What's Your Religion?

[SephirothIce]

This is just asking for arguments. I stopped reading a little through the first page, because it is highly offensive. I think it doesn't matter what our religions are. When you trash someones religion it really pisses them off that's the reason I don't trash anyone's religion and only worry about myself. I am raised a Christian although I really don't do what is required of the religion, but my grandmother devoted her whole life to being a christian and leading a good life and when someone tells me that her life (belief) is bull shit I find it very offensive. I mean I don't go around calling anyone a dumb ass or telling them their going to hell, because it really doesn't concern me what they think. Anyway I think anyone's religion should be kept sacred in ways because people work their whole life for their beliefs and I don't think anyone should be the judge of who's wrong or who's right.

 

[thebluenewt]

For the record, I don't think that just because the Bible has some falsehoods that therefore nothing else in it can be true. Some things that are in it have already been proven to be true (ex. accounts on the Assyrians), and for some others there is no evidence either way.

The Bible does mention every great eastern civilisation of the time (except for the Indus Valley). Archaeologists trusted it so much that it took ages for the big city shaped mounds in the Indus Valley to be discovered and even then it was thought to be part of another civilisation.

I don't know what my point is anymore...

 

[Axeman]

Yes, I believe in Darwin's theory, and we have evolved into a succesful species because of our want to do GOOD for others, and have thefefore been able to live very well in a community because of our unselfish intentions. Causing good relationships, sex, babies, evolution etc etc etc.

That is NOT Darwin's theory. Darwin's theory is that species change because of natural selection (he never mentions the word "evolution" even once in The Origin of Species).
Natural Selection - Parent organisms pass on their characteristics to their offspring. Those whose characteristics best enable them to produce the most offspring are the ones who are more represented in the gene pool.

That's IT. Nothing there about "good intentions". Good intentions can indeed help the human race survive, but so can many other factors. Look at the mosquito; I doubt they have ANY good intentions, and yet there are a hella lot more of them than humans on this planet.

This is pretty much my belief as an agnostic. When scientists theorized the formula for the Big Bang (the theorized beginning of the universe), they were asked what came before the Big Bang. Well by their calculations, nothing could come before the Big Bang.

etc.

If you knew your physics, you would know that this is not true. I really recommend that everybody visit this website that I linked to earlier; scroll down, it's a kind of FAQ for a lot of the arguments that have been made here...

As an archaeologist, I know a nice little saying that applys in this context

"Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence"

In other words, just because we dont have any proof that a God exists, doesn't mean that there IS no God...

Like I said... open-minded.

Nicely said, Axeman.
Another note; just because science does not currently have an explanation for something, it does not mean that no explanation exists. Take that finding-water-with-a-stick example that I talked about earlier; it was thought to be something supernatural for a long time, but scientists eventually found out how it worked.

P.S. You're an archaeologist, Axeman? Very cool. Where do you work?

Yeah - Well... Archaeological Conservator to be precise. Involves a lot of Archaeology, but also encompasses how to slow the degredation of objects and how to extract evidence from finds with analysis and stuff.

Conversely, my current job is as a Technical analyst and network engineer for a Council

However... my archaeological work has taken me to Norwich (where I worked on their Egyptian collection and mummies - Egyptological objects are my speciality), and I also worked on Time Team for Channel 4. My main role in that was in Time Team 2000 in Canterbury, Kent, where I did some conservation work and digging on the project. I still keep seeing myself pop up on the Discovery channel. If you ever get to see the Time Team Canterbury dig (it's been on a few times), I'm interviewed part of the way through about some hair that I'm working on - it was dug up from a medieval cess pit (nice!) and I was analysing it to see if there were any hair lice on it.

Luverly

I love archaeology, but unfortunately the jobs just arn't there

 

[pubjoe]

Yes, I believe in Darwin's theory, and we have evolved into a succesful species because of our want to do GOOD for others, and have thefefore been able to live very well in a community because of our unselfish intentions. Causing good relationships, sex, babies, evolution etc etc etc.

That is NOT Darwin's theory. Darwin's theory is that species change because of natural selection (he never mentions the word "evolution" even once in The Origin of Species).
Natural Selection - Parent organisms pass on their characteristics to their offspring. Those whose characteristics best enable them to produce the most offspring are the ones who are more represented in the gene pool.

That's IT. Nothing there about "good intentions". Good intentions can indeed help the human race survive, but so can many other factors. Look at the mosquito; I doubt they have ANY good intentions, and yet there are a hella lot more of them than humans on this planet.

Yeah, I was trying to sum up a lot in one sentence. Darwins theory has itself evolved many times

Natural selection within the human race is influenced heavily by social evolution. It is one of our most successful qualities of survival.

yes, Darwin's natural selection theory shows us how independant survival has developed (survival of the fittest). But it has also been theorised how this is also coupled with group and social characteristics. It is one of our most succesful developments.

