Religion – your views

[Haruka]

Spiral didn't seem angry after you Rayfist. I also think it had to be something more serious to make him pissed.

I didn't see the image so I couldn't see it had something related with religion. I also don't see the problem of people defending homossexuality.

[Fauch]

ok, so the question is "do you believe in god", and I replied "maybe", which makes no sense obviously, but I actually replied to "does he exist?"

so, no I don't believe in god and I don't know if he exists. I have not yet seen a truly convincing proof of his existence, but some people do believe very hard in him (though, we can easily find lots of example of people massively believing in things that have later been proven to be false)

it is not very clear what god is exactly. according to some definitions, it is something that can't exist since his properties defy the logic. but I think the idea of a "creator" doesn't sound so stupid, but I don't see why he should necessarily be almighty, omnipresent or intemporal. I could as well imagine a matrix like scenario.

it's sad how some scientists say that since the universe most likely didn't create itself by chance, then it is necessarily the work of god, as if those were the only 2 possible explanations... or like in evolutionism versus creationism. the fact that one theory is proven false doesn't mean the other one is automatically right.

My opinion is that this world is just a tiny bit too weird to be explained by science only. I actually don't mind the thought of some force(s) governing over us, or the existance of things beyond mortal. As to whether that's God, Buddha, Allah, or the Flying Spaghetti Monster, that doesn't concern me much. X3

well, Buddha isn't a governing force, it's a title you can reach as a buddhist if you manage to totally overcome your ego. it's a kind of illumination I guess. All Buddhas were human

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.

I read that the flood really happened. but people thought that it struck the whole world, while it was just their region. tsunami?

[El Dango]

so, no I don't believe in god and I don't know if he exists. I have not yet seen a truly convincing proof of his existence, but some people do believe very hard in him (though, we can easily find lots of example of people massively believing in things that have later been proven to be false)

This used to be the reason that I was on the edge for a couple of years too, since despite not really believing in any of it myself, I still had the feeling that there had to be a reason so many did. I came to the conclusion that all those people were just thinking the same.

That's right, I'm talking about religion in a serious manner! You all have the right to be extremely shocked and freaked out.

[Hunchman801]

For those who didn’t get a chance to see Rayfist’s post: it consisted of a screenshot showing a Facebook conversation in which he furiously and passionately defended homosexuality. I’m just making sure everyone knows that.

Quoted for truth.

it's sad how some scientists say that since the universe most likely didn't create itself by chance, then it is necessarily the work of god, as if those were the only 2 possible explanations...

Scientists? Not sure this term applies.

well, Buddha isn't a governing force, it's a title you can reach as a buddhist if you manage to totally overcome your ego. it's a kind of illumination I guess. All Buddhas were human

They were probably referring to Siddhartha Gautama alone, but you're right anyway and I'm glad someone pointed it out!

I read that the flood really happened. but people thought that it struck the whole world, while it was just their region. tsunami?

Floods have happened for ages and will keep happening. The deluge myth is a common element of many cultures and beliefs.

[Fauch]

well, Buddha isn't a governing force, it's a title you can reach as a buddhist if you manage to totally overcome your ego. it's a kind of illumination I guess. All Buddhas were human

They were probably referring to Siddhartha Gautama alone, but you're right anyway and I'm glad someone pointed it out!

I can never remember his name lol. is he the first one? sakyamumi or something?

I read that the flood really happened. but people thought that it struck the whole world, while it was just their region. tsunami?

Floods have happened for ages and will keep happening. The deluge myth is a common element of many cultures and beliefs.[/quote]
well, we are talking about a very specific flood of course, and it seems it was quite a huge one, like it destroyed not just a city but an entire country.

This used to be the reason that I was on the edge for a couple of years too, since despite not really believing in any of it myself, I still had the feeling that there had to be a reason so many did. I came to the conclusion that all those people were just thinking the same.

what do you by "being on the edge"? overall it's not like I get worried about it. some people need to believe there is a god, some other that he doesn't exist, and I personnally don't really care, my well-being doesn't rely on his existence or not.

some people think that the fear of god is the only thing that can push humans to really do good. weirdly that ressembles the "evolutionist" propaganda of the egoist gene, according to which we are fundamentally egoist and seek only our own profit. I really doubt that, but it still frighten a lot of people and that's enough to make them accept a religious or political system. everyone knows how church used fear in the middle age to keep its position for example.

