The Religion Thread

[Cpt_Obvious]

Arrrrrrrrr, first off I'm gonna state this. If'n yer the kind a person that gets all upset when religion is discussed, go to a different thread right now! This thread is for the MATURE discussing of religions, where they came from, and the sharing of what others here believe. There shall be no bashing of another man's faith here. There shall be no calling of blaspheme or heresy. There shall be no trying to convert fellow Newzers to your preferred faith. This is just the sharing of knowledge and theories on religion, god, or whatever you happen to believe in.

Now Me, I'm what most would call a Pagan. I tend to lean more towards the Wiccan side of life. I believe that all the gods and goddesses exist in one conglomerate form. I believe that man has corrupted the original purpose of religion from being a spiritual guidance and fulfillment...a way to lead a happy healthy life, into something dark and horrible. Yes I said Horrible. Jesus never said that man should not take woman as wife, nor did he say that women were inferior to man. No it was a power hungry control freak that happened to climb in power in the church that said that.

The bible is great book. It's full of sex and violence in epic proportion, yet it is called the "good" book. Depending on what version of this book you read, you will get different tellings of the same stories. Man has corrupted yet another great thing. Over the years, the bible has been changed, edited even, so that the words are more fitting to whatever sect of religion happens to be using it as their base of the "word of god".

Now, speaking on that. If I told you that god had given me a message, you'd all laugh and think me nuts right? So why then do we not think that of priests? Does that mean god favors his priests over his followers? I do not believe that any one man or woman is closer to his or her god than another. I believe that if you are to talk with god, you do not need a priest to run middleman, and you do not need a man made structure to do it. I would think that to talk to god it would be much easier to do in an area of his creation that is untainted and natural, not something made of brick and steel.

(I had about 4 more paragraphs here...but like a clutz accidently deleted them...and quite frankly...I don't have time to re-type and rethink them...so I'll leave it this for now.)

[Unununium]

Me myself, I am more of a scientifical believer, I believe that all religions are completely false stories told by man to give hope to a better tomorrow. I believe when you die there is nothing, no walking on clouds, no spiritual enlightenment, nothing. It's impossible for a human to imagine this since you have a concious mind that often percieves itself as ones spirit. Once you die, there is nothing for you to see, feel, or hear, since your brain has now decomposed into the basic elements and compounds that make it up; the electrical impulses that stimulate your senses will soon disapate as will your flesh; thus you no longer have any senses.

But, if I had to take a stab at how the universe and all IS, I would never come to a conclusion since I can not imagaine anything occuring without something causeing it to happen, and if that is that, what causes that something before that, and before that, and before that,... (what came first, the chicken or the egg). Nothing happens without something else making it happen.

If there truley is an answer and it was completely explained in full detail it would break laws of logic and reasoning. And this is the point where I give up on trying to come up with an answer. It is pointless to eh....you see where i'm going.

So from there, I decide to just live out life, maybe have a kid, and then die. This is how life is; live, reproduce, and then die so that your offspring can continue this cycle just as you did. Some see this as a bleak and dissapointing realization, thus, religion was formed.

Although, these are only my opinions. It is all in the eye of the beholder right?

[Cpt_Obvious]

Aye, right you are Un...too often people forget that we are merely animals as well. Thus we be subject to the laws of nature, and the circle of life. We are born, we live, we reproduce, we raise offspring to continue on our species, then we die.

Religion is a means of trying to explain the unexplainable. Science has explained lots of the past 2000 years. We know the causes of illnesses are not small trolls or gremlins living inside a person's body. We know that Lightning is static electricity and not angry gods. We know the seasons change because of Earth's rotation around the sun, and not the will of some diety out there. As man progresses and learns to explain more, religion may fade more and more...still there are two main questions that may never be answered, Why are we here? and What happens to us after we die? The death question...well, we all eventually will find that answer out first hand. Quite an exciting thing if you ask me, knowing the answer to a question that has plagued you since you learned what death is.

