mega thread Everypony's Religion And Why?

[Koelath 445]

  

I don't think you guys quite get what I am saying. I'm just trying to imply that something must have had to create everything. Just because things appearing by themselves is impossible.

 

I get everything you said. You said he shows himself clearly all the time, and you implied there's more evidence for him than the Big Bang. I also get that now you've just completely avoided addressing a single thing I said or supporting the claims you made.

 

Things appearing by themselves is impossible? And...Some creator entity always just having been there is possible? What evidence does the latter have that the former doesn't? You're basically saying "Science hasn't quite figured it out yet so I'm just gonna say [x] happened because, hey, they can't prove it didn't!"

 

And if that's what you're saying, fine, great. But don't go around acting like your god's showing himself off or somehow has greater evidence when he has none.

 

 

 

It is not God who sends one to hell; it is the sinner who sends themselves their. [Rabble rabble]

 

Guy, enough. If you believe in a god that sees all, lords over all, and judges all then it is EXACTLY that god who sends us to Hell. Spin it anyway you like to pretend otherwise but you're wrong. This isn't an opinion, this is not a debate, this is a fact. And as for your criminal-cop analogy, a policeman did not specifically create the criminal with a capacity and will for wrongdoing, and nobody gets burnt alive for eternity in prison.

but how exactly is Homosexuality a sin?

 

Back when humans wrote that book we call the Bible without any influence from some deity who is way too powerful to require some lame book to spread his word, they decided to paint homosexuality as a sin so that guys would continue plowing girls for fear of their immortal souls. This incredibly manipulative tactic was likely utilized to ensure the ongoing reproduction of the species, or just to validate and propagate the intense homophobia of the authors.

Edited November 8, 2013 by Koelath

[Sabrinie 392]

I grew up as a Lutheran, but didn't actually believe anything I was being taught. I also hated the fact that whenever I asked a question, people in the church would be angry at me and just tell me to read the bible and that will answer my questions; I did read the bible but I wasn't believing anything. The whole thing was just blind faith and I can't do that. I don't like being told what to do and being told what to believe/what is absolute truth was never going to fly with me. So, I did some soul-searching and found Eclectic Pagan fit me best. I've been happier with my faith than I've ever been previously and just love everything about it. 

[FruitRiver 355]

I am a christian, because I have seen and felt proof that there is a God. But I am not religious, I'm spiritual. I don't believe everything in the bible and I don't believe Hell is a place of literal fire. God loves everyone so he would not send us to a place of eternal burning, would He? I think that you can go to Heaven even if you have gone to Hell first.  I don't agree in a lot of what most christians think but I still believe in God. 

Edited November 8, 2013 by FruitRiver

[verycreativeusername 1,800]

I don't think you guys quite get what I am saying. I'm just trying to imply that something must have had to create everything. Just because things appearing by themselves is impossible.

I just need to reply to this. I will ask you a question: If you believe "something can't come out of nothing", what do you believe your god came from? Did he make himself?

[PlunderSteed 1,252]

Why is there so much arguing in this topic?  It's post your religion, not reply to others who believe what they do and flame them for it...  Sheesh.

 

Maybe you missed the part where this thread resides in "The Debate Pit" part of the forum.

 

Anyways, the answer is simple, really: claiming a belief system that openly condemns behaviors and lifestyles that other people find natural and harmless -- and labeling those things as sinful and worthy of eternal torture -- is guaranteed to put people off.  Also, people can't even list their favorite ice creams without it turning into a debate, so good luck expecting people to keep their opinions to themselves when it comes to the validity of entire worldviews.

[Misty Shadow 7,867]

I don't consider myself to be a part of any religion, nor do I like religion, but I am interested in the spiritual. To phrase that another way, I don't believe in trying to make people devote their lives to a deity to avoid eternal pain, but I do love the idea of something supernatural governing the universe, and I do believe that there is something otherworldly providing meaning to life and death. That is just me though.

[Not_A_Replicant 109]

I just need to reply to this. I will ask you a question: If you believe "something can't come out of nothing", what do you believe your god came from? Did he make himself?

I am glad you asked that. God, being omnipotent (all-powerful) didn't need anything to create him. He exists due to his own power. It's a hard concept to wrap your mind around, but that's one of the disadvantages of being human. Our thought processes are do simple. I mean look at us, we can't even explain pyramids, or describe colors to blind people.

[PlunderSteed 1,252]

I am glad you asked that. God, being omnipotent (all-powerful) didn't need anything to create him. He exists due to his own power. It's a hard concept to wrap your mind around

 

For future reference, what you just said is the root of what is disparagingly called the "I don't understand how things work; therefore God did it" explanation.  Skeptics will not be persuaded by answers that rely on built-in loopholes of unexplained, unknowable beings.

