Religion Thread Redux

[Kemono]

Well i guess i should start

i don't really have any religion is that bad ?

[Kuchiki]

Why would having no religion be bad? I'm an atheist as well

[AK47]

well i'm a christain, well not really
i'm not a fully accepted christian coz i don't put my fullest efforts in giving my faith to god
o well

[Katzyn]

Of course it's not bad, Brother! ^_^ **I'm atheist, too!**

[animeking]

cursed 2012 theories O_O they annoy me wasnt there a Y2K theory ??? i forget

[Kemono]

Why would having no religion be bad? I'm an atheist as well

Well most people say that it's a bad idea not to have a religion or

believe in god although i have no idea why it's bad not to believe in

god

[Katzyn]

Well...."God" has never given me, personally, any reason to believe in Him. I believe all that happens to me is the effect of something I myself did, something someone did to me, or nature. *shrugs*

[Bap]

Many think that people need a religion so they don't get sucked into a depressive state, or become apathetic, or becoming amoral, or something like that.

I've kinda made up my own "religion." Its pretty much a naturalist view, with a few of my own ideas and stuff.

[Kemono]

Many think that people need a religion so they don't get sucked into a depressive state, or become apathetic, or becoming amoral, or something like that.

I've kinda made up my own "religion." Its pretty much a naturalist view, with a few of my own ideas and stuff.

Really is that the only reason well i guess depression is a very seriouse

disease

@ What's your religion called bap

[KageNaruto]

Of course it's not bad, Brother! ^_^ **I'm atheist, too!**

high five lolz! i actually studied some religions, i studied christianity and wenet to church to see what it was like, i really dont like a lot of the things about it actually.

i studies buddism too, i like that religion a whole lot, dont really belive in the reincarnation thing but buddist teachings have great concepts.

but im athiest as well

[Fool Of Doom]

i think im christian.. if not im catholic

[AK47]

so you think your christian and if you aren't then you are catholic?
what???

[Fool Of Doom]

uhh.. yeah pretty much

[Nova]

high five lolz! i actually studied some religions, i studied christianity and wenet to church to see what it was like, i really dont like a lot of the things about it actually.

i studies buddism too, i like that religion a whole lot, dont really belive in the reincarnation thing but buddist teachings have great concepts.

but im athiest as well

First off! I hate when people say buddhism is a religion! If Buddhism is anything it's more of a lifestyle. A real Buddhist does not worship anything or anyone. Which kinda means it's not a religion.

Anyway. I think religion is healthy. I am a christian more-or-less. I have my own beliefs though. I don't hate athiests, but I do hate atheism. It just doesn't make since to me to be athiest. I mean agnostic, yes, but full on athiest? But you have to admit that there is something more to our world than just science. Science explaines alot, but if our lives are all just clockwork, doesn't that mean they have no meaning? Without religion people would lose interests in morality and justice, and just become hedonists, which is what's happening to America right now. But in my personal opinion, I believe there is a higher being, I have yet to find my true beliefs, but christianity is close to my ideals. It's just when I look at the world, I see nature and all its glorious things, and think, there has to be some artistic mind behind all of this.

[Sol]

i think im christian.. if not im catholic

You just insulted two major religious groups in america. And so I say onto you in the imortal words of a comic whos name I cant remember:

"He's going to hell in two different sociaties! Hes practically sprinting there!"

[Nova]

i think im christian.. if not im catholic

Are you retarded? Catholisism is a denomination of Christianity. Catholics, Baptists, Methodists, Lutherans, Prespyterians, Episcipals, and etc. are pretty much all the same thing.

[V.VELDANEN]

Buddhism is not a religion, its an education and many leading buddist out there give excellent thoughts and perception towards life in the ways of the buddhist. And it is strange that certain countries still considers buddhism as a religion.

The true goal and purpose of buddhism is to have its believers to live a happy and fulfilling life, and being optimistic about the future.

Here are several quotes from "A path to true happiness"

"In christianity, faith in God is foremost. In Buddhism, faith in oneself is foremost."

"Everybody is somebody we can learn from. When we see the virtues of others, we should adopt them as our own. When we see the wrongs of others, we should reflect upon ourselves for the same faults."

"The purpose of Buddha's teachings is to eradicate superstition and clear people's misunderstanding about life."

"It is best to be considerate and kind in our speech. To put down another person is only proving our own arrogance and lack of self-confidence to others."

"Buddism is not a religion because the 'devotion' used in Buddihism is not one based on emotion, but one based on reason."

"Wise people do not just see matters from the surface, they contemplate them thoroughly and see the truth."

[Kuchiki]

Buddhism is primarily a philosophy. Seeking balance and harmony in one's environment

[ScareCrow]

i think im christian.. if not im catholic

Are you retarded? Catholisism is a denomination of Christianity. Catholics, Baptists, Methodists, Lutherans, Prespyterians, Episcipals, and etc. are pretty much all the same thing.

T Nova, don't be too arrogant.... and no they're not too similar. I mean they have the same basic principles but they have completely different ideologies as well. Christianity is divided into two parts: Catholicism and Protestantism. From there, there are different denominations. Catholicism has Greek Orthodox, Latin Catholicism, Opus Dei,etc. Protestantism has the ones you mentioned: Lutherans, Presbyterians, Espiscopals, Methodists, Baptists, etc.

Catholicism and Protestantism is as similar to each other as Buddhism and taoism. So they're different :)

[Drunken_Master_Rock_Lee]

I got no religion at all and i couldnt be happier about that, i hate all those fake propagandas, yes i believe in god but not in the way catholism and others do, catholism is the worst of all by far and i thanks my mom for not baptizing me when i came into this world and not makin me a catholic or a christin.

[B166ER]

you know even if they had, it wouldn't have changed you into a christian anyhow, it would just have made you a christian on the paper. I know ppl that were baptized and all and that are now totally atheist, and even anti clerical.

I am myself an atheist as well, I don't believe in any god, any form of superior beings, nor in the existence of souls/spirit/whatever it might be called.

[ScareCrow]

Yes you b166er. You belive in me :) jk

[graff]

Buddhism is not a religion, its an education and many leading buddist out there give excellent thoughts and perception towards life in the ways of the buddhist. And it is strange that certain countries still considers buddhism as a religion.

The true goal and purpose of buddhism is to have its believers to live a happy and fulfilling life, and being optimistic about the future.

Here are several quotes from "A path to true happiness"

"In christianity, faith in God is foremost. In Buddhism, faith in oneself is foremost."

"Everybody is somebody we can learn from. When we see the virtues of others, we should adopt them as our own. When we see the wrongs of others, we should reflect upon ourselves for the same faults."

"The purpose of Buddha's teachings is to eradicate superstition and clear people's misunderstanding about life."

"It is best to be considerate and kind in our speech. To put down another person is only proving our own arrogance and lack of self-confidence to others."

"Buddism is not a religion because the 'devotion' used in Buddihism is not one based on emotion, but one based on reason."

"Wise people do not just see matters from the surface, they contemplate them thoroughly and see the truth."

all of which is true cause well i am buddhist. XP

[superkhanh0]

im buddish but sorry if i say this, i think having religion is troublesome b/c people cant just take the good out of it and went overboard, why i said this b/c many wars have broke out and many pplz died just b/c of religions and having different beliefs but nutin teaches people to kill others wen they dont belive in wat u believes in.

[Bap]

Many think that people need a religion so they don't get sucked into a depressive state, or become apathetic, or becoming amoral, or something like that.

I've kinda made up my own "religion." Its pretty much a naturalist view, with a few of my own ideas and stuff.

Really is that the only reason well i guess depression is a very seriouse

disease

@ What's your religion called bap

It doesn't have a name. Its just the culmination of my beliefs, and it doesn't need a name.

[KageNaruto]

okies nevermind then. looked up religion in 2 dictionaries, religion has to focus on gods. sso athiesm isnt a religion.

but then you can say "for him football is an absolute religion", and in this meaning it means the way you live your life or lifestyle, so in this term you technically can call buddhism and athiesm a religion

[Drunken_Master_Rock_Lee]

Man Bap, i kinda trhink the same wway, i got beliefs but its different from religion and they are just beliefs, no name at all, but if i was in any kind of religion it would have 2 names, basketball and Naruto, yes baby!

[imported_partlink1]

religon is basicly what belifs you live your life by, find something to call it and bam you made a religon.

personaly I believe in god but i'm not christian.

just because you believe in him doesn't mean you have to like him

[AK47]

This is who god is
God is a jealous god and doesn't want people to have more than one god
he has emotions like us and feelings like us
we just don't know it and whenever we do something bad, we blame it on god.
Many atheists, when they read the bible they convert their beliefs right away
like this one famous guy i forget, He detested god, and he wanted to prove that he didn't exist by reading the bible,
suddenly he changed, and worshipped god for the rest of his life, and even made a movie on a part of the bible.
i don't knw why i just told you guys that
just wanted to share some info LOL

[Bap]

Why do you take God in only a christian perspective?

God can be anything you believe it to be. I guess my god would be nature, but i don't really call it a god, but i believe nature is our guiding force.

[AK47]

Why do you take God in only a christian perspective?

God can be anything you believe it to be. I guess my god would be nature, but i don't really call it a god, but i believe nature is our guiding force.
well then i guess i am referring to Jehovah

[imported_partlink1]

Why do you take God in only a christian perspective?

God can be anything you believe it to be. I guess my god would be nature, but i don't really call it a god, but i believe nature is our guiding force.

do you mean nature as natural instinct or envirment nature

anyways I kind of believe the futures set in stone, I can't tell you how much dejavu I have that always happens, with a few minor alterations though.

yea so I say the goal of life is just to live and die the way we were ment to.

the only way to break the cycle would be to kill the god that controls us(see star ocean 3) it will either allow complete freedom or complete destruction

[Hellchild915]

Im part of the all mighty catholics ahahahah but i stop going to church years ago so it doesnt really matter to me but I do believe in god and the devil

[Hiyo]

The biggest thing that drove me away from religion is that most people I know never made a concious choice to be religious. They had religious families so they went to church and accepted religion as fact. Going to university and studying a little history made me rethink how I felt about religion. I never really believed in the bible or God but I always felt like it was wrong to think otherwise since all my family did go to church although they weren't really that religious.