[Tobbe]

weirdly that ressembles the "evolutionist" propaganda of the egoist gene, according to which we are fundamentally egoist and seek only our own profit.

Evolution doesn't need to be supported by propaganda, as it's supported by science and publicly verifiable facts. And the concept of the selfish gene does not at all assert that humans are fundamentally selfish. That's a common minunderstanding made by people who haven't read the book which coined the phrase.

[Hunchman801]

Evolution doesn't need to be supported by propaganda, as it's supported by science and publicly verifiable facts.

I don't think science supports any theory. It simply helps build them.

[Fauch]

That's a common minunderstanding made by people who haven't read the book which coined the phrase.

I don't think it's just a misunderstanding. kind of like when the ruling power makes his own interpretation of the sacred texts to serve its own interests.

[Hunchman801]

I don't think Dawkins' books are as obscure as sacred texts.

[Fauch]

tobbe said it, people didn't read it. and all those people who do whatever their religion tell them, did they all read the sacred book?

[Adsolution]

With the stream of new users, it's about time we got to judge them by something. Tell us your views, newcomers!

[Hunchman801]

This topic seriously lacks controversy.

[Tobbe]

Yes, it's been long since any ignorant religious people have tried to pull anything in this thread.

[MLII]

WELL YOUR WRONG. JESUS HATES YOU. >:C



is that good enough

[Rulez]

WELL YOUR WRONG.

JESUS FUCK.

[MLII]

I would like to point out that that was in fact intentional and meant to create added hilarity/stupidity. o3o

[Adsolution]

Kthx for the explanation. O3o

[Tobbe]

Hey, new guys!

I would very much like to hear your views on religion. Do you follow an organised religion? If not, do you believe in god? And most importantly, I want to know why you believe or don't believe. I can assure you that no matter what your views are, you will not be ridiculed here. They will be the subject of skeptical inquiry, though.

[Son of Dark]

I have no idea what to believe, I'm completely lost, but I shouldn't let that bother me since a lot of other life just live on instinct, you don't need a brain to live, like jellyfish, they still thrive and eat, because of senses and instict.

Of course maybe humans are special in the fact that our brains are so complex that we can think about these questions, although many philosophers and all these 'moderate' people state, 'there is no right or wrong answer', that's a load of flip, of course there is a true answer, we just don't know it. What they should instead say is that opinions and discussions are accepted and useful.

[Adsolution]

Logically, there would be a single, true answer indeed, but maybe while the Universe itself seems logical, what's on the other side? Perhaps the answer we're looking for plays by a whole different set of rules that we as residents of this Universe can't comprehend - or maybe it is something we can comprehend, but only after we experience it. Or, maybe nothing's different at all.

What I'm saying may in itself be a load of flip, but we realistically should keep our minds as open as possible when it comes to searching for the answer to the biggest, most conceptually abstract mystery known to anyone, even if it means there can never be an accurate and true answer that we can understand as mere humans. As it is, I believe that we should technically should definitely be able to find a single answer, but at the same time, I'm prepared for anything. We're special among Earthlings indeed in that we;re able to think about these things, but does that mean we have infinite potential, or can we even compare to whatever more highly advanced lifeforms that are out there who may be able to comprehend truths and realities that we can't? I think we do have unlimited potential, as we're getting to know more and more about our brains, and once we understand it fully, we can enhance ourselves.

I have no idea what to believe, I'm completely lost, but I shouldn't let that bother me since a lot of other life just live on instinct, you don't need a brain to live, like jellyfish, they still thrive and eat, because of senses and instict.

I believe in the knowledge we have discovered and tested over the eons we've been around. Anything that I feel that I can trust to lead me forward by whatever means to a greater level of objective enlightenment.