Why do people feel the need to believe in religion (121)
just_wondering: What proof do you based on your above statement?
Kind of sounds like a blow hearted statement coming from some one full of opinions and than back tracks when he gets called on it and than wants to debate it.
You have a right to your choices they have a right to theirs.
Again I say who gives you the right to insult them?
Kind of sounds like a blow hearted statement coming from some one full of opinions and than back tracks when he gets called on it and than wants to debate it.
You have a right to your choices they have a right to theirs.
Again I say who gives you the right to insult them?
just_wondering: What proof do you based on your above statement?
Kind of sounds like a blow hearted statement coming from some one full of opinions and than back tracks when he gets called on it and than wants to debate it.
You have a right to your choices they have a right to theirs.
Again I say who gives you the right to insult them?
Kind of sounds like a blow hearted statement coming from some one full of opinions and than back tracks when he gets called on it and than wants to debate it.
You have a right to your choices they have a right to theirs.
Again I say who gives you the right to insult them?
religeon is the opium of the masses.
religion ,some people devote their lives to it ,thats their choice. as for myself, the ten commandments does me.follow that and you can,t go wrong.what more can one say.
ralph27: because our parents were told from an early age and the schools we went to also made us sit through it
This certainly was true for me, until I became mature enough to reason things out for myself and decide that I didnt believe the fairytales my parents did.
If others wish to believe that is totally their right.
just_wondering: What proof do you based on your above statement?
Kind of sounds like a blow hearted statement coming from some one full of opinions and than back tracks when he gets called on it and than wants to debate it.
You have a right to your choices they have a right to theirs.
Again I say who gives you the right to insult them?
Kind of sounds like a blow hearted statement coming from some one full of opinions and than back tracks when he gets called on it and than wants to debate it.
You have a right to your choices they have a right to theirs.
Again I say who gives you the right to insult them?
Please check again. I never said that they didn't have a right to their opinion or beliefs. In response to the topic of the thread "why do people feel the need to believe religion" I gave my opinion. If you cannot agree with my opinion then that is fine also. If you call me on my opinion, I expect you to discuss the opinion.
As for the proof you request, I think you only have to regard religion in ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, or Zoroastrianism (for example) and their own life cycles to appreciate that modern religion is in general repeating very similar cyclic behaviour although strengthened nowadays by broad globalization which allows for the local population belief system to change without destruction of the entire religion.
While each had absolutely devout believers in their own time, they ultimately became for the most part obsolete, regarded as fairytale, and people start to believe in something else. I am not saying it is bad .. just a natural cycle of human behavior that can be observed.
I think one of the most fantastical is Shenism. How anyone could consider this religion and not find it objectively to be even slightly fairytale is interesting.
tomcatwarne: religeon is the opium of the masses.
Still though it has worked out much better than the disastrous attempts at Marxism.
Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people
katt1017: Still though it has worked out much better than the disastrous attempts at Marxism.Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people
I think marxist obama followers are the ones on opium
Jihadmeathello: I think it is unwise to say it is just fear. I used to be a christian and remember when I became "born again". It was an incredibly powerful experience. I no longer felt alone, I had a path and guidelines of how to be a good and happy person. Most of what was taught was about love and understanding. Even if I read the red letters of the new testament, I still get that feeling.
The allure of religion is potent, and I think people should understand it before calling someone stupid for believing it. You are given all the answers to life so long as you can keep faith in those answers that are provided. Later, the fear portion of religion was introduced to me. That is when it started to unravel and I began asking the questions to where slowly it no longer made sense.
I later came to the realization that being good and morale can be done out of compassion for my fellow man and natural want to elevate my species. It makes more sense then to have that approach than to do it out of fear of punishment. For to me what matters is the actions of a person, how they practice their beliefs, not what those beliefs are.
So, I would be reluctant to merely pass religious people off as stupid. I may think they are wrong, but they feel a genuine sense of belonging and feel as if they are not alone. That is a very powerful feeling and will admit it is the one part of being a christian I miss. I just know too much stuff and have too many questions that will no longer allow me to have faith.
The allure of religion is potent, and I think people should understand it before calling someone stupid for believing it. You are given all the answers to life so long as you can keep faith in those answers that are provided. Later, the fear portion of religion was introduced to me. That is when it started to unravel and I began asking the questions to where slowly it no longer made sense.
