Religion, No Politics. Half the Things We Never Talk About.

[Remy LaCroix]

What's the percentage of Christian missionaries being cannibalized in Papua New Guinea? I could use some peace of mind.

 

[hatehabsforever]

Because people don't want to debate it, they want to argue it. They aren't interested in hearing anything rational, unless it comes from the side they believe in.

You can explain all day long to a hardcore Christian that evolution is not only a scientific theory, but one with tangible evidence and one that satisfies most requirements of a scientific theory. The hardcore Christian isn't interested in that, they are simply going to believe their 2000+ year old book written by fallible beings.

This is why the Bible needs to gotten rid of, and replaced with something which provides common sense.

You had me somewhat in agreement with you, right up until the end. Because religion is about more than logic and common sense. Sometimes people just need something to believe in, to have faith in, to help them through difficult time periods and stressful events. That's the very premise of organized religion, giving people something to help them cope with trying times, something which faith (not necessarily blind faith) can provide but logic cannot.

Those who welcome religion into their lies to quench his need, who's to say they are wrong? Likewise, for those who abandon religion as illogical, that's their prerogative too.

Personally I like to believe that there's something more, something beyond logic and hard facts. Am I right? I hope so, but maybe I'm not. But it still fills a need either way. Which is why you cannot toss out the Bible like its an expired Reader's Digest.

 

[The 1-2-3 Killam]

Mike, what does it say in the bible about God's penchant for exhibition football?

God seems to be really flaky on his relationship with professional sports. A few years ago he was really into the Patriots. Now it seems like he's a Packers fan, but I can't really tell. He's not just about the NFL though. Jesus will return someday, and all the Chicago Cubs fans will have their reckoning. They will be taken into the sky at the sound of the trumpet and delivered out of their persecution and into the loving embrace of the World Series. Harry Caray will be there.

the multiple narrarator style of the new testament was years ahead of its time, but wildly missused.

I like to think of Jesus as Edward Norton, and God as Brad Pitt. NT Norton is trying to do his best to live a simple, normal life, but OT Brad won't have any of that bullshit. When you put them together, nothing makes any sense. It's chaotic, contradicting, hypocritical, but still damn entertaining and convincingly pieced together. The big twist ending (SPOILER IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN FIGHT CLUB) is that OT Brad and NT Norton are really the same person, having a psychotic break. And that about sums up my feelings towards the god displayed in the Bible. And sure, Helena Bonham Carter can be the Holy Spirit.

It's a book with 120 smaller books written by 60 different authors over a span of several thousand years and they all seem to be saying the same thing. It's well known that most of these people had no clue about the other authors. And yet they seem to point towards the same thing or at least make the same point.

Most of these people had no clue about the other authors? Except that every single one of the disciples and apostles would have gone through years of biblican training as a child, where they would attempt to memorize the Torah, in order to find out whether they were meant for that vocation, or if they should take up their family trade. That's why the message of Christ is so special; he shares his journey and appoints the religious failures - the guys who didn't make the cut as scholars - to walk with him and be his hands and feet. Every author of the NT had an incredible knowledge, certainly more than 90% of Christians today, about all the authors of OT. And as for the NT...they all knew each other. All of them. Or are you going to throw out all the portions in scripture where they reference one another? Take a look at a picture of the Last Supper and you tell me they didnt' know each other. I don't know where you're getting your information from, but they are either misleading you, or are seriously mislead themselves.

I can't even hit on the "they're all saying the same thing" point without laughing. And I'm trying real hard to have civilized discussion, so we're just going to avoid it.

Haven't changed my pictures and quote yet today. Drink it in.

Aaaah... Tastes like victory and Cherry Dr. Pepper.

Ill throw my two cents in here.

I am a Christian. I do believe in God. That doesn't mean I go to Church every time the doors are opened. That don't mean I don't hang out with some friend and throw back some cold ones. It doesn't mean I follow every single rule or guideline stated in the Bible. It simply means I know that I will be punished or my wrong doings and that I will live on after death. Thats what I want to believe; and I do.

Another thing I feel is that God wouldn't have put us on this Earth just to do it. We are here for a purpose, and that may be to have a little fun and enjoy life. I try to remember to pray often. I try not to lie. But, it happens. I am only human. I am living life to its fullest and will go to Heaven when I die.