Still, there are things that even science cannot explain...things that are called miracles plain and simple. I do believe there is some unknown force at play on this planet. I'm sure science will one day explain it...but until then it shall be a miracle to us. Just as some things that we take forgranted was considered a miracle to our ancient ancestors....simple things like...fire.

[airpolgas]

I was raised a catholic.. in the Philippines nonetheless. Catholicism there controls most of the country. The priests were preaching who to vote for during the last election.

When I came to the US, I was introduced with different cultures and beliefs, and luckily, philosophy. I became an Atheist then.

I do not believe in any diety, and I believe that religion was made to understand the unexplained. I also believe it is a tool created to control a group, if not all people.

The difference between me and other Atheist I meet is that I do not force my "disbelief" onto people who do believe in religion. If they believe in Jesus, and they try to live their life by his examples, then good for them. But if they go at me about some homophobic shit, then I say **** you. Same thing with the muslims. If they follow their faith, which they claim to be a peaceful faith, then more power to them also. But if I see these bastards slicing a man's throat and yelling their god is great, then that just makes me mad like crazy -- normally at those involved, but not at the faith per se.

In spite of all these, if I had a choice of a religion, I'd be a buddhist. Just be at peace with yourself and the universe. The Dali Lama did not go to war for his country. He told his people that they can pray anywhere they want.

EDIT: A story sent to me by my boss: The Christmas Miracle

[Abacabb00]

Funny how this topic came to be when religious irksoms are on my mind. Me and Unununium pretty much share the exact same view.. but with a few diffrences. I try to keep my mind open to new views and philosophies. Im going to get confusing here.. so dont strain yer brain trying to understand what im saying. My mind runs on abstract reasoning..

One cannot count how many philosophies there are to how humans came into the world, how our existance has came to be, and what we truly are. Some believe we were seeded by aliens and are decendants of them, or actually unevolved aliens. Some state that what we experence here is just an illusion and we are nothing more than brains in a jar somewhere. Some believe that everything in our existance is made up by ourselves "I think, therefore -you- are." Of course, those are just examples that have no relation really to what I believe. Im just rambling.

I am more of a scientific person who believes the same thing that was stated in a previous post. Religion was just made to make people feel more at ease or explain things that couldnt otherwise be explained.. although that does not mean that I dont believe in a higher power. Agnostic I am I suppose. When I look at things.. How things work.. How our body works.. How things evolved.. I see complexity. I see a complexity that is far too intricate for random chance. I believe that evolution is something's grand design. Something's steps into creating something huge. If this Something is still around, who knows? It could have been a higher power that existed some time ago.. which did die, or it could be something thats among us, and we simply cannot see.

This is where science comes in.. I see science as this Something's alchemy. This Something's forumla of life, death, time, space, phychics, what have you. This Something could have created such rules, and we are learning his trade. We could have evolved from apes, and I honestly dont mind that fact. The reason why so many people diss evolution is because of their pride. They would rather believe false words instead of whats right infront of them because they refuse to be related to a mere monkey, something many find amusing and stupid. Homo Sapiens are an arrogant breed, are we not? These 'sins' that we are hardwired to commit. Its human nature to anger, its human nature to feel jealous, to be a glutton, to get angry, to even kill. Its all hardwired into our brains because of what we used to be.

It amuses me when one says thats its under God's will that we have this country. That this country was based under God's grand view. I have to say bullshit on that.. This land, The United States, was orignally a penal colony for inmates! People who go against God's said will! Riffraff and thugs were the original settelers of this land, not holy monarchs or anything of that sort. Look it up. Another thing about religion that makes me irate, is how nearly -every- major religion states that anyone who does not believe in their religon is a heretic, and shall suffer eternal damnation. Christians, Cathloics, Muslums, whatever. I -refuse- to believe such spoonfed bullshit thats been influenced by power and greed of the rulers of old. Look at the Spanish Inquisition hundreds of years back. You -had- to believe in the Catholic faith, and if you refused, you would be purged from their land by being burned at the stake and damned to hell. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. You would be slain if you didnt swear your soul to Catholisism.

