What is so great about "religion"?

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

you should get new crystal balls... your picture is coming through cloudy.

[Michiko_Dreads]

RELIGION SUCKS ASS

I was raise around "Jehovahs Witnessess", "Baptist" and HOT GHETTO MESSES.

As I grew up I just saw people disobey their religions, shun other religions, act better that others and my old time favorite they dont even know what their "RELIGION" is.

I dont believe in anything other than myself and the things I do with my life.

Me personally I dont even believe these GODS exsist.

I have had people tell me oh he exsist you just got to believe. I think that you cant say (to me) that a man that no one has ever seen(since he "died") exsist. You cant say (to me) that I have to obey a book that has been re-written over the years and years its been around because nobody and I MEAN NOBODY (that has spoken to me about "GOD") can tell me who actually wrote it. People cant say (to me) that "god" looked liked this, sounds like this, smells like that, acts like this or eats wahtever because he is FUCKING "DEAD" and he has been "DEAD" since whenever the hell A.D.

Im using the word god instead of jesus cuz its easier and IDC.

As I got older and learned about other religions I realized that none of them were real and decided to do whatever I felt.

[Der Nister]

The thing that annoys me about religion is the fact that it has created monsters out of people that are either total wackos or semi wacko and these nut jobs twist the truth to suit their own selfish needs and what have you.

Either by becoming god like (calling themselves the next coming of so and so) and the taking the lives of innocent people (jim jones anyone?) - or killing others in the name of their god.

Either way - imo - religion has caused the most bloodshed on this planet and is the most abused thing that man (not some god) has created.

I have no use for it.

[jynxxxedangel]

Troy and mods are probably standing by like the Gods of Olympus, read to throw bolts at this thread at any moment..

[phee]

Troy and mods are probably standing by like the Gods of Olympus, read to throw bolts at this thread at any moment..

Heh...

It is a thread about opinions... we can cut some slack.... as long as people don't start calling names and making it personal.... we can let it go.

(The problem is religion and personal...... hot plates)

[jynxxxedangel]

So, how about those Tigers? *shows some homegrown Metro-Detroit underboob to lighten up the mood*

It's all good..we're airing things out, and debating. No mudslinging here, Master Phee.

[Guest GodfallenPromos]

I forsee another thread lock down in the future.

nyah...the "bosses" know I don't start threads to piss ppl off....more like to open your line of thought....

plus...I got some Bat-mod repellant...lol

[TitsMcGee]

I was raised Lutheran and growing up untill I was 17 I went to church every Sunday even though a lot of shit had happend to me. I believed that even though I was extremely depressed and trying to kill myself that God was watching out for me. Even when my friend Heather died of a brain tumor when I was 14 I didn't question it.

I stopped believe in God the day my best friend killed himself. I was angry with God for letting it happen. Slowly through the years I've been getting my faith back, but I still question a lot. Especially now after my brother in law suicide. What kind of God would let someone who has two wonderful children that loved him so much shoot themselves in the head two days before Christmas?

Now I have faith, I have to otherwise I would go completely insane and ya'll would be visiting me in the state psych ward. I have to believe that things are going to be okay and that we're going to get through all of this. But I'm still pretty angry. I will go to church now on holidays or special occasions but really thats it.

[Restless Oblivion]

When people debate religion they often forget what the purpose of it originally was. Religion was never established by a God, or Gods, but by the human race. Simple example is that the Bible was not written until - i forget how much time later than Jesus was meant to have walked the Earth preaching God's word.

Religion always had the purpose of giving people a moral structure to live by. It has always been about keeping an order in the society, and by preaching to people that these 'laws' have come from God it gave those in power a fantastic vehicle to control the masses.

Think about how many core religions we have in the world - and think about where and when they were established. Each religion has it's roots set at a particular time and culture that suited that particular time and place. Hence as the time goes by, we have more and more 'sects' and offshoots developing out of the few core religions, and new faith systems are continually springing up - and why? Because the religion that was established centuries ago does not speak to the people of today.

In my opinion religion is fine as long as the individual finds the hope, trust, peace and comfort in it that they are looking for. However, I am saddened by the amount of religius fundamentalists that are using their religion as an excuse to bring destruction on themselves and others. A lot of these are in positions of power - and as I stated before, they are using religion to control the masses.

What God would want there to be hatred in the world, and what God would want there to be conflict, war, famine, prejudice etc etc. Are we not all the same in essence? And if all creatures are from God and of God then why would God want us to kill elements of itself. Jesus, Mohammed, Siddharta Gautama... they were not special - they were people just like us who showed us how to realise the God-nature in ourselves. They showed us what our spirit is trully capable of, if all we feel is love for our fellow human beings AND OURSELVES.

