"All that religeon does is promise us some future abstract notion of a deliverance from pain and suffering."

Not really 'all'. Most religions have codes of conduct that would make the world a much, much better place if people obeyed them. They don't, though. As an 'activist' [ ] I'm sure you can relate to trying to make people understand that their behaviors effect the welfare of the world. Religion does that too, with the same difficulties.

Bakerstreet,

Bloody hell you're busy today, listen I want to get some lunch I'm starving.

But us activists, we're so selfless don't you think?

>>

Agreed, but then those codes are imperfect so that people end up, as you point out, abusing them.

Religeon does try to affect the welfare of the world but I retch when I see happy clappys in parts of Africa offering food for God.

Out of curiosity, do you think that the behaviour of one country that produces a negative global effect should be censured for that behaviour? Or the opposite, that we should pay poorer countries NOT to log, or chop down rainforests or whatever?

A negative incentive.

Actually this is probably the wrong subject for that, but what the hell I'm hungry.

And irritable.

Grrrr.

See?

yechdyda,

No, I'm not busy, lol, that is the problem. If I were sitting here doing my work instead of farting around here, I'd be busy.

"do you think that the behavior of one country that produces a negative global effect should be ..."

Hard one. I don't think you can really punish them for it, because they are usually using the only resources they have out of abject poverty. The sad part is, it doesn't make them any more wealthy.

I suppose I would have to say that a reward system would be more humane, but if we did business with them, instead of evil countries like China, then perhaps they wouldn't need to log. Supporting industry in these nations would be better than rewards that probably wouldn't trickle down to the people, and would leave their status the same.

The capitalist pig answer, lol.