Who here believes in religion?

[BleedingPurple]

I do not believe in God, I'll admit it, I would like to but it just doesn't make logical sense. I was raised in a religious family, (I am the only one who does not believe) I was confirmed but once I got to be an adult I thought this is a bunch of cockameme bullshit. It's just me. I can on and on about reasons why. I just wonder if religion was not pushed on us at birth if we would believe in it. I mean if nobody told us about Jesus Christ, we would not have any belief in it. Let's say nothing about religion or God was presented to us until we were 30 years old, we would probably say, "Yeah right, you are full of shit." JMO

I do believe that Church and Religion is needed and understand the reason why it was created. Without fear of a higher power this world would probably be more crazy than it is now. Church provides a great social and community atmosphere for those who attend. I do donate to my local Lutheran Church because they do provide services for the homeless and they do things such as knit blankets and winter clothing. I have two nephew who go to Sunday School and more power to em but I can't help but think they are being brain washed. I hope e someday they think to themselves when they are adults and make their own deductions and conclusions regarding religion one way or the other instead of it being pounded into them by adults.

 

[BleedingPurple]

Oh I guess I was wondering, do you believe because you have deducted it yourself or do you believe because that is how it is and how you were raised? Have you thought about it? and maybe you can shed a bigger light onto me and teach me something about it.

 

[SmallDaddy]

Whether there is something out there or not... who knows

But religion (Bible and the like) are just men's feeble attempt at making some sense of it. Those stories are child like--- they pretty much mirror what people used to believe back then and factually inaccurate
And also religion is a tool for population control and to line the pockets of some people who are too lazy to get a real job

Priests throughout history "Do what I tell you, cause god told me to tell you.... oh and btw give me money"

 

[BleedingPurple]

Whether there is something out there or not... who knows

But religion (Bible and the like) are just men's feeble attempt at making some sense of it. Those stories are child like--- they pretty much mirror what people used to believe back then and factually inaccurate
And also religion is a tool for population control and to line the pockets of some people who are too lazy to get a real job

Priests throughout history "Do what I tell you, cause god told me to tell you.... oh and btw give me money"

that part of religion drives me nuts, the 700 club should be ashamed of themselves. Showing miracles that happen because people sent them money.

Do people actually believe the fairy tale script? Talking snake? Walking on water? Noah's arc? Splitting of the seas? Turning water into wine? Bread into fish? Dying and then resurrecting? Just to name a few and not to
mention a baby being born from virgin?

 

[russ1945]

There is a difference between believing in a God and religion. One could logically conclude there is a God or not. Regardless religion is a tool used to control people, control their basic beliefs and you have leverage if not more to control them. Religion as a whole has deteriorated the tenents of what many learned when they were younger. Some need religion some don't. Is there something more knowledgeable, more powereful than the human race, I sure as hell hope so. I grew up Catholic and it was mind control but those of us who went to Catholic schools progressed in terms of learning to self determine right from wrong and truth from fiction. I don't go around professing that I do not believe in God but there again I have never as an adult proclaimed to be a part of any religion. I never thought I would see atheism progress to where it is now. It is in a sense taking all the wrong turns that religions have over the years. It is a complex subject on one hand and simple as can be on the other. I don't think that atheism is in any way connected to superior intelligence however. Morality is often connected to religious upbringing. I can see that at this point and time atheism has become political and is affecting law and the interpretation of laws in courts. I am all for morality and I think guidelines are necessary to maintain law and and an orderly society. I still respect religions in some ways but the muslim religion is where I draw the line. When anyone who is not a muslim is branded as an infidel and terrorism is justified that is a definite red flag. Common sense can get it done along with a good sense of perspective.

 

[BleedingPurple]

Whether there is something out there or not... who knows

But religion (Bible and the like) are just men's feeble attempt at making some sense of it. Those stories are child like--- they pretty much mirror what people used to believe back then and factually inaccurate
And also religion is a tool for population control and to line the pockets of some people who are too lazy to get a real job

Priests throughout history "Do what I tell you, cause god told me to tell you.... oh and btw give me money"

Thanks I agree with this and I sure as hell hope so too. I was thinking after I typed that We could all do away with the Jihad crap. The Atheism movement is a bit over the top for me. I came up with my belief over 20 years ago, I don't like the fact that they denounce and make fun of other's beliefs. I don't push mine onto others, my nephews don't know my position but they do wonder why I don't attend church unless they are performing something or baptism etc. they don't needs to know

 

[carlspackler]

"Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp, Or what's a heaven for?"

 

[Dave007inVegas]

There is a difference between believing in a God and religion. One could logically conclude there is a God or not. Regardless religion is a tool used to control people, control their basic beliefs and you have leverage if not more to control them. Religion as a whole has deteriorated the tenents of what many learned when they were younger. Some need religion some don't. Is there something more knowledgeable, more powereful than the human race, I sure as hell hope so. I grew up Catholic and it was mind control but those of us who went to Catholic schools progressed in terms of learning to self determine right from wrong and truth from fiction. I don't go around professing that I do not believe in God but there again I have never as an adult proclaimed to be a part of any religion. I never thought I would see atheism progress to where it is now. It is in a sense taking all the wrong turns that religions have over the years. It is a complex subject on one hand and simple as can be on the other. I don't think that atheism is in any way connected to superior intelligence however. Morality is often connected to religious upbringing. I can see that at this point and time atheism has become political and is affecting law and the interpretation of laws in courts. I am all for morality and I think guidelines are necessary to maintain law and and an orderly society. I still respect religions in some ways but the muslim religion is where I draw the line. When anyone who is not a muslim is branded as an infidel and terrorism is justified that is a definite red flag. Common sense can get it done along with a good sense of perspective.