A week ago me and my parents had a chat about the Davinci Code movie. My dad's the type that acts as if he knows everything and told my mom what the movie was about when he really hasn't a clue. Anyways, he said it was just a garbage movie. Now regardless of whether it's garbage or not I said I thought it would be interesting to see. Anyways we got the conversation twisted to whether we believed in Jesus and went I mentioned it to him he acted as if he was going to get smited right then and there if he said he didn't believe in Jesus. My mom was like "oh of course Jesus is real".

It's pretty sad to me. There is absolutely nothing backing their believes. They only think that why because they had to go to church when they were younger. They didn't pick up the bible one day and give it a read and say "whooooa people think there is some all powerful being that created mankind in his image.. that's deep...". They just went along with it because it's what was fed to them. And they pasted on that feeding of baseless religion fiction to me until I made a concious decision not to accept it.

There really is nothing to religion at all. In early civilizations it was a way to bring people together and was exploited to gain power over the people. In many ways it was great and in many other ways it was bad. By over all there is nothing fact about any type of God. It's nothing more then huge religious groups continuing on by reproducing the bible and other religious writings and having political influence help to keep it a major focus of society.

[Kuchiki]

In the early days, religion was nothing more than a fantastical way of describing things that were inexplicable under the laws of nature as they knew it then. In time, humans began developing a system to these beliefs. As time passed, the beliefs were given personality, and a spiritual form. Eventually the notion of a God was enshrined.

Early humans would have had a purity of belief in their spiritual forces. Trusting them to grant them the bounty of life. Over time as people drifted into a sedentary lifestyle brought about by the development of agriculture, they turned to their spiritual guide to grant them more and more extravagant things which were ultimately coerced or forced from their fellow people.

The christian church is rich and powerful, but does it need such wealth to spread the word of their faith?

[Nova]

i think im christian.. if not im catholic

Are you retarded? Catholisism is a denomination of Christianity. Catholics, Baptists, Methodists, Lutherans, Prespyterians, Episcipals, and etc. are pretty much all the same thing.

T Nova, don't be too arrogant.... and no they're not too similar. I mean they have the same basic principles but they have completely different ideologies as well. Christianity is divided into two parts: Catholicism and Protestantism. From there, there are different denominations. Catholicism has Greek Orthodox, Latin Catholicism, Opus Dei,etc. Protestantism has the ones you mentioned: Lutherans, Presbyterians, Espiscopals, Methodists, Baptists, etc.

Catholicism and Protestantism is as similar to each other as Buddhism and taoism. So they're different :)

First of all dude, you are retarded. I'm not trying to be arrogant at all. They are very much alike. I am a Baptist (Protestant) and I went to Catholic school. I do know what I am talking about. A good Catholic, I said GOOD, has the same beliefs as a Protestant. The thing is, the Catholic religion is so bogged down with rituals that they have forgotten the teachings of Jesus. A Catholic who has actual read the Bible and just doesn't go to mass, will believe almost exactly they same thing as any Protestant, except what they are taught in catacism.

[Bap]

Why do you take God in only a christian perspective?

God can be anything you believe it to be. I guess my god would be nature, but i don't really call it a god, but i believe nature is our guiding force.

do you mean nature as natural instinct or envirment nature


I mean both. Instinct comes from our experiences with nature though, so they go hand in hand pretty much. As for an afterlife, I cannot be certain. I know we are all going to die, and that is what gives meaning to our lives, but afterwards..hmm..i'd like to think that we reincarnate, somewhat like a flower would after winter. But I donno.

[KageNaruto]

This is who god is
God is a jealous god and doesn't want people to have more than one god
he has emotions like us and feelings like us
we just don't know it and whenever we do something bad, we blame it on god.
Many atheists, when they read the bible they convert their beliefs right away
like this one famous guy i forget, He detested god, and he wanted to prove that he didn't exist by reading the bible,
suddenly he changed, and worshipped god for the rest of his life, and even made a movie on a part of the bible.
i don't knw why i just told you guys that
just wanted to share some info LOL

yeah, well after i read the bible and went to church i became more athiest

[AK47]

yeah, well after i read the bible and went to church i became more athiest
seriously you read the bible?
you read the whole damn entire book?
i highly doubt that and if you like buddhism there are similar concepts known as parables in the bible

[B166ER]

when ppl say that religion has good and bad aspects, I guess it's kinda right, but to me, its good aspects are not even half way to compensate its bad aspects. Religion has been used to keep the ppl ignorant, to guarantee the power of the ruling classes, you know, when your king is from god ascendence, you don't mess with him unless you got a really good reason. The idea of being the creature of a master you have to fear and obey, is one that kept the population submissive to its master, whoever they were, for centuries. The concept of a life after death reinforced this, you know, when you're gonna live millieniums of pleasure and happiness, you can accept whatever shit happens to you in the first 80 years, in the contrary, and when you know, you might live milleniums of torture and pain if you mess the ppl in charge, supported by the clergy who tells you all that, you just shut up...
Now, what good has religion made ?

btw T nova, starting a post by "you're retarded" isn't the best way to prove you're not being arrogant :wink:

[V.VELDANEN]

when ppl say that religion has good and bad aspects, I guess it's kinda right, but to me, its good aspects are not even half way to compensate its bad aspects. Religion has been used to keep the ppl ignorant, to guarantee the power of the ruling classes, you know, when your king is from god ascendence, you don't mess with him unless you got a really good reason. The idea of being the creature of a master you have to fear and obey, is one that kept the population submissive to its master, whoever they were, for centuries. The concept of a life after death reinforced this, you know, when you're gonna live millieniums of pleasure and happiness, you can accept whatever crap happens to you in the first 80 years, in the contrary, and when you know, you might live milleniums of torture and pain if you mess the ppl in charge, supported by the clergy who tells you all that, you just shut up...
Now, what good has religion made ?

btw T nova, starting a post by "you're retarded" isn't the best way to prove you're not being arrogant :wink:

Leadership of people comes with/without religion, and to comment that it is unfair to be driven by a 'master' is a pretty linear remark. At most times, leadership is very necessary to combine the hearts and minds of people for combating civil unrest. Religion, also, has done many wonders in keeping people under a single banner and move towards prosperity. The bases for concept for business/organizational structure and management today, interestingly, was derived from Christianity and their hierarchical structure and effiencies during the past.

Yes, it is undeniable that religion has caused countless deaths and wars in the history, but is that not all part of the evolution of men? We have come a long way, mentally, emotionally, culturally and historically shaped by the teachings, lessons and values brought onto us by religion... and the very least we could do is to acknowledge what roots of religions we have left in our minds, souls and society.

Never dismiss anything as being bad, because without religion, there probably won't be a society like today. If you are grateful of your present condition, at least be courteous enough to respect the religion of others. Walk down the streets in historical Europe and look at the influences of christianity on gothic architecture, listen to the peaceful surroundings ushered by teachings of the bible, breathe the air of human rights and morality...

We call ourselves atheist because we claim to understand the more complex reasonings on earth, we claim our 'understanding' of the universe's phenomenon as being logical...but nothing else is further than the truth, that religion is what brought us into this rich and diverse world, it touches the way we think, reason, paint, write, talk and live. So act like an informed atheist and respect the deep, mysterious concept that is religion...

[Nova]

when ppl say that religion has good and bad aspects, I guess it's kinda right, but to me, its good aspects are not even half way to compensate its bad aspects. Religion has been used to keep the ppl ignorant, to guarantee the power of the ruling classes, you know, when your king is from god ascendence, you don't mess with him unless you got a really good reason. The idea of being the creature of a master you have to fear and obey, is one that kept the population submissive to its master, whoever they were, for centuries. The concept of a life after death reinforced this, you know, when you're gonna live millieniums of pleasure and happiness, you can accept whatever crap happens to you in the first 80 years, in the contrary, and when you know, you might live milleniums of torture and pain if you mess the ppl in charge, supported by the clergy who tells you all that, you just shut up...
Now, what good has religion made ?

btw T nova, starting a post by "you're retarded" isn't the best way to prove you're not being arrogant :wink:

*Applauds* Spoken like a true close-minded Liberal! Bravo!

[i_feel_tiredsleepy]

I don't believe that religion itself is bad, however I'm not too fond of organized religion. When you say religion holds people down and props up leaders, its really organized religion that is responsible for this. The Catholic church continues to preach abstinence and birth control in Africa when there is a clear HIV epidemic on that continent and they are only making it worse. However, this only proves that the Church leaders are in the bad and not the general ideas of Christianity.
Kierkegaard (A Danish Phillosopher from the 19th century) said that it had become "too easy to be a christian". Organized religions are obsessed with trying to prove the objective existence of their respective deities. I believe religion can only have personal significance. It can be a way for people to define the meaning of their life and guide their moral decisions. Kierkegaard thought that an individual can never truly believe in God and the teachings of Christianity if they didn't take a leap of faith and reject any attempt to prove the inexistence or existence of God. It has to be a personal choice to believe and no one should be guiding people towards those decisions.
Anyway, in the end I have to admit that I'm also an atheist, but I have good reasons for it and not enough room to state them. Although, it is ignorant to just reject religion on the sole basis that some aspects of it are "unbelievable".

[Nova]

I don't believe that religion itself is bad, however I'm not too fond of organized religion. When you say religion holds people down and props up leaders, its really organized religion that is responsible for this. The Catholic church continues to preach abstinence and birth control in Africa when there is a clear HIV epidemic on that continent and they are only making it worse. However, this only proves that the Church leaders are in the bad and not the general ideas of Christianity.
Kierkegaard (A Danish Phillosopher from the 19th century) said that it had become "too easy to be a christian". Organized religions are obsessed with trying to prove the objective existence of their respective deities. I believe religion can only have personal significance. It can be a way for people to define the meaning of their life and guide their moral decisions. Kierkegaard thought that an individual can never truly believe in God and the teachings of Christianity if they didn't take a leap of faith and reject any attempt to prove the inexistence or existence of God. It has to be a personal choice to believe and no one should be guiding people towards those decisions.
Anyway, in the end I have to admit that I'm also an atheist, but I have good reasons for it and not enough room to state them. Although, it is ignorant to just reject religion on the sole basis that some aspects of it are "unbelievable".

