mega thread Everypony's Religion And Why?

[Steel Accord 6,660]

Some people are general atheists. I have to be anti-Christian as a point because I live in rural central Georgia, and atheists have high a risk of getting shot and preached at here. Therefore, I fight them on the Internet.

 

 

Athiest. Why? Simple, I hate religion and the rifts and awfulness it causes. It results in hate, fear and prejudice. I will never support it and I'm thankful I got out of the epic brainwashing I got in Catholic school.

 

Is that really fair to all religions? I mean, what about Shinto? What about Hinduism? What about the various Native American practices? What about Wicca?

 

These are barely if at all similar viewpoints, yet all have their checkered histories just as much as they contain wisdom and an attempt to perceive the ultimate existence beyond what our minds can fathom.

 

What you two are striving against are cultural conditions, not religious thought. True religious spiritual observance is tranquil and speaks to a part of our minds that goes beyond the base drives of hedonistic satisfaction. If you wish to take a stand against religion as a whole, I'm sorry you feel you've been pushed to that, but I would applaud you if these actions went beyond the screen, as my practices do.

I have studied this, and I haven't seen any deities pertaining buddhism. Perhaps you're thinking of Hinduism?

 

 

 

 

Umm, except that the origin of Prince Siddharta, who was a recorded prince of a recorded kingdom, was completely natural. I think he was real, but that some of the stories are just exaggerated or not true.

 

Siddhartha was influenced by Hinduism as it was the practice he was exposed to. Buddhism has "gods" in the form of the Devas. They are gods like the Olympians, powerful entities that distinct from human beings, however, what you are likely referring to is that Buddhism is non-theistic. It does not concern the worship of a central deity, saying it distracts from the pursuit of Enlightenment. 

 

Traditional Buddhists still hold that the Devas and others exist, but like all things, they are meant to be overcome rather than revered and avoided. 

