Religion...

[Jez]

This is a question I commonly ask people... I always am curious about peoples ideas/opinions on religion.

I persoanlly think religion is a kind of thing that people turn to when they are under pressure or stress.
I'm not saying there is no God, but I personally don't think their is enough proof.
I am a Christian. I admit, I doubt.
There are THOUSANDS of religions... how am I supposed to tihnk that this is the true one?
I say to people: there is a religion based on a Sphagetti Monster - Pastafarianism, they laugh, I say hey, you think that's weird, look at our religion, about a guy who walks on water, calms storms, raises humans from the dead, raises from the dead, heals blind people. I think that we (everyone) look at things one-sided, without an open mind. Did you realize how weird Catholocism is from that, have you ever taken a look at it in that way? I'm guessing no, and that's what I mean.
Other religions may look at Christians and say haha! They think a guy walked on water, then we say about their religion, haha, they think so and so ... .

I always question religion teachers in classes, and EVERY SINGLE TIME, they come up with a new, improved, non-sense excuse, that later evolves into something else. They say whatever then ten minutes later they'll read something from the bible which proves their excuse wrong, and they don't realize or just ignore you. I really wonder what goes on in their head when I say these things, are they saying "he's right" or "noo, it's real he's crazy, blah blah..."
I just can't see how we laugh at other religions, when ours, tohugh we don't look at it in that way, is just as weird and stupid.
I'm not saying anyone is wrong, because no one is wrong, and no one is right about this, just saying my opinion.
What is yours?

 

[Auggie's Dad]

I just can't see how we laugh at other religions, when ours, tohugh we don't look at it in that way, is just as weird and stupid.

Sounds a bit like ""Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" I wonder which book that was from

This is a topic that many people tend to get quite touchy about, which I think is foolish - people should learn to discuss such issues respectfully, and while I normally would not hesitate to share my view it would not be appropriate as a forum moderator as my view would undoubtedly rub at least some people the wrong way.

 

[Jez]

I just can't see how we laugh at other religions, when ours, tohugh we don't look at it in that way, is just as weird and stupid.

Sounds a bit like ""Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" I wonder which book that was from

This is a topic that many people tend to get quite touchy about, which I think is foolish - people should learn to discuss such issues respectfully, and while I normally would not hesitate to share my view it would not be appropriate as a forum moderator as my view would undoubtedly rub at least some people the wrong way.

haha

I agree, people should be able to talk respectfully about anything, even if they are totally against it.
We all have opinions, no ones opinion is wrong, no ones opinion is right.
People should even to some extent be able to critisize some things they think; I know I do, after I think about it.

 

[meghanxx4]

Well personally, i am not a religious person. Yes i celebrate Christmas and Easter but, i dont go to church or celebrate it in a religious way if you understand what im saying. We've comercialized holidays alot. That's another topic though.

Anyway yes there are thousands of religions in the world. My cousin is a jehovah witness which is a very radical and strong religion. I think a little religion is fine for people, i think you have to be able to control your own life though. With the Jehovah Witness religion it is very strict, and has many rules which to be honest are quite random. For example things as little as not being able to play sex, or between life or death situations such as blood transfusions which many JW's have died from by the way because they cant have them.

You are right in that yes i call the jehovah rules quite random, there are also many many other religion rules that are different as well. For example catholics used to not be able to have fish on a friday or something like that. Ismali people cant eat pig because the pig is known to be the low end and the dirty animal.

Personally i think religion is interesting to learn about in social study perspective like looking at it them as broad and looking the values etc. Not bible study and what not.
I think its fine if someone wants to be apart of a religion. Just dont try and drag me into it. Now i dont mean to sound rude but its amazing how many people i have talked to and people ahve automatically assumed that i was a christian or a catholic and as soon as i tell them i am atheist(i geuss not a true atheist sicne they wouldnt celebrate holidays but you know what i mean not going to church and such) anyway as soon as i tell them i am atheist its a whole different thing. They dont even want to talk to me. I have mainly found this with online people like on forums... i dont mean to pin point it and say all X are like this but i mainly found this with americans. I dont mean to sound rude at all. I know many arent religious. But also alot seem to be very rude and self centered and assume everyone is X. Yes i think the USA is more influenced in religion than say Canada and iunderstand that Canada is a bit of a 'go with the flow' country and we need to get used to strong opinions. I just cannot stand it though when people have the attitude that if your not X then your stupid. I had a fairly entertaining conversation with someone a few days ago and as soon as i said i was atheist she called me stupid and said she'd pray that i see the light. I'm sorry person but i have seen the light. Maybe its time for you to see the light. religion can control peoples lives and that i have an issue with. Personally i think church and religion should be more of a fun thing mroe get to gether etc. Not a way to control lives.

thats just me. Sorry if i offended anyone.

