Usefulness of Religion

[Epic]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Lord_Fear @ Mar 27 2007, 11:24 PM) [snapback]156760[/snapback]</div>

You wretched little humans!!!!Lol j/k anyways Im Buddhist and I dont classify it a religion its more of a way of life.Anyways to me Religion is Fail.

For Examples(No offense to any Christians on this forum.)I believe that you guys made up "God" so you guys have something to look up to.Were you there when Moses supposedly got the Ten Commandments?And we all know if it did happen it wasnt a guy Bush it was a chick.Cuz a guy would say one sentence and tell him to go.While a chick,no offense, would sit there and lecture him forever.

So you guys have no proof that "God exists"Therefore Religion is Useless.[/b]

Oh, I'm going to have a ball with this....(No offense taken, by the way. Just trying to clarify a few things)

Technically, Christians didn't make up God. The Jewish did by your philosophy. Judism(I think I spelled that wrong) came before Christianity. Christianity is just We believe Jesus Christ/Jesus the Christ/Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God and the key into Heaven. You believe he died for your sins and believe he's your savior then he'll accept you as his sheep and lead you into Heaven to be with his Father.

As for how we know about the Ten Commandments; You're right, we weren't there. But the Bible is supposed to be Written by people who were given the words by God. And remember, back then story telling was the main form of History. But then you could argue that by Telling stories facts are twisted and the story inadvertently changes.

And for the Burning Bush; There are some guys who'll talk your ear off...Talkativeness isn't limited to just women. Guy Teachers for example, can talk your ear off. My pastor preaches for over an hour and a half(Screaming, mind you) without a single Glass of water.

 

[Rshadman]

Well just because its written doesnt mean its true.The thing could be a whole fiction book.And the Bible was written thousands of years ago.To be continued........

 

[JKey2003]

Yes FEAR, you are correct!

It could be all fiction...

But, at the same time...

It's possible that it is all true!

And you cannot prove it is fake...

Any more than they can prove it is real.

That's why it is called FAITH!

 

[Epic]

IF it's fiction(which I doubt), then it has to be historical fiction since we KNOW Jesus existed. The Hebrew Bible and the Koran both speak of him.

 

[Enishi]

Being an atheist, I could go on telling you that God is a lie and how he leaves us to die. But, I won't do that; instead, I will tell you what I know of religion, my theories of religion, and why I don't believe in deities.

Please, no one take any offense to what I say. This is just ramblings of a teenager.

This takes me to Mary, mother of Jesus. How could she have gotten pregnant without being violated by a male? She says that an angel came to her and that she would birth the son of god.

This brings me to a question, which you don't have to answer. Please please do not take offense. Hypotheticly, if you were raped, would you tell somone? And what if that person who had raped you, threatened your life if you told anyone? Would you tell somone then?

I will stress on the statement below; please don't take offense, as rape can be a very touchy subject and should be kept in the closet.

I think that Mary was raped and made a story of an angel, because her life was threatened. She would then carry this on to her son Jesus who would carry on this idea of an angel. With the kindest of intentions, he decided to help others see this and help others into the way of heaven. Of course, he might have had foresight on the anger of other people and knew that his spreading the word of 'the lord' would mean his death and by martyring himself, he would go to heaven.

Now, how would this explain Jesus's rise from the dead? I will use what I learned a while ago; When we die from a traumatic event, we leave some sort of energy behind that might project a cold feeling or a form of the dead. I think that when Jesus died, his energy projected himself appear then disapear. Because of this, alot of the religion was solidified.

Now, most of what I said is based on some information and speculation; none of this fact or reliable sources, I am only saying what I think.

But what of the arc?

I highly doubt that Noah collected two of each animal, brought them on an arc, and then made a rebirth to the animal kingdom. For one, he could not collected two of every animal, then had them live with each other on the arc for 60 days. There would be bound for the predators to eat some of the lesser animals, and for some animals to escape. What makes me doubt that even more is that two animals could restart a race from only two. But what of the sixty days of rain? from what I think of the great flood, I think that it was similar to New Orleans; they lived in a large hole, that could gather water without it simply spreading across the land.

But what of other religions?

From what I have read about the Muslim jihaddists, if they martyr themselves, they will recieve 72 virgins in heaven.

Please, no one take offense to what I have said.

 

[Brandon Rhea]

Noah and the Ark probably did exist, as the Koran mentions him as a Prophet as well, but the Great Flood probably was only something like New Orleans, as Enishi said, and the ark contained Noah, his family and maybe a few animals.

 

[JKey2003]

Hey Aaron, you are right about Jesus having existed. However it cannot be confirmed that he did all the things the bible said he did. I think Jesus was a man, not the son of God...

 

[Brandon Rhea]

Indeed. Jesus did exist, and that is historical fact. However, whether or not he was the Son of God does rely solely on faith.

 

[Matt]

My personal viewpoint on religion is this.

I have no problem with religion but I have a problem when they try to impart there beliefs on others or interfere in things such as politics.

Politics and religion are two seperate things and should not be mixed however they are and this is something that gives religion a bad name, people use religion as a basis to advance in many areas far to much.

Look at George bush, I don't remember him putting so much emphasis on his religion during his campaign.

 

[JKey2003]

WARNING ... WARNING

Debate is about to take the turn into Bushville...