I was just trying to point out that I am aware that there IS a scientific explaination for the behavioural preprogramming that rico mentioned and yet I am still developing spiritual beliefs as I get older.

sorry for not being specific enough. I was attempting to make a short answer (and this answer is still far to brief to do the subject justice) :rolleyes:

 

[Jeffery Mewtamer]

I find religion to be a very interesting subject. I hold the belief that very being capable of thought holds their own beliefs that vary to some degree from everyone elses. As such I am a total toleracationist. Although I believe everyone's belief unique to some extent, I also try to view common beliefs on a more fundamental level.

An example of viewing Islam, Chistianity, and Jedaism on a fundamental level:
All believe in one God(Monotheists)
All believe in Angels(supernatural servents of God)
All believe in heaven and hell(and thus sin and repention)

Fundamental differences:
Jews follow mainly the Old Testament, Chistians the New Testament, Muslims the Kaqran(I don't speak arabic so I don't know how to spell it)
Chistians believe Jesus is the savior and die to repent all of man's sins. Jews believe the savior has yet to come, but is coming. I am unsure how Muslims stand in reqard to the savior.

On a Fundamental level you get 5 main beliefs:
Monotheism(Chistians, Jews, Muslims)
Polytheism(Shinto, Hinduism, Roman Mythos, Greek Mythos, Eqyptian Mythos, etc.)
Those who believe in a higher power, but don't give it form or being(can't name any religions of this type)
Those who don't believe in a higher power, but still have beliefs that go beyond the physical world(Buddism)
Atheism

As far as my beliefs go do believe in a higher power and do to my chistian raising I tend to lean towards monotheism. I support most of the worldly of the ten commandents(do not kill, steal, lie, or commit adultery, and honor your parents). I also believe that killing of any creature is only justified in self-perservation(as such I find hunting for mere pleasure immoral). I am completely unsure about the concept of a afterlife. Even thinking of death to any extent scares me to no end. I also take a conservative view on the Evolutionist vs. Creationist argument. I fill that the earth must be older then the bible says as there exist to much evidence that says it is older. I don't totally agree with the 4.5 billion figure though as most evidence for anything beyond about 100 thousand-5 million years seems to farfetched to me. Lastly I am toralrent of almost all religions(Satanics are about the only people whose beliefs I can't respect). This is mostly of the fact that no one knows for sure and to be closed minded is to call the vast majority of the human race wrong.

I know some stuff is misspelled/hard to read.

 

[Esn]

This is just asking for arguments. I stopped reading a little through the first page, because it is highly offensive. I think it doesn't matter what our religions are. When you trash someones religion it really pisses them off that's the reason I don't trash anyone's religion and only worry about myself. I am raised a Christian although I really don't do what is required of the religion, but my grandmother devoted her whole life to being a christian and leading a good life and when someone tells me that her life (belief) is bull shit I find it very offensive. I mean I don't go around calling anyone a dumb ass or telling them their going to hell, because it really doesn't concern me what they think. Anyway I think anyone's religion should be kept sacred in ways because people work their whole life for their beliefs and I don't think anyone should be the judge of who's wrong or who's right.

You know, I disagree with you there; after the first or second page, this thread has really been surprisingly free of flames. (EDIT: Well, as long as you ignore some of the shorter posts, not mentioning any names here *cough*Sadako*cough*)

A lot of good points have been made...

 

[pubjoe]

Agreed. This is an interesting and educational thread. Everyone with a viewpoint has respectfully given an intelligent and well thought out discussion.

Thank you to ALL participants.

 

[kknd_cf]

This is just asking for arguments. I stopped reading a little through the first page, because it is highly offensive. I think it doesn't matter what our religions are. When you trash someones religion it really pisses them off that's the reason I don't trash anyone's religion and only worry about myself. I am raised a Christian although I really don't do what is required of the religion, but my grandmother devoted her whole life to being a christian and leading a good life and when someone tells me that her life (belief) is bull shit I find it very offensive. I mean I don't go around calling anyone a dumb ass or telling them their going to hell, because it really doesn't concern me what they think. Anyway I think anyone's religion should be kept sacred in ways because people work their whole life for their beliefs and I don't think anyone should be the judge of who's wrong or who's right.

That's complete BS I'm afraid. Have you ever heard of a little phrase called "everyone has a right to their own opinion". Maybe if you'd actually read people's posts with an open mind instead of going "omg omg that hurts me ". You may have learnt something. Have you noticed that none of the other Christians on this board got pissed off with me for what I said which I realize is very strong. That's the problem when something’s been hammered into your brain from birth questioning it feels like a sin.

Just think.