 

[Shmexay]

I do agree with everyone. Some religions have strange rules but that is the way they choose to live their lives, you choose to live it your way, do not force your beliefs onto other people.

I myself am a Satanist.

 

[TexDot33]

"Religion is the Opium of the masses"

I tend to agree that people turn to religion when there is something going on in their lives that they can't understand, or reason, with the common information that they have at their disposal.

Here is my take ... I DO believe in a higher power, but I think that religion, as a celebration of that high power is faulty ... Why would one religion tell everyone to love one another, while another tells its followers to destroy non-believers. This is a paradox that can't be explained if BOTH religions are celebrating the same Deity. So, which one is correct?

If there is an Omnipotent "God" s/he knows how I feel, I don't need to worship only on Sundays at church, s/he knows how I feel and that is that ... I tend to be more "spiritual" believing in the Deity who gives you those chills on a warm summer night when you take a deep breath of that warm air and you can just feel the energy in the air, or as you walk through the forest and, as you see the wildlife, you feel almost connected to them in a way that you can't understand or explain. I also feel that if there is an omnipotent "God" s/he isn't watching over, and making decisions for, everyone's life. We were given "free will" to make our own choices and to do as we please ... I also believe that you will always get what you need, maybe not what you want, but what you need (ex: she didn't win the Powerball Jackpot; but, she got a $100 bonus at work that allowed her to buy groceries for the week). I also wholeheartedly believe in Karma and the balance of energy in the Universe --- I never tempt Karma, not something that I want to mess with ...

This World would be a better place if we were all allowed to just believe what we all believed without passing judgment on someone's beliefs ... I truly believe that as long as you go about doing what makes you happy, and you aren't affecting the ability of someone else to do the same thing, then there really isn't anything wrong with that.

 

[Cici]

RANDOM: People diss Jehovah's Witnesses all the time... it's now is many MOVIES made when someone knocks on a door people ask "are you a Jehovah's Witness?" It's very annoying to me since more than half my family is a JW and I was raised as a JW. I don't see anything wrong with JW's If people look closely JW's and Mormans are VERY MUCH HATED religions but the MOST a like out of all religions. I personally think people have the right to preach and spread the good word of faith and god but once someone turns it down dont push it onto them.... Everyone will learn who they are and where they come from in due time.... Only "God" knows who we really are. I think when it comes to people making fun of other religions I think its immature and childish and just makes a bad rep for the kind of religion they hold dear to their hearts!

 

[Auggie's Dad]

I agree making fun of someone's beliefs is childish, on the other hand decent criticism is the only way to learn.

When someone is accused of a crime no one says it is okay for the prosecution and the defense to have their own opinions - they go to court and they pursue the answer: Either the accused is innocent or guilty. The two sides challenge each other and question each other and present new data until there is a convincing case one way or the other.

Recently some medical 'professionals' (I use that term loosely) have argued that they can choose not to give certain treatments because it is against their religion. This is not just a private belief but they are endangering the lives of other citizens. This is where they can be criticized. Jehovah's Witnesses are against blood transfusions and that is their choice, but if they become doctors they cannot refuse to give someone else a transfusion based solely on their religion - that is where I will criticize and say there is no reason to avoid transfusions.

Even within a given religion there are debates. Martin Luther objected to many things the catholic church of his day was doing and preaching. It was not a difference of opinion, the catholic church was doing things that could be harmful to people and Luther said enough is enough. It is reprehensible for someone to stand by and let others harm others on the grounds that they have a 'right to their opinion.'

There is a difference between critique and insult, though often the recipient cannot see that.

 

[Jez]

I agree making fun of someone's beliefs is childish, on the other hand decent criticism is the only way to learn.

When someone is accused of a crime no one says it is okay for the prosecution and the defense to have their own opinions - they go to court and they pursue the answer: Either the accused is innocent or guilty. The two sides challenge each other and question each other and present new data until there is a convincing case one way or the other.

Recently some medical 'professionals' (I use that term loosely) have argued that they can choose not to give certain treatments because it is against their religion. This is not just a private belief but they are endangering the lives of other citizens. This is where they can be criticized. Jehovah's Witnesses are against blood transfusions and that is their choice, but if they become doctors they cannot refuse to give someone else a transfusion based solely on their religion - that is where I will criticize and say there is no reason to avoid transfusions.

Even within a given religion there are debates. Martin Luther objected to many things the catholic church of his day was doing and preaching. It was not a difference of opinion, the catholic church was doing things that could be harmful to people and Luther said enough is enough. It is reprehensible for someone to stand by and let others harm others on the grounds that they have a 'right to their opinion.'

There is a difference between critique and insult, though often the recipient cannot see that.

I agree with that 100%

There really is a difference between critique and insult. THe problem is some only see insults. Some people get mad for other people commenting (not insulting, just laying out there opinions) on their religions; I don't get this. You can't believe your religion is perfect... at least I think that, so you have to be open to others ideas and opinions.

