| Author |
 Topic  |
|
The Calistanian
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1342 Posts |
 Posted - 06/28/2004 : 12:55:25
|
quote:
Originally posted by floop
quote:
Originally posted by The Calistanian
Balance is the key. God is reasonable, so we should take notice of the unreasonable things, like burning in hell, or whatever, and be confident that God would not be behind such a ridiculous idea.
you'll burn in hell for that.
I just got burned.
1. I am a fsh with no i's.
2. You must be wearing Zubaz, 'cause you're daring to be different.
3. I am a man with 3 fingers...but that doesn't count my index finger nor my thumb. |
 |
|
|
The Calistanian
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1342 Posts |
Posted - 06/28/2004 : 13:06:33
|
quote:
Originally posted by Cheeseman1000
Calistanian, go look up the Christians v Atheists thread - you so do not want to get into this argument!
My end of the stick: if you're blaming religion for all this stuff and you don't believe any of them are correct, isn't the root cause just people anyway?
 "Ee-hee! Shamone!"
People wouldn't be as big a problem with the correct religious medium though. However, yeah, people are the root problem.
By the way, I'm too lazy to look up the Christians vs. Atheists thread, and I'm sure I was involved in it. Did you hit a grand slam for the Atheists or something?
1. I am a fsh with no i's.
2. You must be wearing Zubaz, 'cause you're daring to be different.
3. I am a man with 3 fingers...but that doesn't count my index finger nor my thumb. |
|
|
|
n/a
deleted
4894 Posts |
Posted - 06/28/2004 : 14:14:03
|
I don't like all the rules religions apply to them, to get eternal happiness you must do this this and this or suffer eternal torment forever in burny fiery nothingy grr-ness
What if you picked the wrong one? hmm?
|
|
|
|
fudd
= Cult of Ray =
664 Posts |
Posted - 06/28/2004 : 14:28:41
|
quote:
Originally posted by The Calistanian
Did you hit a grand slam for the Atheists or something?
Curious about what would constitute a grand slam. I posted a lengthy rant in this thread and noone stepped up to argue with it. Does this mean I win? Or that it was considered so stupid it wasn't worth bothering?
|
|
|
|
The Calistanian
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1342 Posts |
Posted - 06/28/2004 : 14:36:21
|
quote:
Originally posted by fudd
quote:
Originally posted by The Calistanian
Did you hit a grand slam for the Atheists or something?
Curious about what would constitute a grand slam. I posted a lengthy rant in this thread and noone stepped up to argue with it. Does this mean I win? Or that it was considered so stupid it wasn't worth bothering?
Sorry, I suppose some might not know what a grand slam is. In American baseball, a grand slam is scoring the maximum amount of points in one hit, or otherwise known as a bases loaded home run. So, what I meant by "grand slam" was a winning argument.
1. I am a fsh with no i's.
2. You must be wearing Zubaz, 'cause you're daring to be different.
3. I am a man with 3 fingers...but that doesn't count my index finger nor my thumb. |
|
|
|
fudd
= Cult of Ray =
664 Posts |
Posted - 06/28/2004 : 15:41:55
|
Being American, I know what a grand slam is even though I wish I didn't. (The only thing worse than football (soccer) is baseball. And maybe American football.) My question was what would constitute a winning argument, and what would constitute a complete loser (striking out for those who are up on the terminology), and where did mine fall on this scale given the (non)response.
|
|
|
|
The Calistanian
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1342 Posts |
Posted - 06/29/2004 : 08:33:39
|
I'm not sure...'cause I don't remember the thread. That's why I originally asked the question.
1. I am a fsh with no i's.
2. You must be wearing Zubaz, 'cause you're daring to be different.
3. I am a man with 3 fingers...but that doesn't count my index finger nor my thumb. |
|
|
|
fudd
= Cult of Ray =
664 Posts |
Posted - 06/29/2004 : 08:56:56
|
| I meant in this thread. |
|
|
|
SpudBoy
= Cult of Ray =
Equatorial Guinea
649 Posts |
Posted - 06/29/2004 : 09:05:52
|
I am becoming progressively athreadistic. No one has provided adequate proof to me that this thread exists, nor that posting to it (or not) affects my chances of a blissful/painful after-forum existence.