I later came to the realization that being good and morale can be done out of compassion for my fellow man and natural want to elevate my species. It makes more sense then to have that approach than to do it out of fear of punishment. For to me what matters is the actions of a person, how they practice their beliefs, not what those beliefs are.
So, I would be reluctant to merely pass religious people off as stupid. I may think they are wrong, but they feel a genuine sense of belonging and feel as if they are not alone. That is a very powerful feeling and will admit it is the one part of being a christian I miss. I just know too much stuff and have too many questions that will no longer allow me to have faith.
I like what ur saying, but isn't it up to you to decide to have faith or not? Unanswered questions can sometimes be what faith is all about, in my way of thinking. I have always believed, tho I am not that " religious" that we aren't meant to understand everything, at least not on a time table of our own making. Sometimes things are revealed to us in ways unexpected. I believe this to be true in secular matters as well as in our understanding of God.
I am Christian but also believe that there are many paths to the top of the same mountain. Christianity is a religion of love and understanding (when we let it become so), as is Bhuddism which is another religion I find worthy. But the counsel of dalai lama is to remain with one's religion of origin. And admitted;y it is the one I understand best.
I think people beleive in religion OP because it brings them comfort. Also there are often traditions within cultures, tribes and families that bring a comfort od belonging as well as a spiritual comfort. Many often believe out of respect. As a Christian, out of respect for Jesus, or Bhudda. I cannot walk away from who these men were and what they taught. But that is me, OP. You must discover your own journey to God and walk the path you create for yourself, as we all must.
Christians believe that Jesus is our greatest teacher, bringing a doctrine of love and forgiveness new to the ancient world at that time. A doctrine that we do not work hard enough to implemnt, in my opinion. In human form Jesus was not perfect therefore God gave us someone like us to teach so we could understand. My brand of Christianity does not judge those who do not believe as that is not our "job," and Jesus has commanded us not to judge. Jesus was very clear with us. We are to implement love and forgiveness and let him take care of the rest. As in the Lilies of the Field, why worry about clothing. (This is an example). Look at how our Father clothes the lilies in the field in their splendor. They are just flowers how much more care would the Father take with his children who love him.
KarmaInitiative: Relgions are fairytales for those who are too weak to accept that we cannot ever possibly comprehend the meaning and essence of the existence of a single grain of sand on a mile wide beach let alone the existence of ourselves.
hello karma initiative. what an intereting name. In your comment, yes indeed, we are weak. It is in faith that we do realize though, that we cannot understand the meaning of everything. It is faith and good works, love and forgiveness that gives meaning to our existence, in my opinion
katt1017: You can't be serious.
were u offended kattrose? I was not, and what does it matter?
Wow - Belief in the higher power / religion / karma
It has not helped the starving, the blind, the poverty stricken, or the amputees...
Yet you will never change the "believers" faith
Such is the irrational state of the rational human being.
It has not helped the starving, the blind, the poverty stricken, or the amputees...
Yet you will never change the "believers" faith
Such is the irrational state of the rational human being.
felixis99: were u offended kattrose? I was not, and what does it matter?
I'm very offended. Rose views him as not worth the trouble and thinks I should take up learning to tie fishing flies instead of bothering with people like him.
GoodHeartforYou: Wow - Belief in the higher power / religion / karma
It has not helped the starving, the blind, the poverty stricken, or the amputees...
Yet you will never change the "believers" faith
Such is the irrational state of the rational human being.
It has not helped the starving, the blind, the poverty stricken, or the amputees...
Yet you will never change the "believers" faith
Such is the irrational state of the rational human being.
You are forgetting about the large number of faith based groups that see is as their duty to their God(s) to help those in need.
GoodHeartforYou: OK - very humanitarian these groups causes indeed
Yet - why would a benevolent G_d allow people to suffer? Isn't prayer supposed to rid people of their suffering?
I am sure you will find an answer, but not for me
Yet - why would a benevolent G_d allow people to suffer? Isn't prayer supposed to rid people of their suffering?
I am sure you will find an answer, but not for me
If you don't want an answer why ask?
The simple answer is this is not the final world to most belief systems. We are all striving towards something better.