 

[SephirothIce]

I'm sorry but I tend to get offended when someone tells me my religion is bull shit. I am also sure you would be offended if your beliefs or lack of was summed up to be bull shit by others. I don't pass judgement on others for having different beliefs than me. I also expect that people should respect my beliefs as I do theirs. That's all I am not saying that all of you are going to hell because I don't know if you will or not. I am just saying that I strongly believe their is a god and who are you to stand up and tell me their isn't a god and my belief is bull shit. I didn't tell you that you are full of shit for not believing in a god. Anyway I am getting repetitive because it's stupid of how you take everything out of context and try to act like I'm a religious zealot or something. Anyway it would be foolish to reply to this because I won't be viewing this topic anymore.

 

[PinkSpider]

To be fair its not as bad as people telling athiests we are going to Hell for what we believe EVEN MY GRANDMAS TOLD ME THIS!!!

 

[kknd_cf]

I'm sorry but I tend to get offended when someone tells me my religion is bull shit. I am also sure you would be offended if your beliefs or lack of was summed up to be bull shit by others. I don't pass judgement on others for having different beliefs than me. I also expect that people should respect my beliefs as I do theirs. That's all I am not saying that all of you are going to hell because I don't know if you will or not. I am just saying that I strongly believe their is a god and who are you to stand up and tell me their isn't a god and my belief is bull shit. I didn't tell you that you are full of shit for not believing in a god. Anyway I am getting repetitive because it's stupid of how you take everything out of context and try to act like I'm a religious zealot or something. Anyway it would be foolish to reply to this because I won't be viewing this topic anymore.

I'm not telling you that you're bullshit for believing in a God.
And I'm sorry but I can never respect an evil religion like Christianity. It’s not the concept of believing in a God it's the evil things that brought about Christianity.

 

[Katy]

kknd_cf, youve got to believe!! , I know its all tru, cos I saw a light and jesus was there, and I said "daddy!" and held my arms out for him, so youve got to believe!

 

[kknd_cf]

ROFL
good memories

 

[Katy]

ITS NOT FUNNY AND YOUR MEAN TO RAYMOND AND STUFF SO SHUTUP

 

[DaveC]

. I fill that the earth must be older then the bible says as there exist to much evidence that says it is older. I don't totally agree with the 4.5 billion figure though as most evidence for anything beyond about 100 thousand-5 million years seems to farfetched to me. Lastly I am toralrent of almost all religions(Satanics are about the only people whose beliefs I can't respect). This is mostly of the fact that no one knows for sure and to be closed minded is to call the vast majority of the human race wrong.

I know some stuff is misspelled/hard to read.

You don't agree with the 4.5 billion figure? So you are saying that you know better than the thousands of scientists that have scientific proof, through much experimentation, of the earth's age? Radioactive decay through carbon dating as well as the strata of the earths crust, fossils, and much more proves the age. The Bible is wrong and science is right...Again.

I guess I should have known as it is comming from someone that believes in supernatural beings. :blink:

 

[kknd_cf]

. I fill that the earth must be older then the bible says as there exist to much evidence that says it is older. I don't totally agree with the 4.5 billion figure though as most evidence for anything beyond about 100 thousand-5 million years seems to farfetched to me. Lastly I am toralrent of almost all religions(Satanics are about the only people whose beliefs I can't respect). This is mostly of the fact that no one knows for sure and to be closed minded is to call the vast majority of the human race wrong.

I know some stuff is misspelled/hard to read.

You don't agree with the 4.5 billion figure? So you are saying that you know better than the thousands of scientists that have scientific proof, through much experimentation, of the earth's age? Radioactive decay through carbon dating as well as the strata of the earths crust, fossils, and much more proves the age. The Bible is wrong and science is right...Again.

I guess I should have known as it is comming from someone that believes in supernatural beings. :blink:

 

[Dozer]

To be fair its not as bad as people telling athiests we are going to Hell for what we believe EVEN MY GRANDMAS TOLD ME THIS!!!

It's just what the person who says it believes. If you're an atheist it won't affect you anyway will it? :blink:

 

[kknd_cf]

To be fair its not as bad as people telling athiests we are going to Hell for what we believe EVEN MY GRANDMAS TOLD ME THIS!!!

It's just what the person who says it believes. If you're an atheist it won't affect you anyway will it? :blink:

lol you can laugh at the asshole saying it though

 

[loz_the_guru]

Can anyone out there prove there is no god? No? Can anyone out there prove there is a god? No? So surely all we have here is a matter of opinion. Statements like "How could there possibly be a god" are made by people who are ignorant. People throughout the years have debated this question for their entire lives, and most of them were much smarter than me and you. Im not an athiest, neither do I belong to any of the 6 major religions, or any other named religion. My own 2 cents are that very few peoples views can fall in line directly with the teachings of a religion, especially one as oppressive as Christianity. Religion is akin to brainwashing. Everyone makes up there own set of rules, so you are either brainwashed or lying if you say "Im Christiant/Buddhist/etc...

 

[loz_the_guru]

Its truuuuueeeee, you know that id die for youuuuuuuuuuu