Religion – your views

[Serza5]

Disregarding creationalism, does anyone think the belief of God and Hell are just deterrents for 'sinning' or bad behaviour?
Also, does anyone think the belief of God and Heaven are just non-existent sites that prevent people from fearing death?

I don't know about the first one but I say yes to the second one.

[Limely]

I think there might be more to the world than we realize, but I don't really believe in any god. I'm quite open about this subject.
But worshipping invisible powers and even invoking wars and killing people over it strikes me as absurd, which is why I don't support the church, which has mostly during history been struggling for power, or other "organized" religions as such...
It's not really a thing I'm too bothered with, though. I live my life, solve my problems and take each challenge as it comes, without thinking there's some invisible high and mighty asshole up there somewhere throwing them at me.
But I like thinking that there is something else, because the thought of death, that what is me would just dissappear, frightens me. Which is probably why a lot of people choose to believe in gods.
It's quite strange that we can feel and think and differentiate between what's right and what's wrong, and even sense what others think and feel, and care about that. We're all made out of the same meat, but yet we are all different people with unique personalities that are visible even when we are babies. That makes me think there must be something more than just meat, that we probably have something else inside us, which makes us who we are...

In short, I don't believe in any god. But I accept that others do and I see why, and I don't think they are dumb or naive or weird because of that.

[Jona]

I don't believe in any kind of god. My opinion is a little Dutch saying: First see, then believe. If someone believes a certain thing, I would like it if they can actually back it up with some concrete evidence. Religion used to be there because there was simply not enough knowledge about how the world actually works, and people needed an easy explanation to make them feel comfortable. I find it a good thing that these days, many more people seem to have woke up and are actually not afraid to look at things the way they are. I don't say that I know the cause of the creation of the universe, or that I'm certain of these sort of things, but what I'm saying is, I don't know it, nobody else does, and CERTAINLY nobody did 2000 years ago. And nobody will probably know for more thousands of years. If we ever find out.

What I'm saying is, I am interested in the way our world and the universe work. I'm not interested in assuming that a god created it. That's just not exciting to me, I am more fascinated by the journey we all take to finding out how we got here. I really don't understand these days that people can just take the stories about a god creating the universe, for granted, while there are so many interesting things to learn. But to each their own, I suppose.

[Holy Crap]

But worshipping invisible powers and even invoking wars and killing people over it strikes me as absurd, which is why I don't support the church, which has mostly during history been struggling for power, or other "organized" religions as such...

It's funny, you know the crusades, ie that series of horrible religous wars over the period of a few hundred years? I may not have my facts completely right here, but If I remember correctly, those wars were fought between the Christians, Jews and Muslims.
Now, as far as I know, these three religions all celebrate the same god.
Anybody else see a problem here?

[Tobbe]

They worship the same God, but they disagree on who is his main dude on Earth.

[spiraldoor]

Judging by the Bible, God isn't really too fond of us. Ever read the Book of Genesis? It says that God killed everyone except Noah and his family in a great flood. Everyone. Including women and children. That's mass murder, at least. Possibly genocide.

If you actually read it, you would know why.

I did "actually read it". Even though it's nonsense. I certainly read more of it that you. If you're so wise, Shawn, why don't you tell us all why God murdered every person in the world except Noah and co? The people were "sinners"? Oh yeah, that makes killing a few million children perfectly okay, yeah, keep worshipping your monster...

Now Shawn, watch this video.

And look at this hilarious image:

[Serza5]

If your saying God is a murderer then you MUST believe in him.

[El Dango]

It's kinda hard to believe that there has been 100 billion people on Earth. But of course, there's the animals too.

[Shawn]

I certainly read more of it that(TYPO) you.

I highly doubt that.

[spiraldoor]

I've read all of Genesis, Exoddus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Revelations (my personal favourite), Judges, Job, some of Numbers but that was boring, and at least one of the Gospels, along with a few Psalms and some of the other books which I can't remember the names of. All amusing nonsense.

I certainly read more of it that(TYPO) you.

I highly doubt that.

Lol nice comeback. Pointing out a typo and saying that you "highly doubt" that I have read more of the Bible than you, even though I seriously expect that isn't the case. I also like the way you blatantly ignored the point of my post.

Also, the Bible says that if a woman is raped, that she is to be stoned to death. Did you notice that part?

[Shawn]

Did you know that was one of the laws back in Biblical times?

[spiraldoor]

What? Is that an argument? A comeback?

[Shawn]

Also, the Bible says that if a woman is raped, that she is to be stoned to death.

Sounds like something you would enjoy doing. (stoning someone to death I mean.) I recall some of the things you said in the "Poll of the Day" topic. Quite interesting torture ideas you had there. Not to mention quite painful.

Also, didn't you also say that the girl who committed suicide over a Harry Potter spoiler deserved to die? I hope God helps you, cause Satan certainly won't.

[Serza5]

If Satan won't then God won't either.

[Shawn]

If he asks for God's help and is willing to let God into his heart, then he will. He probably will do that before he even let's him into his heart.

[Serza5]

I think he'd get more help from the Grim Reaper but you're maybe right.

[Hunchman801]

God may be first, but Stalin is #2.

[Xenon]

There haven't been 100 billion human beings on Earth... the population has been rapidly increasing since humans walked the planet. I reckon there wouldn't be any more than 30 billion.

[Tobbe]

If he asks for God's help and is willing to let God into his heart, then he will. He probably will do that before he even let's him into his heart.

Bullshit alert

[El Dango]

There haven't been 100 billion human beings on Earth... the population has been rapidly increasing since humans walked the planet.

Good point.