 

[Jez]

RANDOM: People diss Jehovah's Witnesses all the time... it's now is many MOVIES made when someone knocks on a door people ask "are you a Jehovah's Witness?" It's very annoying to me since more than half my family is a JW and I was raised as a JW. I don't see anything wrong with JW's If people look closely JW's and Mormans are VERY MUCH HATED religions but the MOST a like out of all religions. I personally think people have the right to preach and spread the good word of faith and god but once someone turns it down dont push it onto them.... Everyone will learn who they are and where they come from in due time.... Only "God" knows who we really are. I think when it comes to people making fun of other religions I think its immature and childish and just makes a bad rep for the kind of religion they hold dear to their hearts!

True.
I do have some people coming around giving out flyers for JW, but I don't feel it's annoying or whatever, I think it's perfectly fine. Theyre doing what they believe, and theyre preaching. What would a religion be without preaching?

 

[meghanxx4]

My cousin is a JW(only because his ex wife was and now he's engaged to another JW) Anyway a lot of my family dislike him and talks poorly about him behind his back because of that. I really dont like this. I have only met a few times but he seems perfectly fine. He's never once said anything to me about JW, i dont even think he knows that i know. So he's never tried to convert me or whatever. I have no problems with him what so ever. I don't think i have really said anything bad about his religion either. Other than calling some of their beleifs a little... i don't know any other word to describe it other than random. I would love to be a Jehovah for just like a day to just to find out why some these beleifs and rules are there. I understand the blood transfusion one a bit, but other things like you can't play chess or buy girl guide cookies? I'm sorry but what does that have to do with anything? Yea, JW's occasionally come down my street. My parents are rude about it and shut the door on their face almost, if i happen to answer the door then i just take the flyer politely and put it in the garbage or say no thanks and they carry on their way.

To be honest i have met more christians that are ten times more rude then any JW i have met(ok i've only met a few but still). Like i mentioned, the other night i had an interesting conversation with someone when i mentioned i was atheist they instantly said i was dumb etc. Also they didn't even know what atheist was, they asked later on and i had to explain and then they called me dumb again. Well obviously insulted them back for dissing a religion(or lack of religion) you dont even know it's beleifs.


I do agree that it's your life and if you want religion to rule your life then thats fine for you. Personally i do not. No i don't apreciate people going around to my house, but i act polite to them(cant say that about my parents.) No matter what religion you are or aren't we're all human and we all deserve a little respect. I mean i can say what i think bluntly like this, if i wanted to be 'touched' or whatever the proper term may be then i think i would have found it by now.

 

[Cici]

Totally OFF topic of religion.... ( MY NANDAYS HAVE 1 EGG IN THEIR NESTING BOX I hand made them!!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!??!?!?!)

 

[Shmexay]

Why post it then?

I like Satanism.

 

[Cici]

Why post it then?

I like Satanism.

Response to first question:
I won't even feed into your silly/annoying question.

Response to "I like Satanism":
So your telling everyone that is reading this forum that you are everything listed below and you practice blah blah blah demonic activities... LOL (Satanism is for sure one of the so called religions/beliefs I will laugh at and talk crap about... no offense.... thats just.. who wants someone demonic near them or associated with them?)


Satanism is a term that refers to a number of related belief systems. Their commonality is that they all feature the veneration or admiration of Satan or similar figures. Originally, the figure of Satan was the one who challenged the religious faith of humans in the Hebrew Bible. In the Greek New Testament, the symbolism of Satan became particularly developed, described in events such as the temptation of Jesus and the book of Revelation. Since then, the Abrahamic religions have variously regarded Satan as a rebellious fallen angel or demon that tempts humans to sin or commit evil deeds. In Christianity, Satan became the outspoken enemy of the Christian religion, a description which helped contribute to the mythos of Satanism. Further, particularly after the European Enlightenment, some works (such as Paradise Lost; see Satan in Literature), began to present the Biblical Satan as an allegory that represents a crisis of faith, individualism, free will, wisdom and enlightenment.
Before the 1960s, Satanic groups were considered underground and often illegal. Anti-witchcraft laws such as the British Witchcraft Act 1735 (not repealed until 1951), reflected strong public sentiment against witchcraft and Satanism. Modern Satanism came into broad public awareness in the 1960s, with events such as the founding of the Church of Satan in 1966, events that were given wide media coverage.
Modern Satanist groups (those which appeared after the 1960s) are widely diverse, but two major trends which can be seen are Theistic Satanism and Atheistic Satanism. Theistic Satanists venerate Satan as a supernatural deity, whom some consider to be entirely benevolent. In contrast, Atheistic Satanists consider themselves atheists and regard Satan as merely symbolic of certain human traits. This categorization of Satanism (which could be categorized in other ways, for example "Traditional" versus "Modern"), is not necessarily adopted by Satanists themselves, who usually would not specify which type of Satanism they adhere to. Each "type" of Satanist will usually refer to themselves only as a "Satanist".