 

[Brandon Rhea]

That's perfectly alright if it does, considering we're currently in the middle of a holy war.

 

[Enishi]

My final words concerning my place in this debate; In my opinion, religion is more of a safe-haven that gives us a standard for living and promises great reward in the afterlife.

 

[Lillianne Crasse]

This topic is too tempting to leave behind and not post. Now, I'm not going to talk about if a certain faith is right or wrong. Instead, I'm going back to the topic of this whole debate. Is religion useful? If you ask me such a question, I will undoubtably say yes it is. Looking at all of the religions in the world today, it helps create a central set of beliefs and morals no matter what you do believe. By doing so, it also shapes the person and their personality. Those who are peaceful and practice a religion advocating just this, will not start wars so readily, yet try to compromise and be more tolerant than others. What you believe reflects deep down into your being and your beliefs.

Take the Native Americans for example. Some believed in spirits and others gods or one specific god. Those who believed in the spirits of all living things, when they killed, they gave thanks to the spirit for the bravery that being or creature showed in battle/hunting. How they dealt with other tribes depended upon their personal beliefs and morals as well. Who instills these morals into you? It can come from what you experience and are exposed to...your parents, church, leaders, etc. Even if you are an atheist, you learned your morals from someone else who might not have been. Where do we learn that sense of right and wrong? When we do something wrong who is there to point it out? All that you are today is a result of those around you and those before you.

Someone said, I believe it was Matt, that religion and politics should be kept separate? How can you keep the two separate when your beliefs affect your morals and in turn play huge rolls in how you respond to situations, be it war, welfare, international relations, etc. It's not so easy to take religion out of the equation as so many try to do. It's too connected, even to those who claim there is no connection personally in them.

Finally, those who practice some sort of religion, generally handle high stress situations much better. You have a support group to go to and talk about things. You also have reaffirmation that things will get better...be it in another life or relief that will be coming from a hand above. It holds back the desperation that can lead to more suffering in many cases, but not all. People find comfort in this and joy in hard times...they find a sense of hope. Go out into the streets and talk with homeless people. You'll find that many of them believe in something...a higher being or power that watches over them. They hope for something better. There are those who don't as well, I won't deny that, yet I've seen more faith in those who have had to suffer through life than those who have everything that want and desire. People have the right to hope.

 

[Adamis]

I always love how people say things like "If God doesn't exist then what created Us, Earth, the Universe and everything?". Well I have a question for you; What created God? If God can just be, then why can't Us, Earth, the Universe and everything just be in the same way?

 

[Adamis]

Anyway I personally believe that Religons had 4 purposes back in the day which is why they where made and why I believe they are no longer needed in todays world since we have other more logical ways to deal with them:

1. They explained the unexplainable. A volcano erupts but you know nothing about the inner workings of the planet? God(s) did it! How can a women have a child without having sex? God(s) did it!

2. A way to police the people. If you are scared to death of going to hell or whatever you aren't going to do things that send you to hell, like kill other people.

3. Made people feel safe. If you believe that God will protect you then you don't really worry about what can hurt you.

4. It gave power to people who wanted it. If you wanted to make people do want you wanted them to do you became a Priest or whatever and effected the way they think through religon.

 

[Lillianne Crasse]

you're speaking more of Christianity, Adamis, instead of all religions. Not all religions hold the same standards or allow their religious leaders have power.

 

[Adamis]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Arya Stark @ Mar 29 2007, 06:55 PM) [snapback]156869[/snapback]</div>

you're speaking more of Christianity, Adamis, instead of all religions. Not all religions hold the same standards or allow their religious leaders have power.[/b]

Meh, I was looking for something to pad out my list. lol

 

[JKey2003]

Hey Adomis! On your list, number three is still true today, despite our newly evolved logical thinking. Why do you think it is no longer needed in todays world?

 

[Matt]

Isn't adomis some sort of ancient god or something?

 

[Kit]

In my opinion... Well, I'm going to have to say no, with just a dash of yes.

Now, I'm not a religious person, i don't want to believe in a higher power that rules my entire life. I like to believe that everything that happens is a result of something that started somewhere, that can be explained, not because some ultimate being deemed it so.

With that bit sorted, I would like to say that religion is a worthwhile cause, in that it gives people strength, and something to hold on to, and works as the ultimate fail-safe; even if a person's life falls down around them, they've got the promise of their god's help, in one form or another.

On the other hand, one could claim that whilst belief is a very good thing, in that it's the essence of the factors of religion I stated above, religion is a different creature altogether. I mean, the needless slander of religion aside, and considering both sides of any particular argument as to the usefulness, and worth of a religion, it simply seems to me that religion is in one form or another, the degradation of a generally good idea through a persons opinion or interpretation.

For example, and i think most, if not all would agree with this bit; christianity is generally a good idea. Don't kill, don't steal, love thy neighbour, tolerance and such etc. What lovely people, who could disagree with that? Thats all very well and good, but when a person decides that they are responsible for doing gods will, however that is, thats when problems arise.

And what is religion if not people interpreting the teachings, and setting out to do their god's will, following the examples they've been given?

So in summary, religion useful? no. Belief useful? big yes.

I didn't intend to offend anyone through this, and if i have, i'm truly very sorry.