I'm so happy to find someone on this forum who is this educated! Wow, I am truly amazed. I thought CR was the smartest guy on the forums, but it looks like you'll give him a run for his money. Anyway, I totally agree with you. I find that some churches *cough*Catholics*cough, are way to involved in rituals to relieve the sinners from sin, and they have forgotten the basis of Christianity. And it's nice to know that some atheists are actually well educated in religion.

[KageNaruto]

yeah, well after i read the bible and went to church i became more athiest
seriously you read the bible?
you read the whole damn entire book?
i highly doubt that and if you like buddhism there are similar concepts known as parables in the bible

read about 2/3 of it. and went to church for 4 months, partially for free donuts(lol). but no really it made me more athiest, sure it has some good aspects, but crap like you gotta love god more than your family and that god already planned out what youll do in life, stuff like that is bull to me, to me!, so nobody get insulted please

[Nova]

yeah, well after i read the bible and went to church i became more athiest
seriously you read the bible?
you read the whole damn entire book?
i highly doubt that and if you like buddhism there are similar concepts known as parables in the bible

read about 2/3 of it. and went to church for 4 months, partially for free donuts(lol). but no really it made me more athiest, sure it has some good aspects, but crap like you gotta love god more than your family and that god already planned out what youll do in life, stuff like that is bull to me, to me!, so nobody get insulted please

Ok dude. Here are my ideals, I can't really agree that I'm a christian either, but I will admit I know in my heart that there is some guiding force in our world. Don't think about it like God has your whole life planned out. Because I believe in humanity and good in everyone, I hate this reasoning. I believe that God knows what we will choose and the actions we will take, he didn't do anything to plan it, we did it ourselves. So all in all, it's still you who plans your life. And I agree with you that it's stupid to love God more than your family. But it's just something that happens in people, something happens in their heart that makes them truly have faith that God has his hand over them. I have yet to experience this, that's why I see where you're coming from. I don't see how I can love someone who I've never met, you know it just seems odd. I think it just takes something in everyone's life to trigger that pure piety in their life. But all in all, I believe that God knows what we'll become, but he doesn't have anything to do with it.

[KageNaruto]

well i dont really belive that something happening to make you love god will happen either.

i dunno, im just not a religion type of person. and as for the world existing and all, ill just go by i dont know but im not gonna make stuff up to substitute my lack of knowledge

[Named]

T Nova, you're free to write in whichever manner you please, but if I asked you nicely to tone down the attitude, would you oblige? There is no need to call your opposition in an argument 'retarded' and whichever other derogatory language you used. It only reflects badly on you, so stop it =)

Catholocism IS Christianity. Before King Henry VIII broke from the original Church to form the Anglican denomination, there was no 'Catholic', only Christian. What we call Catholics today are the ORIGINAL Christians. So to all the new borns and Anglicans who speak down to Catholicism as some alien sect loosely resembling their faith, perhaps they need a history lesson? THEY'RE THE ORIGINALS. If anyone is a demonic cult offshooting 'real' scripture, it would be the Anglican denominations. The only reason these denominations were originally FORMED was greed of past monarchs... King Henry wanted to divorce his wives! Catholic faith did not allow such a thing, the very notion is condemned as sinful.

To whomever it was who stated they did not see the sense in Atheism... If you would be so good, please take a metaphorical step from your narrow perspective to consider that Atheism is not God vs No God, it is the belief that there ARE NO GODS. Your God is not the only one conceived in our tiny existence, you know. It would do you good to remember that.
"Why don't you believe in God?" Could quite easily be turned back on you...
"Why don't you believe in MY God?"

La dee daaa... I really need to go to the toilet.

[Nova]

T Nova, you're free to write in whichever manner you please, but if I asked you nicely to tone down the attitude, would you oblige? There is no need to call your opposition in an argument 'retarded' and whichever other derogatory language you used. It only reflects badly on you, so stop it =)

Catholocism IS Christianity. Before King Henry VIII broke from the original Church to form the Anglican denomination, there was no 'Catholic', only Christian. What we call Catholics today are the ORIGINAL Christians. So to all the new borns and Anglicans who speak down to Catholicism as some alien sect loosely resembling their faith, perhaps they need a history lesson? THEY'RE THE ORIGINALS. If anyone is a demonic cult offshooting 'real' scripture, it would be the Anglican denominations. The only reason these denominations were originally FORMED was greed of past monarchs... King Henry wanted to divorce his wives! Catholic faith did not allow such a thing, the very notion is condemned as sinful.

To whomever it was who stated they did not see the sense in Atheism... If you would be so good, please take a metaphorical step from your narrow perspective to consider that Atheism is not God vs No God, it is the belief that there ARE NO GODS. Your God is not the only one conceived in our tiny existence, you know. It would do you good to remember that.
"Why don't you believe in God?" Could quite easily be turned back on you...
"Why don't you believe in MY God?"

La dee daaa... I really need to go to the toilet.

And you think I show attitude by calling someone tard? I can easily see you're insulting me with sarcasm. I have no doubt that you are more intelligent than me, so I'm not going to give you a history lesson. But honestly named if your going to go insulting the "other" christian denominations, then you really need to look into it first. There were many other "protestant" churches before the Anglicans. I agree King Henry's church was very twisted "cult" version of the Catholic church. And I'm not denying that Catholicism was the first Christian church, all I'm saying is that it has lost it's way from the word of God. For someone so smart, you don't know too much about religion. So don't butt in if your going to be a know it all, when you don't know that much.

[CRtwenty]

And I suppose that your interpretation of Gods word is the only correct one? I wasn't aware you'd been chosen as a spokesman for God...

The point is that Catholic, Non-Catholic, Hindu, Jew, Muslim, Buddist, Atheist, and whatever else is out there all have equal value.

Religion is Humanity trying to describe the unknown. There is no true religion. They are all just different interpretations, just because you have chosen one way of viewing the world doesn't make it either correct or incorrect.

And yes, Catholics are the original Christians. And yes they are still Christians... Christians believe in Christ, and that he died for our sins. That's the only thing you need to do to be a Christian.

[Nova]

And I suppose that your interpretation of Gods word is the only correct one? I wasn't aware you'd been chosen as a spokesman for God...

The point is that Catholic, Non-Catholic, Hindu, Jew, Muslim, Buddist, Atheist, and whatever else is out there all have equal value.

Religion is Humanity trying to describe the unknown. There is no true religion. They are all just different interpretations, just because you have chosen one way of viewing the world doesn't make it either correct or incorrect.

And yes, Catholics are the original Christians. And yes they are still Christians... Christians believe in Christ, and that he died for our sins. That's the only thing you need to do to be a Christian.

First off man, I have my own beliefs. And you shouldn't go assuming that I'm one of those bible beating christians. If anything I'm far from it. I just went to Catholic school, and went to mass for 180 days in a row, probably more than alot of Catholics. And that created in me a huge hatred for the Catholic church, not Catholics, just the church.

[CRtwenty]

And your point is? Just because you don't respect an institution doesn't make it any less valid. So you don't like the Catholic Church, does that make its religion wrong?

[AK47]

why do you hate the church? and if you hate it why do you still hold your beliefs of it's religion? If it's the beliefs and values are the reason for your hate towards the church then why don't you hate both the religion and the church.
If you went to mass for 180 days which is more than most catholics
doesn't that make you feel better about your faith towards your religion?

[Named]

T Nova.

If he's to stop assuming, so should you. I offered my opinion, as you offered your uninformed opinion. You're the one who dressed me up to be a 'know it all' before shooting down that very image with seemingly unprovoked defamatory. What on Earth was the point of that roundabout exercise?

It's the arrogance in your convinction that bothers me. "They have strayed from the truth of God!"
And by their standards YOU have strayed from the truth of God. The only consistent in any of this is that there IS no indefinite truth, only our perception of truth.

It would do you a great deal of good to learn some tact in how you speak to others. As you've said, we haven't the intelligence to speak from a place of indisputed superiority, so perhaps we should respect who we're talking to?
If you want your opinion to be respected, if you want -anyone- you're sharing your views with to take heed of whatever lessons you're dishing out, DON'T CALL THEM RETARDS.

I don't know what you considered facetious about my previous post, though I can't say I care enough to find out. All your attitude is good for and all it will cause are flame wars.
We can't avoid offending people we speak to, it happens, and should you ever be attacked, feel free to retaliate if you can do so intelligently. WHY, though, would you act like such an arse in a debate when it's totally uncalled for?

Please -try- to speak civilly to the members of my forum. Not just to keep me happy, 'cause you'll find it serves a rather meaningful purpose to be kind to strangers, rather than perpetuating the misery we're all so accustomed to in our lives. And while i've thus far restrained from playing on your so-called faith to drive home a point; your hostility is not openly condoned by any Christian institution i'm aware of.

The More You Know. *NBC theme*

[B166ER]

Leadership of people comes with/without religion, and to comment that it is unfair to be driven by a 'master' is a pretty linear remark. At most times, leadership is very necessary to combine the hearts and minds of people for combating civil unrest. Religion, also, has done many wonders in keeping people under a single banner and move towards prosperity. The bases for concept for business/organizational structure and management today, interestingly, was derived from Christianity and their hierarchical structure and effiencies during the past. yes it is unfair to undergo someone's dictature, and all those kings who were supported by the church were dictators, who had gained their power thru strength and abuse (maybe is "abuse" not well chosen). This part might be going off topic, so I'll stop here for that matter. And concerning the structure we inherited from christiannity, well, from what I know, christiannity did not invent any of those, I'm not even sure they contributed that much to their devellopment.

Yes, it is undeniable that religion has caused countless deaths and wars in the history, but is that not all part of the evolution of men? We have come a long way, mentally, emotionally, culturally and historically shaped by the teachings, lessons and values brought onto us by religion... and the very least we could do is to acknowledge what roots of religions we have left in our minds, souls and society. What are you exactly talking about ? I know there are many things in our culture linked to our christian history, but what about the mental and moral, and emotional part ? I mean, they didn't invent moralty, merely did they write a few basic rules down, neither did the christian church contribute for scientifical advancement, in the contrary, they many times tried to slow it down...

