quote:

Originally posted by squiggle:
One thing I would add, I have heard it said that there are no atheists on a battlefield

the military association of atheists and freethinkers might disagree with that



http://www.maaf.info/expaif.html

I don't have a problem with religion, per say. In fact I do envy those with faith in their God (whomever it may be). I do believe "religion" was an invention of the powers in charge at the time. What better way to conrol the masses than to condemn them to eternal damnation?

The Christians invaded Jersulem to convert all the heathens to Christianity, the Muslims are now trying to convert everyone to Islam. The ironic part, for me, is that there are more similarities than differences in the core beliefs.

Was Jesus the Son of God? Who really knows, but he did teach tolerance, brotherly love, turn the other cheek, etc. Even though I am now an Athiest, those are beliefs that I can relate to, yet we see so many so-called Christians ignore those teachings and instead preach hatred and intolerance. Instead they spout references to the old testament to support their claims. Even though Jesus refuted many of the things in the Old Testament.

I am not an expert on Islam, but from what I understand, Mohammed taught the same things. Yet everything he taught is twisted to conform to a political agenda by fundamentalists the same way Christian fundamentalists have twisted Jesus' teachings.

As for me, I prefer to follow my Native American teachings - respect for Mother Earth and the bounties she provides.

I actually use my 12 step program more and more in my daily life..it is a spiritual path and very helpful

quote:

Originally posted by Suzi-Q:
....yet we see so many so-called Christians ignore those teachings and instead preach hatred and intolerance. Instead they spout references to the old testament to support their claims. Even though Jesus refuted many of the things in the Old Testament.

Many people CALL themselves Christians. Doesn't mean they are and anyone who behaves like this is, quite simply, a liar.

I'm spiritual and lead my life with Karma but to me Religion is the biggest money making racket in the world....

I wondered why I was always skint!!

quote:

Originally posted by stonks:
I'm spiritual and lead my life with Karma but to me Religion is the biggest money making racket in the world....

I'm telling the priest on you ...

quote:

Originally posted by Spear:

hahaha

quote:

Originally posted by Shar:

quote:

Originally posted by stonks:
I'm spiritual and lead my life with Karma but to me Religion is the biggest money making racket in the world....

I'm telling the priest on you ...

He does give great Mass....

quote:

Originally posted by Spear:

Catholicism is wrong.

Should be "Shit may have happened but I've confessed so feck off"

I have a particular beef with the Catholic faith. Never marry a bloody Catholic. Warped, twisted individuals.

quote:

Originally posted by stonks:

quote:

Originally posted by Shar:

quote:

Originally posted by stonks:
I'm spiritual and lead my life with Karma but to me Religion is the biggest money making racket in the world....

I'm telling the priest on you ...

He's got a balcony. Bugger off.

He does give great Mass....

quote:

Originally posted by Cariad:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Spear:

Should be "Shit may have happened but I've confessed so feck off"


I agree totally

quote:

Originally posted by squiggle:

quote:

Originally posted by Suzi-Q:
....yet we see so many so-called Christians ignore those teachings and instead preach hatred and intolerance. Instead they spout references to the old testament to support their claims. Even though Jesus refuted many of the things in the Old Testament.

Many people CALL themselves Christians. Doesn't mean they are and anyone who behaves like this is, quite simply, a liar.

Exactly my point (though I do tend to waffle on a bit). From what I can gleam from the teachings of Mohammad, he taught the same kinds of things, yet the fundamentalist have twisted them to justify their own hatreds. Most Muslims don't go around trying to violently force others to conform to their beliefs, just a handful. Just as most Christians don't bomb Abortion clinics, and want to kill gays.

I don't believe. My parents had me Christened when I was a baby, but they have never asked me to take a faith.

I haven't had my girls Christened/Baptised as I feel they should choose their own path in life and if that includes a faith then so be it.

I don't begrudge anyone that believes, I just don't.

I fancy being a Scientologist but I'd have to marry Tom Cruise.

I think there's a religion, and non religion, for everyone in the world according to how they feel/think. Whatever feels right for everyone is right for them at the time, some change their views overtime, some don't.

Do you think Scientology is right for me? Or should I go for Kabbalah?

quote:

Originally posted by Pol Pot Noodle:
Do you think Scientology is right for me? Or should I go for Kabbalah?

We had a friend who became interested in Scientology but it cost him an absolute fortune to buy all their books/literature.

I've no idea how much it costs to learn about the Kaballah lol

We have a JW Kingdom Hall meeting place at the end of our road....and they get right on my wick. How many times a week do they need to get me out of bed/the shower before I'm 'saved.'?

I was brought up Roman Catholic, I married an atheist in a Catholic church, we had to get married on the side of the alter instead of the centre. I love God, but I don't go to mass, so I'm considered a lapsed Catholic. I believe abortion is a womans/girls choice, but never had or needed to have one. I will have been married 31 years next week 8th July 2009. I've completed all my sacrements and I've told my husband when I die I want Extremeunction. Unfortunately my darling husband will go to Limbo because according to my stupid religion he has not been Baptized.

I'm a Catholic Atheist.

Don't tell my parents.

im just a good jamieboy

quote:

Originally posted by Blizzie:
I'm a Catholic Atheist.

