cRPG

Off Topic => General Off Topic => Topic started by: Soldier_of_God on February 18, 2011, 08:11:25 am

Title: What Religion are you?
Post by: Soldier_of_God on February 18, 2011, 08:11:25 am
I am just curious what sort of demographic we have here, since there is more than 250+  registered.
that, and i had a thought of making a faith based clan sometime in the future.

I noticed this thread and decided to add another important option now that i know how to use the polls correctly;

Gnosis, or the pursuit of hidden wisdom that can be used in modern life.  for those who do not necessarily believe in a particular god, but are spiritual and have a spiritual discipline, this choice is for you.


thank you all for being good sports so far and being open minded; this has shown me the diversity of the community and while there has been some flaming, i the longevity of this thread represents the rationality of every person who has participated thus far.

pm me if there are any other religions that need to be added.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Phoenix on February 18, 2011, 08:13:19 am
I believe that religions were made up to describe stuff that people couldn't describe back then.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Kabookie on February 18, 2011, 08:33:17 am
When I was very young I asked my mother once "What religion am I?". She looked somewhat stunned and said that I could say Protestant Christian.

I knew then that a "religion" was an individuals choice and not something you are born to be. I have studied many religions and now commit to none, but strive to respect all.
There are many differences but also similar roots to a lot of religions.

I have found that taking knowledge from all the divisions has offered a greater insight in where to, we are coming from.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: LordBerenger on February 18, 2011, 08:35:08 am
Good luck with this thread, though i doubt it will be taken seriously. Since trolls will just pour down in here and spam GIF's, pictures and so on.

But back to the topic.

More of a Christian than any other religion.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: BD_Guard_Bane on February 18, 2011, 08:40:54 am
Is this a wise thread to be starting? :)

Also, while you could argue that Catholicism and Protestantism are different takes on the same thing, (though a member of one of those denominations might strongly disagree), there is just no way you can put Hinduism and Buddhism in the same bracket. Neither is a denomination of the other. The same applies to Islam and Judaism. And what does 'cultural religion' mean? Also, agnosticism and atheism are very different positions.

 
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Kaelaen on February 18, 2011, 08:44:22 am
(click to show/hide)

This.  I'm pretty sure people have been hurt for calling Judaism and Islam the same thing, if you did not intend to troll people then this poll is very poorly constructed.  If this is a troll thread though, well then pardon me.  Carry on.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Braeden on February 18, 2011, 08:55:46 am
I also think the options are a bit wonky.  But put me down for Evangelical Historic Pre-Millennial Continuationist 3-point Calvinist (TIP) Christian.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Soldier_of_God on February 18, 2011, 09:15:58 am
I put a little disclaimer for all you speculative chaps. if someone gets offended, i'll apologize publicly; that definitely isnt the goal of this.

really... its to show how diverse this community is.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Kaelaen on February 18, 2011, 09:31:36 am
(click to show/hide)

What is factual to you is not necessarily factual to another person, especially when it comes to subjective subjects such as this one.  Telling someone they shouldn't be offended when lumped together in the same group as someone they would consider an 'enemy' probably wouldn't work too well.  It reminds me of the first scene in The Social Network, where Zuckerberg all but tells the girl he's dating she can't meet the same people he can because she doesn't have the qualifications to do so.  In his mind he was being objective about it but to most normal people he would indeed have been considered an asshole and, unsurprisingly, that's how Erica thought of him and broke up right then and there.

Anyway now that I know this is not a troll thread, hmm, I'm not really sure which one to pick.  I suppose people could consider me atheist but I don't really like being associated with them so I base my religion on 'Other.'

[edit] Oh wait I can't pick that, I have even less in common with cultural religions.  Bloody polls and not being multiple choice... my beliefs change based on whatever the hell I feel like being at the moment.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: BD_Guard_Bane on February 18, 2011, 09:48:54 am
Islam and Judaism are different takes on the abrahamic God, which should be a factual, non-offensive statement,
and Buddhism and Hinduism actually are similar in alot of ways, but they are different.

But Christianity isn't a 'different take' on the God of Abraham? If you're classing Islam and Judaism as Abrahamic religions, then Christianity should be in the same group too.
Its not just about the possibility of offence, more about accuracy.

Buddhism (including most of the major denominations or ways or whatever they call them) isn't at all similar to Hinduism (by which I mean most of the major denominations of Hinduism). There are some pretty huge theological and cultural differences there. Much larger differences than between the three Abrahamic religions, in terms of theological claims.

Don't mean to ruin your thread, but religion is quite a contentious issue, accuracy is important. And grouping Buddhists and Hindus together, and Muslims and Jews together, while giving Christianity a category all of it's own, is maybe not the best way to avoid offence, and definitely not the best way to get a demographic sample.

And still, what is a cultural religion? And why is Baha'i in that category?

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Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Noctivagant on February 18, 2011, 11:03:32 am
Anti-religion, Anti-faith, Anti-submission
(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: chadz on February 18, 2011, 11:37:53 am
But Christianity isn't a 'different take' on the God of Abraham? If you're classing Islam and Judaism as Abrahamic religions, then Christianity should be in the same group too.

This.

Edit:
... but i think its a good thing for people to see the people that they are playing with.
That is one of the many reasons why I strongly dislike most religions. That statement is assuming that you don't know a person unless you know his religion.

Also, inb4 page 50.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: La Makina on February 18, 2011, 11:48:55 am
But Christianity isn't a 'different take' on the God of Abraham? If you're classing Islam and Judaism as Abrahamic religions, then Christianity should be in the same group too.

He is right.

And Jesus was a Jew. Christians see him as a prophet whereas Jews see him as an impostor.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Siiem on February 18, 2011, 11:54:51 am
Lot'o infidels here.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Sean_Drew on February 18, 2011, 12:02:47 pm
I have no specific religion.

I think all religions have many positive things.

But all religions have many negative things , that i don´t like.

So i decided to make my own religion.

If we know, that every human being should only be treated , like one self wish to be treated, than many things go right.

Respect each other , regardless , of his religion, gender, age , and so on ...

Face the other one with love and respect , as long , as he do the same to you.

First trust in the good of human being.

If one behaves like an elephant in a glass house , than he must learn from the reaction , that it is not good , how he behaves.

These simple things , need no religion.

There are religions , which says that they are the right , or the superior ones, against other religions, or no religions. Unbeliever are no humans or something.

This religions part the human beings in many groups. That is a bad thing. It´s not good. I don´t say a specific religion, cause people of this religion could be hurt ... that´s not , what i want.

I want these people to think about , if their religion is really better , or superior to others ...

They are not.

We are all the same. We are all human. We should treat each other with love and respect.


And we need no religion for this.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Jambi on February 18, 2011, 12:36:14 pm
Im a loser, a sinner and a cock in a dildo disguise.

So i quess i am all aboves choices.

Non-Religious (atheist,agnostic, former believer) Funny how this is one of the choices.... for those people still in need to tag themself and sit in a box.

Spiral out. Keep going.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Soldier_of_God on February 18, 2011, 06:32:49 pm
But Christianity isn't a 'different take' on the God of Abraham? If you're classing Islam and Judaism as Abrahamic religions, then Christianity should be in the same group too.

yes. you are right. i put that too... this is meant to be a Poll, not a place were people look at it, stand around in a big circle and say "gee, your on the danger line pal. this is wrong in x way or you're wrong in x way. someone might get offended"

please keep Speculation to yourselves! 


like this thread, i cant take responsibility for how everyone feels. i cant control whether people understand the word "speculation".
and i also cant control "the eye of the beholder" mentality taking place here. like art, someone can say this is good, while others can say this is a flaming turd of a thread. both, are opinions, which this is not a place for.

and i am not a theologian, historian, or any other authority on any of these things, so instead of telling me i'm wrong, participate in the actual point of this thread please. if some of you are one of those things, great! but that isnt what this thread is about.

and that is all i will say. i'm not going to sit here all day and make preemptive disclaimers because people think that maybe i will offend someone. i would change the poll if i could, but i cant. lesson learned there. so far, noone has REALLY become offended.
so far, half this thread is speculation only.

that is why i will no longer reply to it, nor read it, nor acknowledge it from this point on, unless its a legitimate complaint.

thank you all for participating and voting!

sincerely,
               Risen_Earl_Edward
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Alex_C on February 18, 2011, 06:40:28 pm
As Bane said, his objections were more about accuracy than possible offence.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Gorath on February 18, 2011, 06:47:38 pm
You realize agnostics aren't even remotely the same thing as atheists?   :rolleyes:

Anyways I'm agnostic, I acknowledge the possibility of a dietific entity somewhere out there in the depths that science cannot explain.

In case of attack by religious zealots however I shield myself as a follower of Cthulu. 
Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: zagibu on February 18, 2011, 07:51:52 pm
I am officially without confession. In this country, if you don't get active, you have to pay taxes for the church. I don't have to, anymore.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Belatu on February 19, 2011, 08:15:16 pm

Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn.

this
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Grey on February 19, 2011, 08:26:18 pm
Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn.

BLASPHEMER!!

No, in seriousness, I looked at history, and I chose Atheism because:

Never, not even ONCE has someone stood up and yelled "I DECLARE WAR IN THE NAME OF NO GOD!"

So since it has ended the least lives and caused the least heartache, bloodshed, and finacial ruin, and does not benefit anyone by letting them prey on my personal insecurity, I choose to worship at the Altar Of Science, since I have to take "facts" like that the world is round or the moon causes the tide on faith, being unable to prove them myself.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Sharky on February 19, 2011, 08:31:22 pm
Never, not even ONCE has someone stood up and yelled "I DECLARE WAR IN THE NAME OF NO GOD!"
Urss? Revolutionary France? North Vietnam?