[Sky Warden 2,243]

It seems like most people who are 'debating' about 'religions' here see Gods as superior supernatural beings who live in the outer space, tinkering the universe as they like. Why don't you people just sit down and revise your understanding of Gods, religions, and all... these instead?

 

What do you think a God is? Christians believe that Jesus is the son of God. Muslims' God is Allah. Buddhists' God is, well, not exactly God, but guide, is Buddha Himself. I think that's what God is. A guide. More like a source of guide. Christians follow Jesus's teachings, a good man who lived long ago and tried to save His people from moral catastrophe. Muslims follow Allah's teachings, which were taught to many people by Prophet Muhammad. Buddhists follow Buddha's teachings. Then what exactly a God is? Why are there so many religions formed in so many places? Because it's basically based on one same thing that exists in every man's heart. Humanity.

 

I guess you will yell at me about The Seventh Sky, The Eternal Fire, God's Wills, and other 'fantasy' you read in religion books, and how you, the atheists think that religion is a full of non-sense and how the believers think that they're just, "Things you don't understand." Now shut up for a while.

 

Religion books are written with art and contain figurative languages such as metaphor, simile, etc.

 

My writing sense tingled when I had to separate that paragraph just so you people won't miss it. All you read about demons, angles, heaven, or hell are just metaphors. All the 'rewards' God gives you are just metaphors, but they do exist. It's that beautiful feeling you get after you give a homeless kid an ice cream. It's that horrible feeling when you take a revenge and realize what horrible things you've done. The guilt feels like you're being tortured with fire. The happiness feels like you're getting anything you ever wished for. The face of people who are doing good deeds, happy, free of guilt looks like shining brightly. The face of evil people looks ugly from their frown and dark aura.

 

People back then adored art, and since they valued religions very much, they express their respect by using art to write religion books. Now before you throw me some quotes from the Bible, think about this. It was written by many authors. Jesus might be a man of a golden heart, but how about the other authors?

 

You need to revise your understanding of God. Instead of using the idea you got as a child from your father when he pointed at the sky and said, "The God is up there, son, and He's watching you," why don't you use your grown adult mind and rethink about it? You're philosophy-ing intensely based on an idea you got as a child. You're making a tower of gold on a foundation of mud.

 

Does God exist? Yes. Are religions correct? Yes. Then what causes all of this nonsense in the Internet? People who are too dumb for religions.

[Not_A_Replicant 109]

It seems like most people who are 'debating' about 'religions' here see Gods as superior supernatural beings who live in the outer space, tinkering the universe as they like. Why don't you people just sit down and revise your understanding of Gods, religions, and all... these instead?

 

What do you think a God is? Christians believe that Jesus is the son of God. Muslims' God is Allah. Buddhists' God is, well, not exactly God, but guide, is Buddha Himself. I think that's what God is. A guide. More like a source of guide. Christians follow Jesus's teachings, a good man who lived long ago and tried to save His people from moral catastrophe. Muslims follow Allah's teachings, which were taught to many people by Prophet Muhammad. Buddhists follow Buddha's teachings. Then what exactly a God is? Why are there so many religions formed in so many places? Because it's basically based on one same thing that exists in every man's heart. Humanity.

 

I guess you will yell at me about The Seventh Sky, The Eternal Fire, God's Wills, and other 'fantasy' you read in religion books, and how you, the atheists think that religion is a full of non-sense and how the believers think that they're just, "Things you don't understand." Now shut up for a while.

 

Religion books are written with art and contain figurative languages such as metaphor, simile, etc.

 

My writing sense tingled when I had to separate that paragraph just so you people won't miss it. All you read about demons, angles, heaven, or hell are just metaphors. All the 'rewards' God gives you are just metaphors, but they do exist. It's that beautiful feeling you get after you give a homeless kid an ice cream. It's that horrible feeling when you take a revenge and realize what horrible things you've done. The guilt feels like you're being tortured with fire. The happiness feels like you're getting anything you ever wished for. The face of people who are doing good deeds, happy, free of guilt looks like shining brightly. The face of evil people looks ugly from their frown and dark aura.

 

People back then adored art, and since they valued religions very much, they express their respect by using art to write religion books. Now before you throw me some quotes from the Bible, think about this. It was written by many authors. Jesus might be a man of a golden heart, but how about the other authors?

 

You need to revise your understanding of God. Instead of using the idea you got as a child from your father when he pointed at the sky and said, "The God is up there, son, and He's watching you," why don't you use your grown adult mind and rethink about it? You're philosophy-ing intensely based on an idea you got as a child. You're making a tower of gold on a foundation of mud.

 

Does God exist? Yes. Are religions correct? Yes. Then what causes all of this nonsense in the Internet? People who are too dumb for religion.