Heh, look at Christianity nowadays.. Its just a marketing scheme to sell shit. Its a -popular- icon. Something for the teenyboppers to fit in with. Its not about God anymore, its about having a good fiscal year! Such hypocrites they are.. Many of you may remember the homosexual boy who was hung up on a barbwire fence by gaybashers. He eventually died, and instead of the christans following their believe and "Loving thy neighbors," They picketed outside the courtroom at the family of the slain boy's hearing, saying the child was going to hell because he was Gay. What pissed me off when I saw this.. Is a bunch of fat people.. were the ones doing it. Is gluttony not a sin?! Who the hell are you to judge such a thing! Who are you to hate someone for being diffrent! Hate is a sin as well! Its not by your will that the child will be going to hell, but your socalled God's will!

Another thing that pisses me off about this religion is how they have to be in everyones business.. Yes, im referring to the silly laws passed by religous senators and people in the house. Sodomy outlawed? Whos buisness is it that you like anal?! What the **** are you going to do?! Call 555-TIPS when you thing someone is getting their spouse up the ass?! Honestly.. And the whole gay marriges.. Outlawing them because in the Bible, a wedding is a union of a man and a woman. Not a man and a man or a woman and a woman. But two of the opposite Sex, but thoes who know their history also know that this has been going on forever. Homosexuality has always been practiced, even by those who are knee deep in the bibles words.

In my eyes, Religion is somethign that people just use to feel better, to justify war, and to explain things that otherwise could not be explained. In my eyes, Science is something that should be embraced and not shunned! Whos to say that science isnt, quite possibly, something that some God made? It could be how he made things work, and we are simply learning it. We could even be in a loop.. Someone will eventually become a god.. Mess things up.. And start over again. It could simply be a cycle.. But what I do know, I loathe religion.

There ya go, thats what I believe.

[deftonesmx17]

Me I have formed my own form of Chistianity. I can not stand christians that try to force god upon you. I have separated myself form them. God wants you to be a kind person. Give, Love, and enjoy our life on earth. I do not believe he wanted us to suffer and bow down to him. Yes obey and respect him but still enjoy our lives. Do not walk around and wonder with every step you take that you might piss off god. He loves you no matter what you do.
With that said, I feel good about the fact that in my connection to god i am not bound by normal christian beliefs to judge you for your decision. We are all brothers and sisters in this world. I will not follow the belief of not to consult with the enemy. In my form of christianity i will befriend whomever i wish.
Please don't reflect on anything i have said. I am only stating my religion and am not condemming you guys in any way.

[Primenal]

I believe very strongly in my lord, but I don't believe strongly in anything else. I *KNOW* there's a god, and he watches over me, helping me along the way, guiding my life down the correct path. I've had lots of problems...Even problems so bad I came close to death a few occasions, but regardless these experiences have made me a much far stronger person, and I would even go as far as saying I *appreciate* god for putting me through them (at least now that there over). If I wouldn't have been through some things that I have I wouldn't be the strong person that I feel I am today.
Somebody really needs to see my life to understand, and I don't exaggerate to much. Like, I have things happen all the time to me. Sometimes, there very bad problems that arise for whatever reason (maybe no reason), and then sometimes I just have little things that add up, and I feel as though I'm about to break from all the pressure. All of I seriously have to do is pray for god's help, ask him to show me the way, and tell him I will always believe in him, and the problem vanishes. I've seriously prayed for god to help me take care of something, and had it answered in like an hour. Whenever I was younger I had all kinds of medical problems that took years and years for him to finally help me, but lately with me saying that...Everyone of my prayers have been answered within like a couple days at least.

And to answer my reason for the "MEANING OF LIFE" for you guys...IMO it isn't hard to understand life if you believe in God, and just take a step back, and look around. Alright, no matter who you are, how rich you are, how gifted you are...Your gonna go through problems. There's no way around it. Some people have more than others, some people have less, some people can stand problems better than others, BUT no matter who you are your going to have complications in your life (and plenty of them). So, my theory is the meaning of life is just simply a TEST. Maybe a way of God to see if your worthy enough to be with him. So, every problem you have is simply a test that god gives you. God wants to see how strong you are, and just how much you'll believe in him. If you also notice this is the way life really is....Cuz the majority of the GOOD people go through a lot more problems than the BAD people. The good people keep on passing the tests, and the bad people..Well, there isn't much hope anymore for them. I think God wants to see/ respects strength, and that's the kind of people he wants for his heaven, and his *friends*.