I'm agnostic, and as gorath it's quite different from being atheist. Anyway, putting jews and muslims togheter? Really??  :shock:
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: jspook on February 19, 2011, 08:43:36 pm
Never, not even ONCE has someone stood up and yelled "I DECLARE WAR IN THE NAME OF NO GOD!"

False

In Soviet Russia, in particular, humanism and secular belief was one of the defining characteristics of the peoples revolution.  The abolition of religion as a state mandate helped to further this goal.  It only led to repression, and the black market smuggling of religious materials as well as secret undergroud churches.  They also imprisoned people for outward religious beliefs, and publicly persecuted them all in the name of "no God"

read your world history again.  this was only one example.  there are many.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Grey on February 19, 2011, 08:49:22 pm
False

In Soviet Russia, in particular, humanism and secular belief was one of the defining characteristics of the peoples revolution.  The abolition of religion as a state mandate helped to further this goal.  It only led to repression, and the black market smuggling of religious materials as well as secret undergroud churches.  They also imprisoned people for outward religious beliefs, and publicly persecuted them all in the name of "no God"

read your world history again.  this was only one example.  there are many.

NOOOOOOO, a STATE repressed its individuals, just as many others have done/still do in the name of their god, or the name of their cause (Socialism etc)

Theres a BIG difference between repressing individuals and declaring war....just my opinion.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: jspook on February 19, 2011, 08:52:08 pm
When a state is defined BY ITS PEOPLE, and one of its very founding tenets was humanism and the repression of religion, that is a people standing up and declaring war in the name of "no god".  The very people who pushed for revolution followed this to its extreem.  This is exactly what you have said has never happened.  and a revolution IS war on the current system.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Bjarky on February 19, 2011, 09:02:48 pm
this thread proves exactly why we didn't want to discuss religion in these forums.
there's only one super god (armagan) and chadz is his messenger...  8-)
http://forums.taleworlds.com/index.php/topic,128178.msg3090223.html#msg3090223
this is an classic! :D
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Grey on February 19, 2011, 09:11:46 pm
When a state is defined BY ITS PEOPLE, and one of its very founding tenets was humanism and the repression of religion, that is a people standing up and declaring war in the name of "no god".  The very people who pushed for revolution followed this to its extreem.  This is exactly what you have said has never happened.  and a revolution IS war on the current system.

No mate, the people who pushed for revolution in Russia where all killed or sent to Syberia within 6 months of the Tsar being removed from power. The Soviet Republic was a brutal regime to live under exactly BECAUSE those who wanted to improve things were removed, sometimes as simply as a icepick to the head, as in the end of Trotsky. The USSR was a ugly, horrible parody of socialism and its ideals. Blindly yelling "FOR STALIN" and killing people, thats the same as yelling "For God!".

My point stands, be your god a man, or a deity; blindly following someone is an act of faith. So when a person is subjugated to the will of another, because "God" said so, or because "Stalin" said so, its the same, its a war based on faith, NOT based on improving the standing of those being subjugated, which is the ONLY truly altruistic case for war.

The allies in WW2 is the closest anyone has ever come to fighting a war for good reasons in someone elses country. The majority of soldiers IN that war fought because what einstein was doing to europe was WRONG, and they all saw it, and they stood up and said "NO more", and they went to Berlin to shoot him. So, short of THAT case, there is NO case where someone can invade another with good cause. So, they have bad causes, and while thruout history the VAST majority of wars, EVEN the crusades, where realistically ONLY for financiall betterment of those organising them, unfortunatly for religions, they tend to be used as the excuse.

Anyway, I have gone off on a tangent: Faith in a man, or a god, is used as an excuse for many wars, but never has someone invaded another country to try propulgate Atheism.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Sharky on February 19, 2011, 09:14:51 pm
No mate, the people who pushed for revolution in Russia where all killed or sent to Syberia within 6 months of the Tsar being removed from power. The Soviet Republic was a brutal regime to live under exactly BECAUSE those who wanted to improve things were removed, sometimes as simply as a icepick to the head, as in the end of Trotsky. The USSR was a ugly, horrible parody of socialism and its ideals. Blindly yelling "FOR STALIN" and killing people, thats the same as yelling "For God!".

My point stands, be your god a man, or a deity; blindly following someone is an act of faith. So when a person is subjugated to the will of another, because "God" said so, or because "Stalin" said so, its the same, its a war based on faith, NOT based on improving the standing of those being subjugated, which is the ONLY truly altruistic case for war.

The allies in WW2 is the closest anyone has ever come to fighting a war for good reasons in someone elses country. The majority of soldiers IN that war fought because what einstein was doing to europe was WRONG, and they all saw it, and they stood up and said "NO more", and they went to Berlin to shoot him. So, short of THAT case, there is NO case where someone can invade another with good cause. So, they have bad causes, and while thruout history the VAST majority of wars, EVEN the crusades, where realistically ONLY for financiall betterment of those organising them, unfortunatly for religions, they tend to be used as the excuse.

Anyway, I have gone off on a tangent: Faith in a man, or a god, is used as an excuse for many wars, but never has someone invaded another country to try propulgate Atheism.
You forgot that the urss also formally declared war on a shitloads of countries, in the name of an atheist ideology.
So your argument that without religion there is no war is simply not true. Also north vietnam, a fiercely atheist country invaded south vietnam, and revolutionary france invaded italy egypt etc, and there are many other examples so yeah aggressive wars can be declared by atheist countries too.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: jspook on February 19, 2011, 10:23:21 pm
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
I came to the realzation after reading through most of the posts over the last couple of days that it is pointless to argue with someone who has the capacity for such deep self deception.  case closed.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Christo on February 23, 2011, 03:30:41 am
Well, I'm Catholic, but I don't go to church on sundays. I don't know a proper prayer.

In my opinion, true faith needs no temple, it's just because of our materialistic views.
Also, fanatics, sheep, fake "believers" are the worst. You have to use your own head too.

I can't tell a proper prayer, but sometimes I go to the graveyard, and kneel before the statue of Christ. And "pray" for my beloved ones, I made an oath there, that I'll protect, and help my best friends, and the folks I respect. Call me an idiot for that, I don't care.

Also the modern Atheist trend is weird too. Why jumping on religion all the freaking time? The times where the Church controlled the world is over anyways, it's just a Formality to still have the Vatican, and the Pope.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Adam_Bomb on February 23, 2011, 03:50:32 am
I'm glad to see so many non-religious people here.  Makes me think more of my crpg peers.  When someone tells me they are very religious, all that goes through my head is, "Ok, guess I'm smarter than you..." Humans came up with the idea of a God or gods to explain things we didn't understand, a "god of the gaps".  As science and understanding have spread, religion has naturally retreated.

*Flame shield raised*
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: MountedRhader on February 23, 2011, 03:53:05 am
Gorath We need your help(!!) :3


Btw for your information.. Religion is the biggest hypocritical organization since the dawn of time. They say non-religious people are wrong and bad and that we should pray to the lord almighty for forgiveness (now donate or you go to hell.)? Hah no... Matter of fact 90% of the time it's religion hating on science. It's a defensive mechanism to ward off new thinking, and that new thinking will end their control/power. This is just my honest opinion on the matter. Do not hate because I will probably not look back on this topic. Total waste of time. Like it is stated above, try thinking for yourself and challenge what you hear, not accept it without reason. I beg you! Let the flow of negative points take place.  :(
I'm obviously non-religious.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: BD_Guard_Bane on February 23, 2011, 07:08:42 am
Btw for your information.. Religion is the biggest hypocritical organization since the dawn of time. They say non-religious people are wrong and bad and that we should pray to the lord almighty for forgiveness (now donate or you go to hell.)? Hah no... Matter of fact 90% of the time it's religion hating on science.

Hmm. Well, hypocrisy isn't really a valid accusation. Do you mean by Religion: All religions that exist, and have ever existed? Its a little difficult to group all the religions under one general category. The definition of a religion is notoriously difficult (and no-where near agreed upon, people are still trying to work out a definition for what is and isn't a religion).
Anyway, hypocrisy: even if a religious person is being hypocritical (not practising what he/she preaches), it doesn't necessarily mean that what they are preaching is wrong. Doctors tell people not to smoke, yet many doctors smoke. This doesn't mean that smoking isn't bad for you.

The perspectives of religious groups and individuals towards science are many and varied. The ones that get media coverage however, are generally those few who condemn science using poorly informed and hateful arguments. You don't generally hear about the vast majority of religious people who agree with scientific theory, or those who believe it has no impact on religious teachings and don't try to contrast the two belief systems, or those who oppose various scientific teachings for valid and well thought out reasons.


When someone tells me they are very religious, all that goes through my head is, "Ok, guess I'm smarter than you..." Humans came up with the idea of a God or gods to explain things we didn't understand, a "god of the gaps".  As science and understanding have spread, religion has naturally retreated.

What goes through my head when I read someone equating religious belief with stupidity is, "Ok, guess you need a better education...".
Especially when they go on to make a claim ('Humans came up with the idea of a God or gods to explain things we didn't understand') that implies that they think they can provide an answer to a question that has remained unanswered for thousands of years, despite the best efforts of some of the greatest thinkers of human history. Its amazing that you can provide such an answer after thinking about the subject for all of 10 minutes.

Perhaps you should write to the various heads of the world religions and share your unique and well thought out insight with them, and they can all go home and stop believing in God(s)? Its marvellous that we finally have the question of religion answered. I see a Nobel prize coming your way!
Did the flame shield work?

Also the modern Atheist trend is weird too. Why jumping on religion all the freaking time?

