thoughts on life, religion, etc.

[farsimon]

What? No more smart-assed dictionary-diarrhea?


...I'm disappointed.

[Lehesu]

Originally Posted by farsimon

What? No more smart-assed dictionary-diarrhea?


...I'm disappointed.

I concede the point, but I don't know what point your point is trying to point out. If one criticizes someone of a conflict of interest, it doesn't de facto destroy the argument that they are making. Not that I was making a strong argumentative point, but whatever...

Of course, I may have completely misread your insinuations, in which case I kindly ask you to spoonfeed it to me with that deliciously inimicable wit and charm that you possess.

[farsimon]

Ah! There it is! \0/

My point covers all religious people as a whole, and you just underscored it by being a perfect example.

You simply can't follow a religion based on set of rules by choosing which rules you like and which you dont - ESPECIALLY if said religion has rules that forces you to "follow all other rules, or else...".

I'm still waiting for someone to convince me why and how that can be valid...

[Yian]

Originally Posted by The Heart Of Darkness

This thread is not about being good, its about the fact that un om bun bashed muslims and we're having this discussion because I'm trying to prove to un om bun that you can't classify people according to their religion.

I agree. It is not their fault. They were brainwashed at birth.

[Lehesu]

Originally Posted by farsimon

Ah! There it is! \0/

My point covers all religious people as a whole, and you just underscored it by being a perfect example.

You simply can't follow a religion based on set of rules by choosing which rules you like and which you dont - ESPECIALLY if said religion has rules that forces you to "follow all other rules, or else...".

I'm still waiting for someone to convince me why and how that can be valid...

When I said I was religious, I didn't say I was a devout zealot of Our Father the Most Holy (tm). I am actually a rather tepid Christian at best, which allows me to indulge in these sorts of internal debates that you find cause to call me hypocrite for. If you can find a Christian that never has these sorts of conflicts at all, I would be interested to meet him or her.

[farsimon]

Originally Posted by Lehesu

When I said I was religious, I didn't say I was a devout zealot of Our Father the Most Holy (tm). I am actually a rather tepid Christian at best, which allows me to indulge in these sorts of internal debates that you find cause to call me hypocrite for. If you can find a Christian that never has these sorts of conflicts at all, I would be interested to meet him or her.

Where does the "god will smite thee" factor come into play? Or do you not believe in those scarytale kiddie stories anymore? When your daddy had any power over your comings and goings - did you just choose by yourself which rules to obey? Or was the actual punishment just real enough?

The point is, if you really, really, really believe there is a god - shouldn't you also believe the "word" of god - the only thing saying that there is a god. Shouldn't you also believe that you will be punished and sent to eternal damnation for any defiance (as stated copiously in the "word")? Seriously - if none of it could be proven (at all), but you still want to believe, why would you still decide to only believe and practise some parts of it? Is eternal damnation not enough?

More proof that religion is merely a useful coping tool, and like all tools is used when needed, and dumped when not.

Edit: If you want to be religious, do it properly otherwise god will hate you.

[Lehesu]

The Bible is not the word of God: Unedited and Unabridged.

[farsimon]

Originally Posted by Lehesu

The Bible is not the word of God: Unedited and Unabridged.

Indeed. Although the ancient texts are even more gruelling. Your point?

[Yian]

I don't know why we are having an argument here. I thought ATrip people are smart enough to know that religion is bullshit.

[Lehesu]

Strong words, Yian. Everyone legitimizes their code of ethics and behavior by something, even if its only tradition. Ideally, there exists a completely objective moral right or wrong, unless your a moral relativist. I'm not, because I find moral relativism to be practically useless in most cases. However, the same arguments for moral relativism can be brought up against any moral code of conduct just as effectively as against Christianity.

[farsimon]

except, religion is not just a moral code of conduct - if it was, then it would not have been so... erm...

...retarded objectionable.

[Yian]

Originally Posted by Lehesu

Strong words, Yian. Everyone legitimizes their code of ethics and behavior by something, even if its only tradition. Ideally, there exists a completely objective moral right or wrong, unless your a moral relativist. I'm not, because I find moral relativism to be practically useless in most cases. However, the same arguments for moral relativism can be brought up against any moral code of conduct just as effectively as against Christianity.

Religion is code of ethics mixed with superstitions. It is stupid, period. Just because it is old and lots of people fall for it doesn't change its nature. There is no such thing as a supreme being, and no discussion on morality should ever involve one. No person should hold authority over others with power granted by an imaginary figure.

Moral relativism might be useless but making up your own answer is even worse. Virgin birth? Resurrection? Angels? Miracles? That's stupid.

[karny]

An interesting theory I heard recently which might anger Christians a little is that Spirituality or the desire to believe in things like gods or spirits etc is an evolved psychology! A reason put forward was that it helped bind groups of early humans together to form packs which gave them an evolutionary advantage over those who didn't and roamed as loners or didn't have a bond which might let you work for the betterment of the group. How cool would this be if it was proven to be true (tho I can't fathom how they would prove it).

A question I'd like to ask is; have you forum goers had any direct experience with Intelligent design or issues with Evolution being taught (or not) in science class? If so what is your opinion on wether intelligent design should be taught as a science... a serious question for this forum what the fuck am I thinking... then again what the fuck am I doing here. My boredom might just be pushing me to insanity today.

[tisl]

I saw a guy dressed as Jesus once.

[Misty]

Well, religion, like everything in nature and society appeared and evolved because it fulfilled certain needs and was useful to the survival and well being of those who believe. It slowly fades away in mythology and folk tales as a society advances.

Here is a video with a talk given by some smart guy on the evolution of religions.

And here is an article about the evolutionary explanation of why women are more attracted to religion even if they are usually treated very poorly by most faiths.

[Digital Limit]

Fuck God.

[Misty]

You mean Alanis Morissette? Only remotely hittable in my opinion.

[karny]

Originally Posted by Misty

Well, religion, like everything in nature and society appeared and evolved because it fulfilled certain needs and was useful to the survival and well being of those who believe. It slowly fades away in mythology and folk tales as a society advances.

I meant to imply that it was more biological i.e. actually something the brain evolved to serve a purpose. It would be an underlying reason why religion exists at all.

EDIT: Ah, I see those video/article are along those lines, tho I didn't watch the video for long (boring voice hard to listen to :P) it certainly does have some correlations to lend weight to what I heard.

[schnitzel_bob]

Originally Posted by karny

A question I'd like to ask is; have you forum goers had any direct experience with Intelligent design or issues with Evolution being taught (or not) in science class? If so what is your opinion on wether intelligent design should be taught as a science... a serious question for this forum what the fuck am I thinking... then again what the fuck am I doing here. My boredom might just be pushing me to insanity today.

My high school science prof was a creationist. He didn't teach it per se, but he refused to teach evolution (even though it was part of the curriculum). In fact, when we had to do presentations, he encouraged someone to do a presentation on creationism as a counterpart to my presentation on evolution. Mine was about the science, the other student's was just specious and shallow attacks at evolution. I'm sure we both got the same grade.

[Lehesu]

I have never had anything but evolution taught to me, and I'm thankful for it.