Yeah how about you go see how "metaphorical" Hell is. Hell is a real place made by God. Although it is not currently a lake of fire yet, it will be once Jesus returns. Right now it is along the lines of Hades, a holding place for souls that did not accept Jesus's gift to save us from the evils within our own hearts.

For future reference, what you just said is the root of what is disparagingly called the "I don't understand how things work; therefore God did it" explanation. Skeptics will not be persuaded by answers that rely on built-in loopholes of unexplained, unknowable beings.

Look at you, arguing religion with somebody that's half your age. Hilarious, how you don't have anything better to do. Let me tell you buddy, your not going to change my opinion on ANYTHING. So save your fingers the work and just stop. I know the Bible is truth and hope and love. I know humans are inherently evil at heart and only want to please themselves. Whether you chose to believe that, that's your choice. Personally, I like to have hope and know why I'm on this planet rather than searching for empty things and answers that will eventually leave me emptier than before. If you want to go on living your simple, rebellious, sinful life, be my guest, meanwhile, I'll go and praise the one who gave meaning and purpose to mine. Edited November 9, 2013 by that_cool_nerd_js

[Sky Warden 2,243]

 

 

Look at you, arguing religion with somebody that's half your age.

 

 

Then grow up.

 

Sorry. I couldn't resist. XD

 

Seriously, dude, take it easy. I'm not going to turn you away from your God. I just have a different idea about God, and religion. You serve God your way, and I serve Him mine.

[Legacy Dash 438]

I don't really believe in any religion, but I do sort of believe in god - only a little though.

You could say that I am a little bit Christian.

[MontagnaMagica 307]

 

 

What do you think a God is? Christians believe that Jesus is the son of God. Muslims' God is Allah. Buddhists' God is, well, not exactly God, but guide, is Buddha Himself. I think that's what God is. A guide. More like a source of guide. Christians follow Jesus's teachings, a good man who lived long ago and tried to save His people from moral catastrophe. Muslims follow Allah's teachings, which were taught to many people by Prophet Muhammad. Buddhists follow Buddha's teachings.

 

 

I agree. I believe that God sent these messengers to guide us humans throughout time. If you really study the major religions, you can see that they all have common themes throughout, perhaps a lot more than you thought!

[PlunderSteed 1,252]

Yeah how about you go see how "metaphorical" Hell is. Hell is a real place made by God. Although it is not currently a lake of fire yet, it will be once Jesus returns. Right now it is along the lines of Hades, a holding place for souls that did not accept Jesus's gift to save us from the evils within our own hearts.

Look at you, arguing religion with somebody that's half your age. Hilarious, how you don't have anything better to do. Let me tell you buddy, your not going to change my opinion on ANYTHING. So save your fingers the work and just stop. I know the Bible is truth and hope and love. I know humans are inherently evil at heart and only want to please themselves. Whether you chose to believe that, that's your choice. Personally, I like to have hope and know why I'm on this planet rather than searching for empty things and answers that will eventually leave me emptier than before. If you want to go on living your simple, rebellious, sinful life, be my guest, meanwhile, I'll go and praise the one who gave meaning and purpose to mine.

 

I think this post might be the saddest thing I've read in a long time.  Sad because it seems to revel in the "I'm right and you're wrong, and one day you'll pay for it" conviction of a real zealot.

[K.K. Slider 391]

I think this post might be the saddest thing I've read in a long time.  Sad because it seems to revel in the "I'm right and you're wrong, and one day you'll pay for it" conviction of a real zealot.

 

Yeah, I could never stand those type of religious folk. It's even worse if they're as preachy to your face. Luckily, there seems to be just as many (if not more) level-headed, tolerable/less obnoxious believers to balance the Bible thumpers out.

 

& +1 on being the saddest post in awhile, lol. The guy is still a kid, doesn't have much life experience under his belt, so it's not as pathetic.

Edited November 9, 2013 by K.K. Slider

[Sky Warden 2,243]

 

 

If you really study the major religions

 

 

Well, I was just saying what I see and what I think makes sense and rational.

 

All we need is to clean our glasses and see things in a pure, unbiased way. Debating about religions based on ideas got as a child is very ridiculous. It's like, "I've grown up, and that supernatural thingy doesn't make sense," instead of, "Oh, so I took it wrong back then. I need to revise my idea about God and religions."

 

I think this post might be the saddest thing I've read in a long time.  Sad because it seems to revel in the "I'm right and you're wrong, and one day you'll pay for it" conviction of a real zealot.

 

I think this post might be the most accurate way to express my idea about the post in question. XD

 

 

 

& +1 on being the saddest post in awhile, lol. The guy is still a kid, doesn't have much life experience under his belt, so it's not as pathetic.

 

 

Well, that explains everything, but that means that it's not really his fault. Maybe he's just afraid or something.

[Sunny Fox 5,950]

I think everyone needs to calm down, take a deep breath and a step back, before things start getting out of hand. In a debate, you may attack the other person's ideas, but you may NOT attack the member his- or herself.