It isn't a modern trend. You can read about materialist, atheistic movements throughout history and in every culture, and also their (sometimes) inevitable conflict with religious movements.
The reasons for the current perceived conflict between atheists (who like to drag science into the argument, on their side naturally since most atheists are materialists and empiricists) and religious beliefs and teachings are incredibly complex. You would have to go all the way back to Plato or Aristotle to see why we have the atheist/theist conflict now, and probably even further back. And that's just in Western religion and philosophy.

My view of it is that certain atheists became jealous that only religious lunatics could make money from exploiting people by teaching them crap, and wanted to get in on the deal. So now we have atheist lunatics selling ignorance and misinformation and poorly informed dogmatic rubbish, and competing with the old style religious idiots for that market (Dawkins is a good example).
The conflict between theism and atheism (a philosophical debate) is sold to people as a conflict between science and religion, and hyped up to sell books and T.V series, and make certain individuals very wealthy. It isn't just used by cynical, exploitative salesmen though - politicians also like what they can do with the supposed conflict.
In a way its equality though - it isn't just religious salesmen now, its atheist ones too. I suppose they deserve the opportunity to lie to people just as much as some religious people do.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Franklin on February 23, 2011, 05:23:05 pm
Meh, I would say I'm a Taoist.  Not the religion which I am convinced it was never intended to be, but the philosophy itself.  A Taoist Fundamentalist if you will.  :mrgreen:
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Balton on February 23, 2011, 05:26:44 pm
Non-Religious (atheist,agnostic, former believer)
    59 (63.4%)

I am very impressed, c-rpg.

I also think the options are a bit wonky.  But put me down for Evangelical Historic Pre-Millennial Continuationist 3-point Calvinist (TIP) Christian.

No surprises there  :lol:
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: krampe on February 23, 2011, 06:03:25 pm
Are muslims praying with head to the east in Pakistan too?
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Adam_Bomb on February 23, 2011, 07:26:45 pm

What goes through my head when I read someone equating religious belief with stupidity is, "Ok, guess you need a better education...".
Especially when they go on to make a claim ('Humans came up with the idea of a God or gods to explain things we didn't understand') that implies that they think they can provide an answer to a question that has remained unanswered for thousands of years, despite the best efforts of some of the greatest thinkers of human history. Its amazing that you can provide such an answer after thinking about the subject for all of 10 minutes.

Perhaps you should write to the various heads of the world religions and share your unique and well thought out insight with them, and they can all go home and stop believing in God(s)? Its marvellous that we finally have the question of religion answered. I see a Nobel prize coming your way!
Did the flame shield work?

Yep, guess I'm smarter than you... :P
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Alex_C on February 23, 2011, 07:29:33 pm
What goes through my head when I read someone equating religious belief with stupidity is, "Ok, guess you need a better education...".
Especially when they go on to make a claim ('Humans came up with the idea of a God or gods to explain things we didn't understand') that implies that they think they can provide an answer to a question that has remained unanswered for thousands of years, despite the best efforts of some of the greatest thinkers of human history. Its amazing that you can provide such an answer after thinking about the subject for all of 10 minutes.

Perhaps you should write to the various heads of the world religions and share your unique and well thought out insight with them, and they can all go home and stop believing in God(s)? Its marvellous that we finally have the question of religion answered. I see a Nobel prize coming your way!
Did the flame shield work?

Yep, guess I'm smarter than you... :P

But just not smart enough to work out how quotes work?
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Noble Crassius on February 23, 2011, 07:35:53 pm
Seems cRPG is full of heathens lol
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Bjarky on February 23, 2011, 09:58:17 pm
Are muslims praying with head to the east in Pakistan too?
most muslims pray towards the city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
i'm not a muslim, but thats what some friends told me :D
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Matey on February 23, 2011, 10:18:47 pm
When I was very young I asked my mother once "What religion am I?". She looked somewhat stunned and said that I could say Protestant Christian.


i had the exact same experience at a young age. of course i had no idea what being protestant meant... i was just like "oh, ok... so im protestant? whatever that means" unsurprisingly religion had very little influence on me growing up and i went atheist back in grade 9.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Franklin on February 23, 2011, 10:33:20 pm

Perhaps you should write to the various heads of the world religions and share your unique and well thought out insight with them, and they can all go home and stop believing in God(s)? Its marvellous that we finally have the question of religion answered. I see a Nobel prize coming your way!
Did the flame shield work?

Yep, guess I'm smarter than you... :P

Lol, I wish someone would.  We might all get a bit of peace, for a short while at least.  :P 
It would be nice to have people not blow shit up and kill for the sake of a difference of religious opinion for a change.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: chadz on February 23, 2011, 10:39:55 pm
A few questions I asked myself/thought about when I was a kid was why religions are so based on geography/culture. So I like asking these questions:

a) Are you of the same religion as most of the other people in your area.
b) Are you of the same religion as your parents.
c) Are you of the same religion that you were raised with as a child.
d) Do you think you would have the same religion as you have right now if you were raised in another part of the world.
e) What is your logical conclusion of the above answers?


(click to show/hide)

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Christo on February 23, 2011, 10:50:00 pm
"Topic: What Religion are you?  (Read 666 times)"

:o
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Mtemtko on February 23, 2011, 10:50:30 pm
A few questions I asked myself/thought about when I was a kid was why religions are so based on geography/culture. So I like asking these questions:



my answer to E was atheism. Of course, results may vary.



Long live the chadz!
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Christo on February 23, 2011, 10:52:22 pm

Long live the chadz!

chadzian?  :mrgreen:
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Draedan on February 23, 2011, 10:58:16 pm
Didn't look at any posts,
Just putting in my 2 cents about poll.

Christian, Judaism, Islam, and Muslim should all be in the same poll. 
Otherwise make them SEPARATE.
You don't see Jews bombing anyone or forcing anything down anyone's throat.

Add a Nihilism Option.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: DrKronic on February 23, 2011, 11:01:11 pm
I was raised by pure atheist's who taught me to love and respect and hate people for their individual qualities not their beliefs

While its nice to see the survey respondents have similar views I still see so much hatred towards religion in these posts, who cares no reason to show true "elitism " and say nonsensical statements like if someone believes in something they are autoretarded, just shows ignorance and bigotry

Also the violent spread of marxist communism, national socialism were marked by the massacre of religious people

To say atheism never caused war or genocide is denying Marx his legacy of genocides committed by tyrants the world over(in the name of Socialist Revolution ) that would have never happened had his philosophy never existed
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Alex_C on February 23, 2011, 11:06:06 pm
You don't see Jews bombing anyone or forcing anything down anyone's throat.

*ahem*

*points at Israel.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: [ptx] on February 23, 2011, 11:07:59 pm
Lies!
You are not pointing at Israel. At best, you are pointing at the horizon...
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: MountedRhader on February 23, 2011, 11:22:06 pm
*ahem*

*points at Israel.

Agreed. Anyone ever heard of Palestine?
People so shrouded in bliss and ignorance. Watch the news! (Not fox-news)
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Christo on February 23, 2011, 11:25:02 pm
Agreed. Anyone ever heard of Palestine?
People so shrouded in bliss and ignorance. Watch the news! (Not fox-news)

This.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: DrKronic on February 23, 2011, 11:41:50 pm
I am training a guy from jordan who says most of the population in jordan is actually ethnic Palestinian who lived in that region(modern day Jordan)before the western powers made Nationstates out of various peoples I.e. he believes a true palestine would have most of jordan and part of israel in it, basically Palestinian are kicked around by everyone in his view(arab and jewish alike), interesting stuff
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: AdNecrias on February 24, 2011, 02:11:10 am
You guys should get to know the religion my old friend made in highschool. Let me translate... Cosmochickenocreationism. It's based on the belief that the cosmic chicken, which laid the cosmic egg which led to the big bang and thus all of us, is the true god. There was also egg version of it but it soon died off given it's only member caught a cold.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: BD_Guard_Bane on February 24, 2011, 11:13:19 am
Lol, I wish someone would.  We might all get a bit of peace, for a short while at least.  :P 
It would be nice to have people not blow shit up and kill for the sake of a difference of religious opinion for a change.

The problem there is that metaphysical, ethical, and theological claims about the world are very vulnerable to abuse. A difference in religious opinion is very rarely the cause of people killing each other. The most that a difference in religious opinion alone has ever led to is a slightly heated argument. But of course it is never just about a philosophical or theological difference in metaphysical or ethical claims.

People kill each other because of psychological and sociological reasons, not because of religion. Blaming religious belief is just a very easy answer to a very complex problem.

(click to show/hide)

Sure, atheism is the result if you don't already assume that:

1) The world is logical
2) There is a God
3) God has a plan for the world, and it runs according to that plan (which makes d impossible)
4) People follow different religions because of some aspect of the Divine Plan, which is beyond human understanding

or even (very simplistically)

1) The world is logical
2) People are born and die in cycles, due to ignorance of escape from the cycles
3) Ignorance of escape can only be overcome by learning of enlightenment
4) People follow different religions because of their ignorance

To get atheism you just have to pre-assume that:

1) The world is logical
2) There is no pre-set order as to where people are born
3) The existence of different (often theologically opposed) religions means that none of them can be correct
4) The existence of cultural trends in religious belief is better explained by a non-religious theory


Atheism is just as much a belief system as any given religion is. And its just as culturally influenced, too.






 
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Franklin on February 24, 2011, 01:25:02 pm

People kill each other because of psychological and sociological reasons, not because of religion. Blaming religious belief is just a very easy answer to a very complex problem.


A somewhat circular argument as human psychology and society is heavily influenced by religion.  I doubt it is as complex as some people hope it is.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: chadz on February 24, 2011, 01:32:42 pm
3) God has a plan for the world, and it runs according to that plan (which makes d impossible)
4) People follow different religions because of some aspect of the Divine Plan, which is beyond human understanding
Well of course this cannot be assumed. That ideas would have to come from somewhere. When you think about a subject, you cant just start in the middle. Tabula rasa!