*festoon* |
|
|
|
Dave Noisy
Minister of Chaos
Canada
4496 Posts |
Posted - 06/29/2004 : 09:23:29
|
Jose Jones - the fact that god would demand this insanity in the first place is not encouraging.
Of course i know how Jesus supposedly 'negates' the OT..and now somehow god is all love and peace.
It's an about-face that is difficult for me to accept, and the arguments i've heard haven't changed this. Basically, it'd be like Hitler suddenly loving and accepting everyone after years of ruthless prosecution. (I know, Hitler is a human, god isn't. Blah blah.)
No matter how you look at it, the Xian god is a psychopath. Even with how he'd treat his 'only begotten son'. If he is the 'model citizen of the universe', we're all up shit creek in a canoe made of frozen piss.
 Join the Cult of the Flying Pigxies - I'm A Believer! |
|
|
|
The Calistanian
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1342 Posts |
Posted - 06/29/2004 : 09:42:51
|
quote:
Originally posted by fudd
I meant in this thread.
Sorry
1. I am a fsh with no i's.
2. You must be wearing Zubaz, 'cause you're daring to be different.
3. I am a man with 3 fingers...but that doesn't count my index finger nor my thumb. |
|
|
|
The Calistanian
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1342 Posts |
Posted - 06/29/2004 : 09:47:32
|
If someone were to be a Christian in the purest sense, following everything to a "T", they could be faulted with absolutely nothing. The problem is, not many people try to do that. Sure, people claim to try, but don't honestly try...or they merely confess the sins they've done, thinking that's enough, and then go right back to doing them.
Yeah, "Love your neighbor as yourself"...that's ridiculous...who would ever want to follow that.
"Do onto others as you would want them to do to you"...man, that Jesus was a psycho.
1. I am a fsh with no i's.
2. You must be wearing Zubaz, 'cause you're daring to be different.
3. I am a man with 3 fingers...but that doesn't count my index finger nor my thumb. |
|
|
|
n/a
deleted
4894 Posts |
Posted - 06/29/2004 : 10:40:41
|
jesus was on drugs.. he was tripping and loving everyone
|
|
|
|
fudd
= Cult of Ray =
664 Posts |
Posted - 06/29/2004 : 11:06:31
|
quote:
Originally posted by The Calistanian
Yeah, "Love your neighbor as yourself"...that's ridiculous...who would ever want to follow that.
"Do onto others as you would want them to do to you"...man, that Jesus was a psycho.
I believe in these. Why don't people call me the son of god? (But don't nail me up on a stick!) I mean sure, he was a good guy, but for Christ's sake should he be deified for it?
|
|
|
|
Jose Jones
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1758 Posts |
Posted - 06/29/2004 : 11:11:51
|
quote:
Originally posted by Dave Noisy
Jose Jones - the fact that god would demand this insanity in the first place is not encouraging.
Of course i know how Jesus supposedly 'negates' the OT..and now somehow god is all love and peace.
It's an about-face that is difficult for me to accept, and the arguments i've heard haven't changed this. Basically, it'd be like Hitler suddenly loving and accepting everyone after years of ruthless prosecution. (I know, Hitler is a human, god isn't. Blah blah.)
No matter how you look at it, the Xian god is a psychopath. Even with how he'd treat his 'only begotten son'. If he is the 'model citizen of the universe', we're all up shit creek in a canoe made of frozen piss.
Join the Cult of the Flying Pigxies - I'm A Believer!
honestly, dave, when it comes to the old testament and God's role as, basically, "His chosen people's" war general, i don't really get it. only recently have i started to think "what the hell was all that for?" that's kind of the quest i'm on currently.
as for the NT, and God saying to Jesus "you have to die," that was so that "you and i wouldn't have to." Jesus was the ultimate sacrificial lamb.
understand that i just don't know. i've accepted Christianity the whole of my twenty years, and i certainly have questions and not a whole lot of answers. i am definitely convinced that God exists, and i choose to believe in the bible until something else comes along and convinces me otherwise, just like a lot of you guys who rest on atheism for the time being. right now, i have a hard time saying to myself that i know anything. i'm working on it, though. |
|
|
|
playero
- FB Fan -
USA
2 Posts |
Posted - 06/29/2004 : 11:12:39
|
I recommend Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis for anyone who would like to hear a simply-put and totally logical explanation of Christianity.
