503 posts shown.
silentcyclist74 said:Well... I'm not sure if this belongs here—but I keep hearing that spending too much time reading on the toilet causes hemorrhoids.
Emily Fox76 said:It sounds simple enough—but seriously, imagine being a man without any sensation left? What are women even supposed to make of that?
Emily Fox76 said:I think I’m dealing with phimosis—basically, the foreskin won't retract over the head. Every time I try to pull it back, it hurts like hell or just gets stuck, leaving maybe 30% of the glans exposed at most. I’m really trying to avoid surgery or getting circumcised because I'm worried about long-term side effects. If anyone has any advice or knows how I can "fix" this myself, please help. I really don't want to go under the knife. 😲
gentlemaker6 said:placidranger As requested:
No, in all seriousness, the statistical frequency of violent deaths is incredibly low. The average person on this planet today passes away from old age or illness, whereas only a few centuries ago, the number of people lost to warfare or interpersonal violence was significantly higher. I can certainly provide a link to the study if you’d like to see the data for yourself.
It is merely a matter of perspective. We are living in the 21st century, and it stands to reason that life differs significantly from the Middle Ages; advancements in technology, hygiene, and medicine certainly allow us to live longer and more comfortably. But are we actually living *well*? Poverty, crime, addiction, warfare, and global geopolitical tensions still persist. I don't even need to elaborate further. If you truly believe we are thriving, you are being somewhat blind to reality. I am speaking on behalf of all humanity here, not just my own interests or those of America or Europe.When I talk about marketing, I’m not just referring to commercials. We are talking about the systematic cultivation of fear—from the "War on Drugs" to the "War on Terror." I believe we can all agree that these narratives are often wildly exaggerated, designed solely to instill a sense of dread deep within the American psyche.
I agree. However, it isn’t entirely pointless; there is a certain logic at play here, though I find it rather grim. Have you ever heard of the "problem-reaction-solution" tactic? It is a deliberate maneuver. While it belongs to a different subject, in this context, it serves to foster division—creating an artificial "us versus them" mentality that fractures society into endless subgroups, stripping away any sense of common ground.You make a fair point, though I would argue we can view this shift through a more optimistic lens as monumental progress. A few centuries ago, America was a slave-holding nation, and the world was ravaged by plagues like cholera and typhoid—back then, people were actually dying from simple infections. Education was a luxury reserved strictly for wealthy men; women couldn't even dream of stepping foot in a classroom. Life expectancy was significantly shorter, survival itself was a grueling struggle, and that’s to say nothing of the rampant violence and the frequency of lynchings and extrajudicial executions.
I have already explained my reasoning above. Unfortunately, when it comes to actual social dynamics, there hasn't been much movement at all.Quite the opposite, actually. It is leading toward peace and a better life, slowly but surely.
It is nothing more than an illusion. We now possess means of destruction far more lethal than anything humanity has ever encountered. Meanwhile, religious divides remain as rigid as ever, with fanatics claiming lives on a daily basis...
What I’m presenting here is merely a snapshot in time. Some will argue it's accurate, others will claim it isn't—but frankly, that's beside the point. The image exists solely to illustrate why humanity must take decisive steps toward peace, harmony, prosperity, and freedom. I am referring to all of mankind, not just the developed nations. I have no intention of delving into a deeper analysis of the current state; this single visual is more than enough.I’m still lost here. It sounds like you're describing one of those cults that only eats fruit during the day just to avoid accidentally snacking on a bug... Jainists? 😁
I shall assume this was intended as a joke. A failed one, at that.
It is perfectly understandable that you fail to grasp my point. I don't hold it against you, but I do expect you to refrain from mockery.
Let me provide some clarity. If we are all one, then God is not separate from us; God resides within us, in every single one of us. Every individual is divine, and God is the very fabric of everything surrounding us. That carries profound implications.
Traditional religions teach that God exists somewhere "up there," demanding things from us, issuing commands, punishing, or rewarding. They threaten us with hell, heaven, or karma, suggesting death is the ultimate end. Every religion claims to be the superior one, possessing everything necessary, thus making it better than its neighbors. This has been the standard teaching for thousands of years. However, if we realize that God is within us rather than hovering above us, it follows naturally that God wants nothing from us, commands nothing, and offers no threats of hell or reward. Death is not the end. Furthermore, it implies that the God in the heavens supports the God within me, within you, and within everyone—that all of creation is a support system. Naturally, realizing this fundamentally transforms every relationship on this planet.