Never dismiss anything as being bad, because without religion, there probably won't be a society like today. If you are grateful of your present condition, at least be courteous enough to respect the religion of others. Walk down the streets in historical Europe and look at the influences of christianity on gothic architecture, listen to the peaceful surroundings ushered by teachings of the bible, breathe the air of human rights and morality...
Maybe would this deserve a thread of its own. Am I happy with today's society, no, for a lot of reasons that would take to long to expose, and would be totally off topic in this thread. Now walk down the streets in those part of the world were the cultures of so many ppl were erased and replaced by christiannity and tell me if we won that much in terms of cultural diversity because of the christian church

We call ourselves atheist because we claim to understand the more complex reasonings on earth, we claim our 'understanding' of the universe's phenomenon as being logical...but nothing else is further than the truth, that religion is what brought us into this rich and diverse world, it touches the way we think, reason, paint, write, talk and live. So act like an informed atheist and respect the deep, mysterious concept that is religion...
I call myself an atheist, and I don't understand shit of some of the basic reasonings on earth, but I don't try to find easy explanations to every problems I'm confronted to. I'd rather be frustrated by my ignorance than being ignorant without knowing it, and feel comfortable with it.
Now is this world really rich and diverse because of religion, is it even rich and diverse, at all? African countries that were colonised and christiannised at the same time are now among the poorest on earth, wherehas before all this happened they had known no starvation in their history, when I walk down a museum of classic painting all I see is beared men wearing togas eating bread in some final meal, and women looking with beatitude to some fat babies. Is that really being rich and diverse ?

[Named]

What are you exactly talking about ? I know there are many things in our culture linked to our christian history, but what about the mental and moral, and emotional part ? I mean, they didn't invent moralty, merely did they write a few basic rules down, neither did the christian church contribute for scientifical advancement, in the contrary, they many times tried to slow it down...

Yes, B166ER. Cultures that existed before and presently independent of Christian values; their -moral- societies thrived. Even those without a dominant religion governing the masses. Celtics, come to mind. That is, of course, before Roman Catholics oppressed them into extinction ^^
Moreover, even the Christian laws of morality are directly plagarised from Ancient Egyptian scripture. So too is the old testament's description of God. Almost word for word copying; a pathetic religion founded on lies, ignorance and hatred.

[CRtwenty]

Yes, Christianity is a cut-and-paste religion. Well... to be more precise Judaism is. Since the Isrealites were originally a tribe of nomads it seems that they just absorbed the religious teachings of several cultures they came into contact with. Especially the Babylonians.

Though, in their defense, plenty of religions have been copied by other cultures. For instance the Romans stole almost all of the Greeks religion. So it's not like they were the only ones doing it.

[Named]

Yeah, but that faith crumbled with the collapse of the empire :P Christianity is sadly still preached as a 'truth' to misguided, emotionally needy and most of all addictive personalities.
Yes, zealous religious belief presents itself symptomatically as an addiction. Every stage and phase is precisely the same as exhibited from chemical or accepted behavioural addictions.

Christianity is quite possibly the most dangerous addiction i've ever observed in a human behaviour. The withdrawal, particularly, is horrendous.
Sadly, many international anti-addiction organisations take an ill-advised approach to remedying chemical addictions. Instead of permanent resolution through positive reinforcement, they simply replace one addiction for another. Heroin for Jesus.
It goes without saying, I hope, that I frown upon these organisations with well-deserved contempt.

[CRtwenty]

Religion isn't all bad. There are some undeniably good things that have come from it. Just because somebody is fervent about their religious beliefs doesn't mean that they're a dangerous, bad, or evil person. Just that they've found something to believe in.

There are plenty of good people with strong religious principles. Just as there are a lot of bad people with the same principles. But blaming the religion itself for that isn't the answer. It's like blaming guns for gun violence. Guns are just the tool, it's the person behind it that is really to blame.

[V.VELDANEN]

I call myself an atheist, and I don't understand crap of some of the basic reasonings on earth, but I don't try to find easy explanations to every problems I'm confronted to. I'd rather be frustrated by my ignorance than being ignorant without knowing it, and feel comfortable with it.
Now is this world really rich and diverse because of religion, is it even rich and diverse, at all? African countries that were colonised and christiannised at the same time are now among the poorest on earth, whereas before all this happened they had known no starvation in their history, when I walk down a museum of classic painting all I see is beared men wearing togas eating bread in some final meal, and women looking with beatitude to some fat babies. Is that really being rich and diverse ?

Tis could go on forever, lol.

But when I refer to rich and diverse, I was refering to the many schools of thought, beliefs and societal and cultural values that exist in this post-modernist era... not merely monetary and fiscal issues. Religion of many sorts are instrumental in revolution of ideologies, and its history and degree of relatedness is deep and complex, Age of Enlightenment is a good place to start. And I don't think you can actually blame christianity either for having africa in such a sorry state. Life is unfair...

How can you actually tell though paintings that they are no starvation throughout history? I'm sorry, but such shallow assumption gives no credit to your argument whatsoever.

I have to admit though, it pisses me off at times when people claim Chrisitianity as everyone's path to salvation...and so their life revolves around the bible, nothing else. I guess that is the reason why many people detest Christianity because their teachings are, in a sense, romantic, appealing and very very overated... yet addictive, as Named calls it.

On a personal level, I find that christians are among the warmest and friendliest people albeit at many times, they try to convert you - an ulterior motive? I don't know, but I've been approach more than once in their effort to spread to Gospel (as I call it, their marketing plan XD jk jk). When I was young and curious, I used to repel and argue against their thoughts and ideas and have pissed many people off. At a point of time I've actually listened and learned from them and discovered religion have a system that have saved many people from loneliness, emotional pitfalls and straying to the 'darkside'. There is when I've started to appreciate religion and the many foundations it has built for our society today....

[CRtwenty]

I agree with Vel.

[Nova]

Yeah, but that faith crumbled with the collapse of the empire :P Christianity is sadly still preached as a 'truth' to misguided, emotionally needy and most of all addictive personalities.
Yes, zealous religious belief presents itself symptomatically as an addiction. Every stage and phase is precisely the same as exhibited from chemical or accepted behavioural addictions.

Christianity is quite possibly the most dangerous addiction i've ever observed in a human behaviour. The withdrawal, particularly, is horrendous.
Sadly, many international anti-addiction organisations take an ill-advised approach to remedying chemical addictions. Instead of permanent resolution through positive reinforcement, they simply replace one addiction for another. Heroin for Jesus.
It goes without saying, I hope, that I frown upon these organisations with well-deserved contempt.

There is nothing wrong with addictions. I mean as humans we need help, physically, mentally, or emotionally. And religion offers help, and that's what people see and accept. Religions are personal, and to those who have noone there for them, Jesus, Allah, and all other dieties offer them comfort. And also, the theory of an afterlife holds many questions unanswered, and religion simply answers easily and understandibly. As long as human beings require emotional stability and happiness, I believe religion will always have a strong point in civilization.

[AK47]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxOy13fAKH0
i remember this woman
she uses religion against gays
just wanted to post this up

[Nova]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxOy13fAKH0
i remember this woman
she uses religion against gays
just wanted to post this up

First off, Ak. This is a group of a brainwashed family. I don't think you can classify anything coming out of her mouth as religion. It's hatred against gays. And anyone who says "Thank God, for dead soldiers." at a funeral, is a sicko.

[i_feel_tiredsleepy]

"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. "
Friedrich Nietzsche

I believe the value of Christianity in respect to the nature of our society is being underplayed. I would say that western culture is almost completely controlled by beliefs that have evolved from Christianity. The Jews and Christians were originally opressed people who were for the most part poor and starving. Therefore, they latched on to ideals and morals that favoured the poor and downtrodden. Ideas like charity and equallity can only evolve from peoples who were opressed. Modern democracy is a direct result of Christianity's base principles of individual value of human lives. Of course, over time ideas evolve and become different from their origins so you may not think that your personal belief in the value of democracy was derived from Christianity, but your own beliefs are largely influenced by your culture and society. Moreover, in western history, Christianity dominated the moral and ethical thinking of almost all the great thinkers.
I took this argument from Nietzsche's idea of slave morality (Christian morality evolved from "slaves") and master morality (Ancient Greek morality that didn't have any respect for anyone who wasn't a Greek man and also the morality of upper class European nobles.).
Feminism may also owe its evolution from Catholic's idealism of the virgin Marie.
"But thus do I counsel you, my friends: distrust all in whom the impulse to punish is powerful! "
Friedrich Nietzsche

[Named]

There is nothing wrong with addictions. I mean as humans we need help, physically, mentally, or emotionally. And religion offers help, and that's what people see and accept. Religions are personal, and to those who have noone there for them, Jesus, Allah, and all other dieties offer them comfort. And also, the theory of an afterlife holds many questions unanswered, and religion simply answers easily and understandibly. As long as human beings require emotional stability and happiness, I believe religion will always have a strong point in civilization.

And yet it took the secularisation of society for the major problems religious belief caused amongst the population ot be ironed out. Christians had NO respect for women, being a faith of the Middle-East, it is of no surprise why. It was secularist movements who fought for equal rights of women. It was secularist movements who fought against racial discrimination, the very discrimination Christianity founded in countries such as America.
Let's review what Christian movements have been good for in recent history... Beating up doctors and filling poor children's influential minds with fantastical drivel from a 2000 year old farce of a book.

The crux of my objection to a creed like Christianity is that it is VERY unhealthy psychologically. Strict, immutable laws incite rebellion in the human psyche. Relate it even to something simple, like a parent dictating chores to their child. Think back to when you were doing your homework because you WANTED to do it. Because you had been taught to understand doing homework is in your best interest, but were given the decision to do the 'right' thing as you saw fit. How did you feel when your parent ordered you to do what you had already planned to do? Where did your motivation go? Where did that pride go?
Our purpose is remorselessly stripped from us, when we go from following our own path to obediently following the direction of an authority. Our MEANING and desire to live and function is taken away from us.

Christianity is an enlargened version of this overbearing parent. The very parent who drives their children to rebel against authority, for having their pride and dignity stolen from them. That is BASIC psychology, and what shocks me is a GOD didn't even take it into consideration when apparently inspiring a book to be written. Is your God -really- THAT oblivious to the most fundamental functions of human mentality? Maybe, maybe not, but it is doubtfully a coincidence the ignorant knaves who wrote the books of the Bible lacked this understanding.

People need direction, not commandments. All of our purpose, everything we make of ourselves, our motivation, our reason to continue to -live- rests precariously on this condition being met during our development. The Buddha understood that. God didn't. I'd sooner put my faith in the figure who accommodates for human psychology.