It was the people that have twisted their teachings into books to suit their own needs and purposes. Our culture creates people who don't like or accept themselves, let alone love themselves - so how the hell can you then accept/like/love another? Self hatred fuels oppression, aggression, violence and general hatred - because it is projected onto others! Yet when we spend some time looking after our own wellbeing we feel guilty because we think we are being selfish (how many of you feel that? especially if you have kids)

So whichever religion you practice, or spirituality, or magic, or mysticism, there is only one law - love yourself and all others. In a world where all people live by that law there is only joy and happinness, unfortunately our world is not it.

oopsie an essay (its a quiet day at work)....

[phee]

I like my dads saying: "People get the Gods they deserve"

[Enishi]

Some people (like my mother for instance) really do seem to need the structure of large organized religions to feel comfortable. Also, while I think certain moral beliefs are flawed when interpreted as absolute rules, some people don't do very well with gray areas and ambiguity. To each their own I suppose. I wouldn't mind, were it not for the fact some people keep bugging me to join in.

Personally though, I consider much of society and its ideologies to be a form of religion as well, one which can be just as harmful, dogmatic, narrow minded and pushy as the supernatural religions.

[torn asunder]

When people debate religion they often forget what the purpose of it originally was. Religion was never established by a God, or Gods, but by the human race. Simple example is that the Bible was not written until - i forget how much time later than Jesus was meant to have walked the Earth preaching God's word.

Religion always had the purpose of giving people a moral structure to live by. It has always been about keeping an order in the society, and by preaching to people that these 'laws' have come from God it gave those in power a fantastic vehicle to control the masses.

Think about how many core religions we have in the world - and think about where and when they were established. Each religion has it's roots set at a particular time and culture that suited that particular time and place. Hence as the time goes by, we have more and more 'sects' and offshoots developing out of the few core religions, and new faith systems are continually springing up - and why? Because the religion that was established centuries ago does not speak to the people of today.

In my opinion religion is fine as long as the individual finds the hope, trust, peace and comfort in it that they are looking for. However, I am saddened by the amount of religius fundamentalists that are using their religion as an excuse to bring destruction on themselves and others. A lot of these are in positions of power - and as I stated before, they are using religion to control the masses.

What God would want there to be hatred in the world, and what God would want there to be conflict, war, famine, prejudice etc etc. Are we not all the same in essence? And if all creatures are from God and of God then why would God want us to kill elements of itself. Jesus, Mohammed, Siddharta Gautama... they were not special - they were people just like us who showed us how to realise the God-nature in ourselves. They showed us what our spirit is trully capable of, if all we feel is love for our fellow human beings AND OURSELVES.

It was the people that have twisted their teachings into books to suit their own needs and purposes. Our culture creates people who don't like or accept themselves, let alone love themselves - so how the hell can you then accept/like/love another? Self hatred fuels oppression, aggression, violence and general hatred - because it is projected onto others! Yet when we spend some time looking after our own wellbeing we feel guilty because we think we are being selfish (how many of you feel that? especially if you have kids)

So whichever religion you practice, or spirituality, or magic, or mysticism, there is only one law - love yourself and all others. In a world where all people live by that law there is only joy and happinness, unfortunately our world is not it.

oopsie an essay (its a quiet day at work)....

again,

the more i read from you, the more impressed i am! very well spoken! (err, typed - you know what i mean!)

[Guest GodfallenPromos]

What God would want there to be hatred in the world, and what God would want there to be conflict, war, famine, prejudice etc etc. Are we not all the same in essence? And if all creatures are from God and of God then why would God want us to kill elements of itself. Jesus, Mohammed, Siddharta Gautama... they were not special - they were people just like us who showed us how to realise the God-nature in ourselves. They showed us what our spirit is trully capable of, if all we feel is love for our fellow human beings AND OURSELVES.

very well done, but there are warlike god figures. Ares, Thor, Ra, Huitzilopochtli. We now call it Mythology, but 2000+ years ago...it was faith to them, because there was some truth behind it, somewhere. Bible, Greek, Roman, Norse, Egyptian, Asian, Meso-American....it's all the same story...just different story tellers.

So I guess the problem isn't really the story...or the storytellers, but the audience.

[Rev.Reverence]

Why are you trying to find a problem with me?

Why do you not like it when we agree Gaf?

[Rev.Reverence]

I like my dads saying: "People get the Gods they deserve"

Think about how many core religions we have in the world - and think about where and when they were established. Each religion has it's roots set at a particular time and culture that suited that particular time and place. Hence as the time goes by, we have more and more 'sects' and offshoots developing out of the few core religions, and new faith systems are continually springing up - and why? Because the religion that was established centuries ago does not speak to the people of today.

Think further...back...a little further............there was once a single Religion...scientists have proven that we all come from one tribal unit...I personally think that the FIRST Religious schism is what made the First Tribe split...and when we(Humanity) put away our differences...we will again be ONE.

[Guest GodfallenPromos]

Think further...back...a little further............there was once a single Religion...scientists have proven that we all come from one tribal unit...I personally think that the FIRST Religious schism is what made the First Tribe split...and when we(Humanity) put away our differences...we will again be ONE.

kinda makes you wonder if the "tower of babel" wasn't about speech...but maybe a religious thing...

