Religion and Other Things

[Fallen Angel]

Um I actually don't know many people that are very religious that turn their backs on their loved ones- quite the contrary, in fact. Most religious people that I've encountered have really close-knit families and take care of and watch out for their loved ones very much. The way I see it, their belief is that God would want them to care for their loved ones, and not turn them away or turn away from them.

Now I know there are some fanatics that put their loved ones in danger and do so "in the name of God" or because they think ' God's Will decreed it"- but they're the extreme and few in number. Not only that, I just think they are mentally disturbed people who just use religion as an excuse for their crimes.

That's not the point I was trying to make

[Tone]

Ok, answer me this Tone...

You believe time began some where, correct?
You believe the universe had to of been created some how, correct?
You believe in the Big Bang Theory?
Do you believe in interplanetary dimensions?
Do you believe in Aliens?

then you ask where god came from so its no different.

i believe in aliens because after a very general understanding of the universe, to not believe in aliens would be silly. i have no definite belief that they have ever been to earth though, the abduction phenomena is NOT indication that aliens are here. i do believe in the big bang theory because it makes sense and theres indication of it . The universe tells us that there are at least 11 dimensions but i only understand length, width, height, and time. i suppose by dimensions you mean planes of existance where this physical plane uses the first 4 dimensions. that i dont know about, have no indication no experience of such a thing, to say i did would be imaginative newage mumbo jumbo thats really nothing more than psychological mind-states than being on other planes.

I'd rather believe in a entity such as God than anything you can come up with

is that a preference? my mind cant believe in anything much. dont try to say 'oh but even science is something thats believed in, even the monitor in front of you is a belief since its technically only experienced through the senses'. you know what i mean, religious beliefs, faith, things like normal things being called a miracle, etc.

analytical mind sees things from bunch of angles and questions everything. one mind might say praying to god to get the job change she needed and then getting it after 6 months is an answered prayer, not getting it would mean 'god has other plans for me'. sounds like perfectly normal things with or without a god that have a sense of god added to them and an excuse for any outcome.

we need to know how god is more than just a thought, i dont think there is a culture on earht though that never had no thought of god and spirit. what if there was one, what if one just simply never thought of it, what if it never occured to them?

i also wonder if you view the bible as your personal path to god where there are many. being exclusive wouldnt make any sense because one would think god wouldnt play geography and accesibility. for instance if your born somewhere where your parents take you to church you are just lucky compared to being born in an isolated tribe that never heard of the bible?

[Stylez]

Tone, take a course in human psychology, you will soon learn that people like to believe in religion. If nothing else, it takes away some of the pain, the futileness of existance. It is a human thing, a weakness if you will, a strength in other cases. You are pointing to things and calling them weaknesses: They are in reality strengths.
Have you ever been depressed? Has anything cheered you up from that? I've been depressed quite a lot recently, but due to my own prejudices I have resisted resorting to religion. It has never, and I presume never will be, my thing.
I like to think that there is hope.
Hope is a logical fallacy; why believe in something when there are slim chances it will happen?
But it is a human fallacy; and hope, as in the story of pandora's box, is the last and final barrier before oblivion and submission to negative feelings.
You have heard the saying: never give up hope?
That is why people turn to religion (and spirituality): it gives them hope when logic cannot. Can you, using logic alone, deduce a solution to all the worlds problems? Why is it that so many charitable organisations are christian, therefore religious, organisations? They don't just help christians, its not simply a case of helping out members of their own faith.

The proof determining Jesus never existed is indeterminate at best. There are historical documents recording the existance of a prophet who answers to the description given of jesus and his acts.
You cannot be sure of the existance, or non-existance, without faith. Some have absolute faith that Jesus existed, you seem to have absolute faith that he never existed. It defies logic, for how can you know of events that happened over two thousand years ago? Have you developed a time machine, defeated the laws of physics? Tell us, what is the nature of causality? And If you have a time machine, why are you here? Shouldn't the whole world know about this?
Follow the path of the Agnostic. Doubt everything, but do not discount it.

So far I've resisted turning to God, people I find much more comforting. To each his own, I guess. I would much rather have a hug than pray. Human warmth seems so much more divine when it is needed. But then, I've never truly experienced God, If I even can.

