Are you religious ?

[Reise]

My take on this with help from LegoRobot:

[Nuklear]

lol, SF evolution ftw

[DaZzY]

I believe in God.

JESUS OWNS!

[Lum_Lum]

Ditto, I believe in God as well. I'm not one of those Christians, that try and force my beliefs on others. I do believe that everyone has their choices on and their perception of "truth." Anyways, I won't post WHY I believe, becuz everytime I do, I know it will come with a fight from others. I'm here to simply state, and this is not the place to argue. - Peace.

PS: Lol at the SF transformation. (^__^)

[YangKang]

My take on this with help from LegoRobot:

Image made of pure win

Holy shit I didnt laugh so hard for days thx

[Da_Realest]

Agnostic

[/Pi]

Haruhist FTW!

Agnostic Atheist. So that's a no.

[Mousetrap]

oh and you religious people who threaten me that I will burn in hell if I don't go to church...I really don't care because heaven/hell exists for only those who are religious.

That's kind of like saying, for ex, NY isn't a real place to a religious person, is it not?
Say it is real... the people without religion in their will still go to one place or the other, not a very good analogy but I couldn't think of anything else.. hope you understood it.

[l05tfr33k7]

I know that I will open a door for a senior citizen, I don't think someone needs religion to know that.

It's to remind those who don't "open a door for a senior citizen".

[Nuklear]

oh and you religious people who threaten me that I will burn in hell if I don't go to church...I really don't care because heaven/hell exists for only those who are religious.

That's kind of like saying, for ex, NY isn't a real place to a religious person, is it not?
Say it is real... the people without religion in their will still go to one place or the other, not a very good analogy but I couldn't think of anything else.. hope you understood it.

I can prove NY exists. You, on the other hand, can't prove hell exists.

I know that I will open a door for a senior citizen, I don't think someone needs religion to know that.

It's to remind those who don't "open a door for a senior citizen".

I think a tattoo, "Don't be a dick," is better than dogma.

[Mrs. Santa]

I was pretty much forced into it. But now, I wonder why would god kill so many inecent people all of the world. So as of now I just don't really know what to believe.

[Tasdik]

oh and you religious people who threaten me that I will burn in hell if I don't go to church...I really don't care because heaven/hell exists for only those who are religious.

Haha...wrong
Let me explain...
The law of the country you live in is both for the good guys and the criminals if you screw up you'll go to jail it doesn't matter that you think you can't go to jail because you don't follow the law anyways.
Same with heaven and hell if you screw up in life *unless you repent and get saved* you'll end up in hell

[Nuklear]

I was pretty much forced into it. But now, I wonder why would god kill so many inecent people all of the world. So as of now I just don't really know what to believe.

http://nonprophetsradio.com/nonprophets.xml
http://www.atheist-experience.com/podcast.php

Listen, learn, love, laugh, and punch (inside joke).

[tedtwilliger]

I believe in God.

If there is a Heaven & Hell:

-And you believe and follow religion, you spend eternity in paradise.
-And you do not believe or follow religion, you spend eternity in suffering.

and? Whats your point?

Lets say conventional Christianity is correct ( i say Christianity because Christianity isn't the only religion, though thats all anyone is talking about ). Now lets say god came down to the earth and proved he exists.

If you didn't believe in the lords teaching before.. would you now? I know i wouldn't. Whether the lord exists or not i don't care, i chose not to believe because i don't like the teachings of Christianity. If i go for hell, than so be it. Im not going to change my lifestyle just because theres gonna be negative consequences if i don't. I will not let someone else dictate my life for me just because he is stronger than me.

Now lets say someone else does, lets say they suddenly start becoming a practicing Christian because they are afraid of going to hell. Does that not make them a victim of terrorism? If god forces everyone to believe in his way of living or else they will suffer, does that not make him a terrorist? He is forcing people to act a certain way with the fear of punishment, the basic principal of terrorism. If the basic laws of society, or even public schooling has taught us, bullying others ( which is a form of terrorism and in essence what Christianity does ) is evil and an act that no one should partake in. So if that be the case shouldn't we all be banishing the teachings of Christianity?

