Religion. You think I'd bloody know better.

[eponinethen]

"Become Christian.It is the true Faith."🙂

I don't get the thing about telling people to believe something. Is that really the purpose, it's almost like scaring people into becoming christians. Isn't it wrong to say that you believe in god and all that if you don't really believe..? Ok, many people reject religion just because everybody else does.. And that might be wrong but it is even more so to become a christian without really believing..

 

[Jenny]

I am a christian.I believe in God, the father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth...Me and my family are strong in our faith.I am an alter server.My uncle is a deacon.My family has a church choir.My family has alot of priests, and deacon member and friends.We go to church almost everyday.If you are an atheist, I just have one message, "Become Christian.It is the true Faith."🙂

It's great that you believe so strongly in your faith. But others believe in their own faiths (whether that's to have none at all) and there is no right or wrong answer to this question, and there is no one true faith. To each individual there is, but in the grand scheme of things there's isn't.

If everyone thought that way, we'd be overrun by mean guys with scary moustaches.

 

[Lee]

I like to label myself as part of the 'Anyaist' religion...

Of course, Ive completely made that up...and am a complete dork 😛

 

[Jill_Valentine]

Well... I specified no religions named after yourself... but I guess I failed to disqualify religions named after other people, real or fictional.

Fortunately, forming a religion about FaithTVS could be quite convenient, name-wise...

 

[Faith]

Normally I stay away from threads like these because of the trouble they can cause but what the heck.

When I was born they thought I was going to die as I was that small and so premature, so straight away I was baptised and confirmed which is their general procedure.

My mother is a Roman Catholic who was rejected from the church because she divorced an abusive husband, she was told she was not welcome. Her new husband, my father is a Prodestant. I went to an RC Primary and High school, I liked the singing and wanted to be an alter server but at that time there were no girls. Which I was not amused about, now a young girl accusing a priest and his religion of discrimination did not go down to well. My mother had just told me how babies were made and I got in trouble at school for claiming Mary couldn't be a virgin if she had a baby. It was a lot to take in at that age. I was 'asked to leave' the Brownies because I refused to go to church.

My mother gave me a choice saying if I wanted to go I could but she wouldn't stop me if I didn't, as neither of my parents went. I stopped going but continued at the schools because all my friends were there and they did teach us about other religions.

Throught centuries religion has been used as a tool of war and fighting. The example I know best being of the Covenantor Prisons in Edinburgh, those who did not agree to change to the religion of the King were kept lying face down 24 hours a day in an open air prison with soldiers with guns focused on them should they move. I also don't agree with those who come round your doors with leaflets and trying to make you see the ways of their religion. If I wanted to do it I would, I don't appreciate having something forced on me.

I don't really conform to a specific religion, i've looked at Buddism, Wicca as well as RC. My personal view is that it doesn't matter what you have faith in, as long as you have it (one point that was raised in dogma). I have faith in myself and my family and friends. I don't pray to anyone to help me through life or help me with my problems. I talk to my friends and change things for myself.

I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with doing that, if its what you do and what makes you better then i'm all for it. Its all about individuality.

 

[Willow Rosenberg]

It won't let me rep you right now, but well said Faith 😀

 

[Faith]

It won't let me rep you right now, but well said Faith 😀

Thanks 🙂 I'm always wary about posting on stuff like that as I know some people can get up in arms. And no incase anyone is wondering, I didn't edit my post because of opinions, I just noticed some typos 😉

 

[Blessed]

I am Jewish and follow certain Christian ideas. I do believe Jesus was the Messiah. I am not Preaching to anyone hear just sharing my views. I know some are uncommfortable with "organized religions." Going to Church/Temple is nice. But having truly good morales in life is what matters. Faith in God is the most important element in life. I dont want to sound like an offensive or prejudice person but I have to express the feelings in my heart. Otherwise I am not being true to myself. I am talking to you like intelligent, open minded people who respect Free Will. Hearing how some dont care about God or take religion loosely deeply hurts me. I know some are raised to become this or that but through searching for the truth I am postitve that the journey will lead to the path of God. I was fortunate to be given the chance to choose my religion. Some say believing in a higher being is easy and safe to people. But if it was so easy why isn't everybody doing it? Why do some struggle in the idea of having faith? Faith is more than just saying, "Yeah, I believe in..." Faith is acting upon and following through. One must make the best out of the life they were given. Certain situations may be harder than others. But God gives the strength to get through it all. God loves those who may not care about him. God is always there for you, when God is truly needed. I have looked into all sorts of religions because I like to see others perspective. Many have very interesting views on life. Some are very dark and evil. Reincarnation and Karma are fasinating ideas which i do agree with. Heaven and Angels what great truths. I do believe in life's magic. Of course there is a possiblity to move things with your mind. A lot of religions share common ideas and truths but there are a few things swirled around. I am not judging anyone for I do not have the right to judge anyone. Nobody is perfect in this world except the savior. I do not think of myself as better because I believe in this and others dont. Please dont mistake for being mean or disrespectful. I am extremly passionate about my feelings towards God. I hope you can understand.Peace

 

[eponinethen]

I am not judging anyone for I do not have the right to judge anyone. Nobody is perfect in this world except the savior. I do not think of myself as better because I believe in this and others dont.