And to those who say "We shouldn't blame the religion". I fervently disagree. There comes a time when you HAVE to blame the religion; blame the institution - THE CAUSE - of all the millions of people we instead punish. Go to the SOURCE, people. Christianity caters for hatred, because it is UNHEALTHY. Such ideals and unrelenting judgement cripple people pathologically. There is not a single person Christianity takes no shame in condemning and persecuting (we are all sinners) - we can't cope with that kind of stress. THAT is why the teachings have been and will continue to be 'twisted' to meet all manner of horrible intent. THEY ARE DANGEROUS.
The religion needs to be scrapped, or it will continue to destroy lives.

[Nova]

There is nothing wrong with addictions. I mean as humans we need help, physically, mentally, or emotionally. And religion offers help, and that's what people see and accept. Religions are personal, and to those who have noone there for them, Jesus, Allah, and all other dieties offer them comfort. And also, the theory of an afterlife holds many questions unanswered, and religion simply answers easily and understandibly. As long as human beings require emotional stability and happiness, I believe religion will always have a strong point in civilization.

And yet it took the secularisation of society for the major problems religious belief caused amongst the population ot be ironed out. Christians had NO respect for women, being a faith of the Middle-East, it is of no surprise why. It was secularist movements who fought for equal rights of women. It was secularist movements who fought against racial discrimination, the very discrimination Christianity founded in countries such as America.
Let's review what Christian movements have been good for in recent history... Beating up doctors and filling poor children's influential minds with fantastical drivel from a 2000 year old farce of a book.

The crux of my objection to a creed like Christianity is that it is VERY unhealthy psychologically. Strict, immutable laws incite rebellion in the human psyche. Relate it even to something simple, like a parent dictating chores to their child. Think back to when you were doing your homework because you WANTED to do it. Because you had been taught to understand doing homework is in your best interest, but were given the decision to do the 'right' thing as you saw fit. How did you feel when your parent ordered you to do what you had already planned to do? Where did your motivation go? Where did that pride go?
Our purpose is remorselessly stripped from us, when we go from following our own path to obediently following the direction of an authority. Our MEANING and desire to live and function is taken away from us.

Christianity is an enlargened version of this overbearing parent. The very parent who drives their children to rebel against authority, for having their pride and dignity stolen from them. That is BASIC psychology, and what shocks me is a GOD didn't even take it into consideration when apparently inspiring a book to be written. Is your God -really- THAT oblivious to the most fundamental functions of human mentality? Maybe, maybe not, but it is doubtfully a coincidence the ignorant knaves who wrote the books of the Bible lacked this understanding.

People need direction, not commandments. All of our purpose, everything we make of ourselves, our motivation, our reason to continue to -live- rests precariously on this condition being met during our development. The Buddha understood that. God didn't. I'd sooner put my faith in the figure who accommodates for human psychology.

And to those who say "We shouldn't blame the religion". I fervently disagree. There comes a time when you HAVE to blame the religion; blame the institution - THE CAUSE - of all the millions of people we instead punish. Go to the SOURCE, people. Christianity caters for hatred, because it is UNHEALTHY. Such ideals and unrelenting judgement cripple people pathologically. There is not a single person Christianity takes no shame in condemning and persecuting (we are all sinners) - we can't cope with that kind of stress. THAT is why the teachings have been and will continue to be 'twisted' to meet all manner of horrible intent. THEY ARE DANGEROUS.
The religion needs to be scrapped, or it will continue to destroy lives.

You say you know the human psyche, but you don't seem to realize that scrapping religion would cause more harm than help. Anyone should see that. And religion is not unhealthy, it is a known fact that people with a religion lead better lives and live longer.

[i_feel_tiredsleepy]

There is nothing wrong with addictions. I mean as humans we need help, physically, mentally, or emotionally. And religion offers help, and that's what people see and accept. Religions are personal, and to those who have noone there for them, Jesus, Allah, and all other dieties offer them comfort. And also, the theory of an afterlife holds many questions unanswered, and religion simply answers easily and understandibly. As long as human beings require emotional stability and happiness, I believe religion will always have a strong point in civilization.

And yet it took the secularisation of society for the major problems religious belief caused amongst the population ot be ironed out. Christians had NO respect for women, being a faith of the Middle-East, it is of no surprise why. It was secularist movements who fought for equal rights of women. It was secularist movements who fought against racial discrimination, the very discrimination Christianity founded in countries such as America.
Let's review what Christian movements have been good for in recent history... Beating up doctors and filling poor children's influential minds with fantastical drivel from a 2000 year old farce of a book.

The crux of my objection to a creed like Christianity is that it is VERY unhealthy psychologically. Strict, immutable laws incite rebellion in the human psyche. Relate it even to something simple, like a parent dictating chores to their child. Think back to when you were doing your homework because you WANTED to do it. Because you had been taught to understand doing homework is in your best interest, but were given the decision to do the 'right' thing as you saw fit. How did you feel when your parent ordered you to do what you had already planned to do? Where did your motivation go? Where did that pride go?
Our purpose is remorselessly stripped from us, when we go from following our own path to obediently following the direction of an authority. Our MEANING and desire to live and function is taken away from us.

Christianity is an enlargened version of this overbearing parent. The very parent who drives their children to rebel against authority, for having their pride and dignity stolen from them. That is BASIC psychology, and what shocks me is a GOD didn't even take it into consideration when apparently inspiring a book to be written. Is your God -really- THAT oblivious to the most fundamental functions of human mentality? Maybe, maybe not, but it is doubtfully a coincidence the ignorant knaves who wrote the books of the Bible lacked this understanding.

People need direction, not commandments. All of our purpose, everything we make of ourselves, our motivation, our reason to continue to -live- rests precariously on this condition being met during our development. The Buddha understood that. God didn't. I'd sooner put my faith in the figure who accommodates for human psychology.

And to those who say "We shouldn't blame the religion". I fervently disagree. There comes a time when you HAVE to blame the religion; blame the institution - THE CAUSE - of all the millions of people we instead punish. Go to the SOURCE, people. Christianity caters for hatred, because it is UNHEALTHY. Such ideals and unrelenting judgement cripple people pathologically. There is not a single person Christianity takes no shame in condemning and persecuting (we are all sinners) - we can't cope with that kind of stress. THAT is why the teachings have been and will continue to be 'twisted' to meet all manner of horrible intent. THEY ARE DANGEROUS.
The religion needs to be scrapped, or it will continue to destroy lives.

"The whole thing is so patently infantile, so foreign to reality, that to anyone with a friendly attitude to humanity it is painful to think that the majority of mortals will never be able to rise above this view of life" -Freud
Well Freud said it a little more concisely, but many people do agree with you. However, theres an essay here on how religion can help in psychological healing. http://www.psywww.com/psyrelig/sollod2.html . So relgion has good and bad aspects when it comes to psychological health.

More importantly, besides putting moral restrictions on people it also gives human beings purpose where often they lack any other reason to exists.
If you look at the world from a completely secular standpoint a human being is nothing but a highly evolved animal that is nonetheless ruled by its genes. Therefore, all our actions are just a result of previous experiences and stimuli. What is the point to life if we just "exists" and nothing else. There is no reason to believe that we have a reason to live beyond spreading our genes through copulation. Religion satisfies many people who can't find reasons to live in the material world.

Finally, I have to go back to what I said in an earlier post about the personal importance of religion. I believe organized religion is bad, but personal faith can be a very good thing.

[Nova]

There is nothing wrong with addictions. I mean as humans we need help, physically, mentally, or emotionally. And religion offers help, and that's what people see and accept. Religions are personal, and to those who have noone there for them, Jesus, Allah, and all other dieties offer them comfort. And also, the theory of an afterlife holds many questions unanswered, and religion simply answers easily and understandibly. As long as human beings require emotional stability and happiness, I believe religion will always have a strong point in civilization.

And yet it took the secularisation of society for the major problems religious belief caused amongst the population ot be ironed out. Christians had NO respect for women, being a faith of the Middle-East, it is of no surprise why. It was secularist movements who fought for equal rights of women. It was secularist movements who fought against racial discrimination, the very discrimination Christianity founded in countries such as America.
Let's review what Christian movements have been good for in recent history... Beating up doctors and filling poor children's influential minds with fantastical drivel from a 2000 year old farce of a book.

The crux of my objection to a creed like Christianity is that it is VERY unhealthy psychologically. Strict, immutable laws incite rebellion in the human psyche. Relate it even to something simple, like a parent dictating chores to their child. Think back to when you were doing your homework because you WANTED to do it. Because you had been taught to understand doing homework is in your best interest, but were given the decision to do the 'right' thing as you saw fit. How did you feel when your parent ordered you to do what you had already planned to do? Where did your motivation go? Where did that pride go?
Our purpose is remorselessly stripped from us, when we go from following our own path to obediently following the direction of an authority. Our MEANING and desire to live and function is taken away from us.

Christianity is an enlargened version of this overbearing parent. The very parent who drives their children to rebel against authority, for having their pride and dignity stolen from them. That is BASIC psychology, and what shocks me is a GOD didn't even take it into consideration when apparently inspiring a book to be written. Is your God -really- THAT oblivious to the most fundamental functions of human mentality? Maybe, maybe not, but it is doubtfully a coincidence the ignorant knaves who wrote the books of the Bible lacked this understanding.

People need direction, not commandments. All of our purpose, everything we make of ourselves, our motivation, our reason to continue to -live- rests precariously on this condition being met during our development. The Buddha understood that. God didn't. I'd sooner put my faith in the figure who accommodates for human psychology.

And to those who say "We shouldn't blame the religion". I fervently disagree. There comes a time when you HAVE to blame the religion; blame the institution - THE CAUSE - of all the millions of people we instead punish. Go to the SOURCE, people. Christianity caters for hatred, because it is UNHEALTHY. Such ideals and unrelenting judgement cripple people pathologically. There is not a single person Christianity takes no shame in condemning and persecuting (we are all sinners) - we can't cope with that kind of stress. THAT is why the teachings have been and will continue to be 'twisted' to meet all manner of horrible intent. THEY ARE DANGEROUS.
The religion needs to be scrapped, or it will continue to destroy lives.