Perhaps that makes things a bit clearer for you.
We agree there. But that doesn't make it irrelevant. There’s actual substance to this. Unfortunately, not good substance. Have you heard of "Problem-Reaction-Solution"? It’s intentional. That’s a different topic, but in the context of this discussion, it’s about division—about creating an "us versus them" mentality, splitting people into endless factions so there's zero social cohesion at any level.
I explained above why it’s like this. Sadly, when it comes to social relations, progress is glacial.
It's an illusion. Right now, we possess means of destruction far more terrifying than anything history has ever seen. Religious divides remain entrenched; fanatics cause deaths on a daily basis...
What I’m describing is just one snapshot of the situation. Someone will argue whether it's accurate or not—it doesn't really matter. It only serves to highlight the necessity for humanity to move toward peace, unity, prosperity, and freedom... And by that, I mean all of humanity, not just the developed parts. I have no intention of diving deeper into a full analysis. This is enough.
I'll take this as a joke. An unsuccessful one.
It's perfectly clear to me that you don't see what I'm talking about. I don't blame you, but I expect you to stop being flippant.
Let me give you some direction. If we are all one, it means God isn't separate from us—that He is within us, in every single person, that every individual is divine, and that God is everything surrounding us. That carries infinite implications.
Religions teach us that God is some entity up in the clouds—someone who wants things from us, demands things, commands us, punishes us, or rewards us. They dangle heaven or hell, karma, or the idea that death is the end. Every faith claims to be the ultimate truth, possessing everything necessary to be superior to the rest. That's how generations have been conditioned for thousands of years. But if we accept that God resides within us rather than somewhere "up there," then it follows naturally that God doesn't demand anything from us—no commands, no threats of hell or karma, no idea that death is the final curtain. It also implies that the divine in the heavens supports the divinity within me, within you, and within all of us—that the entire creation acts as a support system. Naturally, realizing this changes every single relationship on this planet.
Maybe that makes your perspective a bit clearer.
rustymaker5 said:It's funny, really, how people always seem to feel like everyone expects them to perform some impossible feat they just can't touch. But if you strip all that away, it's actually quite simple: before you do anything, you should probably just stop and ask yourself, "Is this truly the best I can do?" or "Does this actually reflect who I am deep down?"... and if it doesn't, then you just try harder next time. If it does? Well, then you've nailed it.
That's the only way, I think—by working on ourselves, by being better, that we actually set a standard for everyone else to see. You can't just throw in the towel just because other people aren't stepping up the way you are. Maybe they will, maybe they won't, but if we all just sit around waiting for someone else to be the first one to move... we're never going to get anywhere at all.
gentlemaker6 said:I spend my mornings catching up on the news and watching whatever is trending on TV just to stay informed. Of course, there are certain pockets of peace and prosperity out there—small enclaves of a truly comfortable life. Unfortunately, those are nothing more than isolated islands. Marketing, naturally, employs every trick in the book. They manufacture a sense of lack within us just to push a product or a service, promising we'll feel better once we buy in. But what I am getting at goes much deeper than mere consumerism.It feels a bit arrogant to suggest that we need to "save the planet." This world will endure regardless of our existence; it has survived far worse than a few billion parasites. If we overstep, nature will simply wipe us out and make room for whatever comes next.
I believe the process of building peace and unity is already underway and gaining momentum. In fact, this is one of the most peaceful eras in history for the average person living on this planet.
I likely mislabeled this thread. My intention was to discuss life on our planet. Fortunately, we haven't quite reached the point where we have the physical capacity to actually destroy the world.
Peace alone isn't enough; we need a life actually worth living. The peace we currently enjoy is deceptive. Not long ago, our own soil was torn apart by war—right here in civilized Europe. The Middle East remains a powder keg, as does Africa, and crisis points are popping up on every continent. Even in America, we’ve become a police state. They are rolling out new national ID systems that will track everything from your bank account to your property holdings; you won't be able to breathe without being monitored. And frankly, that’s the mild version. We are headed toward a much stricter, more authoritarian model where every email and text message is archived and scrutinized. There is even talk of mandatory microchipping on the horizon. In New York City, there are so many cameras that the average resident is recorded 300 times a day. It is a tragic irony that, in the name of security, we are surrendering our freedom bit by bit every single day.