If you just assume the above - or even take them into consideration - that's like writing a book about the best book in the world, which is actually the book you are currently writing on. Infinite Loop!

Atheism is just as much a belief system as any given religion is. And its just as culturally influenced, too.
That is also, by definition not true. "Not playing tennis" is not a sport, "being bald" is no haircolour and "not having sex" is not satisfying.

Religions are fine if they just stay where they belong - between sorting stamps and taking pictures of trains.

Edit: I feel I have the right to attack religions, I was forced to be scared from god when I was a child and then put into an totally elite catholic church school where people were molested left and right of me from priests, thank god I was lucky enough to skip the experience first hand :P
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Christo on February 24, 2011, 01:52:17 pm
Edit: I feel I have the right to attack religions, I was forced to be scared from god when I was a child and then put into an totally elite catholic church school where people were molested left and right of me from priests, thank god I was lucky enough to skip the experience first hand :P

Now that's retarded, the side of the church I always disliked. Problem is with the Catholics that the rules are too strict imo, I mean come on, it's 2011, let the Priests marry legally.  :?
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Raskolnikov on February 24, 2011, 02:09:37 pm
Also the violent spread of marxist communism, national socialism were marked by the massacre of religious people

Not just religious people, anybody suspected of dissent. So were these religious people killed because they were religious, or were they killed because they were dissenters?

Quote from: DrKronic
To say atheism never caused war or genocide is denying Marx his legacy of genocides committed by tyrants the world over(in the name of Socialist Revolution ) that would have never happened had his philosophy never existed

(From dictionary.com)
Atheism:

1. the doctrine or belief that there is no god.
2. disbelief in the existence of a supreme being or beings.

Firstly, I take issue with sense 1. Sense 2 is the true - and most literal - meaning of atheism. Regardless, there is nothing in either about genocide, and there is nothing there about Karl Marx. Don't conflate Stalinism (which is not even Marxism) with atheism. Atheism, unlike ALL religions has no creed. You do not have to do anything, there is no network of interdependent beliefs, there are no rites or rituals and there are no holy books, prophets, divine messengers, beings or devils or demons whose messages can be interpreted or misinterpreted. Atheism is just disbelief. How you get from a disbelief in deities to genocides - I do not know.

And all those deaths had nothing to do with Socialism, they were the result of tyrants wanting absolute authority over the people they ruled. But let's not digress - this isn't a topic about Socialism.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Alex_C on February 24, 2011, 02:29:05 pm
Oops. Post to follow.

THE SUSPENSE!!! I CAN'T HANDLE THE SUSPENSE MAN!!!!
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Xant on February 24, 2011, 03:08:00 pm
Saying atheism has caused wars or genocide is completely ridiculous. Unless you suggest that Stalin went "Oh, the gods of the religions do not exist... which leads me to the logical conclusion that I must slaughter people!" That has nothing to do with atheism. In no way or form does atheism suggest anything of the like. It's a negative belief. Just like not collecting stamps isn't a hobby, atheism is not a religion. All it implies is that a person does not believe in a fictional entity - it doesn't try to feed you any bullshit or moral guidelines. In fact, it's pretty ridiculous and I find it amusing when people actively define/introduce themselves as atheists. Kind of like going around saying you're an antisantaclausist. (Not that saying you're an atheist is ridiculous in this thread; I mean generally. "Atheism" can get to silly levels when people start thinking of themselves as "priests" of atheism.)
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: AgentQ on February 24, 2011, 03:25:41 pm
heretics rule CRPG  :twisted:
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Teeth on February 24, 2011, 03:29:40 pm
Agreed. Anyone ever heard of Palestine?
People so shrouded in bliss and ignorance. Watch the news! (Not fox-news)
The news you watch is incredibly onesided. Although Israel does a lot wrong, I think their behaviour is nothing more than reasonable, because they are surrounded by countries that, qouting Ahmadinejad, want to blow Israel into the sea.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Christo on February 24, 2011, 03:35:21 pm
The news you watch is incredibly onesided. Although Israel does a lot wrong, I think their behaviour is nothing more than reasonable, because they are surrounded by countries that, qouting Ahmadinejad, want to blow Israel into the sea.

Yeah, blocking Gaza, letting them to starve, and shooting kids is reasonable.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Seranoth on February 24, 2011, 03:38:30 pm
I think its sad that there are people, who belief in nothing. Thats only because they are just too ignorant and interested in nothing.
Poor lost souls. All they get is only random fate. But thats life- its just fair.

Iam an spiritual Satanist. Follower of the CoS, founded by Anton Szandor Lavey.
I love the Nature and to be a Human. I love my friends and destroy my enemys. Iam a God, a friend of Satan, the name of the human nature.
Pro humanity! Contra all for the humanity harmful things on the earth.
Iam a warrior on the spiritual level. I never break any laws, my weapon is the mind. (Thats the reason i play as a ninja here ;D)
You want to be my friend? No problem- you are now my friend. Dont be afaid- i am a loyal and esteeming ally for long times.
But if you going to be my enemy- Thats would be sad- then expect your destruction and infinite pain in your mendacious short life.

Hails.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Alex_C on February 24, 2011, 03:41:18 pm
Follower of the CoS

(click to show/hide)


???
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Seranoth on February 24, 2011, 03:42:58 pm
CoS = Church of Satan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Satan
http://www.churchofsatan.com/home.html
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Teeth on February 24, 2011, 03:54:46 pm
After reading your wikipedia page, how do you destroy someone when he bothers you and doesnt stop? Do you rain fire from the sky?
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Mouse on February 24, 2011, 04:23:03 pm
I think its sad that there are people, who belief in nothing.

I believe in science, reason, and the beauty of natural order that produced life and human emotion.

I think it's sad that there are people who believe in something that isn't true, that there is a gigantic magic person in the sky just waiting to punish them with his (always his, for some reason) fiery -ahem- "rod" of justice.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Seranoth on February 24, 2011, 04:23:25 pm
After reading your wikipedia page, how do you destroy someone when he bothers you and doesnt stop? Do you rain fire from the sky?

No, to get rid of someone who bothers me i would only invest the energy of using my fists, or calling police, or do whatever all others would do. Energy of your will is valuably and you only have a limited amount of this power per day- powers which should be invested in your lifegoals and wantings.

This kind of magic tricks like fire from sky is not very effective and would cost enourmous energy of willpower, commitment and time(maybe weeks), as well as the result would be only a explainable Event to you, like a exploding engine of a plain or a big meteorshower which was pronounced- that would be a gigantic waste of the energy of a living human. Its more easier and effective to hold a general destruction ritual over time against the enemy and let the universe decide by itself, how the suspect get hurt or destroyed. besides- it should be in accordance with the conscience of the executing magician, because the target could die...
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Xant on February 24, 2011, 04:27:19 pm
wat
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: DrKronic on February 24, 2011, 04:42:41 pm
Posting a definition of atheism refutes none of my points to seperate marxs theories from their actual real world implementation is also denying reality, I can only assume u feel that capititalism has caused no suffering or wars also right?  :rolleyes: since its just some theory/idea/belief along with religion

If Webster dictionary has all the answers, I feel so sad that I've wasted so much time reading history

Oh btw the way its defended/portrayed in this thread Socialism qualifies as a religion as well

Sorry for messing with your prophet Marx lol

And religion being seen as a opiate of the people and then religious people in every major socialist regime being labeled as dissenters and being either killed, imprisoned or outlawed ? Go ask websters dictionary I am sure there's a great answer there for you

Find the definition for clueless and denial and come back

And saying that stalinism marxism communism socialism are not the same is equal to saying lutherens and baptists worship two completely different gods

In both cases the differences are minor (as in stalinism is naughty socialism, while socialism is pure win right, unless its national socialism or the way almost 99% of revolutions enacted)

Either way same manifesto or bible, any philosophy elevated in such a manner perpetuates ignorance the same as clinging stubbornly to a religion

Btw I have his manifesto on the same rack as my bible and quran and other works of pure fantasy utopias


Not just religious people, anybody suspected of dissent. So were these religious people killed because they were religious, or were they killed because they were dissenters?

(From dictionary.com)
Atheism:

1. the doctrine or belief that there is no god.
2. disbelief in the existence of a supreme being or beings.

Firstly, I take issue with sense 1. Sense 2 is the true - and most literal - meaning of atheism. Regardless, there is nothing in either about genocide, and there is nothing there about Karl Marx. Don't conflate Stalinism (which is not even Marxism) with atheism. Atheism, unlike ALL religions has no creed. You do not have to do anything, there is no network of interdependent beliefs, there are no rites or rituals and there are no holy books, prophets, divine messengers, beings or devils or demons whose messages can be interpreted or misinterpreted. Atheism is just disbelief. How you get from a disbelief in deities to genocides - I do not know.

And all those deaths had nothing to do with Socialism, they were the result of tyrants wanting absolute authority over the people they ruled. But let's not digress - this isn't a topic about Socialism.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: woody on February 24, 2011, 04:43:34 pm
Wrote a complicated response but decided against posting - not the thread/forum for a real debate. So hear goes a stupid one.

Bottom line - read the bible.

Supposed entity that commits mass genocide because they dont worship him enough?

The God of the bible was the original genocidal ego maniac and thats according to his own marketing material.

Atheism is not a belief system. A belief system is where there is no evidence but you believe anyway ie every religion.

Atheism is the same as not believing in the Easter Bunny/Homeopathy. Would you call someone who did not believe in these a believer? And if you believe in Homeopathy yes there is God, the Tooth Fairy will leave a coin for your old molars and please, please, please for the sake of all the little pixies never vote again.

Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Gorath on February 24, 2011, 08:35:27 pm
omg this thread is sigh worthy.
Well everyone has already covered the silliness of the major religions so far.

Satanism:  Just as pointless and retarded as christianity itself.  I talked to some members of the church of satan when I was a teen and going through my soul-searching period.  It's a trite hypocritical dogma based on narcissism.  For one thing how can you ever respect someone that calls himself a satanist and yet is against rape, murder, child abuse, etc.  Sorry, this is satan here, if anything those act should be praised and celebrated by the church of SATAN on high. 
Quote
9. Do not harm little children.

10. Do not kill non-human animals unless you are attacked or for your food.
for instance.

What a crock of shit.  Sorry.

Atheism is just as bad imo as religion:  They're both a rigid belief without virtue of proof (lack of proof otherwise is not the same thing as valid proof of your theory, sorry) and unwilling to bend, change or otherwise alter that belief because something doesn't fit it's dogmatic mold.

This whole thing is silly, however props to the OP for the blatantly obvious troll-bait that has gone on this far.  It never ceases to amaze me how well this classic works.  Next will be the political discussion thread right?  lol


Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Xant on February 24, 2011, 09:43:03 pm
Atheism is just as bad imo as religion:  They're both a rigid belief without virtue of proof (lack of proof otherwise is not the same thing as valid proof of your theory, sorry) and unwilling to bend, change or otherwise alter that belief because something doesn't fit it's dogmatic mold.

What? No. I have a hard time even understanding how you could believe something like that... do you think it's silly to believe that Santa Claus can't really fly? Are you unwilling to bend, change or otherwise alter that belief if you don't believe in him and his flying reindeer?
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Draedan on February 24, 2011, 10:10:08 pm
omg this thread is sigh worthy.
Well everyone has already covered the silliness of the major religions so far.

Satanism:  Just as pointless and retarded as christianity itself.  I talked to some members of the church of satan when I was a teen and going through my soul-searching period.  It's a trite hypocritical dogma based on narcissism.  For one thing how can you ever respect someone that calls himself a satanist and yet is against rape, murder, child abuse, etc.  Sorry, this is satan here, if anything those act should be praised and celebrated by the church of SATAN on high.   for instance.

What a crock of shit.  Sorry.

Atheism is just as bad imo as religion:  They're both a rigid belief without virtue of proof (lack of proof otherwise is not the same thing as valid proof of your theory, sorry) and unwilling to bend, change or otherwise alter that belief because something doesn't fit it's dogmatic mold.

This whole thing is silly, however props to the OP for the blatantly obvious troll-bait that has gone on this far.  It never ceases to amaze me how well this classic works.  Next will be the political discussion thread right?  lol
And that's why I'm Nihilistic.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: AgentQ on February 24, 2011, 10:38:00 pm
Iam an spiritual Satanist. Follower of the CoS, founded by Anton Szandor Lavey.
Hails.

a follower you are. Me, my friend, is going to pwn your god and make you ma biatch!
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Gorath on February 24, 2011, 10:42:49 pm
What? No. I have a hard time even understanding how you could believe something like that... do you think it's silly to believe that Santa Claus can't really fly? Are you unwilling to bend, change or otherwise alter that belief if you don't believe in him and his flying reindeer?
You're arguing about something unrelated to what we're talking about:  Atheism

Atheism is a dogmatic rigid belief that it is completely impossible that there is any kind of dietific power in the universe period.  Any acknowledgment that there is even a possibility of what we in our limited understanding would classify as a supernatural power somewhere in the infinite is against the atheist belief system, no wiggle room.  It's not a matter of "The christian god doesn't exist.  Or muslim, or (insert specific dietific name/title here" but a rigid believe that the possibility for any deitific power in any form does not exist anywhere in any form.  Which for all intents and purposes includes the possibility of alien beings/intercessions capable of feats (whether through technology or evolutionary capacity) dietific in appearance.

Atheism, in a broad sense, is the rejection of belief in the existence of deities. In a narrower sense, atheism is specifically the position that there are no deities. Most inclusively, atheism is simply the absence of belief that any deities exist.  Atheism is contrasted with theism, which in its most general form is the belief that at least one deity exists and agnosticism which acknowledges the possibility that a diety could exist.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Rextard on February 24, 2011, 10:45:57 pm
Religious and spiritual labels are just another shortcut way for humans to justify negative or simplifying thoughts or actions towards another. People come down on one another for representing a common label 'poorly', or for not having the 'right' label at all. Labels try to define a big picture, but even amongst people of the same religion/beliefs the big picture is not the same, unless they spoon feed on what they're told without contemplation. To know what being ______ means to one person, you have to dig and find out what their smaller more discrete beliefs/moralities are, in relation to what _____ is 'supposed' to make you believe.

After a point, belief is not worth arguing over. It can only be held in the face of doubt, not in the blinding glare of truth. I find it much more interesting to contemplate the similarities between belief systems than to become mired in their differences

Assholes make things shitty for any group, including religious/spiritual/belief groups. Assholes also have a propensity for getting into groups, to use the association to raise their assholery to new heights. Assholery crosses all lines, and is the true problem that humanity has faced since the dawn of civilization.

Stalin, was one of the biggest assholes ever to live. Don't forget the ~7 million Ukrainians he genocided by starvation. He was an egomaniac who had people taken out of pictures as he had them 'removed' from society or life. Stalin was a Stalinist, his regime was a cult of personality veiled behind Socialism.

Marx didn't have the worst ideas about how people should get along. Noone can really mask how easily people corrupt something good, given power. Also, if you read about Marx's life, you'll figure out he was kind of a scrub.

The only people-labeling system I've ever needed is: "asshole" or "duder".
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Xant on February 24, 2011, 10:52:45 pm
You're arguing about something unrelated to what we're talking about:  Atheism

Atheism is a dogmatic rigid belief that it is completely impossible that there is any kind of dietific power in the universe period.  Any acknowledgment that there is even a possibility of what we in our limited understanding would classify as a supernatural power somewhere in the infinite is against the atheist belief system, no wiggle room.  It's not a matter of "The christian god doesn't exist.  Or muslim, or (insert specific dietific name/title here" but a rigid believe that the possibility for any deitific power in any form does not exist anywhere in any form.  Which for all intents and purposes includes the possibility of alien beings/intercessions capable of feats (whether through technology or evolutionary capacity) dietific in appearance.

Atheism, in a broad sense, is the rejection of belief in the existence of deities. In a narrower sense, atheism is specifically the position that there are no deities. Most inclusively, atheism is simply the absence of belief that any deities exist.  Atheism is contrasted with theism, which in its most general form is the belief that at least one deity exists and agnosticism which acknowledges the possibility that a diety could exist.

See, there are different definitions for atheism. I imagine most people here are talking about the Christian, Muslim and whatever gods when they say they're atheists.

Personally, I'm either an atheist or an agnostic, depending on the definition. Atheist as in I know as surely as I can that the god of bible/qoran is bullshit, and agnostic in the sense that I do not know if there is a "godlike" being out there.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Gorath on February 24, 2011, 10:59:50 pm
See, there are different definitions for atheism. I imagine most people here are talking about the Christian, Muslim and whatever gods when they say they're atheists.

Personally, I'm either an atheist or an agnostic, depending on the definition. Atheist as in I know as surely as I can that the god of bible/qoran is bullshit, and agnostic in the sense that I do not know if there is a "godlike" being out there.

No, these are just the definitions of the words:
Theism:  Diety(ies) exist [absolute]
Atheism:  Diety(ies) do not exist [absolute]
Agnosticism: Diety(ies) could exist

Essentially there's only three real beliefs:  Yes, no or maybe.  Everything else is simply dogma (seperating into various "different" religions and so forth).
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: ManOfWar on February 25, 2011, 12:25:19 am
In this day and age, how many people do you think are "in the closet" atheists?
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Gorath on February 25, 2011, 12:35:32 am
In this day and age, how many people do you think are "in the closet" atheists?

I don't think their sexual orientation has much bearing on the subject at hand.

Well, except that most every religion persecutes them which would lead to a higher number of "in the closet" athiests I suppose.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: ManOfWar on February 25, 2011, 04:10:36 am
I don't think their sexual orientation has much bearing on the subject at hand.

Well, except that most every religion persecutes them which would lead to a higher number of "in the closet" athiests I suppose.

Dam you, you know that I am not referring to their sexual orientation, I am just using that phrase to get my point across :D
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Siiem on February 25, 2011, 09:13:01 am
get my point across :D

tsk tsk tsk dirty, dirty boy.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Franklin on February 25, 2011, 12:00:43 pm
No, these are just the definitions of the words:
Theism:  Diety(ies) exist [absolute]
Atheism:  Diety(ies) do not exist [absolute]
Agnosticism: Diety(ies) could exist

Essentially there's only three real beliefs:  Yes, no or maybe.  Everything else is simply dogma (seperating into various "different" religions and so forth).

Taoism:  Who gives a shit.  :mrgreen:
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Phazey on February 25, 2011, 04:46:16 pm
Atheism is just as much a belief system as any given religion is. And its just as culturally influenced, too.
That is also, by definition not true. "Not playing tennis" is not a sport, "being bald" is no haircolour and "not having sex" is not satisfying.

 :lol: Well put!

It's so refreshing to have someone actualy make sense for a change on these forums.

Atheism is NOT a religion. Quite the opposite: it's the absence of it. No 'leaps of faith' required. Thank god.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Vance on February 25, 2011, 04:52:13 pm
Atheism is about the absence of belief in gods, not religions. Buddhism is an atheist religion, for example.

Agnosticism can either atheistic or theistic, or neither. It's not about gods, it's about knowledge.

If you have no faith in the existence of a god then you are an atheist.

If you have faith in the existence of a god, you are a theist.