Thats what I believe.

Seems like you've take the most basic, widely known aspects of Christianity and applied them to yourself. That's not always bad. I don't really believe in higher "purpose". I suppose you could consider me a nihilist, of sorts. I still believe in objective morality, and think metaphysical nihilism is bullshit, but I do fall in line with the Existential nihilistic idea that there is no real higher "calling", or purpose to life. Life does not have an objective meaning, but rather we give life meaning by our experiences and what we choose to do with our short existence. I think people come up with things like religion to give life some sort of purpose, because they can't handle the thought of life not being structured or thought-out. They can't handle the random chance or chaos of the universe, and that's something I find incredibly freeing.

Religion is always something that I have been a bit confused about. I have been raised in an orthodox Hindu family, almost all of whom are staunch believers. While I do believe that 'God' exists, I don't see the point of putting a name to it. All religions preach the same basic human principles. Its just calling it a difference name.

See this I agree with, to an extent. What I think is that all humans have this need to feel important, safe, and loved. Religion in almost every form provides those basic needs. It all comes down to the ego, and what we emotionally need to sustain ourselves. I think if you can find love and acceptance in a god, and that it pushes you to become a better person, I encourage that. It's my belief that if a person - more spefically Christians - were to study out their faith and do some real research into the Bible and history of the Church, that they would come to one of three realizations: a) there is no god, b) if there is a god he is completely hands-free in our universe, or c) if the god that Christianity depicts is real, he is hateful and unjust, and nothing I want to "worship" regardless of the benefits or my fate.

My religious belief is that 'God helps those who help themselves'. I see a lot of people who do nothing and then pray that God will do it. For example, if you don't study and fail an exam, its your fault and its not God that has let you down.

But if you do study and get an A on an exam, it's on you for doing well. Not God. If you're going to attribute intervention into the concept of God, you can't pick and choose at your benefit how he intervenes. And that's why I got to the point where if God is real, I can only justify that he doesn't do anything to help or hinder. The minute you start saying that God miraculously healed a child, or that God saved a town from a tornado, or any one of the million stories that come out every year, you immediately by consequence are saying that he chose not to save the millions of children that die from starvation or disease, that he chose not to save the millions who lost their lives or homes in natural disasters around the planet. Because if God intervenes in the realm of humanity, there is an immediately an undeniable aspect of favoritism applied. It is something you can choose to ignore, but it is not something I feel you can justify in any way. God either does not exist, exists and does nothing, or exist does something and is a cosmic asshole. Those are the three logical paths I have come down to.

Because not everything can be explained by religion (or science for that matter).

False. Everything CAN be explained by science. That is in the nature of science and the scientific method. Not everything HAS been explained, and there are things our current level of technology will not allow us to explain. I don't think there is anything that absolutely can not be figured out with reason and exploration.

One thing I do know about Religion is that it is the most stupid thing to argue about. Believe what you believe in your own heart. If God shows himself in your life, then you have a wonderful reason to believe in him. If not, then you may doubt him or have no religious view whatsoever. I don't see why people argue about it so much.

I believe in my brain, not my heart. There's always the path you did not name, which is that no god has shown himself in your life, and that every "feeling" and "spiritual experience" that can be attributed to a relationship with god and the intense emotional connection people have to "worship" is quite simply a matter of Pavlovian classic conditioning and chemicals firing in the brain. For instance, I get the same "high" from playing on stage in front of people as I used to worship in a church. Seeing MUSE with 50,000 people provided an equal if not greater "spiritual experience" than a giant church retreat singing Chris Tomlin songs. Everything is chemical, and has been explained by science over and over again.

What I want to know is if Christians are finally ready to get rid of the ridiculous book of the Bible. I think the first step to bring Christians up to speed with the rest of the world is to quit using the Bible as their spiritual guide.

I can't tell if you're serious or trolling... I mean, I completely agree, but you are consistently nominated for best troll of the year.

Because people don't want to debate it, they want to argue it. They aren't interested in hearing anything rational, unless it comes from the side they believe in.

You can explain all day long to a hardcore Christian that evolution is not only a scientific theory, but one with tangible evidence and one that satisfies most requirements of a scientific theory. The hardcore Christian isn't interested in that, they are simply going to believe their 2000+ year old book written by fallible beings.