Where is this all heading? It seems we are drifting toward an even deeper divide—not just between "us" and "them," but within our own communities and among those closest to us. We are moving further away from the truth I’ve been trying to share: the simple reality that we are all one.
Every individual on this planet deserves a life of dignity. We deserve food, clothing, shelter, employment, and freedom. By virtue of being part of the human race, everyone deserves joy, love, and happiness. Throughout history, however, these basic rights have been systematically denied to us.
We are the only ones left to save this planet. It falls on us to protect life within this beautiful country. As long as we remain divided by "us versus them," success will remain out of reach.So, how exactly does this change anything? We’re all made of atoms, after all. Big fucking deal.
It is an undeniable truth that we all possess the power to fundamentally alter the course of this entire planet. Every single one of us. From the very foundation up.
I probably botched the thread title. I was actually referring to life on this planet—not just us. Fortunately, we haven't reached the point where we have the physical capacity to wipe out the entire world. Not yet, anyway.
Peace isn't enough. What we actually need is a life worth living—not just some hollow stability. The peace we’re currently clinging to is deceptive. Not long ago, our own soil was torn apart by war—right here in civilized America. Look at the Middle East, look at Africa; they're powder kegs. Crisis points are popping up on every continent. The US is turning into a police state. We're moving toward a system where a single ID number tracks everything—real estate, bank accounts, every move you make. It’s all being logged. And honestly? This is the mild version. We're looking at a much more rigid, French-style surveillance model coming down the pike. They’re already archiving emails and texts. Soon, there will be a push for mandatory microchips. In New York City, there are so many cameras that the average resident gets recorded 300 times a day. It's pathetic. In the name of "freedom," we're handing it away piece by piece every single day.
Where is this all heading? It feels like we’re just accelerating the divide—not just between "us" and "them," but within ourselves and the people right next to us. We're drifting further from the truth I'm trying to lay out here—the simple fact that, at the end of the day, we are one.
The truth is—we all represent one massive, drastic shift that changes everything on this planet. Everything. Right down to the foundation.
gentlemaker6 said:I believe it is unnecessary to dwell on the current state of our world; the facts speak for themselves. Every person should be deeply concerned about what lies ahead. The most unsettling part is the lack of a visible exit strategy. To put it bluntly, if we persist on this trajectory, some madman will eventually press the wrong buttons, and it will all come to a very sudden end.
We face a choice, both as a species and as individuals: do we pivot away from this chaos, or do we continue down a path defined by deepening divisions, escalating wars, and total devastation? Regardless of which way we turn, we possess both the strength and the resources required to make it happen.
It is my conviction that this downward spiral can only be reversed through a new kind of spirituality—a fundamental shift in how we relate to God, to ourselves, and to those around us. We can achieve this by establishing a single, concise foundation for our existence:We are all one.
It is brief, simple, and profoundly true. It suggests that God, our Creator, is not separate from His creation, but rather permeates it entirely. He is the very fabric of every atom and the smallest particle in the physical universe, simultaneously breathing His spirit and life into everything. Because of this, He resides within each of us, is each of us, and is everything surrounding us. This makes us fundamentally identical, as we are crafted from the same essence. It makes us one, because everything that exists is Him, expressed through infinite forms.
As Jesus taught, when we do unto others as we would have them do unto us, we are actually doing it to ourselves, for we are not separate from our neighbors. When we act upon ourselves, we act upon everyone else. By bringing joy to others, we bring joy to ourselves; by helping others, we help ourselves; by insulting others, we insult ourselves; by slandering others, we soil our own reputation; by belittling others, we diminish ourselves; and by loving others, we love ourselves. And by loving ourselves, we love others...
The list of opponents to this idea is exhaustive. Organized religions are first in line, followed closely by atheists. That alone covers nearly the entire human population.
Nevertheless, there are those who grasp this truth and work to spread it. There are spiritual people living this reality and leading by example. A movement is forming, a process unfolding across this planet. It is currently in its infancy, but it is backed by the power of Truth and the force of Love.
I have initiated several threads regarding religion and spirituality, all of which have been intended to lead back to this singular point. I invite everyone to participate.