Since this topic is brought up, and some people are very good thinkers on here. I got a question for you guys (at least the ones who believe in a god)...Alright, I've been through a lot like I've said, I'm a very strong person, and I even believe I do have a big purpose in life. Maybe it's just spread the word of God, or something else..I really dunno right yet. Anyways, I exercise a lot, box, lift weights, etc. I'm very strong at boxing, the way I hit I should weigh like at least 40 pds more to be normal, and I know I'd be pretty successful. I don't feel as though anything, or anyone could possibly beat me whenever I set my mind to something (could be wrong, but that's the way I feel). Now, I wanna go box...The money, the fame, and it's just what I want to do. Here's where the complication comes in though...I'm a real nice guy, and I see both sides of pretty much everything. If I box...Well, I have this problem if I get mad I kind of can't control it very well, and like I said I'm very strong for my weight so...I just know once I lose it I'm gonna hurt somebody. I want to box, but I'd feel badly if I injured somebody permanently or something.
I know it's just a sport, and things like this can happen, etc...but once I'd lose control I'd just aim to hurt them badly. I really don't want to do that. I was thinking as far as the boxing goes, beating up people, and still staying religious. If I did infact become successful enough I'd support charities, support a church that I like, or even have my own church (have somebody else preach cuz I don't want to preach).
So, any advice on this guys would be appreciated....Like I said I wanna box...Don't wanna hurt anyone *TO BADLY*.

[Abacabb00]

Hmm.. Never knew a someone who was serious at boxing, away from the net or otherwise, but thats pretty damned cool. If I could get my lazy ass motivated enough I would try for it.. But.. Im lazy. Anyway!

Why do you think you would lose control? If its a fear, use it to your advantage. Use that to not lose control. Do you have an anger problem or anything? Do you get too excited..? If you know the problem then your halfway there to finding an solution.

[airpolgas]

Primenal:
Reading your posts in the "girl problem" thread makes me think that it's gotta be the meds you've been taking. But you seem to be having these fits of anger or something, so it might be psychological. Just do something simple, they even had it in the first episode of "Lost." Stop and count to 5. Take deep breaths while you're at it.

Going back to religion...

You've been vocal about your belief in God in the girl thread, but if a priest from your church reads that, your penance prayers will be long. That's what drove me away from Catholicism. I'm a damn horny toad!

Seriously though, I'm glad that you let your belief in god lead your life, but if you choose to believe, then you should follow all the way. No masturbation. No sex before marriage -- actually correct that -- no sex unless your intent is to procreate. With this come no contraception.

Like I said, I'd been raised to believe. Believe this, believe that. Only when I was out of my country did I get a choice to ask questions. The answers were scary, but then I realized I only knew what they wanted me to know growing up. (They = church).

[vinniev2222]

EDIT: A story sent to me by my boss: The Christmas Miracle

interesting poll data there. I myself believe there is something greater than us all, leading and following us. I depise the people that attempt to push their form of worship on you, such as the door-to-door bible brigade of any religion. I live way out in the woods, where in my mind, I belive is one of the closest places you can be to where god or whoever intended it to be. I was raised christian and still do consider myself so, but I do not attend church like the rest of my family did and still does. (im 26) I do not have a set "pray" schedule, like around meals or anything. I talk to (insert your own deity here) whenever I feel like it. I think the main reasons alot of people attend church is to have a support "network" of like minded individuals and friends. Granted you need 6 good friends through your life, to be your pall-bearers, but for reasons of sanctity and "worship", I believe you can attest to your belief wherever you are. It's inside you, not what you're inside.

I have experianced many, MANY times where something unexplicable happens, to right a wrong I was doing, or to save my arse from sure meeting of my maker. I would be one of the first people to say that there is something greater than us all out there. Whether it be god, yaweh, buddah, aliens, whatever you want to believe....