I don't consider myself a fanatic. Who does? Yet I still am not convinced by science, evolution, etc. I frequently question my beliefs, and I think it's healthy. A couple weeks ago I was pondering things like the beginning of the world and the age of the earth. I checked the internet to make sure again that I'm not following something ridiculous.
I found an interesting site that doesn't just say "it's not our place to question"
http://www.drdino.com/QandA/index.jsp (Main Q&A page)
But if you don't want to hear it from a Creationist they have a page of quotations from scientists: http://www.drdino.com/QandA/index.jsp?varFolder=CreationEvolution&varPage=WhatDoScientistsThinkaboutEvolution.jsp
Having considered lots of information that I've read (I'm not just spouting things that my preacher tells me), I can't see how anyone can be any more sure about evolution than creation.
Yo soy playero, pero no hay playa! |
|
|
|
The Calistanian
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1342 Posts |
Posted - 06/29/2004 : 11:30:48
|
quote:
Originally posted by fudd
quote:
Originally posted by The Calistanian
Yeah, "Love your neighbor as yourself"...that's ridiculous...who would ever want to follow that.
"Do onto others as you would want them to do to you"...man, that Jesus was a psycho.
I believe in these. Why don't people call me the son of god? (But don't nail me up on a stick!) I mean sure, he was a good guy, but for Christ's sake should he be deified for it?
Well, Jesus was a perfect human being. He was sent by God to prove that a perfect human could stay loyal to God, the department where Adam failed. By means of his loyalty, he is able to be a savior to the entire human race, redeemed from sin.
The teachings about "loving neighbor" and "doing onto others..." are the utmost simplest of his/God's teachings.
So, no, people shouldn't call you the "son of God".
1. I am a fsh with no i's.
2. You must be wearing Zubaz, 'cause you're daring to be different.
3. I am a man with 3 fingers...but that doesn't count my index finger nor my thumb. |
|
|
|
darwin
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
USA
5454 Posts |
Posted - 06/29/2004 : 11:50:49
|
quote:
Originally posted by playero
But if you don't want to hear it from a Creationist they have a page of quotations from scientists: http://www.drdino.com/QandA/index.jsp?varFolder=CreationEvolution&varPage=WhatDoScientistsThinkaboutEvolution.jsp
Those quotes are so without context I don't know how you've learned anything from them. The only scientists that I know in that bunch was Fuytuma and Gould and they are (or were since Gould is now dead) both strong proponents of evolution by natural selection. There is internal debate within the groups that study evolution about the relative importance of natural selection versus other forces like genetic drift (with Gould thinking natural selection isn't always strong), but they still believe evolution has and will continue to occrur.
The other people seem to be biochemists or unidentified. Just because they have been quoted or have published something doesn't mean they're scientists and if they are it doesn't mean they know anything about the subject. I'm a scientist (PhD, publications and all of that) but you would be in bad shape if put much faith in what I said about astronomy, chemistry, or all of the subjects that I don't study.
It's somewhat laughable that Thomas Huxley's (Darwin's pitbull, a contemporary and staunch supporter of Darwin) words can be twisted to seem to show him supporting Creationism. |
|
|
|
fudd
= Cult of Ray =
664 Posts |
Posted - 06/29/2004 : 13:56:47
|
quote:
Originally posted by Jose Jones
Jesus was the ultimate sacrificial lamb.
Ah, yes, human sacrifice on my behalf because I am dirty and must be cleansed. No fucking thanks!
|
|
|
|
fudd
= Cult of Ray =
664 Posts |
Posted - 06/29/2004 : 13:59:07
|
| I am the son of god. |
|
|
|
The Calistanian
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1342 Posts |
Posted - 06/29/2004 : 14:06:08
|
Wow, we hear everything first at FB.net.
