okay, i know i've said this in many different topics. RELIGION IS BOGUS.


                                                                                          any comments?

I Wouldn't say Religion is Bogus, but I guess everyone has their own beliefs about it

I have no religion, therefore I cannot comment ;D

Don't we already have too many threads about this topic? ???

I agree, although I think if people want to be religious, power to them.  If it brings meaning to your life and keeps you out of trouble, I don't have a problem with it.

Don't we already have too many threads about this topic? ???


wayy too many threads indeed

Discrediting a major force that has shaped human history and contributed many great ideas (while many horrible ones) is pretty bogus.

Discrediting a major force that has shaped human history and contributed many great ideas (while many horrible ones) is pretty bogus.


::) Yes, including ideas about stoning gays.

Learn the difference between spirtuality and organized religion, please.

Discrediting a major force that has shaped human history and contributed many great ideas (while many horrible ones) is pretty bogus.


We don't discredit its historical and cultural importance, we simply see it as negative.  Hitler was definitely a major force that shaped human history; do I think he's bogus?  Of course I do!

We don't discredit its historical and cultural importance, we simply see it as negative.  Hitler was definitely a major force that shaped human history; do I think he's bogus?  Of course I do!


exactly, thankz

We don't discredit its historical and cultural importance, we simply see it as negative.  Hitler was definitely a major force that shaped human history; do I think he's bogus?  Of course I do!


Hitler wasn't the major force, anti-Semitism was. And I think it's irresponsible to take Hitler as bogus. Maybe his beliefs were, but he was just nutty enough to assist the death of 6 million. It's a very odd dilemma for me, since I wouldn't be around without the Holocaust, my grandmother being a Holocaust refugee. But I still wish that those 6 million had never died, though it's not exactly a new thing to kill Jews.

I also think it's a mistake to see religion as purely negative. I see much of it as negative, of course, but it's also produced so many great things. Nothing as large and important, and general, as religion, can be seen as purely negative or positive. Think of all the great philosophy, literature, and art to come out of a religious basis. Most of our society would not be here today without religion, honestly. The wars and persecution are not all that came out of it. Western civilization, both good and bad, is rooted in religion. All society worldwide is.

It isn't religion that's negative, it's people. Religion provides an interpretation of beliefs that are already within people and provides a tool for humans to both lift themselves up and to commit terrible actions. Religion has produced both Michelangelo and the pogroms, the literary tradition and genocide.

Hitler wasn't the major force, anti-Semitism was. And I think it's irresponsible to take Hitler as bogus. Maybe his beliefs were, but he was just nutty enough to assist the death of 6 million. It's a very odd dilemma for me, since I wouldn't be around without the Holocaust, my grandmother being a Holocaust refugee. But I still wish that those 6 million had never died, though it's not exactly a new thing to kill Jews.

I also think it's a mistake to see religion as purely negative. I see much of it as negative, of course, but it's also produced so many great things. Nothing as large and important, and general, as religion, can be seen as purely negative or positive. Think of all the great philosophy, literature, and art to come out of a religious basis. Most of our society would not be here today without religion, honestly. The wars and persecution are not all that came out of it. Western civilization, both good and bad, is rooted in religion. All society worldwide is.

It isn't religion that's negative, it's people. Religion provides an interpretation of beliefs that are already within people and provides a tool for humans to both lift themselves up and to commit terrible actions. Religion has produced both Michelangelo and the pogroms, the literary tradition and genocide.


That was really well written.  I do agree that people can use religion for good or bad, but ultimately I think the concept of faith to be flawed.

That was really well written.  I do agree that people can use religion for good or bad, but ultimately I think the concept of faith to be flawed.


I'm playing devil's advocate to a certain extent. But...faith in what? Faith governs our everyday lives, even if non-religious.

I'm playing devil's advocate to a certain extent. But...faith in what? Faith governs our everyday lives, even if non-religious.


Ah, I see.  ;)  I think faith is logical if you can reasonably depend on it, or if there's no other hope.

Ah, I see.  ;)  I think faith is logical if you can reasonably depend on it, or if there's no other hope.


I'm not so big into the whole logic-as-answer-for-everything thing. We by nature are faithful in something, and oftentimes have no logical reason to depend on it. But who said humans are logical and not rash and glorious things? Logic takes all the splendor out of life.

Dumb comments are bogus. 


Thanks for proving my point.

[quote author=

Whose dumb comments?



The OPs.  I'm sorry if I made it sound like I was speaking to you.  I mean, who says something like "religion is bogus"?

[quote author=

that would be me. that's the only word i can think of to describe religion. again, i don't think that religion has had no effect on the world. also, i'm not just talking about christianity. i'm talking about all religion. i know that religion is very important to mankind and its history. i just think that the thought of one entity controlling all of the universe in rediculus. bogus. you say "god created the earth in 7 days" i say "you can't paint your bathroom in 7 days" it's just ridiculus. bogus.


If you're going to make such ridiculous comments, at least use correct spelling.

Such comments show your ignorance of religion's important and controversial role in history. And why do you care in the first place? People's religious opinions are totally personal.

that would be me. that's the only word i can think of to describe religion. again, i don't think that religion has had no effect on the world. also, i'm not just talking about christianity. i'm talking about all religion. i know that religion is very important to mankind and its history. i just think that the thought of one entity controlling all of the universe in rediculus. bogus. you say "god created the earth in 7 days" i say "you can't paint your bathroom in 7 days" it's just ridiculus. bogus.