I couldn’t have said it any better.

 

[Romanowski]

secular humanism is an extension of Christianity, and its materialistic form ( utopia on earth rather than heaven)

it retains its same ethics, most atheists unknowingly are Christians

todays religion is globalized laizez faire capitalism/ and liberal democracy ... convert or die

 

[festeringZit]

secular humanism is an extension of Christianity, and its materialistic form ( utopia on earth rather than heaven)

it retains its same ethics, most atheists unknowingly are Christians

todays religion is globalized laizez faire capitalism/ and liberal democracy ... convert or die

huh?

 

[Romanowski]

I didnt clarify that well, and it would take too long anyway...

 

[Romanowski]

http://www.amazon.com/Democracy-The-God-That-Failed-Economics/dp/0765808684

 

[ScottL]

I don't think there's a God but man would I hate being right about that!

 

[Dave007inVegas]

I don't think there's a God but man would I hate being right about that!

You may never know.

 

[JudgeWapner]

I believe because it makes sense from my perspective.

 

[russ1945]

The foremost question regarding religion is how there can be so many and that there are so many differences between them. I got into reading and studying about Islam after 9/11. That is a scary religion, actually more of a way of life. If religion gives credence to any form of justification to do harm to others in the name of religion that is where I draw the line. To me it is all about tolernace and Islam has no tolerance for anyone who is not one of them. Then there is the concept of predestination. Take a look at the Islam take on predestination. It is a wholesale justification to do anything in the name of Allah:

In Islam, Allah has predetermined, known, ordained, and is constantly creating every event that takes place in the world. This is entailed by His being omnipotent and omniscient. In Sahihul Bukhary, a chapter is dedicated to authenticated Scripture in this regard, under the title "The creation of humans' Deeds". Sunni scholars hold that there is no contradiction in people's deeds (and naturally their choices) being created and predetermined by the creator, since they define free will to be the antonym of compulsion and coercion. People – in the Sunni perspective – do acknowledge that they are free, since they do not see anybody or anything forcing them to do whatever they chose to do. This, however, does not contradict with the belief that everything they do, including the choices they make, are predestined and predetermined by Allah. Consequently, people are already predestined to either heaven or hell at birth, as Sunnis believe; however, they will have no argument on the day of judgment since they never knew in advance what their fate would be, and they do acknowledge that they have choice; which is what moral responsibility comes with.[SUP][20][/SUP]

 

[JDeuce]

As Russ said, religion and church are not necessarily the same thing. In fact, some of the Catholic church's recent policies have become very grotesque lately and even go against their own teachings.

Do I believe in a God? Absolutely. Just looking around at the different forms of life and how we were all set up to exist for the foreseeable future (availability of water, food, plantation, etc), it seems incomprehensible that we just luckily stumbled into this one day. It also just doesn't make logical sense to me if there are no consequences to your actions on earth. If that were true, then Ted Bundy and Mother Theresa would experience the exact same afterlife fate.

What's our purpose on earth as humans, and what does God want from us? That's the million-dollar question. I really don't know. My best guess is to try to treat people with respect and kindness if you can. But I also believe there are many aspects to our existence that our tiny human minds just cannot comprehend...

 

[Dave007inVegas]

As Russ said, religion and church are not necessarily the same thing. In fact, some of the Catholic church's recent policies have become very grotesque lately and even go against their own teachings.

Do I believe in a God? Absolutely. Just looking around at the different forms of life and how we were all set up to exist for the foreseeable future (availability of water, food, plantation, etc), it seems incomprehensible that we just luckily stumbled into this one day. It also just doesn't make logical sense to me if there are no consequences to your actions on earth. If that were true, then Ted Bundy and Mother Theresa would experience the exact same afterlife fate.

What's our purpose on earth as humans, and what does God want from us? That's the million-dollar question. I really don't know. My best guess is to try to treat people with respect and kindness if you can. But I also believe there are many aspects to our existence that our tiny human minds just cannot comprehend...

There is your answer. You will only find out when you die. But by then it might be too late.

 

[BleedingPurple]

As Russ said, religion and church are not necessarily the same thing. In fact, some of the Catholic church's recent policies have become very grotesque lately and even go against their own teachings.

Do I believe in a God? Absolutely. Just looking around at the different forms of life and how we were all set up to exist for the foreseeable future (availability of water, food, plantation, etc), it seems incomprehensible that we just luckily stumbled into this one day. It also just doesn't make logical sense to me if there are no consequences to your actions on earth. If that were true, then Ted Bundy and Mother Theresa would experience the exact same afterlife fate.

What's our purpose on earth as humans, and what does God want from us? That's the million-dollar question. I really don't know. My best guess is to try to treat people with respect and kindness if you can. But I also believe there are many aspects to our existence that our tiny human minds just cannot comprehend...

Thanks for your answer, my sticking point is if we didn't just stumble into this then who created God? I value a good friend's opinion and he says, "Can't God just exist, can't he of just always been there?" My answer is "No." I can't fathom that a God if there is one wasn't created which then begs me to question who was the first creator and how was he/it formed? At some point doesn't something get created out of nowhere. The fact that we are is a Miracle beyond belief no matter how it happened.

 

[BleedingPurple]

There is your answer. You will only find out when you die. But by then it might be too late.

Yes and that is the scary part. On the other hand the notion that people who don't believe go to hell seem like a poison pill for it's creator. Believe this or else!