[FoxyCryptid 4,330]

Yeah how about you go see how "metaphorical" Hell is. Hell is a real place made by God. Although it is not currently a lake of fire yet, it will be once Jesus returns. Right now it is along the lines of Hades, a holding place for souls that did not accept Jesus's gift to save us from the evils within our own hearts.

 

Look at you, arguing religion with somebody that's half your age. Hilarious, how you don't have anything better to do. Let me tell you buddy, your not going to change my opinion on ANYTHING. So save your fingers the work and just stop. I know the Bible is truth and hope and love. I know humans are inherently evil at heart and only want to please themselves. Whether you chose to believe that, that's your choice. Personally, I like to have hope and know why I'm on this planet rather than searching for empty things and answers that will eventually leave me emptier than before. If you want to go on living your simple, rebellious, sinful life, be my guest, meanwhile, I'll go and praise the one who gave meaning and purpose to mine.

 

That's a very shallow way to view God, and a very close minded angle to come at faith from. I can see you're the kind that takes the bible as 100% God given truth, so let me pose this question(because I never went for that whole fire and brimstone for all thing, I think you have to be a pretty reprehensible human being to be condemned). What if the bible in and of itself is a test of character to see if we can separate the right from wrong and interpret it correctly. An act of deliberately telling us to do the wrong to see if we're really good people and will say no, or if we're just blindly doing as we're told and ready to jump at the chance for bloodshed.  

 

We already know that several of the laws it lays down are man-made by the clergy of the time, but are in there anyway as useless as they may be just for the sake of completeness.  

Edited November 15, 2013 by Shoboni

[Renon Strike 67]

I'm a Christian, but i don't see it as a religion but more of a personal relationship with Jesus and God, religion is definitely not the best way to describe Christianity as a whole, I live through faith but it doesn't mean I'm not curious to know why things happen in this world.

I believe that Jesus died for our sins, this isn't something just people tell me but for me it is something i experienced as i have grown up and still developing especially through bad times.

 

 

The debate here is like a bad version of feeling Pinkie Keen  except for a bad ending, things were said at the heat of the moment just remember @ Jesus loves everyone,  I know something we can agree upon, that we should not let this debate get the best of us.

Edited November 10, 2013 by Renon Strike

[~Sole~ 852]

I've recently considered converting to wicca. Despite what most think, it is very peaceful, and concentrates heavily on wisdom and understanding. It's actually against the wiccan rede to harm any living creature, even yourself. It reads as such "an ye harm none, do what ye will." Basically meaning, you can do what you want, as long as no one is harmed. I like this religion due to its peacefulness and freedom it allows. There are no strict dogmas, and the laws only ask that you don't harm others in any way.

[MontagnaMagica 307]

Hahahaha! Laugh out Loud, dude!

 

Well, it was just a suggestion... I can see that you appreciate the wisdom and knowledge that can be found in religious texts. And so do I. I'm currently reading through the Qur'án. Next will be the Avesta and then the Deuterocanonical books of the Bible. Let me know if you're up for reading these too. I can help you find the most readable transliterations and such...

Edited November 10, 2013 by MontagnaMagica

[FoxyCryptid 4,330]

I've recently considered converting to wicca. Despite what most think, it is very peaceful, and concentrates heavily on wisdom and understanding. It's actually against the wiccan rede to harm any living creature, even yourself. It reads as such "an ye harm none, do what ye will." Basically meaning, you can do what you want, as long as no one is harmed. I like this religion due to its peacefulness and freedom it allows. There are no strict dogmas, and the laws only ask that you don't harm others in any way.

 

You know, I respect many other religions and Wicca is actually one of the ones I find quite interesting and I actually like the way they roll form what I've seen.

Edited November 10, 2013 by Shoboni

[RAGESTAR 479]

@@Ezynell

 

I've been thinking about converting to Asatruism. From what I could gather, they seem rather suitable for me. They concentrate on truth, bravery, integrity, and respect for your ancestors, the gods, and every other race, ethnicity, and sexuality. All in all, Asatruism is very respectable, just a little misunderstood...

[~Sole~ 852]

@@Shoboni

 

Well, I'm happy some people like you are more understanding. Most look at wiccans and think we sacrifice pigs and curse people, that kinda stuff. some even think we're satanic. Thanks for not being ignorant and looking past rumors.

[Derpaholic 1,155]

I'm not sure whether or not "atheism" should even be on the poll, considering that atheism is actually not a religion, but the lack thereof.
I'm going to answer, anyways.
I'm an atheist, pure and simple. I was fortunate enough to be born to parents who didn't want to indoctrinate their children into any belief systems, or ideologies.
Hell, I didn't even hear the words "religion" and "god", until I was about nine years old. NINE.