Do you find the idea can have religious beliefs, or the Judaic-Babylonian creation story bogus?

okay, i know i've said this in many different topics. RELIGION IS BOGUS.


                                                                                          any comments?


For the most part, yes. Most religions have too much crap you have to believe. I mean, I'm all for unity, brotherhood, and virtue, but I don't think you should have to believe that one man got every species of animal, even all those millions of kinds of insects and put them on a boat and that's how they got here. I'd be good with religions if you didn't have to accept all their mythology too.

For the most part, yes. Most religions have too much crap you have to believe. I mean, I'm all for unity, brotherhood, and virtue, but I don't think you should have to believe that one man got every species of animal, even all those millions of kinds of insects and put them on a boat and that's how they got here. I'd be good with religions if you didn't have to accept all their mythology too.


Again, I think people underestimate the impact of religion on Western society. It is the cardinal influence on almost everything. I personally disagree with Christianity. But it's still important and both alot of greatness and evil have come out of it.

Again, I think people underestimate the impact of religion on Western society. It is the cardinal influence on almost everything. I personally disagree with Christianity. But it's still important and both alot of greatness and evil have come out of it.


Yes, it has had a lot of impact. I think we take too much of the literalist and ridiculous aspects of it, rather then the messages of peace and love.

Although constant forgiveness and turning the other cheek is bullsh-t, I'll be the first to say.

[quote author=

Yes, it has had a lot of impact. I think we take too much of the literalist and ridiculous aspects of it, rather then the messages of peace and love.

Although constant forgiveness and turning the other cheek is bullsh-t, I'll be the first to say.


Forgiveness is good when the offender is truly changed, or when being angry does no good.  Turning the other cheek is never good, you can't let people step on you.  Generally though I don't think religious people embrace this, or any other peaceful aspect to their religion.  Of course some do, but most I think sort of just live their lives.

Heck, rock and roll has religious roots (in gospel, when you go far back enough.)

Heck, rock and roll has religious roots (in gospel, when you go far back enough.)


Partly. 

Forgiveness is good when the offender is truly changed, or when being angry does no good.  Turning the other cheek is never good, you can't let people step on you.  Generally though I don't think religious people embrace this, or any other peaceful aspect to their religion.  Of course some do, but most I think sort of just live their lives.


Forgiveness is good to an extent. If someone pisses on your face, and then feels sorry and apologizes, and then pisses on your face again, but apologizes, and it keeps happening, you've got to stop just letting it go. Too much forgivness is essentially turning the other cheek, which isn't right.

Forgiveness is good to an extent. If someone pisses on your face, and then feels sorry and apologizes, and then pisses on your face again, but apologizes, and it keeps happening, you've got to stop just letting it go. Too much forgivness is essentially turning the other cheek, which isn't right.


Well exactly.  If they've actually become a new person, it would be bitter to not forgive them, but if they're not changed you're only letting them step on you if you forgive them every time.

If you're going to make such ridiculous comments, at least use correct spelling.

Such comments show your ignorance of religion's important and controversial role in history. And why do you care in the first place? People's religious opinions are totally personal.




ok, i've said this a million times and i'll say it again, i don't disregard religions impact on history, or mankind. i simply believe that the things the bible says took place are ridiculus. the effect that religion has had on the world is not.

Hmmm.. Something that takes up a part of your life and makes you feel good that you share with other people
and confirms your rights/morals/way of living....


hmmm.....


you have it. you just dont name it, i bet.

Hmmm.. Something that takes up a part of your life and makes you feel good that you share with other people
and confirms your rights/morals/way of living....


hmmm.....


you have it. you just dont name it, i bet.


Smoking a bowl? (thats the only thing I can think of that fits the above description in my case)

Smoking a bowl? (thats the only thing I can think of that fits the above description in my case)


Drugs confirm your rights/morals/way of living?

[quote author=

Also there is a communal aspect in sharing the experience with people you like or care about.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rastafarianism

"Ganja


For many Rastas, smoking cannabis (known as ganja, herb, kali, or lambs bread) is a spiritual act, often accompanied by Bible study; they consider it a sacrament that cleans the body and mind, exalts the consciousness, facilitates peacefulness, and brings them closer to Jah. The burning of the herb is often said to be essential "for it will sting in the hearts of those that promote and perform evil and wrongs". Many believe that cannabis originated in Africa, and that it is a part of their African culture that they are reclaiming."

Actually there are 3 different faiths that interest me, Rastafarianism, Reform Judaism, and Neo-Paganism(mainly Wicca).

I think all three could be viewed in a way thats more in line with my softcore atheism(I don't think theres a corpreal "god" but there could be a higher power/force in the universe, and life continuing on in a way we don't understand is possible to me as well).

I don't ever see myself as concretely being committed to a specific path, but I think I could mix these three in a way thats satisfactory to me, while still holding science as well.  I guess that'd make me sort of a Unitarian Universalist, actually.

I'm sorry, but I'm having a hard time believing that.  I can't believe that anyone would say that drugs shape who they are and what they believe.  I've lost a friend to an OD and she talked just like you do, and it's giving me painful flashbacks to a conversation we had before she died.

You do drugs, fine.  You're an adult so you can do whatever the hell you want, but I just can't wrap my mind around someone saying drugs are that much of an import in their life.