"The whole thing is so patently infantile, so foreign to reality, that to anyone with a friendly attitude to humanity it is painful to think that the majority of mortals will never be able to rise above this view of life" -Freud
Well Freud said it a little more concisely, but many people do agree with you. However, theres an essay here on how religion can help in psychological healing. http://www.psywww.com/psyrelig/sollod2.html . So relgion has good and bad aspects when it comes to psychological health.

More importantly, besides putting moral restrictions on people it also gives human beings purpose where often they lack any other reason to exists.
If you look at the world from a completely secular standpoint a human being is nothing but a highly evolved animal that is nonetheless ruled by its genes. Therefore, all our actions are just a result of previous experiences and stimuli. What is the point to life if we just "exists" and nothing else. There is no reason to believe that we have a reason to live beyond spreading our genes through copulation. Religion satisfies many people who can't find reasons to live in the material world.

Finally, I have to go back to what I said in an earlier post about the personal importance of religion. I believe organized religion is bad, but personal faith can be a very good thing.

sugoi! very good point! I would like to put a quote from my favorite author Orson Scott Card,"Everything in the universe asks the question 'why'. And God answers back, 'To live.'"

[i_feel_tiredsleepy]

Welcome to the human race. Nobody controls his own life, Ender. The best you can do is choose to be controlled by good people, by people who love you.
Orson Scott Card, Ender's Game

Weird coincidence i just finished reading Xenocide yesterday. That book has some interesting things to say about religion. Mostly pro because Card is a devout mormon.

Man is a Religious Animal. He is the only Religious Animal. He is the only animal that has the True Religion—several of them. He is the only animal that loves his neighbor as himself and cuts his throat if his theology isn’t straight. --Mark Twain

If you have two religions in your land, the two will cut each other's throats; but if you have thirty religions, they dwell in peace. --Voltaire

Christians are like frogs holding a symposium round a swamp, debating which of them is most sinful.-- Celsus on Christians in the second century A.D.

I was walking across a bridge one day, and I saw a man standing on the edge, about to jump off. So I ran over and said 'Stop! don't do it!' 'Why shouldn't I?' he said. I said, 'Well, there's so much to live for!' He said, 'Like what?' I said, 'Well...are you religious or atheist?' He said, 'Religious.' I said, 'Me too! Are you Christian or Buddhist?' He said, 'Christian.' I said, 'Me too! Are you Catholic or Protestant?' He said, 'Protestant.' I said, 'Me too! Are you Episcopalian or Baptist?' He said, 'Baptist!' I said, 'Wow! Me too! Are you Baptist church of god or Baptist church of the lord?' He said, 'Baptist church of god!' I said, 'Me too! Are you original Baptist church of god, or are you reformed Baptist church of god?' He said, 'Reformed Baptist church of god!' I said, 'Me too! Are you reformed Baptist church of god, reformation of 1879, or reformed Baptist church of god, reformation of 1915?' He said, 'Reformed Baptist church of god, reformation of 1915!' I said, 'Die, heretic scum,' and pushed him off. --Emo Phillips

Some interesting quotes i found online :)

[Nova]

Welcome to the human race. Nobody controls his own life, Ender. The best you can do is choose to be controlled by good people, by people who love you.
Orson Scott Card, Ender's Game

Weird coincidence i just finished reading Xenocide yesterday. That book has some interesting things to say about religion. Mostly pro because Card is a devout mormon.

My favorite books ever! If you love Ender as much as I do, then you'll enjoy Children of the Mind. You remember Bean right? Well when your finished with the Ender's Saga, start reading Ender's Shadow and on. IMO it's better than Ender's story. But yes, as much as Mormon's drive me insane, I respect Mr. Card so much because of all his books. He has lots of interesting things about religion in almost everyone. He's even written books on characters from the bible. He's a very versatile author.

EDIT- who was the one that told Ender that?

[V.VELDANEN]

I was walking across a bridge one day, and I saw a man standing on the edge, about to jump off. So I ran over and said 'Stop! don't do it!' 'Why shouldn't I?' he said. I said, 'Well, there's so much to live for!' He said, 'Like what?' I said, 'Well...are you religious or atheist?' He said, 'Religious.' I said, 'Me too! Are you Christian or Buddhist?' He said, 'Christian.' I said, 'Me too! Are you Catholic or Protestant?' He said, 'Protestant.' I said, 'Me too! Are you Episcopalian or Baptist?' He said, 'Baptist!' I said, 'Wow! Me too! Are you Baptist church of god or Baptist church of the lord?' He said, 'Baptist church of god!' I said, 'Me too! Are you original Baptist church of god, or are you reformed Baptist church of god?' He said, 'Reformed Baptist church of god!' I said, 'Me too! Are you reformed Baptist church of god, reformation of 1879, or reformed Baptist church of god, reformation of 1915?' He said, 'Reformed Baptist church of god, reformation of 1915!' I said, 'Die, heretic scum,' and pushed him off. --Emo Phillips

I found this one quite amusing... :D and quite true to an extent...

[KageNaruto]

Welcome to the human race. Nobody controls his own life, Ender. The best you can do is choose to be controlled by good people, by people who love you.
Orson Scott Card, Ender's Game

Weird coincidence i just finished reading Xenocide yesterday. That book has some interesting things to say about religion. Mostly pro because Card is a devout mormon.

Man is a Religious Animal. He is the only Religious Animal. He is the only animal that has the True Religion—several of them. He is the only animal that loves his neighbor as himself and cuts his throat if his theology isn’t straight. --Mark Twain

If you have two religions in your land, the two will cut each other's throats; but if you have thirty religions, they dwell in peace. --Voltaire

Christians are like frogs holding a symposium round a swamp, debating which of them is most sinful.-- Celsus on Christians in the second century A.D.

I was walking across a bridge one day, and I saw a man standing on the edge, about to jump off. So I ran over and said 'Stop! don't do it!' 'Why shouldn't I?' he said. I said, 'Well, there's so much to live for!' He said, 'Like what?' I said, 'Well...are you religious or atheist?' He said, 'Religious.' I said, 'Me too! Are you Christian or Buddhist?' He said, 'Christian.' I said, 'Me too! Are you Catholic or Protestant?' He said, 'Protestant.' I said, 'Me too! Are you Episcopalian or Baptist?' He said, 'Baptist!' I said, 'Wow! Me too! Are you Baptist church of god or Baptist church of the lord?' He said, 'Baptist church of god!' I said, 'Me too! Are you original Baptist church of god, or are you reformed Baptist church of god?' He said, 'Reformed Baptist church of god!' I said, 'Me too! Are you reformed Baptist church of god, reformation of 1879, or reformed Baptist church of god, reformation of 1915?' He said, 'Reformed Baptist church of god, reformation of 1915!' I said, 'Die, heretic scum,' and pushed him off. --Emo Phillips

Some interesting quotes i found online :)

meh, dont like most of those

[Nova]

I was walking across a bridge one day, and I saw a man standing on the edge, about to jump off. So I ran over and said 'Stop! don't do it!' 'Why shouldn't I?' he said. I said, 'Well, there's so much to live for!' He said, 'Like what?' I said, 'Well...are you religious or atheist?' He said, 'Religious.' I said, 'Me too! Are you Christian or Buddhist?' He said, 'Christian.' I said, 'Me too! Are you Catholic or Protestant?' He said, 'Protestant.' I said, 'Me too! Are you Episcopalian or Baptist?' He said, 'Baptist!' I said, 'Wow! Me too! Are you Baptist church of god or Baptist church of the lord?' He said, 'Baptist church of god!' I said, 'Me too! Are you original Baptist church of god, or are you reformed Baptist church of god?' He said, 'Reformed Baptist church of god!' I said, 'Me too! Are you reformed Baptist church of god, reformation of 1879, or reformed Baptist church of god, reformation of 1915?' He said, 'Reformed Baptist church of god, reformation of 1915!' I said, 'Die, heretic scum,' and pushed him off. --Emo Phillips

I found this one quite amusing... :D and quite true to an extent...

teehee....that was funny...I guess he's trying to say religious people can sometime go overboard in simple matters.

[CRtwenty]

You know what I find sinful?
These long quote chains that we're seeing.

[Nova]

You know what I find sinful?
These long quote chains that we're seeing.

:P Agreed! I will resume watching Chobits and being tired.

[Named]

"If you look at the world from a completely secular standpoint a human being is nothing but a highly evolved animal that is nonetheless ruled by its genes."

I agree with that, i've embraced that, and from this 'clean slate', so to speak, I SEEK OUT my own purpose. I've known for many years that I am ultimately pointless, why would I care to change that? My mind has developed free from the oppression of an over-zealous dogmatic creed. That is why I fear nothing and why I do not let the petty insecurities of humanity bother me. I'm content in my humble acceptence of an aimless life followed by an inevitable non-existence.

This worldview is denied of so many millions of people, who are instead fed fantastical, easily digested notions of a simple universe. Yes, accepting a faith CAN console many restless spirits. I've no objection to people finding peace. But I am driven by my own purpose to open their eyes to what could be MORE. They could forge their own purpose, rather than being fed a witless pre-concieved one. Shouldn't we all have that choice?

[Nova]

"If you look at the world from a completely secular standpoint a human being is nothing but a highly evolved animal that is nonetheless ruled by its genes."

I agree with that, i've embraced that, and from this 'clean slate', so to speak, I SEEK OUT my own purpose. I've known for many years that I am ultimately pointless, why would I care to change that? My mind has developed free from the oppression of an over-zealous dogmatic creed. That is why I fear nothing and why I do not let the petty insecurities of humanity bother me. I'm content in my humble acceptence of an aimless life followed by an inevitable non-existence.

This worldview is denied of so many millions of people, who are instead fed fantastical, easily digested notions of a simple universe. Yes, accepting a faith CAN console many restless spirits. I've no objection to people finding peace. But I am driven by my own purpose to open their eyes to what could be MORE. They could forge their own purpose, rather than being fed a witless pre-concieved one. Shouldn't we all have that choice?

None of our purposes are pre-conceived, we each hold the pen in our own books. But is it so wrong to believe all of our purposes are tied together to a greater one? Everything you say is valid, and I agree with you, but until our universe can be explained in its entirety people will need religion. Not everyone is as highly-evolved as you, some people still can't except that they are just animals ruled by their genes, because in some cases humans can be seen differently.