I'm an irreligious atheist agnostic.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: ManOfWar on February 25, 2011, 11:54:17 pm
That is also, by definition not true. "Not playing tennis" is not a sport, "being bald" is no haircolour and "not having sex" is not satisfying.


 :lol: Well put!

It's so refreshing to have someone actualy make sense for a change on these forums.

Atheism is NOT a religion. Quite the opposite: it's the absence of it. No 'leaps of faith' required. Thank god.

Amen! lol...
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Bull on February 26, 2011, 01:02:56 am
I lol'ed at this thread and didn't bother to read through 6 pages of internet dorks who think their opinion on the subject is worth a damn.

But, since I'm one of those dorks, I thought I'd share how I feel about the quality of responses in this thread (along with many others in the cRPG forums):

"It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt."
-Abraham Lincoln

Epic troll thread.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Whalen207 on February 26, 2011, 01:06:31 am
If this thread is going to continue Judaism is going to need to be separated from Islam.
Islam is more similar to Christianity than Judaism.

With the high volume of 'non-believers' here, Agnostic and Atheism should be seperated... They're very different  :|
And Hinduism with Buddhism? What were you thinking? Just because they originated from the same cultural background doesn't mean they're the same. Besides, Buddhism isn't so much a religion as a mindset.

Also add Scientology. Rofl.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Gorath on February 26, 2011, 01:13:25 am
Taoism:  Who gives a shit.  :mrgreen:

That's essentially a "no" with an added middle finger.   :wink:

"It is better to remain silent and be thought of fool that to open one's mouth and remove all doubt."
-Abraham Lincoln

Irony.   :mrgreen:  We established it was a troll thread long ago.  Now we're discussing word definitions and ManOfWars closet and point.

With the high volume of 'non-believers' here, Agnostic and Atheism should be seperated... They're very different  :|

Indeed.  Agnosticism and Atheism are completely fundamentally different.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Bull on February 26, 2011, 02:12:57 am
Irony.   :mrgreen:  We established it was a troll thread long ago.  Now we're discussing word definitions and ManOfWars closet and point.

Irony? Are you insulting me, good sir?

As I said, after a quick scan of the posts, I read no more. The amount of religious "expertise" here is staggering. I had not seen it was already established as a troll thread. I apologize for the redundancy, and I am glad we can all agree on the trollishness of this, if nothing else.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Gorath on February 26, 2011, 02:20:50 am
Irony? Are you insulting me, good sir?

You don't see the Irony in using a quote by lincoln in a thread discussing religion?  He discussed it quite often, with sometimes conflicting views:

"My earlier views of the unsoundness of the Christian scheme of salvation and the human origin of the scriptures, have become clearer and stronger with advancing years and I see no reason for thinking I shall ever change them.
-- Abraham Lincoln, to Judge J S Wakefield, after Willie Lincoln's death"

"The Bible is not my book nor Christianity my profession.
-- Abraham Lincoln"

"That I am not a member of any Christian church is true; but I have never denied the truth of the Scriptures; and I have never spoken with intentional disrespect of religion in general, or of any denomination of Christians in particular.... I do not think I could myself be brought to support a man for office whom I knew to be an open enemy of, or scoffer at, religion.
-- Abraham Lincoln"

"The will of God prevails. In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God. Both may be, and one must be, wrong. God cannot be for and against the same thing at the same time. In the present civil war it is quite possible that God's purpose is something different from the purpose of either party -- and yet the human instrumentalities, working just as they do, are of the best adaptation to effect His purpose. I am almost ready to say that this is probably true -- that God wills this contest, and wills that it shall not end yet. By his mere great power, on the minds of the now contestants, He could have either saved or destroyed the Union without a human contest. Yet the contest began. And, having begun He could give the final victory to either side any day. Yet the contest proceeds.
-- Abraham Lincoln"
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Bull on February 26, 2011, 02:43:38 am
You don't see the Irony in using a quote by lincoln in a thread discussing religion?  He discussed it quite often, with sometimes conflicting views.

No, I was not aware of the irony. I am not a Lincoln scholar as it would seem you are. It was just the first quote that came to mind when I browsed the first page of the thread.

Good quotes. I particularly like the one from the second inaugural address. Thanks, Gorath.

Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Formless on February 26, 2011, 03:47:30 am
While I am not religious I think God does exist. 

Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Artyem on February 26, 2011, 08:40:20 am
In case of attack by religious zealots however I shield myself as a follower of Cthulu. 
Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn.

May Cthulu rise again and devour the souls of the pitiful beings who actually believe that one religion is better than another.


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ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Gorath on February 26, 2011, 08:30:09 pm
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Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: ManOfWar on February 26, 2011, 08:41:39 pm
Now im lost
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Seranoth on February 26, 2011, 09:01:29 pm
For one thing how can you ever respect someone that calls himself a satanist and yet is against rape, murder, child abuse, etc.  Sorry, this is satan here, if anything those act should be praised and celebrated by the church of SATAN on high.   for instance.

Your problem is:
You still believe the pathetic cliche of the christian religion which prejudices Satan as the evil in person- the pure opposite of the "good" God. You can be good or evil, but the Human nature who we Satanists call the personification "Satan" is hence not evil!
Thats just PURE cliche of the christians, because the beliefs in the Satanism are such different than theirs.
Respect our doings, not your belief what we do.
And one other thing:
Satanists are egocentric. Real responsible-minded Satanists never rape, murder or child abuse, because its bad for their esteem, familyharmony and conscience, because we hallow the nature and the living. Albeit the law resticts such bad things- as chriminals we couldnt live in satisfaction. Well unless you are a psychopath and would have fun at this.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Gorath on February 26, 2011, 09:26:12 pm
Your problem is:
You still believe the pathetic cliche of the christian religion which prejudices Satan as the evil in person- the pure opposite of the "good" God. You can be good or evil, but the Human nature who we Satanists call the personification "Satan" is hence not evil!
Thats just PURE cliche of the christians, because the beliefs in the Satanism are such different than theirs.
Respect our doings, not your belief what we do.
And one other thing:
Satanists are egocentric. Real responsible-minded Satanists never rape, murder or child abuse, because its bad for their esteem, familyharmony and conscience, because we hallow the nature and the living. Albeit the law resticts such bad things- as chriminals we couldnt live in satisfaction. Well unless you are a psychopath and would have fun at this.

The problem is that "Satan" is a direct figure from christian religion.  Taking said figure and title and rearranging things to suit your viewpoint isn't even legitimate or credible.  Which only makes the whole thing even more laughable.  If you're going to worship the lord of the fallen, then own up to it.  Represent.  Don't puss out in order to maintain some kind of moral defense.  That's just pathetic imo.  The way you, and other new age satanists describe it is like a bastardized form of wiccanism peppered with narcissistic celebration- Baltard would love it.

Satan is a title from christianity, so to use said title but rearrange the characteristics of said figure whimsically like you are is silly.  It's like me saying I'm a Thor-ist (w/e) but changing Thor's mythos to that of Buddha.  Or that I worship Cthulhu but saying that we believe he wishes to bring bunnies and rainbows to mankind.  All credibility and integrity is lost.   :rolleyes:
The way you describe him, Satan is a pussy:
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Now im lost

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Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Seranoth on February 26, 2011, 09:31:59 pm
Satan, Lucifer, Belial, Leviathan...its just a name. I speak of the thing behind the name- and thats the human nature.
Names of Satan:
(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Gorath on February 26, 2011, 09:41:18 pm
Satan, Lucifer, Belial, Leviathan...its just a name. I speak of the thing behind the name- and thats the human nature.
Names of Satan:
(click to show/hide)

No, it's specific names for "demonic" entities and dietific beings of evil nature and intent.   :rolleyes:  Anyways, again the reason I can't take so called "satanists" seriously.  Was the same trite bullshit when I tried researching the church of satan as a kid.  Buncha wimps.
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Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Kalam on February 26, 2011, 09:51:40 pm
The problem is that "Satan" is a direct figure from christian religion.  Taking said figure and title and rearranging things to suit your viewpoint isn't even legitimate or credible.  Which only makes the whole thing even more laughable.  If you're going to worship the lord of the fallen, then own up to it.  Represent.  Don't puss out in order to maintain some kind of moral defense.  That's just pathetic imo.  The way you, and other new age satanists describe it is like a bastardized form of wiccanism peppered with narcissistic celebration- Baltard would love it.

Satan is a title from christianity, so to use said title but rearrange the characteristics of said figure whimsically like you are is silly.  It's like me saying I'm a Thor-ist (w/e) but changing Thor's mythos to that of Buddha.  Or that I worship Cthulhu but saying that we believe he wishes to bring bunnies and rainbows to mankind.  All credibility and integrity is lost.   :rolleyes:
The way you describe him, Satan is a pussy.

Quoted for truth!

Also, those names are not all 'Satan'. As someone (I'm best described as a humanist agnostic, if you're asking) who's studied the Bible from back to front repeatedly- where 'Satan' first shows up, I can assure you that in that same context, for instance, that Leviathan simply means a great big sea monster, commonly believed to be a whale.

On the other hand, the biblical account of Satan isn't all that 'evil' in the modern sense- a lot of the 'pure evil' is from apocryphal sources and denomination specific belief that's led to the current popular culture Satan.

His biggest crime comes down to wanting to take God's place, believing he didn't need to follow God, and tempting everyone else to follow him.

Most of the actual destruction comes from God or through his actions.

It's important to note, though, that evil, to someone who believes in this God, is synonymous with sin- and so someone who sinned before humanity did and spends his existence getting humanity to sin is as evil as it gets.