This is why the Bible needs to gotten rid of, and replaced with something which provides common sense.

Nevermind.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

You had me somewhat in agreement with you, right up until the end. Because religion is about more than logic and common sense. Sometimes people just need something to believe in, to have faith in, to help them through difficult time periods and stressful events. That's the very premise of organized religion, giving people something to help them cope with trying times, something which faith (not necessarily blind faith) can provide but logic cannot.

Those who welcome religion into their lies to quench his need, who's to say they are wrong? Likewise, for those who abandon religion as illogical, that's their prerogative too.

Personally I like to believe that there's something more, something beyond logic and hard facts. Am I right? I hope so, but maybe I'm not. But it still fills a need either way. Which is why you cannot toss out the Bible like its an expired Reader's Digest.

No, that's the very premise of organization — as in support groups. Religion is not exclusive to that. See: Anonymous, Alcoholics.

Secondarily, why is believing in something on faith (as in, without proof) a virtue?

Thirdly, yes you can toss out the Bible like it's an expired Reader's Digest, because it's supposed to be a moral compass for the faithful. Considering it not only condones but commands the stoning of homosexuals, sanctions rape and slavery and demands ritual human sacrifice, I'd go ahead and say it's a pretty fuckin' awful moral compass. You'd find better direction in a SAW film.

 

[Slyfox696]

You had me somewhat in agreement with you, right up until the end. Because religion is about more than logic and common sense. Sometimes people just need something to believe in, to have faith in, to help them through difficult time periods and stressful events. That's the very premise of organized religion, giving people something to help them cope with trying times, something which faith (not necessarily blind faith) can provide but logic cannot.

Those who welcome religion into their lies to quench his need, who's to say they are wrong? Likewise, for those who abandon religion as illogical, that's their prerogative too.

Personally I like to believe that there's something more, something beyond logic and hard facts. Am I right? I hope so, but maybe I'm not. But it still fills a need either way. Which is why you cannot toss out the Bible like its an expired Reader's Digest.

I'm not saying to replace the Bible with a science textbook. You can keep the faith stuff in. But let's remove the nonsense about women being inferior to men. Let's remove the nonsense against homosexuality and that sex is for procreation purposes only. Let's remove the idea we can accept only one "true" God, and be tolerant of those who may wish to see God in various forms.

I get sick of hearing people rationalize hatred and bigotry because it's "in the Bible".

I can't tell if you're serious or trolling... I mean, I completely agree, but you are consistently nominated for best troll of the year.

Nevermind.

I'm 100% serious. The Bible is the worst thing about Christianity today.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

I'm not saying to replace the Bible with a science textbook. You can keep the faith stuff in. But let's remove the nonsense about women being inferior to men. Let's remove the nonsense against homosexuality and that sex is for procreation purposes only. Let's remove the idea we can accept only one "true" God, and be tolerant of those who may wish to see God in various forms.

I get sick of hearing people rationalize hatred and bigotry because it's "in the Bible".

Doesn't work that way. You can't pick and choose the parts of the bible you like and discard the ones you don't if you are a practicing Christian. The Bible is intended to be the literal inspired word of God, so ignoring any of it would be a violation of the commandments. Leviticus is just as integral to Christianity as Genesis.

 

[shattered dreams]

I think Sly makes a compelling point but the problem is it is kind of like saying American politics needs more than two parties. True but almost impossible to undo what has happened over time. I am not sure it is just the bible but it is certainly a large of my biggest issue. That being the discussion of morals being destroyed by something that is perceived as "correct." I would like to know what people actually believe is right, not what they think is supposedly right. It boggles my mind that people won't make these decisions for themselves.

 

[hatehabsforever]

No, that's the very premise of organization — as in support groups. Religion is not exclusive to that. See: Anonymous, Alcoholics.

Secondarily, why is believing in something on faith (as in, without proof) a virtue?

Thirdly, yes you can toss out the Bible like it's an expired Reader's Digest, because it's supposed to be a moral compass for the faithful. Considering it not only condones but commands the stoning of homosexuals, sanctions rape and slavery and demands ritual human sacrifice, I'd go ahead and say it's a pretty fuckin' awful moral compass. You'd find better direction in a SAW film.

