Religion Debate (potentially offensive)

[comphermc]

Warning, anything you read beyond this point is likely to offend at least someone's beliefs. Enter with caution.

If this becomes a problem, I will accept responsibility and delete it.

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Hey there, friends. Now, I'm sure you all know me as a nice, considerate person, so you should know that I do not make this thread to alienate others or to generate hostilities. I only want to have a discussion about religion with some of the other intelligent members of this community.

I'll be straightforward: I'm an athiest (with agnostic leanings). At least in the general sense of the word. I was raised in a christian household, and it would kill my family to know this. I think there's a certain negative stigma attached to anyone with atheistic beliefs, but that's just how life goes.

Anyways, I would like to hear what you all think. I'll be sure to chime in once/if I get a response. Anyone who would claim themselves as a Christian, or otherwise, you are just as welcome. I'm sure this will waver towards a Christianity debate, but discussion of other religions are also welcome.

I will start the discussion of by posting a recent video in which Kirk Cameron offers to give out "Special Edition" copies of Darwin's Origin of Species. The "Special Edition" of it is a 50 page introduction, which sounds sketchy at best, but I'll let you figure that out:

[Watch YouTube Video]

I have several points to make regarding the video, but I'd like to hear your thoughts first.

If you make any posts that are hostile or trolling in one direction or the other, I will make sure that your posts are removed. Please, I want to keep this discussion intelligent. If you haven't got anything to add, don't feel like you need to be part of the discussion.

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Update: If you are new to this thread, take this bit of advice from Syroc:

In any case the worst thing a religious person can do is disrespect another religion or even go as far as ridiculing it. They harm their own believe, moreover they are likely to disobey the rules set forth in their holy scripture. Most of them include the rule that you should respect other believes!
The same is true for people who do not follow a religious believe. Moreover anyone who claims that religion is unnecessary today, because we can explain everything through science, has not understood the importance of religion, that it helps people make sense of the world and gives them something to hold on to.
Religion itself is not harmful, what people make out of it can be harmful and potentially dangerous.
Therefor I think that the most sensible thing anyone can do is respect other people believes, try to understand their reasoning and give them all the freedom necessary to be religious and to live in accord with the rules their religion gives them. Banning certain aspects of a religion (ie headscarves) is not helpful if you want to live together, side by side in a society. At the same time religious people have to accept that not everyone can or wants to live in their way and they shouldn't be offended by it.

[RockSauron]

Ah, yes, this almost makes me wish Marino was here so that he could pretty much go commando XD

Ah well. Yep, I'm atheist too. Don't get me wrong, I WANT there to be some higher justice and purpose and a place to go after I die- I just refuse to believe there is a higher power just because it makes me feel better. I want to believe, but if one only believes because they say life is too terrible otherwise, well... that's not believing, that's using it as a cover.

Anyway... if only Killian's laptop wasn't broken

[comphermc]

Just a question, Rock. Were you raised with any particular religious background to speak of?

[MrsSpookyBuz•]

Born and raised a Catholic, here. Led and taught by instilling fear into my very bones from a very young age.

Grew up with many questions, and found out that religion wasn't the answer. For me, religion is only another way of controlling society.

I suppose right in the middle of science and religion is nature.

I've said enough.

[CreateNPlay•]

Im an atheist. Done.

[RockSauron]

Just a question, Rock. Were you raised with any particular religious background to speak of?

Born into Catholicism (mom's side is descended from Italians). Left it when I was in 6th grade because my mom divorced my dad when I was 3, and you know the Catholic beliefs on that :/

We grew to United Church of Christ, oh, when I was in 8th grade.

Went to church end of 9th grade (in 11th grade now) for confirmation, and went there once since- on Easter because my mom wanted me to.

I think talking to a few people here may have steered me towards Atheism, but anyway...

Yeah, I WANT to believe God exists... but no hokey pokey miracle can change my mind. TBQH, the fact that, in our day and age, the vast majority of society believes in God is kinda scary personally... but I digress ;-;

[Alex™]

I don't believe in anything. Atheism all the way, BABY.

I was raised to believe in what i wanted, i chose to believe in that which i can see, hear and feel, not that which people would have me believe exists.

Therefore, the only things you should worship are: Slash, Metallica, Iron Maiden, various other awesomesauce bands, and Jack Daniels.

[CreateNPlay•]

Rock on Ir0n!

[CyberSora]

Not really part of this topic, but did anybody noticed the ads below this thread say something that's a bit connected to it? Like:

The Taco thread can have a Taco Bell ad.