 

~~~~~~~~~~

 

Just as Jesus of Nazareth was a historical person, doesn't make what either of them did impossible or unimportant. Both performed "miracles" but neither used them as vindication of their teachings, but advertisement. 

 

"Yeah I just walked on water. Now that I have your attention, I have something I'd like to teach you . . ."

[Wolf General Alpha 636]

I am only 15 years old and I am an Agnostic Atheist. While everyone else in my family are either Baptist or Catholic, I am perhaps the only Atheist in my family. I don't really have a problem with anyone else's beliefs, and I do not really judge anyone for anything. 

 

As for why I am an Agnostic Atheist, that would be too long for me to explain.

[Galen Selanno 351]

Just as Jesus of Nazareth was a historical person...

Jesus was not a historical person. The Romans, who were the world-champion record keepers at the turn of the timescale, have no record of any person named Jesus living at the time. Heck, there wasn't even a Nazareth at the turn of the timescale.

 

Look, I don't want Simon to close this topic, and we're getting off topic here, so let's drop the debate.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

Jesus was not a historical person. The Romans, who were the world-champion record keepers at the turn of the timescale, have no record of any person named Jesus living at the time. Heck, there wasn't even a Nazareth at the turn of the timescale.

 

Look, I don't want Simon to close this topic, and we're getting off topic here, so let's drop the debate.

 

Very well, we shall drop that particular.

 

However, you've yet to truly reply to my original point. Yes you responded for clarification as to what beings I was referring to when I said "gods" and to what capacity that they are acknowledged in Buddhism, however you did not answer the true question.

 

How can you observe Buddhism in any capacity while still being an atheist? Even the sects that don't acknowledge the Devas or other supernatural entities teach that there is a higher form of existence beyond the material plane we all live in. Atheism isn't just the lack of theism, it's the rejection of conscious purpose to human existence in favor of a humanistic viewpoint.

 

If you are so against Christianity, why not convert to Buddhism? If you are so against religion, why hold Buddhism in such respect?

[Galen Selanno 351]

Why don't you create a separate topic for this and we can continue this hooliganism there? We need not attract mod attention.

[LZRD WZRD 1,929]

Agnostic.

I believe it is 100% impossible to actually know if there is or isn't a God.

Honestly, the whole "is there a God" debate is the most meaningless and oldest debate on the planet.

You want my answer?

You cannot know.

Richard Dawkins doesn't know.

Billy Graham doesn't know.

Steven Hawking doesn't know.

Christians don't know.

Atheists don't know.

Muslims don't know.

Not one knows if there is or is not a God.

They can THINK they have the answer, but when it TRUELY comes down to it we just have to guess.

You do realize that (rational) atheists (including Dawkins and Hawking) are agnostic? Atheism and agnosticism are two separate things.

 

Atheism deals with belief

Agnosticism deals with knowledge

 

Any rational person is agnostic when it comes to the question of atheism vs theism. So you can have agnostic theists and agnostic atheists.

 

In fact, agnostic should not be an exclusive choice in the poll, since it alone does not refer to religious beliefs. Agnostic Atheist, a/gnostic theist would be more appropriate choices

 

I also fail to see how the "is there a god" debate is meaningless. Yes, you cannot know, but there are very few things that you can know for certainty. One side cannot prove themselves, but each has reasons for each possibility

Edited August 20, 2014 by LZRD WZRD

[Dovashy 1,734]

I'm a Roman Catholic. 

Why? I'd say mainly because up I was brought up with it, but it's not like I don't believe it. My Dad was in the seminary for a little bit, but obviously (why I'm here) he left. 

I'm not too sure about his religious views now, he is either athiest, or believes in God and does not hold a very good opinion of the Church. I don't really talk about it with him, so I'm not completely sure. 

[Gravelord Neat-O 305]

i used to have a religion, nothing fancy. i dont know if you heard of the Gravelords, They're all my disciples and what not, but before i was a god i used to be a mormon. 

Edited August 20, 2014 by Gravelord Neat-O

[Starlight Sky 374]

I'm agnostic.

 

Whether there is a God or not, I'll decide how to live my life.

 

I fundamentally disagree with what/how religions say a human "should be". In fact, I disagree that there's anything humans "should be". We have an incredible ability to explore the world and define our own (inner world). We can be whatever we dare to dream. Being granted a purpose, divine or not, is no different than a shackle. It isn't something you chose, but something you were assigned. A limitation of the imagination, and of the human experience.

 

Sidenote: In a manner of speaking, I don't believe anything can be completely proven. The human body is only capable of observing and experiencing so much. We develop the means to increase our ken, but there are...challenges- perhaps, even limits.

Edited August 22, 2014 by Starlight Sky

[SwaggyMCswag 57]

christianity, because of the things that have happened to me and the things that i have dreamed about and the things i have read (bible).  i have a very vibrant memory... of a man who had a beard that was white.  it wasn't super long just short. Thing man was in dark room holding me.  I really don't know how to describe his face other than kind looking.  This man stood up and held me out and then there was light and thats it yep... probably God.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