Don't tell my parents.

I'm A Catholic Tart Good Girl.

Don't tell my husband.

quote:

Originally posted by Essex Angel:

quote:

Originally posted by Blizzie:
I'm a Catholic Atheist.

Don't tell my parents.

I'm A Catholic Tart Good Girl.

Don't tell my husband.

*** sprinkles Holy Water over thread ***

quote:

Originally posted by Blizzie:

quote:

Originally posted by Essex Angel:

quote:

Originally posted by Blizzie:
I'm a Catholic Atheist.

Don't tell my parents.

I'm A Catholic Tart Good Girl.

Don't tell my husband.

*** sprinkles Holy Water over thread ***

Is it supposed to burn, it really hurts.

quote:

Originally posted by Essex Angel:


Is it supposed to burn, it really hurts.

*** sprinkles cranberry juice instead ***

quote:

Originally posted by Blizzie:

quote:

Originally posted by Essex Angel:

Is it supposed to burn, it really hurts.

*** sprinkles cranberry juice instead ***

Night Blizzie Off to rub camomile for my sins.

quote:

Originally posted by Essex Angel:


Night Blizzie Off to rub camomile for my sins.

Night night Essex!

quote:

Originally posted by Yellow Rose:

quote:

Originally posted by Pol Pot Noodle:
Do you think Scientology is right for me? Or should I go for Kabbalah?

We had a friend who became interested in Scientology but it cost him an absolute fortune to buy all their books/literature.

I've no idea how much it costs to learn about the Kaballah lol

Those red string bracelets are pretty expensive.

I'm thinking of taking up Shinto. I reckon I'd make a good priest.

God is a DJ.

*turns music up*

At my son's school I recently got fairly short shrift when suggesting to the headmistress that they should rename the Religious Education lessons 'Superstition' lessons.

Upon that being rejected hands down I tried a different tack, that the lessons could be renamed 'Lies'

quote:

Originally posted by Bigdaddyostrich:
At my son's school I recently got fairly short shrift when suggesting to the headmistress that they should rename the Religious Education lessons 'Superstition' lessons.

Upon that being rejected hands down I tried a different tack, that the lessons could be renamed 'Lies'

it's odd that humans think so much of themselves, that many can't accpept that this life is all there is.
we all die leaving a few people to remember us for a short while, why is that so unpalatable?
it's so unbearable for lot's of us that we have to invent a whole new life somewhere else and then fight and kill each other other over who's fantasy is more worthy...

In my humble opinion I think that all the major religions were founded out of a need to try and understand the world. The understanding of the stars, lightning, floods and the like could not be explained so a God must be at work.
First came lots of Gods, Thor, Zeus, Aphrodite etc and over time One God became the norm.
At present our understanding of the Universe is vastly better than it was even a hundred years ago and many things can now be explained without the need for a higher being.
Relgion now a days is more about comforting us and giving us hope that there is more to life than our brief existence on this planet.

quote:

Originally posted by DanceSettee:
Religion is a load of old codswallop based on nothing more than fairy tales.

However, people need some sort of spiritual belief...it has a lot of psychological value, such as making the death of a loved one easier to bear, or coping with scary thoughts of one's own mortality.

so let's get rid of the big organisations and just each of us invent our own personal fantasy god/goddess .....all of the psychological benefits, none of the manipulation by clergy out to further their own political ends and greed for power and wealth

ive joined the church of debbie harry-my one true fantasy
oh yes

quote:

Originally posted by JacksonB:
it's odd that humans think so much of themselves, that many can't accpept that this life is all there is.
we all die leaving a few people to remember us for a short while, why is that so unpalatable?
it's so unbearable for lot's of us that we have to invent a whole new life somewhere else and then fight and kill each other other over who's fantasy is more worthy...

I dont believe in Religous wars one iota but I do believe I may see my loved ones who have departed this world one day again, and that gives me hope, in fact if I did not have a God in my life I would have probably topped myself years ago, so actually yes, it does get unbearable for me sometimes so I have that little glimmer of hope, I dont call it invention, I call it hope and I would never put anyone down who did not believe in God, thats the difference

quote:

Originally posted by china:

quote:

Originally posted by DanceSettee:
Religion is a load of old codswallop based on nothing more than fairy tales.

However, people need some sort of spiritual belief...it has a lot of psychological value, such as making the death of a loved one easier to bear, or coping with scary thoughts of one's own mortality.

so let's get rid of the big organisations and just each of us invent our own personal fantasy god/goddess .....all of the psychological benefits, none of the manipulation by clergy out to further their own political ends and greed for power and wealth

ive joined the church of debbie harry-my one true fantasy
oh yes

You'll soon find out it's a pain in the ass!

quote:

Originally posted by JacksonB:
it's odd that humans think so much of themselves, that many can't accpept that this life is all there is.
we all die leaving a few people to remember us for a short while, why is that so unpalatable?
it's so unbearable for lot's of us that we have to invent a whole new life somewhere else and then fight and kill each other other over who's fantasy is more worthy...

I don`t think its an ego thing, having mulled this one over for years. Its more to do with pain and reason. The pain that people feel and the suffering they go through has to have meaning.

the poor little thickies.