[Bap]

None of our purposes are pre-conceived, we each hold the pen in our own books. But is it so wrong to believe all of our purposes are tied together to a greater one? Everything you say is valid, and I agree with you, but until our universe can be explained in its entirety people will need religion. Not everyone is as highly-evolved as you, some people still can't except that they are just animals ruled by their genes, because in some cases humans can be seen differently.

Until our universe can be explained in its entirety, SOME people will need religion. I think its great that we continuously discover new things about our universe, but I'm also fine with never figuring it all out.

Question: How many of you can comprehend the notion of a God?

[Nova]

Until our universe can be explained in its entirety, SOME people will need religion. I think its great that we continuously discover new things about our universe, but I'm also fine with never figuring it all out.

Question: How many of you can comprehend the notion of a God?

What do you mean?

[Hime_sama]

i think im christian.. if not im catholic

Are you retarded? Catholisism is a denomination of Christianity. Catholics, Baptists, Methodists, Lutherans, Prespyterians, Episcipals, and etc. are pretty much all the same thing.

sorry to disagree on this one with you hubby, but they're not!

[Nova]

i think im christian.. if not im catholic

Are you retarded? Catholisism is a denomination of Christianity. Catholics, Baptists, Methodists, Lutherans, Prespyterians, Episcipals, and etc. are pretty much all the same thing.

sorry to disagree on this one with you hubby, but they're not!

Trust me darling! Besides a few sacraments an minor beliefs. Catholics and Protestants are the same. They both believe the Jesus was the son of God. And that really is all that matters, it kind of makes them alike. They are all Christians, just a little differences here and there.

[Bap]

The main difference is the ceremonial aspects. Catholics tend to put a lot more focus on ceremonies and such.

And is it true that the Pope can, through excommunication, send one to hell?

[CRtwenty]

The main difference is the ceremonial aspects. Catholics tend to put a lot more focus on ceremonies and such.

And is it true that the Pope can, through excommunication, send one to hell?

Depends on your definition of hell, or how you view the Pope's role. But I'm pretty sure that many people would say "Yes".

As for being able to interpret God...

Isn't it the very nature of God to be uninterpretable?

[Named]

If the concept could be interpreted and clearly understood, it could be challenged. Many a philospher came close to before discovering the many ambiguous fronts of Christian theology denying their reason.

[Hime_sama]

catholics believe they achieve heaven through works, whether protestants believe it's by faith.

protestants don't believe in Mary, or the saints. it is considered idolatry (the Biblical definition of idolatry; which is worship to inanimate objects, or other gods other than Jehova!). and many, many, many other differences.

but just with the salvation difference we differ in much!

no need to say i'm a christian!!! lol

yep! I love God with all my heart! He changed my life and I would never turn back!

[Named]

Still, Catholics are the original Christians. As I said, before the re-titling was made necessary by the popularisation of alternative denominations, Catholics weren't even called Catholics, they were just 'Christians'.

They are in every sense of the word 'original' Christians. To deny them the title of "Christian" is not fair and certainly not right. ^^ Realistically, it belongs to them more than it does Protestants or Anglicans or... ALL THE OTHERS. (gods there are too many sects! So much for an 'immutable' truth :lol:)

[narutoIZZAbest]

OoOoh, today I was watching an interesting documentry on Satanic beliefs.

I gotta say that I believe in some of their words... but then again-- I don't.

They believe that we as humans basically indulge.--So why not pride yourself of that?
If you sin be proud of it. Why not?

They do not repress things such as love and lust.

Ok, so I agree that we shouldn't repress "basic human nature" but I wouldn't pride myself in certain negetive qualities-- despite them being completely human anyways.

==
Another thing--
I always thought that discussions on Christianity and such was always much more interesting.. probably because there is just so much you can talk about.

I think I know more about it than Buddism... ^^; (though I was never really much a Buddist anyways :|)

[Kuchiki]

It's interesting because there are so many contradictions to discuss

[Nova]

Satanists are weird. Why worship the lesser god? I'm mean that's just plain idiotic.

[narutoIZZAbest]

Satanists are weird. Why worship the lesser god? I'm mean that's just plain idiotic.
To them he is not the lesser god. :P :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:
ALL HAIL SATAN

wow, must be such a day for them... lol 666

anyways--
it would seem natural for some people to be drawn towards him--
god seems like too perfect a being, while satan has more humanlike qualities. people can identify more with him.

trust me, i think i've sinned a million times. :P i would never become a Satanist though

[Bap]

Are you talking about -real- Satanists? Or Church of Satan satanists?

Church of Satan "satanists" are just atheists who use Satan as an icon of their beliefs. They do not really worship him. Do a search on Anton LeVay or the Church of Satan. They believe you should indulge yourself as much as you want too.

As for real Satanists...good luck getting anything good outta that *shrug*

[i_feel_tiredsleepy]

The main difference is the ceremonial aspects. Catholics tend to put a lot more focus on ceremonies and such.

And is it true that the Pope can, through excommunication, send one to hell?

Depends on your definition of hell, or how you view the Pope's role. But I'm pretty sure that many people would say "Yes".

As for being able to interpret God...

Isn't it the very nature of God to be uninterpretable?

The pope can also send you to heaven if your stuck in purgatory by give you an "indulgence" which is basically a piece a paper with his signature on it. I guess it gets you into heaven because the pope is magic or something.

[imported_partlink1]

hey i have a get out of hell free pass so i don't need the pope i'll scan it and post it later

[Nova]

The main difference is the ceremonial aspects. Catholics tend to put a lot more focus on ceremonies and such.

And is it true that the Pope can, through excommunication, send one to hell?

Depends on your definition of hell, or how you view the Pope's role. But I'm pretty sure that many people would say "Yes".

As for being able to interpret God...

Isn't it the very nature of God to be uninterpretable?

The pope can also send you to heaven if your stuck in purgatory by give you an "indulgence" which is basically a piece a paper with his signature on it. I guess it gets you into heaven because the pope is magic or something.

Indulgences were stopped long ago. That was one of the main reason's Martin Luther split with the church.

[i_feel_tiredsleepy]

Martin luther is always talked about like he was a really great guy but he also wrote tons of books about why christians should take away all the property of the jews and shut down the synagogues and kick them out of germany. Those books became very popular in nazi Germany because a huge part of the german population is Lutheran.
Although the pope at the time was selling indulgences because he needed money to build St. Peter's Basillica and he just wasn't good with money he was building hospitals and giving away money like crazy and he was also having sex with a bunch of women and produced a son who eventually became king of Tuscany. So I don't know which is the worse person.

[Nova]

Martin luther is always talked about like he was a really great guy but he also wrote tons of books about why christians should take away all the property of the jews and shut down the synagogues and kick them out of germany. Those books became very popular in nazi Germany because a huge part of the german population is Lutheran.


What's your point dude? I never said Martin Luther wasn't a total rascist. But note taken, Martin Luther was indeed a Jew-Hat3r.

[Hime_sama]

sorry Named! the original christians were the disciples from Jesus apostles, which suffered for many years in the roman coliseum and died as martirs! they had to meet in the famous catacombs and suffer persecution. they were known as the NeoTestamentary Church. the Roman empire tried hard to erradicate them, but the more the martirs more people joined christianity. then came constantine, who saw christians just grew more and more, and made christianity the official roman religion. and here is when pagans saw oppurtunity in chrisitianity, thus joining, thus corrupting the church and becoming the Roman Catholic Church!!! and then came the dark ages! where the church went hand in hand with state!

original christians??? i'd say original "christian" sect!

[Nova]

I honestly wish Catholics would just die out already. They've only brought harm.

[KageNaruto]

well i honestly wish all religion died out! it only brought harm.

[imported_partlink1]

religon simply bring order without religon people would have nothing to fear, death wouldn't be a worry, so people would be doing whatever,

religon just scares us
thus hell, you supposedly are torchered until the satans war against god, then you get locked up in a cave of lava for all eternity

while on the other hand if your good you go to this magical place with gold streets, water, air(not sure bout that), paradise.

so simply what would u be aiming for


gods decre"follow me or I'll have u torchered for all eternity"
yea friendly

[KageNaruto]

religon simply bring order without religon people would have nothing to fear, death wouldn't be a worry, so people would be doing whatever,

religon just scares us
thus hell, you supposedly are torchered until the satans war against god, then you get locked up in a cave of lava for all eternity

while on the other hand if your good you go to this magical place with gold streets, water, air(not sure bout that), paradise.

so simply what would u be aiming for


gods decre"follow me or I'll have u torchered for all eternity"
yea friendly

its more like "belive in god and youll go to heaven:

"dont belive in god and youll go to hell"

also with your logic it means athiests are bad ppl. and they arent

[imported_partlink1]

No i'm saying that the bibles just one way to scare you into doing the right thing
with all the smiting god does to the wicked in the bible its no wonder most religous people are straight liners(very religous)

but you can be naturaly good without believing in god its just that not believing is condsidered bad by some peoples standereds. can't tell you how many of my friends have tryed to lecture me

[i_feel_tiredsleepy]

Have you not heard of that madman who lit a lantern in the bright morning hours, ran to the market-place, and cried incessantly: "I am looking for God! I am looking for God!"
As many of those who did not believe in God were standing together there, he excited considerable laughter. Have you lost him, then? said one. Did he lose his way like a child? said another. Or is he hiding? Is he afraid of us? Has he gone on a voyage? or emigrated? Thus they shouted and laughed. The madman sprang into their midst and pierced them with his glances.

"Where has God gone?" he cried. "I shall tell you. We have killed him - you and I."

Well Nietzsche wrote entire books on morality in the absence of religious belief. He came to the conclusion, as far as I understand it since Nietzsche is confusing, that stupid people may actually need religion for morality. He theorized that in a world where nobody believed in God most of society would just degrade into a nihilistic pleasure driven society only interested in keeping themselves materially satisfied instead of doing what is right. Of course, Nietzsche was completely opposed to democracy since he looked down on the common people and didn't trust them to come to any reasonable decisions, he used the analagy that he and other "free sprits" were standing on mountain tops inconceivably above the masses ruled by the "herd mentality".

"If you want to view paradise, simply look around and view it" - Willy Wonka

Nietzsche also said humanity has the capacity to create its own morality. We have to come to the realization that right and wrong isn't something imposed by a god, but that doesn't mean that right and wrong don't exists. We can make heaven on earth if we really want to work towards it.