That is one of the many reasons i dont believe in any conventional religion.

[Xyzzzy]

I'm not a believer in any religion. I don't mind religious people as long as they keep their opinions to themselves. When that doesn't happen though, I have no tolerance for the ignorance that is often displayed by those foolish enough to push their beliefs on others.

[hitokiri]

yea...i dun like how some people use that example cuz it makes it seem like they're christian just for the hell of it.

not saying that hitokiri's one of them, but let just refrain from that kinda reasoning. if u believe, u believe, if u don't, who cares?

yeah, thats definately why I believe. But true, best not to use that reasoning.

@tedtwiliger

I try to stray from labeling myself as religious. People are more caught up in following each rule and doing whatever was laid out in each religion then actually focusing on God in any way.

I was more putting that as reasoning for how people seem to sometimes look at it as being stupid for believing. And showing that if we're all wrong and there is nothing later on, then we were wrong and I dont think you have anything to lose.

But putting that reasoning aside, because it wasnt a good way to word it. No, you shouldnt do it out of fear. You shouldnt be forced, you should do it because you choose. Which is why I disagree with how there have been forced conversions or people just pushing their beliefs on people constantly. Its a personal thing more then anything.

If it was proven he exists with proof, it takes away the faith factor of it all. If someone doubted before, I would guess most will continue to doubt. People doubt things that are in plain daylight all around us, so I have no question no matter how obviously real God is shown people will always diagree in doubt if they choose.

It is of course your choice in the end what you do. you shouldnt be forced to change your lifestyle, only if you wish.

Would write more, but I have 3 papers to do by tomorrow night as well as a shit load of work for finals. But yea, curious how long this topic can go before too many flames and people getting offended come from it. I hope for a while, I think its good to discuss it even if people completely disagree which is guaranteed on a topic like this. As long as people disagree maturily and state their beliefs that way hopefully it can last a while

[Tasdik]

If god forces everyone to believe in his way of living or else they will suffer, does that not make him a terrorist? He is forcing people to act a certain way with the fear of punishment, the basic principal of terrorism.

God doesn't force you to do anything.
You have a choice.
Which is why you don't believe because you choose not too

[tedtwilliger]

If god forces everyone to believe in his way of living or else they will suffer, does that not make him a terrorist? He is forcing people to act a certain way with the fear of punishment, the basic principal of terrorism.

God doesn't force you to do anything.
You have a choice.
Which is why you don't believe because you choose not too

That idea is all too idealistic and in reality it really doesnt work that way. Sure in essense everyone has choice, but idealism is only but a dream.

In reality i can name for you a lot of people i know who believe in the Christian lord because of fear from going to hell. The way people are "converted", even if they don't know it in their subconscious the idea of going to hell plays a huge part of their decision. I'm sure if Christianity didn't have this idea of heaven and hell and everyone went to heaven you would have a lot less people practicing the faith.

Even the old cliche "im atheist until im on my death bed in which i will repent for everything" is based around this idea of fear from hell.

I understand what you are saying and it all works in theory, just not in practice.

[mosiac]

iirc with christianity when you die you can ask god for forgiveness and are sent to heaven, amirite? that's just what I remember back when I was a kid and was sent to church, now that i'm educated i'm more of an agnostic.

[Tasdik]

In reality i can name for you a lot of people i know who believe in the Christian lord because of fear from going to hell. The way people are "converted", even if they don't know it in their subconscious the idea of going to hell plays a huge part of their decision. I'm sure if Christianity didn't have this idea of heaven and hell and everyone went to heaven you would have a lot less people practicing the faith.

Even the old cliche "im atheist until im on my death bed in which i will repent for everything" is based around this idea of fear from hell.

I understand what you are saying and it all works in theory, just not in practice.