I don't recall suggesting any exclusivity with respect to religion. However, religion can bring an aspect to people's lives that other secular organizations simply cannot provide for those people.

I also don't recall suggesting there was anything virtuous about it either. But if believing in something based upon pure faith alone helps an individual cope and endure stressful or tragic occurrences, what's the harm in that? If they can find it in secular organizations, that's fine too. But if they want, even need religion for such purposes, what's the harm in that? As a single parent of two kids, I choose to believe that there's something more waiting for us when our time has come and gone. Thankfully I'm in good health, but I think if I weren't, I would receive strength and hope for the present, as well as a greater capacity for facing the future, knowing/believing that the end is not truly the end. Even worse, heaven forbid if my children were to become ill, I think I would find strength from my faith that I would see them again down the road. If that's how I would cope, what's wrong with that? Religion can provide that, logic and reason cannot. And I don't even consider myself a very religious person by any stretch of the imagination.

In terms of literal reading of the Bible, your obviously correct, but the Bible is not intended to be taken quite so literally.

 

[Slyfox696]

Doesn't work that way. You can't pick and choose the parts of the bible you like and discard the ones you don't if you are a practicing Christian. The Bible is intended to be the literal inspired word of God, so ignoring any of it would be a violation of the commandments. Leviticus is just as integral to Christianity as Genesis.

Hence the stupidity of believing in the Bible. And that stupidity only grows with each passing year and each advancement in society.

I think Sly makes a compelling point but the problem is it is kind of like saying American politics needs more than two parties. True but almost impossible to undo what has happened over time.

It happens rarely, but I agree with you. I speak more in a perfect world. I fully understand it will never happen, because I also fully understand those who would be charged with changing it are not interested in doing so.

 

[Loveless]

Even worse, heaven forbid if my children were to become ill, I think I would find strength from my faith that I would see them again down the road. If that's how I would cope, what's wrong with that? Religion can provide that, logic and reason cannot.

It's denial and it devalues life. A perfect example would a JW refusing a blood transfusion and allowing their child to die out of some misguided sense of there being something else after this.
Reality might suck but I'd rather own it and deal with it honestly than pretend there's some magicman in the sky, manipulating everything. Frankly I find that idea insulting.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

I don't recall suggesting any exclusivity with respect to religion. However, religion can bring an aspect to people's lives that other secular organizations simply cannot provide for those people.

I agree — the ability to believe in things without evidence. Aside from that, there's nothing religion provides that's exclusive to religion that cannot be replicated or reproduced secularly.

I also don't recall suggesting there was anything virtuous about it either. But if believing in something based upon pure faith alone helps an individual cope and endure stressful or tragic occurrences, what's the harm in that? If they can find it in secular organizations, that's fine too. But if they want, even need religion for such purposes, what's the harm in that? As a single parent of two kids, I choose to believe that there's something more waiting for us when our time has come and gone. Thankfully I'm in good health, but I think if I weren't, I would receive strength and hope for the present, as well as a greater capacity for facing the future, knowing/believing that the end is not truly the end. Even worse, heaven forbid if my children were to become ill, I think I would find strength from my faith that I would see them again down the road. If that's how I would cope, what's wrong with that? Religion can provide that, logic and reason cannot. And I don't even consider myself a very religious person by any stretch of the imagination.

http://whatstheharm.net/

In terms of literal reading of the Bible, your obviously correct, but the Bible is not intended to be taken quite so literally.

Says who? There are dozens of Christian leaders who believe exactly that. What, they're all wrong, and you're right? What makes you right and them wrong?

 

[It's Damn Real!]

Hence the stupidity of believing in the Bible. And that stupidity only grows with each passing year and each advancement in society.

And it's only perpetuated further with this "what's the harm?" nonsense. There's plenty of harm — miles of it documented, in fact.

 

[Danger Burger]

What's the percentage of Christian missionaries being cannibalized in Papua New Guinea? I could use some peace of mind.

Are you saying you want to eat their brains??

 

[One Punch Doug Crashin]

I for one will say the bible... nay any sacred text is not the end all be all for your religious studies.

 

[Shotaro]

My personal beliefs: Science. I believe in Science.

God? Possbily, if only some force that led to the creation of the Universe. It's impossible to prove either way.