Very well put... Kudos...

[Stylez]

Everything I believe in and know is not organized or from a single source. That makes it no more less valid then your own. It's not an exucuss, I'm not listening to you say "read the bible" then responding. If the bible could give me insight other sources lack then I would read it. It is a collection of many stories so when I'm looking for information that has been tested, examined, and found true... the bible is not really a source to be looking at. I am not looking for faith or religion, just knowledge. Faith has to be a part of our existance but I would rather formulate that on my own, I'm not looking for someone to tell me what to believe.

Well either way, it was wrong on my part to try and tell you where you might be going wrong, when I need to work on myself first, my apologizes... I still stand my ground, but I really don't have a say in this anymore than anyone of you do... We all don't know enough to debate on this subject, we all base our judgments so hastily, without thinking this clearly through, without always having a say in the matter... We need to stop being so biased towards this subject... I, myself, included... -_-

We're so quick to speak, but yet, so slow to think... I will heed my own words and listen to you all now, observe if you will...

[Stylez]

then you ask where god came from so its no different.

i believe in aliens because after a very general understanding of the universe, to not believe in aliens would be silly. i have no definite belief that they have ever been to earth though, the abduction phenomena is NOT indication that aliens are here. i do believe in the big bang theory because it makes sense and theres indication of it . The universe tells us that there are at least 11 dimensions but i only understand length, width, height, and time. i suppose by dimensions you mean planes of existance where this physical plane uses the first 4 dimensions. that i dont know about, have no indication no experience of such a thing, to say i did would be imaginative newage mumbo jumbo thats really nothing more than psychological mind-states than being on other planes.

is that a preference? my mind cant believe in anything much. dont try to say 'oh but even science is something thats believed in, even the monitor in front of you is a belief since its technically only experienced through the senses'. you know what i mean, religious beliefs, faith, things like normal things being called a miracle, etc.

analytical mind sees things from bunch of angles and questions everything. one mind might say praying to god to get the job change she needed and then getting it after 6 months is an answered prayer, not getting it would mean 'god has other plans for me'. sounds like perfectly normal things with or without a god that have a sense of god added to them and an excuse for any outcome.

we need to know how god is more than just a thought, i dont think there is a culture on earht though that never had no thought of god and spirit. what if there was one, what if one just simply never thought of it, what if it never occured to them?

i also wonder if you view the bible as your personal path to god where there are many. being exclusive wouldnt make any sense because one would think god wouldnt play geography and accesibility. for instance if your born somewhere where your parents take you to church you are just lucky compared to being born in an isolated tribe that never heard of the bible?

Shut up you psychotic, sociopath... You need help Tone, on a serious note, you're mental...

[Squeezer]

then you ask where god came from so its no different.

i believe in aliens because after a very general understanding of the universe, to not believe in aliens would be silly. i have no definite belief that they have ever been to earth though, the abduction phenomena is NOT indication that aliens are here. i do believe in the big bang theory because it makes sense and theres indication of it . The universe tells us that there are at least 11 dimensions but i only understand length, width, height, and time. i suppose by dimensions you mean planes of existance where this physical plane uses the first 4 dimensions. that i dont know about, have no indication no experience of such a thing, to say i did would be imaginative newage mumbo jumbo thats really nothing more than psychological mind-states than being on other planes.


is that a preference? my mind cant believe in anything much. dont try to say 'oh but even science is something thats believed in, even the monitor in front of you is a belief since its technically only experienced through the senses'. you know what i mean, religious beliefs, faith, things like normal things being called a miracle, etc.

analytical mind sees things from bunch of angles and questions everything. one mind might say praying to god to get the job change she needed and then getting it after 6 months is an answered prayer, not getting it would mean 'god has other plans for me'. sounds like perfectly normal things with or without a god that have a sense of god added to them and an excuse for any outcome.

we need to know how god is more than just a thought, i dont think there is a culture on earht though that never had no thought of god and spirit. what if there was one, what if one just simply never thought of it, what if it never occured to them?

i also wonder if you view the bible as your personal path to god where there are many. being exclusive wouldnt make any sense because one would think god wouldnt play geography and accesibility. for instance if your born somewhere where your parents take you to church you are just lucky compared to being born in an isolated tribe that never heard of the bible?