Can we save our beautiful planet and transform it into a place truly worthy of habitation? Can we transcend our personal, social, and religious limitations to ignite a process of peace, unity, and genuine prosperity? What steps must we take to succeed? Are you willing to join this movement? Do you have a mission? Do you have a vision?
gentlemaker6 said:I believe it is unnecessary to dwell on the current state of our world; the facts speak for themselves. Every person should be deeply concerned about what lies ahead. The most unsettling part is the lack of a visible exit strategy. To put it bluntly, if we persist on this trajectory, some madman will eventually press the wrong buttons, and it will all come to a very sudden end.
We face a choice, both as a species and as individuals: do we pivot away from this chaos, or do we continue down a path defined by deepening divisions, escalating wars, and total devastation? Regardless of which way we turn, we possess both the strength and the resources required to make it happen.
It is my conviction that this downward spiral can only be reversed through a new kind of spirituality—a fundamental shift in how we relate to God, to ourselves, and to those around us. We can achieve this by establishing a single, concise foundation for our existence:We are all one.
It is brief, simple, and profoundly true. It suggests that God, our Creator, is not separate from His creation, but rather permeates it entirely. He is the very fabric of every atom and the smallest particle in the physical universe, simultaneously breathing His spirit and life into everything. Because of this, He resides within each of us, is each of us, and is everything surrounding us. This makes us fundamentally identical, as we are crafted from the same essence. It makes us one, because everything that exists is Him, expressed through infinite forms.
As Jesus taught, when we do unto others as we would have them do unto us, we are actually doing it to ourselves, for we are not separate from our neighbors. When we act upon ourselves, we act upon everyone else. By bringing joy to others, we bring joy to ourselves; by helping others, we help ourselves; by insulting others, we insult ourselves; by slandering others, we soil our own reputation; by belittling others, we diminish ourselves; and by loving others, we love ourselves. And by loving ourselves, we love others...
The list of opponents to this idea is exhaustive. Organized religions are first in line, followed closely by atheists. That alone covers nearly the entire human population.
Nevertheless, there are those who grasp this truth and work to spread it. There are spiritual people living this reality and leading by example. A movement is forming, a process unfolding across this planet. It is currently in its infancy, but it is backed by the power of Truth and the force of Love.
I have initiated several threads regarding religion and spirituality, all of which have been intended to lead back to this singular point. I invite everyone to participate.
Can we save our beautiful planet and transform it into a place truly worthy of habitation? Can we transcend our personal, social, and religious limitations to ignite a process of peace, unity, and genuine prosperity? What steps must we take to succeed? Are you willing to join this movement? Do you have a mission? Do you have a vision?
....
Can we actually save this beautiful planet and make it a place worth living in? Can we move past our personal, social, and religious limitations to trigger a movement toward peace, unity, and genuine prosperity? What steps are required for success? Are you willing to join the cause? Do you have a mission? A vision?
fadedbison17 said:Look, people have a set way of processing reality—you've got specific cognitive abilities, and that's the only lens you've got to work with.
Reality is singular, but every single person perceives it differently.
Think about it—say you and someone who's blind are in the same room.
They’re going to be aware of the room and what's going on in a totally different way than you are, but you're both experiencing the exact same room (the same reality)...
Everyone builds their own version of reality—yeah, if you mean that humans have consciousness and can only understand things through that.
That second part of yours—'...that it affects their interpretation of the environment'—is a bit fuzzy for me. A person can't really choose their cognitive faculties.
You can shift your focus—like leaning more into sight than hearing, for example—but you can't just invent a new sense out of thin air, any more than you could invent a new aspect of reality itself...
We on the same page?
Your second sentence—'...that it affects one's interpretation of the surroundings'—doesn't quite follow for me. A person can't simply choose their cognitive faculties.
One might direct focus more toward sight than hearing, sure, but you can't just invent a new sense any more than you can invent a new aspect of physical reality.
fadedbison17 said:Finally paying attention to this too... 🙂
I think reality is just one thing—and you can't quite wrap your head around explaining it because you've decided that the "self" is this huge deal, like it's the beginning and the end of everything. Honestly, maybe without even realizing it... you're leaning too hard on Descartes' axiom—you know, "I think, therefore I am"—but that's just flawed. The "self" you're talking about is really just consciousness...
For consciousness to actually notice anything, it needs an external trigger first—anything at all... reality, a rock, some light, even just a sudden headache...
Trying to claim reality is just some byproduct of consciousness? Yeah, no way that works—reality's gonna exist whether we're looking at it or not...
For consciousness to actually recognize itself, there’s gotta be something—some kind of reality—there first... So, basically—without something to actually perceive, there’s no such thing as consciousness... just goes without saying.