Addendum:
Looking at the thread, it appears that there's something lost in translation with defining beliefs. Gorath's explanation on isms is how the academic English-speaking world views these definitions, and I suspect this might be different elsewhere. 
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Seranoth on February 26, 2011, 09:58:31 pm
Well, at this point i believe its wasteful to invest more energy in this conversation and retireve for now. People who cant respect other religions than theirs and laugh about things they dont understand, are not my friends... :)  No offence- forget about it.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Kalam on February 26, 2011, 10:12:59 pm
I apologize. I think it's just hard to separate names from their origins.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: jspook on February 27, 2011, 09:32:15 pm
Your problem is:
You still believe the pathetic cliche of the christian religion which prejudices Satan as the evil in person- the pure opposite of the "good" God. You can be good or evil, but the Human nature who we Satanists call the personification "Satan" is hence not evil!
Thats just PURE cliche of the christians, because the beliefs in the Satanism are such different than theirs.
Respect our doings, not your belief what we do.
And one other thing:
Satanists are egocentric. Real responsible-minded Satanists never rape, murder or child abuse, because its bad for their esteem, familyharmony and conscience, because we hallow the nature and the living. Albeit the law resticts such bad things- as chriminals we couldnt live in satisfaction. Well unless you are a psychopath and would have fun at this.

Your assertation is a complete fallacy.  Its like claiming you are a chocolate chip cookie, and then stating that you believe in family values and non-violence.  and that hurting other people would be a crime against your nature as a chocolate chip cookie, because the true purpose of the chocolate chip cookies is to make the world a better place and commune with nature.  Utter nonsense.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: BD_Guard_Bane on February 28, 2011, 12:30:45 pm
Wow, lot of replies. Am I going to let such an entertaining thread die a natural death? No!

Apologies for the non-assigned quotes, but the quoting system on these forums is either terrible, or I don't know how to use it properly.

Firstly, for Franklin:

(click to show/hide)

I would say that religious concepts and doctrine are interpreted through the veil or filter of human psychology. People kill each other, not because it is commanded by God or commanded by a religious text, but because that is how they interpret a command from God or a piece of religious text. The motive for killing someone has nothing to do with religion, but its a very useful excuse.
Human psychology and society is not influenced by religion, but by interpretations of religion.

And for chadz (and Phazy):

(click to show/hide)

I agree that atheism is not a religion. But it is a belief system. The example of 'not playing tennis is not a sport' is not a valid analogy. Not playing tennis, or even playing tennis, doesn't involve a knowledge statement about the world. You're not asserting that playing tennis exists.

If you say that God does not exist (and as Quine says, you can talk about a thing without accepting it's existence - he uses the example of a unicorn; by saying that unicorns don't exist, you're not saying they do exist by talking about them) you are stating that you have knowledge about the existence or non-existence of a proposed being: God. In fact, you are saying that the knowledge you have is true, and that God does not exist. 
Please demonstrate that you actually have such knowledge. If you don't, and you still call yourself an atheist, then you are making a leap of faith. You are making an epistemological claim about the world, with no evidence (no matter about the criteria for what constitutes evidence). This is exactly what other belief systems do (though religions at least claim that they have evidence).

In this way, atheism (the claim that there is no such thing as God), is a belief system (i.e. requires a leap of faith, or doesn't need evidence or proof of the knowledge).

Quote
Edit: I feel I have the right to attack religions, I was forced to be scared from god when I was a child and then put into an totally elite catholic church school where people were molested left and right of me from priests, thank god I was lucky enough to skip the experience first hand

Well, everyone has the right to attack religions, regardless of their personal experiences I think. The point where its not considered ok to attack religions and religious truths and assumptions (and the same goes for any philosophy or ideology) is the point when the religion gets dangerous, and also when the religion loses a lot of its meaning and value.


As for the whole Atheism causing deaths thing mentioned by some people, its ridiculous. The same as if you say Christianity caused the death of millions of people. It takes away all the personal responsibility of the people involved, both those who committed the actions, and those who did nothing to stop them. Its like saying YMCA was the cause of the deaths of millions of Jews. It wasn't. It was the people who killed them, who ordered their deaths, and who did nothing. Such a conception of Atheism or religion or an ideology removes free will and responsibility, and does exactly what those people did - uses the idea/belief as an excuse.

(click to show/hide)

I'm glad that you've managed to find out that God isn't true. Please share your evidence or proof of this with everyone, so that we may all be as enlightened as you are :)


For Bull:

Quote
I lol'ed at this thread and didn't bother to read through 6 pages of internet dorks who think their opinion on the subject is worth a damn.

Well, everyone who has posted here's opinion is worth a damn. Religion is a universal subject. You could even argue that someone who has studied religion in an academic context has as much worth in their opinion as someone who knows nothing about religion, but believes in something, or believes that something is not the case. Religion is so complex, it is both personal and individual, and metaphysical and normative.

Everybody has religious expertise, because religion and belief are innate to humans.


Finally, for the people arguing over terms. The difficulty with terminology in religion, including the names of Satanic beings, is that the terms aren't fixed. Yes, it is hard to separate the words from their origins, but at the same time it isn't. Look at Allah for example. The origin of that name is completely irrelevant to its meaning today.
The various names for Satan mentioned in the old testament are generally thought to be deities of other non-Jewish (or non-Israelite more specifically) tribes. However, to say that these are not all names for one thing (Satan) is misleading, because they are. For the Christian tradition, all those deities are false idols and lies spread by Satan, so they are all names for Satan. However, if you asked an ancient Phoenician, Baal was a God.

Oh, and Leviathon is usually translated as: 'That which gathers itself in folds'. They had a different name for whales :P 


Fun thread!
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Alex_C on February 28, 2011, 12:36:15 pm
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Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: BD_Guard_Bane on February 28, 2011, 12:38:11 pm
That's a nice picture Alex. Where did you get it?
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: RagnarLodbroke on March 01, 2011, 01:22:12 am
Im a emo...
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: burakx on March 01, 2011, 10:26:59 pm
on the planet every thing has a explanation. if u wanna know the truths u need 1 thing

science


lazy people who believe in religion. do not search answers. just pass to say a gift from God.
There is everything in science is the answer.

im belivin in science . thats my relegion
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: LordBerenger on May 09, 2011, 03:56:12 pm
So litle people who voted for Islam or ''Bahi''.

Thought there were more than that.

But atheistic belief was just a sure bet many would vote on.

Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Ninja_Khorin on May 09, 2011, 05:20:52 pm
I'm an atheist. And I guess you could call it a belief system, although I don't see the leap of faith.
I don't believe in God, until he is proven to exist. I admit the possibility, but as long as there is nothing to point toward it, it's not a question I even need to consider. If it is, then we're all part of an infinite amount of belief systems that deny the existence of, fore example, spaghetti monsters and flying omnipotent teacups.
Which makes it a little redundant in my eyes.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Eyerra on May 09, 2011, 05:24:17 pm
Not making any assumptions.

Skydadeeh & the teapot (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell%27s_teapot) can exist... just Not In My Back Yard.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: La Makina on May 09, 2011, 06:09:10 pm
The old thread reawakes  :P

Faith is about faith, you believe or you don't.
It is not a science object: you can prove it exists so it's true; if you can't then it's false.

Nowadays, it is easy to shoot on religion, more difficult to assume one's faith... exactly like, in certain old times, it was easier to be religious than to defend one's scientific theory.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Wildling on May 09, 2011, 06:30:50 pm
I'm an 'ex' muslim (Moroccan) - Alas, I've never believed in God and threw the fanatsy when I was 10 years old. Feels good man, seriously. Though, my parents are- especially Mum; She's super religious...

I don't say I'm an Atheist, I say I'm a human being, like my forefathers before me through thousands of years. They didn't need no gods when they were hunter and gatherer's  and we don't need them now. It's pure made by the people, for the people... If you can't see it now...

Then you're fucking stupid.

We humans have an average life-span of 25 000 days, you can either spend it freely, or let a book made of ink and paper rules your life like a sheep.

Peace brothers.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Sayton on May 09, 2011, 09:38:01 pm
I'm an 'ex' muslim (Moroccan) - Alas, I've never believed in God and threw the fanatsy when I was 10 years old. Feels good man, seriously. Though, my parents are- especially Mum; She's super religious...

I don't say I'm an Atheist, I say I'm a human being, like my forefathers before me through thousands of years. They didn't need no gods when they were hunter and gatherer's  and we don't need them now. It's pure made by the people, for the people... If you can't see it now...

Then you're fucking stupid.

We humans have an average life-span of 25 000 days, you can either spend it freely, or let a book made of ink and paper rules your life like a sheep.

Peace brothers.

+
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Kalam on May 09, 2011, 10:29:05 pm
Science damn it! Why do you use such sacrilegious dishware? You have perfectly good tummies to eat from, and Science knows you shouldn't waste resources on dishware. In the name of Science, you are all infidels!
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Thick on May 09, 2011, 10:29:13 pm
You choose not to put your faith in a deity, so you put your faith in mankind and their knowledge of the world. Regardless, you have to put faith into something, whether you believe in a god or not.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Magikarp on May 09, 2011, 10:31:23 pm
@Thick: Why would you need to put faith in something? Trust is not needed. You won't come far, but it's possible.

Wildling just made my day.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Thick on May 09, 2011, 10:45:17 pm
@Magikarp: You do not know whether you will still be alive tomorrow, but you plan your day anyways because you have "faith" that you will be. It is still uncertain, and there will be no way to prove otherwise, ever.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Wildling on May 09, 2011, 11:02:00 pm
@Thick: Why would you need to put faith in something? Trust is not needed. You won't come far, but it's possible.

Wildling just made my day.

I hope I 'made your day' in a good way...  :lol:
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: BD_Guard_Bane on May 10, 2011, 09:10:55 am
It is not a science object: you can prove it exists so it's true; if you can't then it's false.