You have kids, did you make everything perfect for them? Note: I said MAKE not try to make.
If you failed to make everything perfect for your children does that make you unfit as a father and human being?
There is a problem when people expect God to be like Santa Claus handing out the goodies and making everything happy and jolly and nice. It's just not going to happen.
You will not find any faiths that follow that line of thinking. Only bitter, angry nonbelievers.
just_wondering: KarmaInitiative: Relgions are fairytales for those who are too weak
You forgot weak - minded...most "believers" have lower IQ's...your know - the redneck, gun totting, NASCAR fans who swill beer and have more children than they can afford ....... just kidding really
GoodHeartforYou: Wow - Belief in the higher power / religion / karma
It has not helped the starving, the blind, the poverty stricken, or the amputees...
Yet you will never change the "believers" faith
Such is the irrational state of the rational human being.
It has not helped the starving, the blind, the poverty stricken, or the amputees...
Yet you will never change the "believers" faith
Such is the irrational state of the rational human being.
that would be correct cutie pie
GoodHeartforYou: You forgot weak - minded...most "believers" have lower IQ's...your know - the redneck, gun totting, NASCAR fans who swill beer and have more children than they can afford ....... just kidding really
IDK that u r kidding. But there are believers at all socioeconomic levels and levels of intelligence. I don't think that blindly following is a good idea either. The rules of church are often rules of men. It is wise to be a good consumer. Just as I would not blindly follow a car salesman's advice, I would also make my own interpretations regarding my beliefs and lifestyle.
People have large families for many reasons, not just religius ones. It is primarily an agrarian tradition, and to the extent that Catholics have eschewed birth control - I see this as confusion between the law of Christ and the law of man.
But large families, or coming from/having one teaches a set of values and priorities that u prolly wouldn't understand
This is why I believe in God as an American.
It says "Inalienable rights endowed us by our creator."
Okay....so if you take away God the Creator, then what happens to your rights?
I don't want a king or a dictator. I'll take my chances with God. He's far more generous.
It says "Inalienable rights endowed us by our creator."
Okay....so if you take away God the Creator, then what happens to your rights?
I don't want a king or a dictator. I'll take my chances with God. He's far more generous.
katt1017: I'm very offended. Rose views him as not worth the trouble and thinks I should take up learning to tie fishing flies instead of bothering with people like him.
yes, and I have confused your names, it appears. sorry about that. religious debates do seem to engender a certain hostility. curious that it comes so strongly from a nonbeliever. my questions are about the roots of his vehemence. perhaps he needs mostly, katt, to convince himself
of his non belief as the rest of us on here don't really careit is his issue to take ownership of - jmho
IMHO - Fear is inherent in every human being. Some learn to deal with it (or at least cope with it). Some never learn. Fear (of being alone, of not understanding that which is not meant to be understood, of having no "direction" in life) is what makes the allure of religion so powerful. Those who appear outwardly to fear absolutely nothing are the most fearful of all.
Religions divide. Even with the power to divide, religions give believers a certain amount of the feelings of belonging and understanding. Those feelings may be false or misleading or misunderstood, but to the believers, those feelings are very real. They help to mask the fear. We all wear masks. Free will, independent thought, and emotions (which only humans possess) make our masks necessary.
Religions divide. Even with the power to divide, religions give believers a certain amount of the feelings of belonging and understanding. Those feelings may be false or misleading or misunderstood, but to the believers, those feelings are very real. They help to mask the fear. We all wear masks. Free will, independent thought, and emotions (which only humans possess) make our masks necessary.
Religion is a BELIEF. People use it for comfort and reference. I am a Jerry Springerist: "Take Care of Yourselves, and Each Other" =)
katt1017: I suppose I'm suppose to be impressed and cowed by the above?
Let's have a peek at the post I responded to for some examples of rude behavior, shall we?
Let me put this in terms simple enough you might be able to grasp them:
If you throw rocks at someones house you should not be surprised when one or two of them come back at you.
Simple enough?
Now I realize that the stereotype Christian is supposed to "turn the other cheek" when a fake intellectual starts their bigoted little rants. Sorry, but I refuse to live by your script. You got what you gave. If you see that as unfair, welcome to the real world.
