Religion (How I think it suckers people)

Alright, im just gonna make this short and sweet

If you're Christian, then everyone else is wrong.

If you're Catholic, then everyone else is wrong.

If you're Jewish, then everyone else is wrong.

If you're Buddhist, then everyone else is wrong.

If you're Muslim, then everyone else is wrong.

Finger pointing, gun shooting, money collecting, hysterical fools. What have you done?


Ahh and here is a list of many of "the god"'s that start with the letter A alone.

Aesir, Agasaya, Agdistis, Ah chuy kak, Ah cun can, Ah hulned, AH puch, Ahulane, Ahura mazda, Aine, Airmid, Aizen-myoo, Aji-suki-taka-hi-kone, Akea, Alberich, Ama-no-minaka-nushi, Ama-tsu-mara, Amaethon, Amaterasu, Amatsu, Amatsu-kami, Ame-no-mi-kumari, Ame-no-wakahiko, Amidaam-no-tanabata-hime, An, Anahita, Anat, Anath, Andhrimnir, Andraste, Andvari, Angrboda, Angus og, Ankt, Annapurna, Anouke, Anshar, Anu, Aphrodite (I like her), Apollo, Apsu, Apukohai, Arawn, Aray, Ares, Arianrhod, Artemis, Artio, Adclepius, Asherah, Ashur, Astarte, Astrild, Athena, Athirat, Atla, Atlas, Audhumla.

Which ones the right one?

Thoughts anyone? That should spell it out for lots of people. Current religions are a false sense of life. How can people do that? Why cant people ask question!

I see you're incorrect with your statement. Here is why. Yes, many people in the open believe everyone else has it wrong. But that doesn't mean we're taught people are always wrong. In Judaism one of the Thirteen principles is that G-d used both Christianity and Islam to spread the word of G-d on the planet. Hey, I like countless other faiths but I'm happy being in my seat.

reply to post by mthgs602


ADD: If you're atheist, everyone else is wrong.

(this is coming from someone that would refer to himself as an atheist)

I'm sorry, it's just that all this religious argument crap is a bunch of bull-# that is usually spouted by people that are either:

A) Stressingly unsure about their state of atheism/theism or,
B) Sheep that like to jump on the bandwagon of the next "Hip" thing.

Come flame my statement.

Mainstream religion is false and has been twisted like nothing else before.....but i believe that all relgions are tied together and hold some truths due to the fact that all relgions,whether mainstream or not,all tell of similar stories.

Buddhism is not considered a religion, it is a philosophy. There is no "god" in Buddhism. The philosophy is closer to quantum mechanics then it is to the religions out there.

I may be wrong but, i don't think i am.
There is no way to prove or disprove religion.
With that said, i think religions were constructed as a means of rallying ones troops and bringing peoples together against their kings enemies.
We still do it today.

reply to post by Chindogu


I disagree, you are confusing "religion" with "theism"

"Religion"
–noun
1. a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
2. a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.

"Theism"
–noun
1.
the belief in one god as the creator and ruler of the universe, without rejection of revelation ( distinguished from deism).
2.
belief in the existence of a god or gods ( opposed to atheism).

Religion(Dictionary)
Theism

reply to post by Somehumanbeing

Come flame my statement.

Nah - I think it's a great statement, actually. I'm a follower of the Way/christian (well, I try to be anyway), but all the constant bickering over it and the fact that some people make a hobby out of flaming the other side just frustrates me to no end - we've ALL got bigger things to worry about, and I personally believe that if we're not going to focus on them, the least we can do is find areas of agreement and at least progress together peacefully instead of backbiting and sniping at each other, or trying to score points at the others' expense.

As far as honest attempts to convince those who disagree one way or the other - if stating your piece doesn't do it and things start to go beyond simple discourse, let it go. None of us are responsible for anyone else as far as this goes, and it's entirely possible we take too much out of context or is misunderstood. I know I've got unorthodox views here, but I don't believe the whole debate is even anywhere as cut-and-dried as most christians seem to think it is ("If you don't call yourself a christian and do x y and z, you'll burn forever!"), Just with what I read in the bible, I have problems with this.

Long and short - if you claim to believe a certain way, OWN IT. If you're christian, live like Christ lived - the bible says as much. Did he run around telling everyone they had to follow him? Not so much. He said 'this is who I am, this is what I'm offering, the choice is yours'.

