'd be surpised how many controversies you can find even discussing this subject. Too bad most people are not familiar with Classical music.

Of course not I just skim through the thread. It's easy to see that it's the same never-ending arguments Thoth and Domino, bravo for having so much energy and patience at the keyboard

Oh no, no, no, not this one either We won't turn this thread into a religious debate like so many other threads

So that explains it!

Whoa, Domino and Thoth, you apparently had a lot of time this morning Do you guys realize that we can argue about this forever with the same arguments? Domino, you will always say that based on your definition of religion atheism is a religion. And Thoth and I will always say that atheism is not a religion because there exists an established definition of religion and athieism is not considered a religion. Domino, you cannot create your own definitions about things and then insist that you are right! No wonder Thoth and I don't agree with you in this case.

The Atheism thread has 25 pages.

Why do you say that? Based on what do you say that?

Yes, but Domino I don't live by atheism as it is THE belief. That's what I've been trying to tell you. The only reason I keep talking about it is because you insist that atheism is a religion and since you are wrong I want to let you know it. Otherwise, atheism doesn't play any role in my life and most people don't even know that I'm an atheist.

Fahrenheit 9/11 Go see it and then tell me if you think the existence of a just God is at all possible.

Maral, I just don’t understand how you can create and keep such an inspirational thread, all at the same time as you keep posting in another thread full of distasteful jokes.

Very true, Thoth. I completely agree.

But Domino, a belief surely doesn't equal to religion. I have many beliefs: as a Classical musician I strongly believe (like the rest of the musicians) that the study of music in young age is very important and like the rest of the musicians I'll have to fight to introduce well established music education back into the schools. I'm a music student and I'm a teacher and my days are spent either practicing the piano, studying music scores, or listening to music (aside from posting in Hyeforum). There's even an expression: practicing religiously. So, I really didn't know that this was a religion. But like you say, if a religion is something centered on belief and it's a way of life then my "musicianism" is a religion. Um... what else... Ah yes, of course, I have other religions. Being an Armenian and strongly believing that I have to live my life as an Armenian. I don't date and have never dated non-Armenians. If the last guy available for me happened to be "rabiz" I'd still marry him. My kids have to be Armenian and have to speak Armenian. (Of course it wouldn't hurt if my Armenian husband held a position as the principal cellist in the LA Phil ) But what is this religion called? Armenianism? I'm a liberal democrat. Another religion. And of course, together with atheism I belong in four religions! I didn't even know that I was religious!

Domino, atheists don't say "we believe there is no God" but we say "there is no God". There is a big difference and maybe if we were to say the first statement atheism could be regarded as religion. Your claim that atheism is centered on a belief therefore it should be a religion is very broad. If this is true then we can apply this to everything from politics to the arts to education. Let's go ahead and call capitalism and socialism religions. Why not? They are both based on a belief.

Thank you, thank you, everyone See, it's not so bad to post in this ridiculously ongoing thread about gay marriage Aww, Sasun, don't be shy ... just say what you wanted to say... We love you no matter what you say

There is no end, is there Somehow everything turns into religious debate at the end. But I guess just as I'd rather discuss multiverse theories than gay marriage, similarly I'd rather discuss religion (or lack of religion) than gay marriage. Domino, really, it's a puzzle for me why you think atheism is a religion. I have to do some research to figure out why you think so and whether other people seem to think so. As of now I think you're the only one who thinks this. Are there other forum members who think atheism is a religion? Don't shy away people. I want to know what you think. (As of gay marriage... eh, I've tried my best to defend my position in this matter for as much as my time permits.)

Domino, I've been always trying to be very respectful of your opinions so I'd appreciate if you were respecting my views too. Saying things like "you need to think", like you've been saying these couple of days is not respectful at all. You remind me of a family friend who's so stubborn and only thinks his views are correct that the only time he's happy is when everyone agrees with him. Now, atheism is not a religion. Buddhism is a religion. Do you know what Buddhism is? Do you know what atheism is? Of all the people I know you're the only one who thinks that atheism is a religion. I'm tired of going over the same things - we've been doing this all over the forum. Wrong. This is only your definition of religion. I agree with everything that Thoth has said so far. The only thing I don't agree with is the comparison of gay marriage with the women's right to vote. Thoth just tends to be a bit impatient with his answers and gives his examples very vaguely. I have to say that I'm starting to see why. People are very stubborn in this forum and won't even consider other's views.

Domino, once and for all, just because something is a belief, or something concerns God, it doesn't mean that it's a religion. So far you haven't made any strong argument proving that and the only argument that you have made has been repeated claims that just because something concerns God it has to be a religion. This is incorrect. Just because you say that that doesn't mean that it's right. Where have I twisted things? There is no connection between this gay marriage issue and whether or not I believe atheism is a religion. Where do you come up with these ideas? You don't make any sense. And regarding gay marriage - I understand that you don't accept the word marriage and as far as I can see this is the only objection that you have against their union. Correct? You don't want their union to be called a marriage. Fine, I don't care what their union will be called as long as they can have the same benefits as married couples. And Armat is right; it's time that gays fought this battle and not me. I'm really done regarding this issue.

I don't think this discussion is going the wrong way. Domino was comparing the issue of gay marriage with the blind people not having a driver's license. He said that the both cases demonstrate privilages and not rights. I want to show that blind people not having the right to drive has nothing to do with gay marriage. Anyway, I have to go to work. I was getting ready and dressing at the same time as I was trying to keep up with this thread. That's why I was responding so late. Talk to you guys later.

So we can say that they don't meet the requirements of driving because they can't drive. If they were to try to drive they could hurt others? There could be property damage?

Ok, not quite done. Domino, can you please tell me why blind people shouldn't drive?

Yes, but why does faith need to have connections with God? Edit. There is no need to make everything religious.

What a great analogy. <_< I'm done with this thread.

No, I’m not an anarchist. Just because I sympathize with the gay community and want everyone to enjoy equal rights doesn’t mean that I’m an anarchist.