[Rev.Reverence]

kinda makes you wonder if the "tower of babel" wasn't about speech...but maybe a religious thing...

I hoped some one would say that.

I FORGOT TO PUT THIS QUOTE IN!

Now think hard Brothers & Sisters....

Starman

David Bowie

Goodbye love

Didnt know what time it was the lights were low oh how

I leaned back on my radio oh oh

Some cat was layin down some rock n roll lotta soul, he said

Then the loud sound did seem to fade a ade

Came back like a slow voice on a wave of phase ha hase

That werent no d.j. that was hazy cosmic jive

Theres a starman waiting in the sky

Hed like to come and meet us

But he thinks hed blow our minds

Theres a starman waiting in the sky

Hes told us not to blow it

Cause he knows its all worthwhile

He told me:

Let the children lose it

Let the children use it

Let all the children boogie

I had to phone someone so I picked on you ho ho

Hey, thats far out so you heard him too! o o

Switch on the tv we may pick him up on channel two

Look out your window I can see his light a ight

If we can sparkle he may land tonight a ight

Dont tell your poppa or hell get us locked up in fright

Theres a starman waiting in the sky

Hed like to come and meet us

But he thinks hed blow our minds

Theres a starman waiting in the sky

Hes told us not to blow it

Cause he knows its all worthwhile

He told me:

Let the children lose it

Let the children use it

Let all the children boogie

Starman waiting in the sky

Hed like to come and meet us

But he thinks hed blow our minds

Theres a starman waiting in the sky

Hes told us not to blow it

Cause he knows its all worthwhile

He told me:

Let the children lose it

Let the children use it

Let all the children boogie

La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la

[repeat 11x]

[Restless Oblivion]

again,

the more i read from you, the more impressed i am! very well spoken! (err, typed - you know what i mean!)

Aww thanks

[phee]

Seriously

Native Americans who lived on the plains got (big surprise): Sky Gods!

Native Americans who lived by the sea: Sea Gods

Old Testemant Jews who lived in a harsh, sexist, puritanical, warlike, desert: Yahweh...

The funny thing is most of the Native Americans saw this and it made sense and had no need to make the skygods more important then the sea gods, or the god of the harvest from their area more "real" then the god of the hunt for another... they fought over lots of other stuff... but not religion.

[Restless Oblivion]

very well done, but there are warlike god figures. Ares, Thor, Ra, Huitzilopochtli. We now call it Mythology, but 2000+ years ago...it was faith to them, because there was some truth behind it, somewhere. Bible, Greek, Roman, Norse, Egyptian, Asian, Meso-American....it's all the same story...just different story tellers.

So I guess the problem isn't really the story...or the storytellers, but the audience.

Ah yes very true, great you mentioned that - but same applies - belief in those gods was appropriate for that time, and it suited those culture's understandings of the world in line with their psychological development and psychological needs. But in essence, same old story - lets use a god as an excuse to kill eachother and hide our conscience behind the 'religious rightousness' of the killing. Problem is both those who create the god and for what ends, and the audience's interpretation.

And someone has already mentioned it - today science is a religion, and it has many gods too

[Restless Oblivion]

Think further...back...a little further............there was once a single Religion...scientists have proven that we all come from one tribal unit...I personally think that the FIRST Religious schism is what made the First Tribe split...and when we(Humanity) put away our differences...we will again be ONE.

The way the world is going this will only happen after a great catastrophe either of natural or man-made causes, which will wipe out most of the world's population. Then the idiots of the human race will realise that we all have to get along and work together for the benefit of the greater whole.

Such is the cyclical nature of existence, or the ouroborous of life, for there to be a new beginning something has to die. Just like the phoenix rising from the ashes. But it's unfortunate that we are creating this end, and not leaving it to nature.

[Rev.Reverence]

The way the world is going this will only happen after a great catastrophe either of natural or man-made causes, which will wipe out most of the world's population. Then the idiots of the human race will realise that we all have to get along and work together for the benefit of the greater whole.

Such is the cyclical nature of existence, or the ouroborous of life, for there to be a new beginning something has to die. Just like the phoenix rising from the ashes. But it's unfortunate that we are creating this end, and not leaving it to nature.

*shrug&grimace*

ZEN tells us that each moment of suffering is it's own chance to learn..to grow..to evolve...

...without suffering, very little is ever accomplished...

I will keep on trying to enlighten people...(as I cannot do anything else)...but it does look like it is headed in that general direction.

[phee]

*shrug&grimace*

ZEN tells us that each moment of suffering is it's own chance to learn..to grow..to evolve...

...without suffering, very little is ever accomplished...

I will keep on trying to enlighten people...(as I cannot do anything else)...but it does look like it is headed in that general direction.

Would you consider yourself "Enlightened" Rev?

[Enishi]

I don't think all of humanity needs to come together under one religious banner so much as they need to stop unnecessary fighting (and in some cases remain geographically separate if that isn't yet possible).

[Guest GodfallenPromos]

Would you consider yourself "Enlightened" Rev?

I believe I am...but only in certian acspects and teachings.