Feel free to try to spin what you've said already and put words in my mouth all you like. All anyone has to do is page back through the thread to see what was really said.
Go ahead make yourself look like a fool. Save me the work of doing it.
Let's have a peek at the post I responded to for some examples of rude behavior, shall we?
Let me put this in terms simple enough you might be able to grasp them:
If you throw rocks at someones house you should not be surprised when one or two of them come back at you.
Simple enough?
Now I realize that the stereotype Christian is supposed to "turn the other cheek" when a fake intellectual starts their bigoted little rants. Sorry, but I refuse to live by your script. You got what you gave. If you see that as unfair, welcome to the real world.
Feel free to try to spin what you've said already and put words in my mouth all you like. All anyone has to do is page back through the thread to see what was really said.
Go ahead make yourself look like a fool. Save me the work of doing it.
Well said.
felixis99: yes, and I have confused your names, it appears. sorry about that. religious debates do seem to engender a certain hostility. curious that it comes so strongly from a nonbeliever. my questions are about the roots of his vehemence. perhaps he needs mostly, katt, to convince himself of his non belief as the rest of us on here don't really care
it is his issue to take ownership of - jmho
it is his issue to take ownership of - jmho
Well I am afraid that angry people asked me to qualify my comment. I could sit quietly OR of course give an explanation as is normal when people ask you to do so in a discussion forum. What is missing here is any discussion from you people. I am simply wrong because you disagree?
The original comment was not intended to be offensive. If your faith can help you find strength and hope, then by definition before you found faith you must surely have been weaker. It is nothing to be ashamed of and therefore should not be offensive.
Indigo_Flow: So if everything needs a creator, then who created 'god?'
popped out of nothing?
popped out of nothing?
You inadvertently said it all!
A "god" is God when you cannot explain "The Beginning", when you cannot even explain "Nothing".
Everything may be explained eventually, but not God.
All the rest is just detail and man-made.
I don't believe but respect the right of other to believe so long as they don't push it on me.
Religion was never pushed onto us kids while growing up. My parents gave us the choice as to whether we wanted to go to church or not.
My first wife is a Catholic and there were certain things I did not like when we were preparing for our wedding which was in a Catholic church. Because I wasn't Catholic, I was treated like a black marrying a white. I had no choice in how my kids were raised as far as religion was concerned and she had to sign a paper stating our children would be raised in the Catholic faith.
The way I see it, religion was created to keep the masses in line and is not needed today
Religion was never pushed onto us kids while growing up. My parents gave us the choice as to whether we wanted to go to church or not.
My first wife is a Catholic and there were certain things I did not like when we were preparing for our wedding which was in a Catholic church. Because I wasn't Catholic, I was treated like a black marrying a white. I had no choice in how my kids were raised as far as religion was concerned and she had to sign a paper stating our children would be raised in the Catholic faith.
The way I see it, religion was created to keep the masses in line and is not needed today
Because they find it comforting
Some follow religion for the same reason they dont feel secure without having a mate to hang on to ...
They have to feel a part of something i guess ..
The rest of us just do it our way ....
They have to feel a part of something i guess ..
The rest of us just do it our way ....
Because our minds work the way they do, there is comfort in knowing how things work, or at least thinking we do. Self-Awareness leads us to comprehend that we were born and will, inevitably, die. Trying to get comfortable with that awareness isn't necessarily an easy thing and there are some that struggle with it throughout their entire lives. The way we combat this uneasiness is to develop belief systems that explain that which we fear and/or don't understand. And if facts and evidence aren't enough to draw solid conclusions, faith based belief systems are perfect to fill that gap.
That doesn't make the faith-based belief systems invalid or automatically "wrong", though. IT is possible to have faith in something that is true just like it's possible to have faith in something that's not. What's true and what's not is another issue entirely.
That doesn't make the faith-based belief systems invalid or automatically "wrong", though. IT is possible to have faith in something that is true just like it's possible to have faith in something that's not. What's true and what's not is another issue entirely.
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What proof do you based on your above statement?
Kind of sounds like a blow hearted statement coming from some one full of opinions and than back tracks when he gets called on it and than wants to debate it.
You have a right to your choices they have a right to theirs.
Again I say who gives you the right to insult them?