1. I am a fsh with no i's.
2. You must be wearing Zubaz, 'cause you're daring to be different.
3. I am a man with 3 fingers...but that doesn't count my index finger nor my thumb. |
|
|
|
bedrock_barney
= Cult of Ray =
United Kingdom
871 Posts |
Posted - 06/29/2004 : 14:08:30
|
quote:
Originally posted by darwin
quote:
Originally posted by playero
But if you don't want to hear it from a Creationist they have a page of quotations from scientists: http://www.drdino.com/QandA/index.jsp?varFolder=CreationEvolution&varPage=WhatDoScientistsThinkaboutEvolution.jsp
Those quotes are so without context I don't know how you've learned anything from them. The only scientists that I know in that bunch was Fuytuma and Gould and they are (or were since Gould is now dead) both strong proponents of evolution by natural selection. There is internal debate within the groups that study evolution about the relative importance of natural selection versus other forces like genetic drift (with Gould thinking natural selection isn't always strong), but they still believe evolution has and will continue to occrur.
The other people seem to be biochemists or unidentified. Just because they have been quoted or have published something doesn't mean they're scientists and if they are it doesn't mean they know anything about the subject. I'm a scientist (PhD, publications and all of that) but you would be in bad shape if put much faith in what I said about astronomy, chemistry, or all of the subjects that I don't study.
It's somewhat laughable that Thomas Huxley's (Darwin's pitbull, a contemporary and staunch supporter of Darwin) words can be twisted to seem to show him supporting Creationism.
Hmmmm...I see 'Dr' Kent Hovind's name is plastered all over the Dr Dino website. As far as I can make out the guy is a total fruitcake. The Talk Origin website is a great place to get evolution v creation viewpoints. I love reading the letters page there. Lots of people writing in with 'you're going to burn in hell' and 'I'll pray for you' etc etc. Usually accompanied by atrocious spelling.
Take a look:
http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/faq-age-of-earth.html
 "I've rejoined the Cult of Ming / Star of favourite childhood movie of 1980" |
|
|
|
n/a
deleted
4894 Posts |
Posted - 06/29/2004 : 14:12:13
|
Fundamentalist Christianity - fascinating. These people actually believe that the bi.., er, the world is 12 thousand years old. Swear to God.
What the..? Based on what? I asked them.
"Well we looked at all the people in the Bible and we added 'em up all the way back to Adam and Eve, their ages - 12 thousand years."
Well how fucking scientific, okay.
I didn't know that you'd gone to so much trouble. That's good.
You believe the world's 12 thousand years old?
"That's right."
Okay I got one word to ask you, a one word question, ready?
"uh huh."
Dinosaurs.
You know the world's 12 thousand years old and dinosaurs existed, they existed in that time, you'd think it would have been mentioned in the fucking Bible at some point.
"And lo Jesus and the disciples walked to Nazareth. But the trail was blocked by a giant brontosaurus... with a splinter in his paw. And O the disciples did run a shriekin': 'What a big fucking lizard, Lord!'
But Jesus was unafraid and he took the splinter from the brontosaurus's paw and the big lizard became his friend.
And Jesus sent him to Scotland where he lived in a loch for O so many years inviting thousands of American tourists to bring their fat fucking families and their fat dollar bills.
Get this, I actually asked one of these guys, OK, Dinosaurs fossils - how does that fit into you scheme of life? Let me sit down and strap in.
He said, "Dinosaur fossils? God put those there to test our faith."
Thank God I'm strapped in right now here man.
I think God put you here to test my faith, Dude.
You believe that?
"uh huh."
Does that trouble anyone here? The idea that God.. might be.. fuckin' with our heads? I have trouble sleeping with that knowledge. Some prankster God running around:
"Hu hu ho. We will see who believes in me now, ha ha."
[mimes God burying fossils]
"I am God, I am a prankster."
"I am killing Me."
You know, You die and go to St. Peter...
"Did you believe in dinosaurs?"
"Well, yeah. There was fossils everywhere"
Thuh [trapdoor opens]
"Aaaaaaarhhh!"