So not really important, but the ad says something about religion, and it's kind of... well... ****** up.

[comphermc]

Grew up with many questions, and found out that religion wasn't the answer. For me, religion is only another way of controlling society.

Y'know, I've often thought this myself. I have this general belief that Christianity was embraced how it was for a couple of reasons:

1. It offers those who are subjected to the lesser lifestyle some sort of hope for their seemingly pathetic lives.
2. Those in power saw it as an easy way to control their subjects.

This is obviously a bit simplified from how I actually believe it 'went down', but it illustrates the point.

It should also be noted that Christianity was derived from a mystery religion during the times of the ancient Greeks. Kind of an odd little note in the history of Christianity.

[Morgana25]

Aethist with occasional leanings towards Agnostic. Heavy science upbringing in my house and forced to attend Luteran church by the grandparents for two years. I'd like to think we go on in some way but some cosmic babysitter.... nope not in my views of the universe.

[comphermc]

Aethist with occasional leanings towards Agnostic.

I think this is a better way of describing my beliefs. To be completely accurate, I'd have to say that I firmly believe Christianity is not the answer... There's just so much wrong with it...

I would have to say that no religion offers all the answers - that's just silly. Why do we need others to align our moral compass?

[MrsSpookyBuz•]

Oh yes, comph, delve a little deeper and you'll discover a whole host of juicy secrets and tidbits of information about how certain religions originated, and how they got corrupted and manipulated to suit the changing ways of society.

Quick example (hopefully non-offensive):
Why is it now acceptable to have female priests? It was never deemed acceptable before, so why now? Did God change His rules? (And why did I find it necessary to capitalise the 'H' there?)

I'm very interested in this topic, but I'm virtually restraining myself from ranting. Apologies.

[CyberSora]

I seriously think that religion is a major problem in the world. It's one thing to believe it, but it's another to force someone to believe it. It also starts flame wars. So for that reason, I'm going to avoid this thread (but I posted this, so I'm not doing a good job at that, am I?).

[comphermc]

I'm very interested in this topic, but I'm virtually restraining myself from ranting. Apologies.

Well, I have no problems with a little rant, as long as we don't aim to offend (which may be an inadvertent result).

[Alex™]

Rock on Ir0n!

Don't worry, i will

[Rabid-Coot]

[B][SIZE="5"]
I think there's a certain negative stigma attached to anyone with atheistic beliefs, but that's just how life goes.

Depends where you are really, christianity has declined so much over here that the vast majority aren't bothered if your an atheist.

[Morgana25]

Did God change His rules? (And why did I find it necessary to capitalise the 'H' there?)

I never capitalize god. Most people just think I'm being lazy I think but it's just something I make it a point not to do. I don't know why other than I don't believe in a him so there's no point. It's like almost validating that he may exist if I do..... I know - it's weird.

[comphermc]

Depends where you are really, christianity has declined so much over here that the vast majority aren't bothered if your an atheist.

Yeah, that is far-from-the-case here. It's sad, really. I s'pose it's all part of the history of the United States... to escape the evil that is Europe, and all that. :/

I don't know why the US has remained so conservative in its views. Is it because conservativism opposes change and the US is on top (sort of)?

I'm just typing as I go here...

Edit: And we have to put up with psychos like Glenn Beck and the Southboro Baptist Church (I can't post those videos here, but you can search on your own)

[MrsSpookyBuz•]

Well, I have no problems with a little rant, as long as we don't aim to offend (which may be an inadvertent result).

Sorry, I wasn't very clear - I meant 'ranting' in the context of talking about something that by its very nature is personal and emotive.

To me, it isn't a case of believing or not believing in a god. It's surely more accurate to say there is or there isn't a god. Anyone who says they're not sure is kind of missing the point.

I'm not aversed to people seeking comfort in faith, especially if their lives have been bombarded with relentless preachings.

In the Fun and Friendly group, we were discussing a friend of mine who died two weeks ago. At the funeral, we sang a few hymns, and prayers were said. I had no issue with this as it provided comfort for those who sought it. When the coffin left the church, a song blared out the speakers - it was 'Always Look on the Bright Side of Life' from Monty Python's Life of Brian movie. (My friend's name was Brian).

It was his favourite song from his favourite film. I cried at that point. Why? Because I suppose when someone close to us dies, we are grieving for ourselves for the fact that we'll never see them again. This song summed my friend up completely.

Maybe my upbringing did more to damage any relationship I could have had with God. Being forced to attend Confession at seven years old? Hmm, sorry, it just isn't right.