Well how would you like the spend forever in hell?
I'd convert too *if I wasn't saved already*

[l05tfr33k7]

ugh, dont make this another debate. the topic-started just asked a simple question and our reasoning. he didnt ask for anyone to start bashing the other side or starting another debate. if you want to do that, do it in the ooooooold topic 'God v. Science' or something like that.

[Nuklear]

yeah, thats definately why I believe.

Why do you believe what you believe?

And showing that if we're all wrong and there is nothing later on, then we were wrong and I dont think you have anything to lose.

Obviously you didn't click on my pascal wager link.

If it was proven he exists with proof, it takes away the faith factor of it all. If someone doubted before, I would guess most will continue to doubt. People doubt things that are in plain daylight all around us, so I have no question no matter how obviously real God is shown people will always diagree in doubt if they choose.

Sorta like how half of Americans don't think evolution is true?
There might still be doubters but it's unlikely. Atheists have no dogma. If proof is provided and accepted to be true, then it's true. We can't say, "That conflicts with 'x.'"

GL on your finals.

God doesn't force you to do anything.

According to the majority of scriptures, he forces you to choose. If he didn't everyone would go to heaven. But, it's a, "Repent, or else."

Well how would you like the spend forever in hell?
I'd convert too *if I wasn't saved already*

If you don't believe in my pixies until you die you won't live forever in another dimension where there's candy everywhere and you're always at peace.
Yup, I'm on board.

[/Pi]

ugh, dont make this another debate. the topic-started just asked a simple question and our reasoning. he didnt ask for anyone to start bashing the other side or starting another debate. if you want to do that, do it in the ooooooold topic 'God v. Science' or something like that.

It's inevitable. Topics like these will end up in debates, with both sides recycling the same old arguments.

[l05tfr33k7]

GL on your finals.

i lolled.

[Tasdik]

God doesn't force you to do anything.

According to the majority of scriptures, he forces you to choose. If he didn't everyone would go to heaven. But, it's a, "Repent, or else."

You misunderstood
What I was saying is that if God really wanted he could make every human on earth believe in Him.
But he doesn't he lets us choose weather or not we will believe in Him and live forever in Heaven

[tedtwilliger]

In reality i can name for you a lot of people i know who believe in the Christian lord because of fear from going to hell. The way people are "converted", even if they don't know it in their subconscious the idea of going to hell plays a huge part of their decision. I'm sure if Christianity didn't have this idea of heaven and hell and everyone went to heaven you would have a lot less people practicing the faith.

Even the old cliche "im atheist until im on my death bed in which i will repent for everything" is based around this idea of fear from hell.

I understand what you are saying and it all works in theory, just not in practice.

Well how would you like the spend forever in hell?
I'd convert too *if I wasn't saved already*

And you have just proved my point, congratulations.

[Tasdik]

And you have just proved my point, congratulations.

How did I do that?
IF there is no heaven no hell no God why would people on their death beds
get saved?
Because there is A Heaven A hell and A God

[Da_Realest]

Funny if after you die, you find out you been worshiping the wrong God/gods your whole life.

[tedtwilliger]

And you have just proved my point, congratulations.

How did I do that?
IF there is no heaven no hell no God why would people on their death beds
get saved?
Because there is A Heaven A hell and A God

have you been reading what i have been saying? I ain't arguing about the existence of one form of religion, im arguing about the fear based nature of Christianity.

By saying "well how would you like to spend forever in hell" deems the point that the fear of hell is a reason why you believe. You even said if u didn't believe it would make you.

Ill give you en example. If someone on the street goes "give me $5 or u will spend your afterlife in a place full of fire and pain and other mean stuff" will you give him the money? Most people wont. Now if you wont give a man $5 to avoid the pain, are you really willing to change your entire life style to meant the demands of the Christan lord to avoid it?

Also at your silly little thing, why must it be the Christan lord who saves them? why cant it be their body fixing itself? theres a lot we dont know about the human body. Maybe its one of the thousands of other "gods", why not believe in them too? It could be a giant monster made of spam who heals people if you beleive in him, why not believe in him too?

[Reise]

How do you know your god is the right god?