"You fuckin idiot."
"Flying lizards, you're a moron. God was fuckin' with you!"
"It seemed so plausible, ahhhh!"
"Enjoy the lake of fire, fucker!"
Such a weird belief. Lot of Christians wear crosses around their necks. You think when Jesus comes back he's gonna want to see a fucking cross, man?
May be why he hasn't shown up yet.
"Man, they're still wearing crosses. Fuck it, I'm not goin, dad. No, they totally missed the point. When they start wearing fishes I might show up again, but... Let me bury fossil heads with you Dad, Fuck em - Let's Fuck with them! They're fuckin with me now, lets get em. Give me that brontosaurus head, Dad."
|
|
|
|
The Calistanian
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1342 Posts |
Posted - 06/29/2004 : 14:16:33
|
quote:
Originally posted by Tre
Such a weird belief. Lot of Christians wear crosses around their necks. You think when Jesus comes back he's gonna want to see a fucking cross, man?
Hehe...like wearing a murderers weapon around your neck in honor of the victim.
1. I am a fsh with no i's.
2. You must be wearing Zubaz, 'cause you're daring to be different.
3. I am a man with 3 fingers...but that doesn't count my index finger nor my thumb. |
|
|
|
n/a
deleted
4894 Posts |
Posted - 06/29/2004 : 14:23:12
|
in fact Sir Bill of Hicks goes on to say...
You know, kinda like going up to Jackie Onassis with a rifle pendant on, you know.
"Thinkin' of John, Jackie. We love him. Just tryin to keep that memory alive, baby."
[mimes sniper, mimes being shot in the head]
|
|
|
|
The Calistanian
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1342 Posts |
Posted - 06/29/2004 : 14:29:26
|
This is the type of mire most of religion, including Christianity/Christendom is wallowing in. There is no reasonableness.
My first post in this thread was saying I understand why people are atheists, even though I myself am a Christian. If I grew up not being taught anything regarding Christianity, or being taught the junk being passed off as Christianity, such as the examples Tre mentioned...I would be an atheist too. Most religions don't offer satisfying answers to the most important questions in life.
1. I am a fsh with no i's.
2. You must be wearing Zubaz, 'cause you're daring to be different.
3. I am a man with 3 fingers...but that doesn't count my index finger nor my thumb. |
|
|
|
fudd
= Cult of Ray =
664 Posts |
Posted - 06/29/2004 : 16:43:06
|
I have been pretty flippant, but I am seriously interested in how a moderate Christian would respond to the argument that the existence of a creator raises a bigger question than it answers. Also, the whole bit about needing to beg for my salvation (via human sacrifice, no less) because of my inherent flaws can be viewed as, well, downright degrading and offensive. How can you maintain self-esteem while subscribing to this?
|
|
|
|
BPrend
- FB Fan -
92 Posts |
Posted - 06/29/2004 : 16:51:25
|
quote:
Originally posted by Tre
Dinosaurs.
You know the world's 12 thousand years old and dinosaurs existed, they existed in that time, you'd think it would have been mentioned in the fucking Bible at some point.
Job 40 and 41 and a few other chapters mention creatures called behemoth and leviathan which are both, by the descriptions of them in the Bible, believed to be dinosaurs. |
|
|
|
playero
- FB Fan -
USA
2 Posts |
Posted - 06/29/2004 : 18:43:49
|
quote:
I have been pretty flippant, but I am seriously interested in how a moderate Christian would respond to the argument that the existence of a creator raises a bigger question than it answers. Also, the whole bit about needing to beg for my salvation (via human sacrifice, no less) because of my inherent flaws can be viewed as, well, downright degrading and offensive. How can you maintain self-esteem while subscribing to this?
I think you have it backwards. Even though I have chosen to separate myself from God, he still makes efforts to win me back. That's the message of the story of Israel. That's the message of the crucifixion. It's the message of the entire Bible. The idea of Christianity is that there is a God, and he did everything he possibly could to save us from ourselves without actually forcing anything upon us, and for what? A lesser being who has nothing to offer to an omnipotent, eternal being?
So, I think it's very healthy for my self-esteem.