 

[Cici]

I think the

I like satanism

was to get a rise out of someone... LOL and if not then.... *COUGH COUGH*

 

[Auggie's Dad]

Cici,

I've had to re-edit my response a couple of times because I don't want it to come across the wrong way.

I find it odd that you will say "I think when it comes to people making fun of other religions I think its immature and childish and just makes a bad rep for the kind of religion they hold dear to their hearts!" And then suddenly you will stereotype and ridicule someone who claims to be of a religion you don't like.

Don't get me wrong - I have no doubt that shmexay is just trying to make trouble, but your response says more about you than it does about shmexay.

How different are christianity and satanism? You both believe in the same stories with the same characters; you both believe that the same god and same devil exist. You believe in all the same unlikely events despite a lack of evidence. The only difference is which character you pick out as your favorite.

Is it your position that all opinions are equal, but that yours is 'more equal' than a satanist's?

If so perhaps you should reread Jez's original post. I think there was far more wisdom in it than you will find in many religious books. Though the spelling could use a little work

 

[Auggie's Dad]

Funny, and enlightening video on the topic

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtIyx687ytk&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fvideo%2Egoogle%2Ecom%2Fvideosearch%3Fclient%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den%26q%3Dletting%2Bgo%2Bof%2Bgod%2Bjulia%2Bsweeney%26oe%3DUTF%2D8&feature=player_embedded]YouTube - Julia Sweeney: "Letting Go of God" (an excerpt)[/ame]

 

[Jez]

My cousin is a JW(only because his ex wife was and now he's engaged to another JW) Anyway a lot of my family dislike him and talks poorly about him behind his back because of that. I really dont like this. I have only met a few times but he seems perfectly fine. He's never once said anything to me about JW, i dont even think he knows that i know. So he's never tried to convert me or whatever. I have no problems with him what so ever. I don't think i have really said anything bad about his religion either. Other than calling some of their beleifs a little... i don't know any other word to describe it other than random. I would love to be a Jehovah for just like a day to just to find out why some these beleifs and rules are there. I understand the blood transfusion one a bit, but other things like you can't play chess or buy girl guide cookies? I'm sorry but what does that have to do with anything? Yea, JW's occasionally come down my street. My parents are rude about it and shut the door on their face almost, if i happen to answer the door then i just take the flyer politely and put it in the garbage or say no thanks and they carry on their way.

To be honest i have met more christians that are ten times more rude then any JW i have met(ok i've only met a few but still). Like i mentioned, the other night i had an interesting conversation with someone when i mentioned i was atheist they instantly said i was dumb etc. Also they didn't even know what atheist was, they asked later on and i had to explain and then they called me dumb again. Well obviously insulted them back for dissing a religion(or lack of religion) you dont even know it's beleifs.


I do agree that it's your life and if you want religion to rule your life then thats fine for you. Personally i do not. No i don't apreciate people going around to my house, but i act polite to them(cant say that about my parents.) No matter what religion you are or aren't we're all human and we all deserve a little respect. I mean i can say what i think bluntly like this, if i wanted to be 'touched' or whatever the proper term may be then i think i would have found it by now.

I agree with you.
I don't let religion one bit run my life... with the exception of praying occasionally when I'm in a bad position due to my OCD which is pretty bad...

I don't LIKE people coming to my house, but I'm not mad at them for it, it's their belief, I just say no or don't answer if I'm doing something.

I never even heard of the chess and girl scout cookie thing... Ithink that was just made to add another "commandment" to the book to make it longer... only my opinion. I have OCD and sometimes I end up doing things like this. I have long sets of rules for myself...

 

[Jez]

I find one problem in religion though,
I am undecided as to whether I believe in a supreme being. Basically, I do, right now.

I can't come up with a way everything was created besides the idea of a supreme being or God.

I do however think God is just an "excuse" to how the first whatever was created because we have no other explanation.

Also, though I am catholic, I don't believe God created humans or even a dinosaur, I think that either some kind of explosion or a God created the first living cell which eventually evolved into everything we see.

 

[Cici]

"I think when it comes to people making fun of other religions I think its immature and childish and just makes a bad rep for the kind of religion they hold dear to their hearts!" And then suddenly you will stereotype and ridicule someone who claims to be of a religion you don't like.

In my first post i stated that I was "raised" as a JW not that i was one... so my actions should not be giving Jw's a bad rep. My deepest apologies.. what i said was very childish.. i just had this 99.9 % feeling about the satanism comment being to get a rise... that i couldn't help but act childish... =( sorry.. Your correct Auggie!

I'm sorry i didn't mean to offend anyone =(