You obviously have no idea of the nature of religion.

If someone wants to pray to god each night, and it comforts them, and it isn't hurting anyone, where is the harm?

Rather than attack Christians for not believing the same thing you believe in, why not just let them do there thing, so long as it isn't interfeering with your belief system, ridiculous as it may be.

[Tone]

Have you ever been depressed? Has anything cheered you up from that? I've been depressed quite a lot recently, but due to my own prejudices I have resisted resorting to religion. It has never, and I presume never will be, my thing.

no it doesnt help depression at all, i get nothing from it. depression is biological and it seems some people may get a chemical kick out of it but it doesnt work for everyone. you can also view it the other way around, being very very depressed makes for no faith and having that extra natural psychedelic tweak in you generates a feeling of god

[DoTheFandango]

"God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him. How shall we, murderers of all murderers, console ourselves? That which was the holiest and mightiest of all that the world has yet possessed has bled to death under our knives. Who will wipe this blood off us? With what water could we purify ourselves? What festivals of atonement, what sacred games shall we need to invent? Is not the greatness of this deed too great for us? Must we not ourselves become gods simply to be worthy of it?"

Eat it cockfags.

[Squeezer]

Eat it cockfags.

Wow. That small quote from an annonymous guy, who has nothing to base his opinion on, has totally convinced me.

God really is dead. <_<

[Troll King]

First, Nietzsche isn't some "anonymous guy" but one of the world's most famous philosophers. Second, people who quote Nietzsche are annoying.

[Saturn V]

I hate religion discussions.

All I can say is religion did not answer my questions. Sure, people gave me religious answers, but I was never satisfied with them. So I decided to answer the questions for myself which led me far, far away from religion.

[Tone]

. Second, people who quote Nietzsche are annoying.

and stupid

[Squeezer]

and stupid

as opposed to people who quote:

911isaconspiracysoputonyourtinfoilhats.com

gotcha

[DoTheFandango]

OH WOW T0NE YOU REALLY HURT ME WITH YOUR NAME CALLING.

I'm pretty sure 99.9% percent of us would rather hear a Nietzche quote than a bullshit theory from google.

Wow. That small quote from an annonymous guy, who has nothing to base his opinion on, has totally convinced me.

Ok, then here is the entire passage. Enjoy.

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. We are his murderers. But how have we done this? How were we able to drink up the sea? Who gave us the sponge to wipe away the entire horizon? What did we do when we unchained the earth from its sun? Whither is it moving now? Whither are we moving now? Away from all suns? Are we not perpetually falling? Backward, sideward, forward, in all directions? Is there any up or down left? Are we not straying as through an infinite nothing? Do we not feel the breath of empty space? Has it not become colder? Is it not more and more night coming on all the time? Must not lanterns be lit in the morning? Do we not hear anything yet of the noise of the gravediggers who are burying God? Do we not smell anything yet of God's decomposition? Gods too decompose. God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him. How shall we, murderers of all murderers, console ourselves? That which was the holiest and mightiest of all that the world has yet possessed has bled to death under our knives. Who will wipe this blood off us? With what water could we purify ourselves? What festivals of atonement, what sacred games shall we need to invent? Is not the greatness of this deed too great for us? Must we not ourselves become gods simply to be worthy of it? There has never been a greater deed; and whosoever shall be born after us - for the sake of this deed he shall be part of a higher history than all history hitherto."

Here the madman fell silent and again regarded his listeners; and they too were silent and stared at him in astonishment. At last he threw his lantern to the ground, and it broke and went out. "I have come too early," he said then; "my time has not come yet. The tremendous event is still on its way, still travelling - it has not yet reached the ears of men. Lightning and thunder require time, the light of the stars requires time, deeds require time even after they are done, before they can be seen and heard. This deed is still more distant from them than the distant stars - and yet they have done it themselves."

It has been further related that on that same day the madman entered divers churches and there sang a requiem. Led out and quietened, he is said to have retorted each time: "what are these churches now if they are not the tombs and sepulchres of God?"

[Stylez]

You know who the greatest philosopher of all time is? You... You are your greatest philosopher... Think for yourself and stop letting others form your own opinions for you...

I'm done... -_-