User:Davebenson32

All about me
I enjoy mathematics, business, and engineering. Since getting access to the Internet, my subjects of interest have increased dramatically because now I can access information on a whim. Without my computer and the Internet, I'd still probably be watching other people have success but now they're watching me.

My interests are in genetics, psychology, and computers, and I enjoy doing volunteer work in my community.

I like people to respond in a respectful manner, and I hope we can all work together to ensure Wikipedia is fair and balanced.

NB If you wish to criticise this section, please do so on the talk page

Criticisms of Christianity
Critics of Christianity have included philosophers, journalists, scientists and other people from all walks of life.

Allegations of Intolerance
Some critics have argued that Christianity can be an intolerant religion. Bertrand Russell argued that "the puritanism of Christianity has played havoc with the moderation that an enlightened and tolerant critical spirit would have produced." Voltaire said that "of all religions, Christianity is without a doubt the one that should inspire tolerance most, although, up to now, the Christians have been the most intolerant of all men"

Critics argue that some christians are so intolerant that they wish to supress the reality of criticism, and pretend that no criticism exists.

Christianity and Reason
Some critics, such as Richard Dawkins argue that Christianity has sought to suppress rational enquiry and hence the quest for truth. He cites the story of Doubting Thomas from the Bible and argues that the Bible actively discourages believers from making rational enquiries about their faith. Dawkins has said that he is against religion "because it teaches us to be satisfied with not understanding the world."

Chrstianity and Inconsistency
It is hardly controversial to note that much of Christianity is inconsistent.

Christianity and Morality
Some critics have argued that the Bible's insistence on absolute right and wrong have led misguided people to fight wars on the basis of that religion, such as the Crusades. Linguist and political radical Noam Chomsky, for example, has argued that the Bible "is one of the most genocidal books in history." George Monbiot has also argued that Christian fundamentalists are driving the United States's current foreign policy, to the detriment of all concerned. ''

Beginning of a section on Christianity and Hiv/AIDS
NB If you wish to criticise this section, please do so on the talk age

The fact that some parts of the Christian Church are opposed to condom use has lead to sharp criticsm.

For example Peter Tatchell of OutRage has said that "Millions of children in developing countries are orphans; having lost their parents to Aids because of the Pope's anti-condom dogma,"

I hope that his passing will see a new dawn in the Church Mark Leech, Prisons Handbook editor

"Pope John Paul II waged a ceaseless war against the human rights of women and gay people - opposing the right of women to control their own fertility, blocking women's equality in the church and endorsing state-sponsored discrimination against lesbians and gay men."

As a human being and, may I say it as a Catholic, I mourn the passing of John Paul II... but thank God he's gone," he said.

"He represented so much of what is an anathema to those of us who have lived in the modern world that he has left behind.

"As a gay man, and as a Catholic, looking forward to marrying my partner under the new Civil Partnership Act that comes into force in December 2005, I hope that his passing will see a new dawn in the Church," Mr Leech said.

'Destroying lives'

He criticised the Pope's belief that wearing a condom was a sin and that homosexuals were immoral.

"I am sad that he has died, but I cannot hide the fact that with his passing I hope we will see a new era in the Church," Mr Leech said.

Anne Quesney, director of London-based campaign group Abortion Rights, said she believed the Catholic Church would not change its conservative view on abortion.

OutRage's Peter Tatchell Gay activist Peter Tatchell criticised the Pope's anti-condom stance

"Under John Paul II the Vatican's views on reproductive health and reproductive rights have been consistently extremely conservative," she said.

"He was opposed to any form of contraception including condoms and this, especially at a time when Aids is destroying hundreds of thousands of lives."

She said the Pope's views showed he had "little regard" for women's lives. 

Condoms The new pope has "given no indication that he intends to soften -- even "one iota" -- the Vatican's ban on the use of contraception, despite the World Health Organization's stance that condom use is the most effective means of stopping the spread of HIV in Africa, AFP/Channel News Asia reports (AFP/Channel News Asia, 4/20). However, some observers say a change in the church's ban on condom use to prevent HIV transmission is the "best hope" for doctrinal change, in part because a "first cautious step" has been made by some African churches, which have condoned condom use between married couples when one partner is HIV-positive, AFP/Yahoo! News reports (AFP/Yahoo! News [1], 4/19). Others, including HIV/AIDS and gay rights advocates, are less optimistic about a possible change in doctrine, AFP/Philippine Daily Inquirer reports. They believe the new pope might be "even more rigid" on the issue than the late Pope John Paul II, according to AFP/Philippine Daily Inquirer. "The former positions taken by the Catholic Church had already prevented the use of condoms and helped the spread of AIDS," Italian lawmaker Franco Grillini, who is honorary president of the Italian gay association Arcigay, said, adding, "We are very worried" (AFP/Philippine Daily Inquirer, 4/20).