Atheists and followers of other faiths should do likewise. I don't believe force of argument (here I don't refer to evidence, I mean the actual effort/emotion injected into a debate - seen to omany people get too hot during these discussions) OR arms ever actually convinced anyone of anything - simple truth, respect, and example do.

Originally posted by Chindogu
Buddhism is not considered a religion, it is a philosophy. There is no "god" in Buddhism. The philosophy is closer to quantum mechanics then it is to the religions out there.

Also Buddhists are one of the most loving groups of people.


----------------------------

I think religion is the worst thing on the planet, I have talked to too many of these Christians listing to all their hate talk, while the bible they want to quote talks about love.

The Muslims are no different then early Roman Catholics.

Also why can't God show himself to other people in other ways. I wonder how an Asian, Black, Indian or what ever nationality looking God came down. Who would follow him? Would you have any problem following an Asian or Black Jesus?

Jesus was from the middle east, I bet he was really dark.

reply to post by mthgs602

Finger pointing, gun shooting, money collecting, hysterical fools. What have you done?

Well, not too much of those, actually. I try to follow the example I see set in the bible, but tend to not really even take part in services like I probably should (if just to help me focus on the positive instead of the news I tend to read too much).

I've got to disagree with your post, honestly. Sure, some people do let themselves fall into these mindsets, but religion by no means has a monopoly on them. And just to argue from my personal standpoint, an honest follower of 'Jesus' will be humble, non-confrontational, non-judgemental, and loving. Sure, they might withhold themselves from certain people or places that deal with things we believe we shouldn't be involved with, but there should never be any malice, unpleasantness, or beggaring in our faith.

So, honestly, not really sure how religion 'suckers' anyone. Well...the RCC maybe, but otherwise not so much

reply to post by Praetorius


You make a good point, and I agree with you. I tend to follow more science-based beliefs but I also am open to the idea of a spiritual experience (aslong as not influenced by any particular text or voice). I believe that if God is real, one should try and commune with him/her/it without the guidance of anyone else. A sole experience.

Enough of that, anyway, haha. What I was meaning to get to is that I tend to see for example, Richard Dawkins arguing with a "creationist" about theism and evolution. Though I find myself agreeing with some of his views, I also find myself laughing at such a man that must go out of his way to do those things on video and write books about it. I mean, atheists have gone to such an extent that they have created things such as "The Atheist Alliance" and "Church of Atheism". I mean what the hell? "Atheist alliance" reminds me of those kiddy clubs some kids would create/join when a child. Don't get me started on "Church of Atheism" oxymoron there.

It's like either side of this whole crap-fight just wants to polish their egos and belief systems while at the same time becoming a walking hypocrite and laughing-stock to the ones that notice it. Many people just want to be a part of something, it seems, at the expense of others. They want to feel they "belong". Which is why I even doubt many "christians" are even truly "christian".

reply to post by Tygart


Sad truth, friend, take religion away and you aren't going to see a lot of much better behaviour (look into communist China, North Korea, and stalinist russia). People are people, and will use whatever excuse they can to justify perversity.

I'd just like to remind you that words are just words, but actual christians will not fit the description you provide (Gandhi had the same problem - "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."). Even the bible foretold as much - Matthew ch. 7:

22On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Don't worry, those are earning their own just rewards - sadly. For whatever it's worth, my apologies on your bad experiences with those claiming to represent the faith.

Alright, so what im seeing here is simply this.

"Well if they are a REAL follower of ____ then they would be this way and not that way."

The only point that im trying to convey is that religion has become a "my way or the highway" or "no i follow the path correctly and its not like this or that"

Its like people need it to feels good and secure, but dont want to admit that its no longer groups of religion, but ones perspective of religion.

Which provides a false view in a lot of peoples eyes. How can so many believe in what is to be "the god" "god" "the one and only" when there are so many different versions. Everyones right but everyones wrong.

Im not trying to dis religion. Simply express what i see in the world i live in. And i have been around the world and back again. Seen it, watched it, left it.

Originally posted by AdamsMurmur

Originally posted by mthgs602

Finger pointing, gun shooting, money collecting, hysterical fools. What have you done?

