Religious question?

[Tybalt]

Don't disagree, by "control" I didn't mean it was all negative. I think the values and morales can be a good thing, if they are the right ones of course. But still all made up to control people. To a certain extent that is required as without some common values and morales the world would be a more dangerous place. Maybe it's time to drop the "God" bit and just agree as a human race what common values we want to live by.

 

[Gullflyinghigh]

But you're in a thread regarding a religious question which I would think only religious people could answer...

Its not about looking good or bad, its about wasting time talking about something you don't even believe in [emoji38]

Why would only religious people have an interest in the thread though? Not being religious doesn't mean you don't have experience/knowledge of it.

If we all only spent time talking about things we believe in/think are correct, without listening to other views then where is the room for development, we'd all just stagnate in out little worlds, sneering at others from afar, convinced that ours is the 'only way'.

I personally don't belive in any god, but I have friends who do and talking to them about their faith has helped me to understand how it impacts them (positively and negatively) and why it's so important to them. Conversely, through talking to me they've got an appreciation of the way I view things.

Neither 'side' looks down, or belittles, the other. Hopefully others do the same!

Edit; As for wasting time talking about things we don't believe in, I'm willing to bet that many people on NSC like to discuss the meaning/ramifications of FFP without ever actually believing there will be any!

 

[Whitterz]

The human brain is not yet complex enough to work out the origin of the existence of the universe. Science is coming on leaps and bounds, but the real answers as to how the universe came about, will probably not become clear even in our lifetimes. Evolution has been proved beyond doubt. The facts are there for all to see. Many religious leaders have even acknowledged evolution as the journey to our current state. That said, that still does not quite affirm, as to whether there is a god or not. A person with a scientificly minded brain will piece together their own views based on facts and evidence. It must be said, that the evidence against a creator up in the clouds Is mounting up.
Religion however as has been said, serves a purpose. There are many good things that come out of religion (and bad), and people should be allowed to align their beliefs to what they wish.

 

[Tubby-McFat-Fuc]

People who claim they are certain that God doesn't exist are either lying or ignorant.

And people who claim they are certain that a God does exist (which you would have to be to put the **** in front of your children) are either mentally ill, or basically a complete ****. I put religion down to varying degrees of mental illness.

 

[OzMike]

Playing devil's advocate here for one second: what about people whose offspring, for no obvious parental reason, turn out to be murderers, rapists and so on?

The right thing to do for their welfare in this instance would be to inform the authorities, so that they can be helped by qualified specialists and no longer be a threat to society.

 

[OzMike]

People who claim they are certain that God doesn't exist are either lying or ignorant.

What about the people who don't care if God exists or not?
I personally put it all down to the start of consumption of red meat, back in prehistoric days, as I have expressed before.
If we had stayed veggies, none of this sort of thing would be happening.

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

Why would only religious people have an interest in the thread though? Not being religious doesn't mean you don't have experience/knowledge of it.

What knowledge or experience can someone who doesn't believe in something havew on religious belief?

If we all only spent time talking about things we believe in/think are correct, without listening to other views then where is the room for development, we'd all just stagnate in out little worlds, sneering at others from afar, convinced that ours is the 'only way'.

The thing about a belief is that nothing you say can change someones belief. Because a belief is not a tangible thing. It is a feeling, a sense, not something you can deconstruct by applying a personal "logic" to it.

Once this thread is done and dusted go back over and count the religious people vs the atheists and see who ends up being the larger in numbers come thread end.

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

What about the people who don't care if God exists or not?
I personally put it all down to the start of consumption of red meat, back in prehistoric days, as I have expressed before.
If we had stayed veggies, none of this sort of thing would be happening.

If we had stayed veggies we'd still be peabrained cavemen.

 

[DavidinSouthampton]

What knowledge or experience can someone who doesn't believe in something havew on religious belief?





The thing about a belief is that nothing you say can change someones belief. Because a belief is not a tangible thing. It is a feeling, a sense, not something you can deconstruct by applying a personal "logic" to it.

Once this thread is done and dusted go back over and count the religious people vs the atheists and see who ends up being the larger in numbers come thread end.