christianity, because of the things that have happened to me and the things that i have dreamed about and the things i have read (bible).  i have a very vibrant memory... of a man who had a beard that was white.  it wasn't super long just short. Thing man was in dark room holding me.  I really don't know how to describe his face other than kind looking.  This man stood up and held me out and then there was light and thats it yep... probably God.

 

Awwwww that's sweet.

 

Not very substantial, but sweet nonetheless.   

 

To your credit I do think dreams have a kind of internally revelatory power.

[A/H 81]

I am Muslim because my Family and my country is. Plus I am because I believe it too be true and the Quran to be honest as well as Allah, subhana wa t'ala. 

[Steel Accord 6,660]

I am Muslim because my Family and my country is. Plus I am because I believe it too be true and the Quran to be honest as well as Allah, subhana wa t'ala. 

 

So if I had any questions as to the specifics of Islam, would you be willing to answer them? I confess, I know some aspects, but very little else.

[A/H 81]

So if I had any questions as to the specifics of Islam, would you be willing to answer them? I confess, I know some aspects, but very little else.

Oh of course! I am actually apart of the Islamic Youth Studies group at my Mosque. And senior event organizer at our school, which is sometimes relevant. 

[Steel Accord 6,660]

Oh of course! I am actually apart of the Islamic Youth Studies group at my Mosque. And senior event organizer at our school, which is sometimes relevant. 

 

Well! I'm impressed actually.   I'm glad I could find someone so knowledgeable in her faith. Should we continue this comparative religion conversation here or in a PM?

[A/H 81]

Well! I'm impressed actually.   I'm glad I could find someone so knowledgeable in her faith. Should we continue this comparative religion conversation here or in a PM?

Oh, PM probably. This is not the place here. As this place is for sharing your faith quickly rather then having long conversations about it it seems. But go ahead and PM me if you wish. 

[CosmicHooves 2,705]

(This post has been deleted because the user @Big Smoke has changed his mind on what his beliefs are regarding religion. @Big Smoke is now an agnostic.)

Edited September 14, 2014 by Big Smoke

[Steel Accord 6,660]

Actually now I'm a gnostic non-denominational Christian.

Why?

Well, I sat back and thought about it.

I really couldn't grasp the idea of a universe without God.

It just didn't seem very likely to me that "nothing" started the universe.

I refuse to go more into detail about it, but that's just what I believe.

 

Would you feel comfortable going into more detail about it over a PM? I mean just from one Gnostic to another, I'm curious as to what conclusions you reached and how you reached them. 

[BMF 57]

I'm not religious nor I am an atheist.

Irregious or religiously apathetic would be fitting for me.

 

I have picked "other" in the poll.

[Haruhi-chan 486]

I was baptized as a catholic, but I choose not to have a religion. The reason is because I don't really understand it. I also don't like the constant fighting between religions and what you should be according to others. It just gets on my nerves. I do believe in god, but I believe he is someone who accepts people for who they are regardless of whether they are homosexual, disabled or whatever.

[Darker 1,351]

It's cientifically more possible to think that I come from a potato rather than some omniscient being with unlimited power.

 

I'm an atheist. I think about reality and I don't believe in anything Gods-related. Sure, the Bible is a good book, and Satan is still the most metal villain I've ever seen, but let's face it. Just like my previous statement says, God didn't create me, or my ancestors, or the monkey I come from, or the planets, or the Universe.

[Handsome Changeling 1,851]

I am a man of Science and until I get full blown evidence of Heaven, Hell, Limbo and God I will stay an Atheist. Not to sound arrogant but I feel I will always be an Atheist as I believe what I said earlier states until evidence is found and there is nothing to find *Smug Smile*

[Tanos 179]

 

 

God didn't create me, or my ancestors, or the monkey I come from, or the planets, or the Universe.

So if the universe has no meaning, everything about the universe is pure luck,  and the universe had for sure not been created by God,

Then who or what did create it?

[CosmicHooves 2,705]

I'm just going to say this because this has been on my mind for a while.

 

I don't see why people equate extremist points of view only to religion.

Sure it happens allot with religion, but if you think about it, any belief could be tooken to an extremist level.

Even atheism.

For example:

 

I like the color red.

Therfore I am going to kill everyone that does not like red.

 

This would be a clear example of an extremist point of view.

Edited September 14, 2014 by Big Smoke

[Darker 1,351]

So if the universe has no meaning, everything about the universe is pure luck,  and the universe had for sure not been created by God,

Then who or what did create it?

No one created God. You see, the so called Universe is composed of something we call matter. It's 100% impossible for us to produce any kind of matter by any means that doesn't include technology.

 

So yeah, no one composed the Universe, because it would be impossible for a person to create matter, especially an infinite variety of matter.

 

There was something called Big Bang, you might know the story.