I like the that you aren't judging.. So I'm not writing this to tell you you're doing something wrong. Just so you don't think I'm judging either.
I am truly fascinated by people who can really have faith in something.

I know some are uncommfortable with "organized religions." Going to Church/Temple is nice. But having truly good morales in life is what matters.

I agree that some people are against "organized religions" just because they want to be against it. Some people don't know what it's really about, they think that religion is only about living after rules that were made lots ant lots of years ago, and that you have a god just so you don't have to worry about anything..

(And some people are against religions saying that's what's behing many wars these days.. Which of course is so untrue.. War was started by people, not by religions..)

Faith in God is the most important element in life. I dont want to sound like an offensive or prejudice person but I have to express the feelings in my heart. I am talking to you like intelligent, open minded people who respect Free Will. Hearing how some dont care about God or take religion loosely deeply hurts me.

I understand that you as a religious person may feel this way.. (And some people may feel sorry for you for believing in god and all those things.) I just don't get why. And although I know some people chose not to believe, they still don't believe. You can't force faith into people (not at all saying that you are), just saying that many people try to do that. And I think that is what many people hate about religions.. They are told "It is this way and you just have to accept it".. If it doesn't come to you naturally, if you don't find it interesting or fascinating at all, I don't think there's a point to it..

Ok, I don't know at all what I was trying to say here, just sort of wanted to say something about your post..

 

[Willow Rosenberg]

(And some people are against religions saying that's what's behing many wars these days.. Which of course is so untrue.. War was started by people, not by religions..)

But religions were started by man...they started developing the idea of organizing their beliefs in order to explain certain phenomena and the afterlife. Religions may not have started too many wars today (we can blame imperialism for most modern day wars) but you can't discount the Crusades. It was alllll about religion then.

 

[Emma Caulfield]

I'm an Athiest, Not the agressive time though. If some belives in god, or thier muslium or Hindu or Jewish or any religion. Who am I to judge? I think it's healthy to have a religion I just haven't found one I agree with yet.

 

[SlayerThe]

I'm Christian, but I don't tend to be the judgemental Christian that so many people believe to be a generalization.

I believe strongly in my faith, but that doesn't mean that I don't have respect for yours. Everyone has their own free will, which grants them the right to choose their own life, destiny, religion, etc.

I know that some Christians are extremely judgmental. They judge on race, gender, sexual orientation and on other's religion. Though, thats just not right.

I feel very strongly about the true message of Christ - peace, harmony, equality and respect. If someone isn't in your religion or is something that your religion opposes, don't disrespect them because of it. I mean I have a cousin who is strongly against my religion just because of something he is that most Christians hate, simply put.

But not all Christians are like this. I believe that most Atheists have only met the pre-judgmental gossipin' in the church and preaching to others kind of Christian. But thats not what its about. I pride myself on being someone who doesn't do this. And I've met very impressive people who are like this also. They don't judge you on what you are, but who you are. When it comes down to it, race, gender, religion, none of that matters, its about your heart that matters.

And I'm not gonna try to convert ya either. If you want to know about becoming a Christian or even just the teaching's of Christ and the true meanings, then I or any other Christian on this board would tell you, but as I said before, I'm not gonna hate ya if ya don't!

(Note to xXSlayerXx: Most people here do believe that their religion is the true religion and its good that you think that, but a nicer statement would be something like : "To me Christianity is the true faith". Forcing upon religion on someone else is not good or even referring to it as so.)

 

[eponinethen]

But religions were started by man...they started developing the idea of organizing their beliefs in order to explain certain phenomena and the afterlife. Religions may not have started too many wars today (we can blame imperialism for most modern day wars) but you can't discount the Crusades. It was alllll about religion then.

I know, many people use that argument... But, I still don't think it's the religions that start the war. (I have a really hard time explaining this in English cause I'm not sure of the words..) Just because it is in the name of religion or god, doesn't mean that we can blame the religion. It's what people put into religion, how they interpret the bible(or any of the books). I blame the people who interpret religions. The ones who say that we should fight for our religion.. or that their religion is the best.. You don't have to use religion as a violent or controling thing, it can be just a spiritual thing.. Religion are used as the reason for war, but it's just as much about politics or economics (even with the Crusades).
Do you understand at all what I'm trying to say..?