Judeo-Christian religions (including Islam)? Wrong - the Bible/Qoran/Torah are allegedly the "word of god" but even if it was we have, as a species, evolved beyond the more primitive rules within the bible. Women are not inferior to men and there is nothing wrong with homosexuality - in fact the most current research on genetics implies that homosexuality is a survivalist gene that kicks in when the population is becoming uncontrollable. In other words, homosexuality is a method of saving the species. It's not that uncommon in the animal kingdom when a species is out-growing its ecosystem. Humanity is doing that right now and the proportional rate of homosexuality is increasing.

Those of you who think homosexuality is wrong want humanity to die out. There I said it.

I do not know enough about other religions to pass similar comment but suffice to say I do not believe they are correct either. The closest to my beliefs is likely Buddhism, except for reincarnation, I do believe that the purpose of humanity is to understand and therefore the seeking of enlightenment fits quite neatly into that.

 

[IHW]

Doesn't work that way. You can't pick and choose the parts of the bible you like and discard the ones you don't if you are a practicing Christian. The Bible is intended to be the literal inspired word of God, so ignoring any of it would be a violation of the commandments. Leviticus is just as integral to Christianity as Genesis.

I have to agree with this. When some people, like politicians, sit there and say they are Christian in faith, and then a few month later come out and support gay marriage, it makes other Christians seem hypocritical.

Some Baptist won't even use any Bible unless it is a KJV Bible. Other books like the NIV or New King James Bible are changed so much that firm believer in Christ won't use them. Others find it completely okay.

 

[Lowdown]

I have to agree with this. When some people, like politicians, sit there and say they are Christian in faith, and then a few month later come out and support gay marriage, it makes other Christians seem hypocritical.

Some Baptist won't even use any Bible unless it is a KJV Bible. Other books like the NIV or New King James Bible are changed so much that firm believer in Christ won't use them. Others find it completely okay.

I never understood the different versoins of the Bible. All I know is the KJV, and I was told that was the Catholic version. I assume that the words are varied slightly, but the context is the same.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

I never understood the different versoins of the Bible. All I know is the KJV, and I was told that was the Catholic version. I assume that the words are varied slightly, but the context is the same.

Even if you were to find the "original" version, it'd still be a total mash-up of pre-selected texts, because the Bible is not a book written from cover to cover, it's a collection of accounts of hearsay patched together in piecemeal over centuries.

It's been re-written, edited and re-edited more than any other book in history.

 

[Барбоса]

It's been re-written, edited and re-edited more than any other book in history.

I don't know about that. My doctoral thesis when through some extensive re-writes during its creation and is in line for another one should I decide to go down the publication route.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

I don't know about that. My doctoral thesis when through some extensive re-writes during its creation and is in line for another one should I decide to go down the publication route.

I'll revise my statement.

It's been re-written, edited and re-edited more than any book should have been where it's followers claim it to be the inspired, literal and infallible word of God.

Better?

 

[Барбоса]

My thesis was good but I would not call it infallible or its author god-like.

 

[Richard Blonoff]

My thesis was good but I would not call it infallible or its author god-like.

I'll call you god-like Barbosa. There are not many men on these boards more eloquent and well spoken that you

 

[Beastmode 24]

I was raised in church, joined the Army, and started partying like the world was ending tomorrow. Drugs (yes it happens in the military) alcohol, girls..i was living it up. But 2 things happend in my life to turn me back to God.

1) I got married.
2) I deployed to Iraq.

Most people probably don't know this, but there is something that makes you think about a higher power when you go somewhere where the national passtime is blowing up Americans. I'm not perfect, I still like to drink every now and then, and I still cuss like a fucking sailor, but my belief in God has gotten stronger than it has been in years.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

I was raised in church, joined the Army, and started partying like the world was ending tomorrow. Drugs (yes it happens in the military) alcohol, girls..i was living it up. But 2 things happend in my life to turn me back to God.

1) I got married.
2) I deployed to Iraq.

Most people probably don't know this, but there is something that makes you think about a higher power when you go somewhere where the national passtime is blowing up Americans. I'm not perfect, I still like to drink every now and then, and I still cuss like a fucking sailor, but my belief in God has gotten stronger than it has been in years.

http://constantinessword.com/

 

[It's Damn Real!]

My thesis was good but I would not call it infallible or its author god-like.

Touché.