Why are you talking about politics and politicians?

This is such a silly OP ripe with ignorance.

I see a few tools have already given you kudos for it though.

edit on 19/4/11 by AdamsMurmur because: (no reason given)

What makes you right? Im not being right, im being expressive. And if you dont agree that religion is a great way of war and of money, then you are the ignorant one my friend. How can you not see that? Deny ignorance. Im not PROVING a point. Im stating life.

reply to post by mthgs602


Remove religion, and people will turn to ideology. Either way, people will kill people. Look at Stalinist Russia, Che Guevara/Fidel Castro, Nazi Germany, The War on Terror (both sides). People kill people, religion is used as an excuse just as politics is used.

Originally posted by Somehumanbeing
reply to post by mthgs602

 

Remove religion, and people will turn to ideology. Either way, people will kill people. Look at Stalinist Russia, Che Guevara/Fidel Castro, Nazi Germany, The War on Terror (both sides). People kill people, religion is used as an excuse just as politics is used.

Yes i agree. I believe religion is like NOS to any fire though.

Originally posted by Praetorius
reply to post by Tygart

 

Sad truth, friend, take religion away and you aren't going to see a lot of much better behaviour (look into communist China, North Korea, and stalinist russia). People are people, and will use whatever excuse they can to justify perversity.

I'd just like to remind you that words are just words, but actual christians will not fit the description you provide (Gandhi had the same problem - "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."). Even the bible foretold as much - Matthew ch. 7:

22On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Don't worry, those are earning their own just rewards - sadly. For whatever it's worth, my apologies on your bad experiences with those claiming to represent the faith.

I know that true Christians are not that way.

I would not want to spend forever with a God that would burn in hell a Buddhist, Muslim or anyone who spent their lives loving and helping their fellow man.

IMO the NAME Jesus is not what we need, but his teaching.

I know he is not that way, so I am not going to worry about it.





What is NOS???

Originally posted by AdamsMurmur

Originally posted by mthgs602

Finger pointing, gun shooting, money collecting, hysterical fools. What have you done?

Why are you talking about politics and politicians?

This is such a silly OP ripe with ignorance.

I see a few tools have already given you kudos for it though.

edit on 19/4/11 by AdamsMurmur because: (no reason given)

Take a a look at the Old Roman Catholic church, they are the richest. Religion is big money, look at Pat Robertson. $$$

Ignorance yes, but on your part.

reply to post by Somehumanbeing

You make a good point, and I agree with you. I tend to follow more science-based beliefs but I also am open to the idea of a spiritual experience (aslong as not influenced by any particular text or voice). I believe that if God is real, one should try and commune with him/her/it without the guidance of anyone else. A sole experience.

Generally agreed - I think it's a good idea to fellowship with like-minded believers for mutual uplifting, support, and encouragement (as I said, this also helps distract me from the darkness and focus on the light), but I don't believe anyone should dictate to others what is or isn't needed. That was pretty much the whole point of Christ's mission, clearing all the man-made distractions out of the way so people could commune directly with their creator.

On a side note, I also like science, but do have issues with the interpretations given to some of the evidence that's out there for a few certain topics - hotly debated, I know, but pretty much everyone has a philosophical hand in the game on at least one level

Enough of that, anyway, haha. What I was meaning to get to is that I tend to see for example, Richard Dawkins arguing with a "creationist" about theism and evolution. Though I find myself agreeing with some of his views, I also find myself laughing at such a man that must go out of his way to do those things on video and write books about it. I mean, atheists have gone to such an extent that they have created things such as "The Atheist Alliance" and "Church of Atheism". I mean what the hell? "Atheist alliance" reminds me of those kiddy clubs some kids would create/join when a child. Don't get me started on "Church of Atheism" oxymoron there.

You ever seen the "Go God Go!" episodes of South Park? Awesome and a good illustration of what you replied to one of the other posters regarding how people will still act the same even if religion was out of the way.

It's like either side of this whole crap-fight just wants to polish their egos and belief systems while at the same time becoming a walking hypocrite and laughing-stock to the ones that notice it. Many people just want to be a part of something, it seems, at the expense of others. They want to feel they "belong". Which is why I even doubt many "christians" are even truly "christian".

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few."

There ARE a large number of christians in the world today...