 

[Lorne The Host]

I don't have a religion. I consider religious institutions medieval relics and find them to be one of the evils of the world. Religion on the other hand, while one is taught to respect all of them, I find absurd. I simply can't believe in fairytales as elaborate and the lack of ideas for human progress is a direct consequence of the existence of dogmatic believes.

I've had a lot of debates, whether internal or not, regarding the existence of god and the conclusion is rather simple. It just does not matter. There is no divine intervention, so whether god exists or not won't affect you in your daily life. There is no concrete proof of his/her/its existence, so belief in him/her/it is not necessary; if it was, proof would exist.

Note A: On the topic of religion not starting wars today, if you understand history as a constant transition of events and not as a chapter by chapter thing like most classes make it to be, you realize that actually all of the conflicts throughout the world had imperialistic/political/economical agendas. Religion was just a scapegoat for them, like now with the alleged islamic extremist terrorism against a mostly catholic nation. Do you really think the crusades did not have non-religious intentions?

Note B: Must mention this. The idea of an omnipotent, onmiscient and perfectly good god is a paradox. It contains a self-contradiction. It can't exist. Stop believing in it.

 

[Blessed]

Well, I know I will definetly not stop believing in God. For some it can be emotionally and spiritually overwhelming knowing that there is an all powerful and all knowing being that created them. Having faith is not about seeing it is about believing. I honestly don't belive that if a person looks deep enough into themselves they will not come to know the truth or even have a slight glimpse of it.

 

[SlayerThe]

Lorne the Host, that was extremely inappropriate and against everything this thread was created for. :lame:

You don't have the right to tell someone not to believe. Its called free will. Just because you believe something, doesn't mean that I do or will.

'Nuff said.

 

[eudial]

Well, i'm sort of an Taoist/(Earth Worship. Does this have a name) hybrid. All the balance is the way stuff from Taoism combined with the belief that Earth is a single conscience that everything that is alive is part of (the way a cell is part of you).

 

[Lorne The Host]

Lorne the Host, that was extremely inappropriate and against everything this thread was created for. :lame:

You don't have the right to tell someone not to believe. Its called free will. Just because you believe something, doesn't mean that I do or will.

'Nuff said.

Did you even read the entire thing I wrote or just found the words "stop believing in it" and assumed the wrong thing?

Don't want to sound extremely rude, but did you even understand what I wrote? Do you know what a paradox is?

I just made clear that the concept of a omnipotent, omniscient and perfectly good god contains an inherent paradox demonstrated by the existence of evil in the world. As simple as that. I didn't say don't believe in god. I said don't believe in an omnipotent, omniscient and perfectly good god. Reason it, and find what you want to believe in.

The fact that you have free will to decide to believe something ilogical and self-contradictory does not make the belief logical. Example: You are free to be stupid. The fact that you decide to exercise your freedom by choosing to be stupid does not make you any less stupid. Important Note: Before all of you take that as an offense. It wasn't. It was an example.

 

[eponinethen]

The fact that you have free will to decide to believe something ilogical and self-contradictory does not make the belief logical. Example: You are free to be stupid. The fact that you decide to exercise your freedom by choosing to be stupid does not make you any less stupid.

Maybe I'm just too liberal when it comes to religions, but I don't think you have to believe in anything ilogical to be religious. It all depends on how much of a fundamentalist you are. If you just don't take everything so literally there doesn't have to be anything ilogical about it.. (But as I said, I may have a very weird wiev on religion, just because of how the religious people I've met are.)

 

[Lorne The Host]

Maybe I'm just too liberal when it comes to religions, but I don't think you have to believe in anything ilogical to be religious. It all depends on how much of a fundamentalist you are. If you just don't take everything so literally there doesn't have to be anything ilogical about it.. (But as I said, I may have a very weird wiev on religion, just because of how the religious people I've met are.)

This is the problem I've encountered with the board, and actually with the entire world. I say A, you read half of A and assume B is what I said.

I didn't say you have to believe in anything illogical to be religious. I'm not criticizing people who take everything literally. To understand what I said, you would've had to read the two posts above it in order to get the context which you obviously didn't.

I said the idea of an omnipotent, omnibenevolent, omniscient god is illogical. Why? Because it contains a contradiction. It's a paradox. It's inherently flawed. Incomplete. Do I need to go on?

I'm open to criticism. Hell, I'm open to downright attacks against my points. I'm open to all opinions which differ with mine, but if you want to voice yours, at least have the decency of truly reading what I write here.