Yo soy playero, pero no hay playa! |
|
|
|
fudd
= Cult of Ray =
664 Posts |
Posted - 06/29/2004 : 18:48:40
|
quote:
Originally posted by playero
[referring to yourself] A lesser being
...
So, I think it's very healthy for my self-esteem.
Er, ahem, cough cough...
|
|
|
|
Jose Jones
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1758 Posts |
Posted - 06/29/2004 : 20:26:41
|
fudd,
in the same way that you find it pointless and even unhealthy to feel like a "lesser being," Christians find it ultimately pointless to be one's own god.
in my opinion, as far as enjoying life goes, "eat drink and be merry for tomorrow you die" would be the best religion, but it is bested by Christianity. call me crazy (i set myself up for this one...)
-dan |
|
|
|
fudd
= Cult of Ray =
664 Posts |
Posted - 06/29/2004 : 21:03:58
|
quote:
Originally posted by Jose Jones
Christians find it ultimately pointless to be one's own god.
I don't know what to say.
1. This is babble. Say something that means something.
2. Who said I and atheists in general are their own gods?
3. Why is any god needed?
Again I am not meaning to be flippant. But when Christians are faced with hard questions, they seem to give evasive answers and steer away from the point. Being told that I am dirty and have to be cleaned by the only being clean enough to do it, and that I am inferior and should give myself up to his greatness, is really demeaning. On your end, why is there a need to feel like you are part of something greater than yourself? What is the point of that? Stand up on your own two feet, for Christ's sake. Anything else is crazy.
|
|
|
|
Jose Jones
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1758 Posts |
Posted - 06/29/2004 : 22:06:04
|
when i say "one's own god" i mean to ask, who are you serving? if it's yourself, then you follow the humanistic world view. if it's the God described in the bible, then you follow the christian world view.
i'm not attacking you. i could type out why i disagree with your point of view, but that would be a very long response, and i know you'd read the first two sentences, skip the rest, then say i'm babbling and crazy. if you really want to consider others' points of view, then read "mere christianity" by C.S. Lewis, as recommended earlier. But i have a feeling you don't actually care about understanding the Christian point of view. also, the Bible would be a good place to start if you want some actual backing to your claims.
sorry if i sound defensive or antagonistic. i just don't see this going anywhere productive.
-dan
|
|
|
|
Dave Noisy
Minister of Chaos
Canada
4496 Posts |
Posted - 06/29/2004 : 22:09:06
|
Fudd - it isn't demeaning if you're humble..haha
Tre - hilarious.
Jose:
<< honestly, dave, when it comes to the old testament and God's role as, basically, "His chosen people's" war general, i don't really get it. only recently have i started to think "what the hell was all that for?" that's kind of the quest i'm on currently.>>
Aye, the OT is pretty hideous.
<< as for the NT, and God saying to Jesus "you have to die," that was so that "you and i wouldn't have to." Jesus was the ultimate sacrificial lamb. >>
Why tho? This seems very much an OT god, not a NT god.
<< understand that i just don't know. i've accepted Christianity the whole of my twenty years, and i certainly have questions and not a whole lot of answers.>>
Then perhaps you're looking in the wrong place for answers, or you're asking the wrong questions..
<< i am definitely convinced that God exists, and i choose to believe in the bible until something else comes along and convinces me otherwise, just like a lot of you guys who rest on atheism for the time being. right now, i have a hard time saying to myself that i know anything. i'm working on it, though.>>
But why bother with the Bible? It seems to make so much more sense that if you want to believe in a god, then believe what you feel, not these literal horror stories...doesn't it?
Yeah, there are some nice and useful passages. Sure, [supposedly] Jesus said some smart things. Hell, i've said some smart thing. That don't make me no god tho.
It just doesn't make sense to me that people are so desperate for an answer, they'll believe this crap.
Join the Cult of the Flying Pigxies - I'm A Believer! |
|
|
|
n/a
deleted
4894 Posts |
Posted - 06/30/2004 : 03:46:59
|
Because I have the label scientist, religion and faith don't really have much of a place in my world, but before I studied I'd already decided that I was a non believer.