But of course people can change their beliefs. People have been known to lose their faith, or to gain a faith. They probably have to go through some thought processes to do it, and those are likely to be influenced by things they hear or conversations they have, even if those conversations are in the dim and distant past.

 

[Nibble]

Religion may be man-made, but that isn't to say it isn't useful or a good thing for humanity. Without it, we certainly wouldn't have made it as far as we have today.

Almost all religions promote peace, love, charity, equality, mindfulness and so on. These are extremely important and positive things.

The only problem I can find with religion is that they are so often intolerant of other religions, they usually claim that they are the right religion and all others are wrong - this causes obvious and often severe problems and always has.

I am very much supportive of religion, I believe spirituality is extremely important for all people, I find atheism rather tragic. I hope that the future of religion is one that they accept that they all believe in fundamentally the same thing, but interpret it in different ways - and they learn to get along flawlessly, with mutual love and respect for one another.

I believe we would have got a long a lot better and gone a LOT further without religion.

 

[Nibble]

What knowledge or experience can someone who doesn't believe in something havew on religious belief?.

Probably one of the dumbest things ever to have been typed onto this message board and that's going some on a board that plays host to Bushy.

 

[Nibble]

We may know that space is incredibly vast, but yet we know so little about other dimensions, life after death, or even or our own minds.

Perhaps our consciousness does not end when our bodies die - perhaps it does go to another realm akin to "heaven" instead. Who knows, I certainly don't - but I don't claim to.

The same applies to belief in God - it's impossible to know whether it exists in any of its many interpretations or not. Such things are currently impossible for us to know, and perhaps they always will be.

Whether you choose to believe in God, life after death, or neither - these things require faith. You're only definitely correct if you can concede that you just don't know the answers.

Such an old, unoriginal and wrong argument. Of course you can know God doesn't exist. I know he doesn't exist. Sure, he MAY do but he DOESN'T. Just as my goldfish MAY dress in a cape and fightt crime when I'm asleep. He MAY do , but he DOESNT.

God doesn't exist. Get over it.

 

[Doc Lynam]

Why?
You're brain washed from birth to know that you'll be in a better place when dead and your kids and family come 2nd to a load of made up bullshit that doesn't exist

This is what's wrong with many religions as you should be taught that your offspring is no 1 and God is guidance only.

I grew up going to church and as a kid i can honestly say i didn't believe a word of it; i do understand how some people find a link to it especially if they're looking. Myself i just knew i was missing out on Baywatch on a Sat evening (mass was shorter no songs) and for that i don't forgive!

 

[OzMike]

If we had stayed veggies we'd still be peabrained cavemen.

But blissfully happy, going about our business.
You don't see cows ganging up on each other, they share the whole field, whatever colour they are.

 

[OzMike]

The devout believer, believes devoutly,the same goes for the devout disbeliever.
The ones who don't care, just don't care and see it all as a source of amusement and great sadness.
Here's to the herbivores.

 

[BadFish]

But blissfully happy, going about our business.
You don't see cows ganging up on each other, they share the whole field, whatever colour they are.

You have never read clancy the courageous cow then........... Don't worry it all turns out well in the end.

 

[Nibble]

I don't know why theists seem to believe Athiests are some fervent bunch of pitchforkers out to destroy faith. The majority are far from it. I think it give theists a perceived moral high ground from which to pontificate and bolster their belief that they have all the answers. The only time, and it's not very often, that I get on the atheist soapbox is when something that should be secular is at risk. Faith schools for example. Should not exist. Most of the attendees are children of upper middle classers pretending to be religious to get in.
Of course children should be taught about faith, it is part of the world. They should be taught ABOUT faith not indoctrinated into one.

 

[BadFish]

Religions are most certainly wrong and their stories have been disproved by science. However I don't think that science has disproved the existence of a god.

My suspicion is that if there is a god then he is probably an alien far far more developed then us.

Anyway can't see this debate being settled in my lifetime so on we go.

 

[Mattywerewolf]

It must be said, that the evidence against a creator up in the clouds Is mounting up.

Absolute rubbish...which evidence are you referring to? many religious people believe in evolution as well ...

 

[piersa]

Playing devil's advocate here for one second: what about people whose offspring, for no obvious parental reason, turn out to be murderers, rapists and so on?

They say sorry, all is forgiven and they go to heaven.