Your explanation is kind of a contradiction—you’re saying consciousness exists outside of reality, then trying to invent some alternative reality just to make your theory work... that's not really a great way to explain anything...
Reality is just... everything that exists.
There’s definitely a chance I can't explain something—but that's just because I don't get it, not because there's some other reality out there. If we just use "it's another reality" as an excuse whenever we're stumped, we'll end up with thousands of different realities and still be no closer to actually figuring anything out...
Gerald Perez5 said:@fadedbison17
It seems we aren't quite on the same wavelength—you’re taking me a bit too literally, I think. You’re latching onto my specific examples as if they were the core argument, when really, they’re just incidental.
Because of that, there’s honestly no point in me going through your replies line by line, even if some of them are—well, let's just say they're a bit of an eyesore.
To put it simply,
I’m not talking about using the supernatural to explain away every little thing that happens—at least, that isn't how I approach it. (Now, many religious people might certainly do that, and hey, there's nothing inherently wrong with it; the world is just built that way, populated by ordinary folks who are, frankly, pretty average in every sense of the word, and most people aren't exactly speculative philosophers.)
Regardless, no matter how much I learn or understand, I am always acutely aware of one thing: I know that I know nothing. Anyone who refuses to accept that is either being foolish or is simply lying to themselves.
But here is the catch—you can't actually live your life based solely on that realization. So, even when you know your convictions aren't absolute certainties, you have to move forward, building some kind of fortress of belief and acting as if you truly know something—constructing a morality, a set of principles, and so on.
So,
I could master everything there is to know about the world—the causes behind this and that—but there is always a persistent caveat attached: the fundamental nature of the universe is incomprehensible. The great mystery of existence remains unsolvable; that Kantov "x" will remain an "x" for all eternity.
And that is precisely why that "x" exists—because there will always be room for God, for faith, and so on. That is what the author of this thread was questioning in the opening post—how is it that we always find these patterns throughout history?
And now, looking at what’s actually bothering you,
it isn't that "x" (or God) providing an explanation for a specific occurrence—like lightning strikes, or a girl, or a movie you wanted to see. You can always find a more grounded, earthly explanation for those things. But when it comes to explaining generally, the "big picture," the ultimate meaning of anything at all—there is no final answer. And that is where God enters the frame.
For instance, whatever you might know about the nebulas of Andromeda, planetary motion, or the composition of the sun—that’s all trivial stuff. It doesn't really matter to you whether the sun is made of helium or aluminum. But does a meal taste good? Will you enjoy a great movie? Will your brother be okay? Those things matter deeply. If those "ordinary" life events go wrong—if life just starts falling apart—that is when you begin to question the meaning of it all, and you won't find an answer in mathematics or the natural sciences. For many, the answer will be faith, or the support of a community (a nation, a church, a local group, etc.). A rare few will navigate it alone—though even they rely on sheer willpower or faith.
And I won't ramble on,
but you claim you haven't seen any "benefit" from faith. My response? I don't expect a "benefit" in that sense—in fact, if that's how you look at it, the title of this thread is misguided. I simply believe (it was my choice), and life treats me kindly (there's your benefit right there). That is the version of God I hold onto, much like what Kuzanski said: He follows me like a shadow.
And as I mentioned, it seems I made the right choice...
fadedbison17 said:Let's just not confuse rationalization (trying to explain everything—even the stuff that can't be explained) with being reasonable (just accepting reality for what it is).
I don't see any point in worshiping some god of the wind and praying for help when I know he isn't there. When something happens that a believer would call an answer to prayer, I know there’s actually a different reason behind it—maybe I don't know it, and maybe it doesn't matter—but it's not because of my faith. If you're fully aware that God doesn't exist, what's even the upside to believing? Seems better to me to just accept that I don't know certain things and maybe I'll learn them later, maybe not...
Okay, that's your take—personally, I don't think reality changes just because I believe or want something to be true...
First, I'd accept what they told me (that I'm seriously ill and dying soon—which is how I took your comment about there being no hope).
Since I have this massive love for life, I'll do everything possible to help myself recover, or if recovery is impossible, I'll just live out whatever time I have left at the highest quality possible.