I was bought up as a catholic and from a very early age it didn't ring true, Even at an early age I had no faith. When I left my catholic school I went to a school that was very multicultural, no longer just celebraing easter christmas etc but learning and celebrating other faiths religious festivals as well, eid, diwhali, and so on...
This was great! We learned about Ramha and Sita and cheeky hannuman (sp?) We learned about the pillars of Islam, the beliefs of Sikhs, Jewish tradition and hinduism
As I got older, I chose to continue studying religion, I didn't want to be one of those people who stood up and said I don't believe just because my designated religious following didn't explain everything to me in a believable manner. I looked at christianity to start with, and my ford is that one fucked up religion as a whole! We studied the great divide of the religion and the way it branched off into hundreds of little denomnations. How can a religion with one label have so many contrasting beliefs within itself. A prime example of this going wrong is the catholic/protestant divide. Baptists, C of E, Anglicans, Salvation Army, quakers, pentecostals, fundamentalists... allegedly all singing from the same original hymn sheet. Where did all that go wrong huh? Like each goup picked the bits they liked and made their own religion. Changing the bible to say what they thought god meant to say... hmmmmmmmmyeah right
Alot of these divides are more political than religious as well, C of E henry the eight blah blah blah...But this is forgotten and inter-denomonational rows seem to be carried out with such zealotism. So Christianity left me cold... what next....
Islam, is a beautifull religion in many respects also. But it's bad press and reputation hae done it harm. We read translated scripts from the Koran and the teaching of it's prophets namely mohammed are again wonderfull. Jesus is believed a prophet in the muslim faith also. We studied the pilgramage to mecca and the reasons behind it, the teachings of the faith and the wonderfull message of the prophets, but again I didn't feel like there was anything here to make me a believer. Religions with rules so specific.. is this what a God would want?
And with recent world events I also think (and this is just my opinion) that the words of islam have been taken out of context, the so called jihad the press are putting great emphasis on, whats happening now is no jihad. Again politics interfering with religion and making a christ almighty mess. The harping on about the so called abuse of women, which i'm not saying does not occur, i just think that what the western press count as abuse is not the same as what most muslim ladies would. And don't harp on at me about brainwashing now, whats wrong with a muslim woman wanting to be modest and cover her self. We are allowed to wear what we like and all too often you see young girls barely touching puberty dressing more and more like adult whores. I mean that too, look around at the children with their provocative dress and the attitude that it's ok! Is it any wonder that teenage pregnancy is not uncommon? Is it surprising that the prevelance of STD's is on the increase? Is it any wonder that paedophile cases are on the up and up? just saying...
And yes Jesus and the prophets of this other religion. I have never denied the existence of these guys and their achings make wondefull reading BUT I do not believe in the messenger from GOD aspect of it all. Is it not at all possible these were just great and wise men who spoke good words and did good deeds. All great speakers acquire followers but this does not make them gods or messengers of...
Ok more religious stuff... was wandering through Birmingham one saturday many many moons ago and a Hari Krishna thrust into my hand the Baghvad Gita, I later bought more books from this guy it was all very interesting. They're nice chaps, happy to chat to you as they are to sell you incense, they invited me to come to a big krishna meeting and eat rice and sing and dance... which sounded great. I didn't go hough, struck me as being a bit more culty than I liked
And Finlly... my temptations.... Buddhism and taoism, I think if anything would have drawn me in it would have been these. I love it. The road to true happiness is inner peace! So simple so true!!! And Toaism.. just wonderfull, could type for hours but I'm not going to. I reccomend for a gentle ease into it reading the tao of pooh and maybe the te of piglet. Basically, taoism is going with the flow.. if you don't fuck with the world it won't fuck wih you.....
The main problem I had with that is that sometimes the world really does need to be fucked with.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
You wait, and if nothing happens, you wait some more. It's like a bug high on the wall. You wait for it to come to you. When it gets close enough you reach out, slap out and kill it. Or if you like it's looks, you make a pet out of it."
- Charles Bukowski
|
|
|
|
Topic |
|
|
|
Religion is Scary