[Nova]

No i'm saying that the bibles just one way to scare you into doing the right thing
with all the smiting god does to the wicked in the bible its no wonder most religous people are straight liners(very religous)

but you can be naturaly good without believing in god its just that not believing is condsidered bad by some peoples standereds. can't tell you how many of my friends have tryed to lecture me

See that is where your ignorance on Christianity shows. Any Christian knows that no matter what you do, it has already been accounted for. When Jesus was crucified, our slates were wiped clean and we won't be punished for our sins. So if you truly realize and regret what you've done, you'll be forgiven.

Don't flame me, I'm just saying what is taught.

[KageNaruto]

actually even if we "counterargumented" that T nova we wouldnt be falming you but the religion itself anywayz

[Hiyo]

Yeah I think people that are seriously into the Bible follow it's teaching due to being religious zealots moreso then scared in any way. Jail time is what keeps a lot of people from doing bad stuff.

I think though in the past the Bible and Religion was a powerful way to keep people in line.

[Nova]

Yeah I think people that are seriously into the Bible follow it's teaching due to being religious zealots moreso then scared in any way. Jail time is what keeps a lot of people from doing bad stuff.

I think though in the past the Bible and Religion was a powerful way to keep people in line.

Or you can use my approach....beat 'em with sticks...

[i_feel_tiredsleepy]

I can't believe that the only reason why people would not commit crimes is because of prison. There has to be something more to morality. I personally think I don't kill people and steal because its wrong not because I'm afraid of going to prison. If prison is the only deterent to you commiting a crime then you are probably a sociopath.
Also, you have to look at why people choose to be honest or charitable; many probably do it because they want to look good or because of religious reason, but some atleast must be doing it for more important reason.
I believe human beings have intrinsic worth inherent to all from birth, therefore we have a responsibility to treat others in certain ways.

[Nova]

I can't believe that the only reason why people would not commit crimes is because of prison. There has to be something more to morality. I personally think I don't kill people and steal because its wrong not because I'm afraid of going to prison. If prison is the only deterent to you commiting a crime then you are probably a sociopath.
Also, you have to look at why people choose to be honest or charitable; many probably do it because they want to look good or because of religious reason, but some atleast must be doing it for more important reason.
I believe human beings have intrinsic worth inherent to all from birth, therefore we have a responsibility to treat others in certain ways.

agreed.

[Kuchiki]

I can't believe that the only reason why people would not commit crimes is because of prison. There has to be something more to morality. I personally think I don't kill people and steal because its wrong not because I'm afraid of going to prison. If prison is the only deterent to you commiting a crime then you are probably a sociopath.
Also, you have to look at why people choose to be honest or charitable; many probably do it because they want to look good or because of religious reason, but some atleast must be doing it for more important reason.
I believe human beings have intrinsic worth inherent to all from birth, therefore we have a responsibility to treat others in certain ways.

Some don't commit crimes because their mind is predisposed against committing crimes. Some would commit crimes if necessary, in self defense for instance. People steal whether it be material goods or intangible goods like ideas and stuff. It's the way we evolved much of our crafts. For example, the Brits couldn't grow tea but the Chinese could so they sent a spy in and stole a whole bunch of different tea types and now we have english breakfast tea, darjeeling tea, earl and lady grey tea.

People do charitable things and they are said to be good people. If you really dig down deep, people like these are actually self gratifying and selfish. They do good deeds because it makes them feel good to do it and they get praise for doing so.

[dan2025]

yeah, im christan, despite how i may act at times, and no, i dont beleave the bable is just away to keep people in line, a great deal of it is bassic information or stories about inportant people or events, but i have a question to those people who dont have a reledgion:

how do you think humanity exsests?

what do you think will happen to you when you die?


could evelotion really be possible? that you, your friends, the universe, everything just happened by chance?

[KageNaruto]

yeah, im christan, despite how i may act at times, and no, i dont beleave the bable is just away to keep people in line, a great deal of it is bassic information or stories about inportant people or events, but i have a question to those people who dont have a reledgion:

how do you think humanity exsests?

what do you think will happen to you when you die?


could evelotion really be possible? that you, your friends, the universe, everything just happened by chance?

evolution is a theory with a ton of proof to it, and yes it could have easily happened.

how does humanity exist? i dunno but im not gonna make up reasons to substitute my lack of knowledge.

same for the death question.



i mean you might as well belive in egyptian gods they have gods for death and all that stuff too

[Kuchiki]

Ooh no.. don't go there. start a new thread if you want to go into evolution. That'll be another 25 page thread in no time

[KageNaruto]

nah i dont want to, its just that he asked so i answered

[Kuchiki]

lol I was actually responding to KageNaruto's post, but i was slow in posting

Humanity exists because it evolved that way

[KageNaruto]

lol I was actually responding to KageNaruto's post, but i was slow in posting

Humanity exists because it evolved that way

....wait.... but I am KageNaruto..........

okies then..........

does anybody on this forum have a strange religion? one out of the ordinary? just wondering

[Nova]

what do you mean by strange? unheard of? or just outright weird?

[Kuchiki]

how about rastafarianism? that's about as strange a one as I've heard of

Smoking pot is a requirement for religious experiences.

About mayan and incan god worship, requires the sacrifice of 10,000 virgins to assure victory for your country in the world cup.

the funniest story I've heard about beliefs though is to do with the world.

This professor was talking about the birth of the world and how it is suspended in space. A lady jumped up during the seminar and yelled "The world rests on the back of a tortoise!"
"And what does the tortoise stand on?" he asked
"It's tortoises all the way down!" she retorted

[CRtwenty]

Keep evolution out of this please. I'm still recovering from the last topic on it. I swear if I hear the word "cillia" one more time I'm gonna shoot someone.

As for weird religious stuff...
I think Wicca is a weird religion myself...

[Kuchiki]

Oh yah remember the Intelligent Design thread... that was painful

[B166ER]

*feels guilty*:oops: :oops:
what's wicca about anyway ?

[E_Juva_Zio_Umm]

witchcraft sort of

[Hime_sama]

i just want to say: tons of proof to evolution!!! lol.... haven't you asked yourself why it's still a theory and not a law!!!! .... prolly don't know if you're so sure there's tons of proof!


weird religions! damn, my ancestors were crazy! the mayans had this soccer game. they had this rubber ball that they could only touch with their elbows, knees or foot, and they had to introduce it in very small holes. the game lasted till the sun set, and the team with more points got to die for thier god the Sun. and that was one of the greatest privileges!!!!!

i would have want to be in the looser team!

heres a pic of the ball field here in Honduras
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y160/kauro/copan4.jpg

this is the sacrificial rock, where they cut the victims head. if you see it closely, you can see little streams carved in the rock so that the blood could flow.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y160/kauro/copan5.jpg

and here is a pic of me with the ball field in the back. i've gone a few times there. they've discovered new things. but it was much cooler back then cuz you could get inside the field. now you can only see it from a short distance!!! those ruins were our playground!!!!

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y160/kauro/Dibujo.jpg

i'm the one in the green dress! that was my small gang back then!!!

[V.VELDANEN]

i just want to say: tons of proof to evolution!!! lol.... haven't you asked yourself why it's still a theory and not a law!!!! .... prolly don't know if you're so sure there's tons of proof!


weird religions! damn, my ancestors were crazy! the mayans had this soccer game. they had this rubber ball that they could only touch with their elbows, knees or foot, and they had to introduce it in very small holes. the game lasted till the sun set, and the team with more points got to die for thier god the Sun. and that was one of the greatest privileges!!!!!

i would have want to be in the looser team!

heres a pic of the ball field here in Honduras
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y160/kauro/copan4.jpg

this is the sacrificial rock, where they cut the victims head. if you see it closely, you can see little streams carved in the rock so that the blood could flow.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y160/kauro/copan5.jpg

and here is a pic of me with the ball field in the back. i've gone a few times there. they've discovered new things. but it was much cooler back then cuz you could get inside the field. now you can only see it from a short distance!!! those ruins were our playground!!!!

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y160/kauro/Dibujo.jpg

i'm the one in the green dress! that was my small gang back then!!!

The prize is most interesting... much better than a simple trophy I reckon...

Argggg....musn't.....respond....to....evolution!

Ah forget it... to disclaim those 'proofs' is very ignorant, to say the least...oh well, we could just forget all the fun-loving hairy cave men who hunts wooly mammoths...

Arg!!!! The urgE!!!!

[Nova]

Let's not start an evolution argument. It's a theory that is about as easy to prove as creationism, which is hard to prove.

[imported_partlink1]

Let's not start an evolution argument. It's a theory that is about as easy to prove as creationism, which is hard to prove.

i really dont see what the bfd is with evolution

so what if evolution is real that still means something created us

and all i'm going to say is that

if we are derived from monkeys there should be on gene that matches perfectly with monkeys, eesiest way to check.

or build a machin that can accelerate gene proggresion

i think i'm going to do that

now only to learn engenering, gene study, gene alteration.
Its going to be awhile see you all in 50 years

[Nova]

i really dont see what the bfd is with evolution

so what if evolution is real that still means something created us

and all i'm going to say is that

if we are derived from monkeys there should be on gene that matches perfectly with monkeys, eesiest way to check.

or build a machin that can accelerate gene proggresion

i think i'm going to do that

now only to learn engenering, gene study, gene alteration.
Its going to be awhile see you all in 50 years

Sorry bro, don't believe in gene manipulation unless it's used to cure disease or gene mutations. I think that we are as God or nature created us, and if we're meant to evolve it will come about soon enough.

[KageNaruto]

Let's not start an evolution argument. It's a theory that is about as easy to prove as creationism, which is hard to prove.

i really dont see what the bfd is with evolution

so what if evolution is real that still means something created us

and all i'm going to say is that

if we are derived from monkeys there should be on gene that matches perfectly with monkeys, eesiest way to check.

or build a machin that can accelerate gene proggresion

i think i'm going to do that

now only to learn engenering, gene study, gene alteration.
Its going to be awhile see you all in 50 years

1. chimp's genetic code and human genetic code are very similar

2. the theory is that apes and us originated from a common ancestor, not monkeys! it mighta been some kind of monkey but its unconfirmed which or if one has even been found

[Nova]

Let's not start an evolution argument. It's a theory that is about as easy to prove as creationism, which is hard to prove.

i really dont see what the bfd is with evolution

so what if evolution is real that still means something created us

and