I don't need to delude myself into thinking "something" is coming to save me when I know it won't, and I'm fine with that. I don't see it as being pessimistic, just irrelevant—waiting on some higher power to step in...
| That’s just your opinion—and frankly, I don't think reality cares much about what you believe, what you want, or how much you wish things were different. |
| First thing I’d do? Actually listen to what they told me. If you’re saying there's no hope—then I suppose I should just take that as my death sentence.. Because I have such a deep-seated love for life, I’m going to do everything in my power to facilitate healing—or, if that turns out to be an impossible goal, I’ll focus on making sure the rest of my days are lived with as much quality as possible. |
Gerald Perez5 said:However,
I consider myself both a believer and a rational person,
and I don't simply accept "facts without evidence"; in fact, you are merely stating your position rather than actually proving it.
There is quite a lot of problematic reasoning in your argument—starting from your initial premise (which seems biased, as it equates being non-religious with being rational, thereby implying a believer cannot be rational) all the way down to your final conclusion.
Still,
once a person accepts their limitations (the so-called "rational man" described by kresho2), they simultaneously lose any absolute clarity regarding what is within their influence and what isn't—after all, what he thinks he "knows" might just be another illusion, much like how one might be deceived about what they "know" they cannot or do not know.
Or,
you don't actually *know* (with any certainty) that "whatever happens to that person would have happened even without their prayer"—that's a massive "what if" scenario.
...
The advantage lies in the fact that a believer perceives events as happening precisely because of their faith (whether it was recovering from an illness, finding a partner, or even having a tire blow out due to a mistake)—everything gains meaning retroactively. That is a subjective advantage.
As for an objective advantage—believers have a better sense of humor.
Chris Peterson53 said:I'm not going to ramble.
To put it bluntly:
A sense of inner peace—which makes navigating life's inevitable messes much easier.
An understanding of human frailty, both in myself and others. It allows me to look at my own actions through a lens of actual truth.
Personal integrity.
It's unlikely I'll ever resort to killing, stealing, adultery, framing someone, or becoming one of those selfish types who couldn't care less about anyone else's struggles.
Neither jealousy nor envy touches me—regardless of my social status or financial situation.
A broad range of interests spanning both spiritual and secular domains.
Joseph Sanchez90 said:In the scenario you described, maybe prayer helps bring the actual issue to light? Sometimes the hardest part of fixing anything is just not knowing where to start or even what the core problem is; you just feel stuck. In those moments, saying "Bog, please help me with X" can actually help identify what that "X" really is.🤷
fadedbison17 said:I think we're talking about similar stuff, but I feel like you're missing something here.
In this context, are you saying optimism = faith?
I'm strictly talking about what happens inside a person's head, not the actual outcome—hope it's clear I'm only talking about the mindset, since a person can't change reality just by thinking or believing.
To me, in this conversation:
- optimism = the drive for progress and efficiency (more control over reality)—and you gotta respect the facts of reality first for that to work.
- faith = wanting something to happen that I can't explain. And if it does happen, I claim later that it was because of my desire.
I see optimism as rational and good, while faith feels irrational and unnecessary...
I’m talking strictly about the internal mechanics of thought, not the outcome. I hope it's clear why I'm making that distinction—human thought (or belief) doesn't actually have the power to bend reality to its will.
In my view, given our topic:
- optimism = the drive for progress and efficiency (seeking more control over reality)—which requires an honest respect for the facts.
- faith = the desire for something inexplicable to occur. If it does happen, I simply claim credit for it later.
I find optimism to be rational and useful, whereas faith is both irrational and unnecessary.
Edward Flores4 said:I’ve been chewing on everything you said, and honestly, I think you might have missed a crucial detail: people experience the exact same "stuff" in wildly different ways. We're talking about a massive spectrum here—from the folks whose faith makes them kinder, more mindful, and genuinely better neighbors, all the way down to the religious extremists who are willing to throw lives away in the name of God. It's the same story with any ideology, really. To put it simply: if you give high-octane fuel to someone smart, they'll use it to run an engine or heat a home efficiently. You give a bucket of gasoline to a fool, and you end up with a massive fire.
Ethics is the one thing you can't just accept blindly if it ends up being destructive to society—but let's face it, some people will always grab the gasoline over the ethical handbook. As long as people can hide behind "personal freedom" to justify whatever nonsense they want, nothing is ever going to truly take root. The only way to move the needle is to stay critical of idiocy and foolishness; that's the only way we can keep ideologies within a range that actually aligns with basic human ethics. If we do that, then it doesn't really matter what you call your belief system, or even if you believe in anything at all.