You can prove matters of faith, in the same sense that you can prove objects of science - its just depends on what you accept as valid proof or evidence.

I don't say I'm an Atheist, I say I'm a human being, like my forefathers before me through thousands of years. They didn't need no gods when they were hunter and gatherer's  and we don't need them now.

What? Regardless of whether you need gods or not, most of the historical and pre-historical evidence suggests that religion (in various forms) has always been around. Of course, so has atheism. Generally in the same proportion too - fewer atheists compared to religious people, as is the case today.

Then you're fucking stupid.

I'm glad atheism has granted you such extraordinary powers of reason :)



Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Thucydides on May 10, 2011, 10:26:54 am
Religion requires a feeling elicited by neurochemical reactions within the brain, stimulating a feeling of oneness with a deity or deities.

Science does not depend on feelings.

Science wins!
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: LordBerenger on May 10, 2011, 12:07:25 pm
To me religion is such a hard topic to discuss because most of the people will hold on to their beliefs no matter what arguments will be thrown at them. Whether it's Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hindusim, Atheistic beliefs, agnostic or judaism etc...

In any case you will always get someone to attack eachother beliefs. But in the end you/me could care less about other peoples thoughts and feelings towards your belief because it's your personal decisions in this life that matters in the end. IN MY HUMBLE OPINION.

Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Templar_Ratigan on May 10, 2011, 12:38:43 pm
Im Agnostic more than anything but in term of religion, I respect that on an individual level it can give a person new meaning in life and help them through troubles, but at the same time on a larger level it generally just causes conflict and more problems in the world.

Most religions are no different than any other ideology and the problem with strong ideologies is that sooner or later they are going to come into contact with another strong ideology.
I am not going to say people shouldnt be religious, that isnt my place to say, but I am torn between my views on them and how they can be deliberately twisted to project somone's own personal take of that religion, this is one of the problems Islam currently suffers from as well as Christianity.

I suppose it's really all about being able to differentiate between those who are merely following their religion on a personal level to noone elses detriment, to those who just use it as a tool to meet their own twisted ends.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Wildling on May 10, 2011, 12:57:55 pm


What? Regardless of whether you need gods or not, most of the historical and pre-historical evidence suggests that religion (in various forms) has always been around. Of course, so has atheism. Generally in the same proportion too - fewer atheists compared to religious people, as is the case today.



Of course- But these Gods were of nature: Like in Ancient times.

God of Love, God of War... etc.

These religiouns we have now, the biggest are of Abrahamic religioun which preaches mutilation of human body. Like cutting of foreskin on young boys- When it SHOULD be there as nature intended. So tell me, aren't you fucking stupid for believing a God who preaches mulitation, speaking about talking donkeys and wizards who opens oceans?


If we would make a movie about Christianity and Islam, the dominant cults.
It'll be classified as Fantasy; Because the content will be exaclty like Lord of the Rings: Fantasy.

Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Tavuk_Bey on May 10, 2011, 01:16:54 pm
i am jedi  8-)
(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: BD_Guard_Bane on May 10, 2011, 01:20:00 pm
(click to show/hide)

The Abrahamic tradition of circumcision is different from any other tradition that involves mutilation? There are many traditions like that. Piercings for example, earrings etc. Are tattoos stupid because naturally we don't have them? Or clothes?
No, I don't think anyone is stupid for believing in a God who in the religious text encourages circumcision. Its just another cultural tradition.
I don't know where you got talking donkeys from.
Moses wasn't a wizard by the way - that's emphasised when he battles the Pharaoh's wizards. He doesn't use sorcery, he uses powers that God gives him (its a deliberate attack on sorcerous practices and magic, among other things).

Anyway, there have been quite a few movies made about Christianity and (to a lesser extent) Islam. Also, they're not cults - 'cult' has a technical meaning. Very few of those films have been classified as fantasy.


Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Wildling on May 10, 2011, 01:42:37 pm
Circumcision IS mutilation. Especially when you have no power to say NO, they usually do it when you'r infant.

Eearrings, tatoos and clothes are different... You can chose to have ear-rings, damnit. Same with tatoos. 

Foreskin IS a natural part of a body. It's there for a reason and circumcision IS mutliation just as same with women circumcision in Somalia. If I would have a country, I'd ban it immeditaedly. ( I'm not english, so try to understand my broken engriish xD )

Also, talking donkeys comes from the Old Testament in the Bible.


22:21-29Then the angel of the LORD moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right or to the left. When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam, and he was angry and beat her with his staff. Then the LORD opened the donkey's mouth, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?" Balaam answered the donkey, "You have made a fool of me! If I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now."


LOl @ ...If I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now."

Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: BD_Guard_Bane on May 10, 2011, 02:48:48 pm
(click to show/hide)

Ah ok, was a long time since I read Numbers. The talking donkey is actually God causing the donkey to speak, of course, so it fits with all the other miracles. I thought you meant an actual talking donkey :)

Circumcision is mutilation, yes. However, I'm asking how its different from any other form of cultural mutilation tradition? I can see how its different from those that are life threatening or quality of life reducing, obviously (female circumcision for example). And yes, it usually is done to children when they are very young, but so are many things. There are a whole range of cultural traditions applied to infants before they are able to make a choice about it.

Female circumcision has nothing to do with any mainstream religion by the way.

And your English is fine, too :)

Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Razzen on May 10, 2011, 03:14:58 pm
Im wondering when people sit down and start to think "I will start a religion" and then writes a very long book, just saying.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: HarunYahya on May 10, 2011, 03:24:47 pm
I worship the mighty being called "Kebab"
I think all universe and humanity created by Kebab and Turks are all prophets of Kebab who tell and teach people the way of eternal happiness by eating Kebabs !
In other words i am Agnostic, i don't believe that God exists or doesn't exist till there are nothing to prove both circumstances.
I try to enjoy my life i don't care if there is an after-life or not.
I actually don't think that god exists with hell-heaven punishments or rewards . I think whole creation can be proved by science some day but till that day I cannot say "There is no god !" cuz there are not enuff proofs.
I also try to follow Islam's teachings (I am talking about Turkish sünni islam not Arabic hard core :) )
Religion is good for the community it is like moral universal constitution of mankind.I don't believe that tales of prophets but teachings and quotes of them are really good to have a better life.
edit:Berenger  :mrgreen: that was zhe topic you revived from death ?
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Eyerra on May 10, 2011, 03:37:05 pm
Circumcision is a horrible thing to do to a perfectly healthy baby. Have you seen parents piercing their baby's ears?
I understand if it's done for medical reasons or in adulthood... otherwise: no, no, no. :evil:

As for it's supposed preventive nature against STD's (like AIDS) I still don't think it's worth the procedure, especially in developed countries.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: HarunYahya on May 10, 2011, 04:48:47 pm
Circumcision is a horrible thing to do to a perfectly healthy baby. Have you seen parents piercing their baby's ears?
I understand if it's done for medical reasons or in adulthood... otherwise: no, no, no. :evil:

As for it's supposed preventive nature against STD's (like AIDS) I still don't think it's worth the procedure, especially in developed countries.
Well in developed countries procedure doesn't hurt .
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: EponiCo on May 10, 2011, 05:36:42 pm
Science damn it! Why do you use such sacrilegious dishware? You have perfectly good tummies to eat from, and Science knows you shouldn't waste resources on dishware. In the name of Science, you are all infidels!

Funnily enough, but as this thread evidences there is indeed some "religion" or ideology of science. I mean look at it for the first part the conflict between science and religion, why in the first place? Just like you can fix cars with and without god you can split electrons the same. Then, the idea that science will (eventually) solve all problems or lead to the "truth" (very religious, no?). Well, tbh, I have even problems with the idea that science proves the existence of something... I mean how you'd proof something exists? You'd probably go about how it is connected (causal or whatever) to something you can clearly see, but then you can't see those connections again, how proof those? In essence it's just that, proof doesn't exist outside of theory, if you are asking for truth one may be as good as the other it's just different context.
Anyway, you can just have a fairly humble view of science as a way to figure things out very well, it's still a great thing. But it isn't in any competition with religion and has to do miracles and solve everything.
That's what I really dislike about this. This atheism debate has been around for 3000 of years, and then science comes around and is made a new god to finally "win" without being asked. Well I guess as long as they don't kill infidels that have a wrong view of science I'll content myself with that.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Malaclypse on May 11, 2011, 06:22:49 am
Viva Discordia!
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: HarunYahya on May 11, 2011, 08:19:26 am
Non-Religious  61.1% We all gonna BURN in hell !!! :twisted:
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: bredeus on May 11, 2011, 10:56:20 am
Where is the Pastafarian option?
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Wildling on May 12, 2011, 05:32:57 am
Non-Religious  61.1% We all gonna BURN in hell !!! :twisted:

Would be fun if if it was 100% ...

Wonder what 'God' would say,  :P
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Frobot on May 12, 2011, 09:06:13 am
I was raised Catholic, but right now I'd like to think of myself as an Agnostic-Theist.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Mtemtko on May 12, 2011, 03:12:30 pm
Someone prove me that god exists. You cant because he doesnt! hahahaa..HAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA..this is going to be interesting
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Siiem on May 12, 2011, 03:13:52 pm
Someone prove me that god exists. You cant because he doesnt! hahahaa..HAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
this is going to be interesting

Probably not, not even religious people will fall for that one.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Tavuk_Bey on May 12, 2011, 03:19:23 pm
Circumcision is a horrible thing to do to a perfectly healthy baby. Have you seen parents piercing their baby's ears?
I understand if it's done for medical reasons or in adulthood... otherwise: no, no, no. :evil:

As for it's supposed preventive nature against STD's (like AIDS) I still don't think it's worth the procedure, especially in developed countries.

it gives your dong a good aerodynamic shape. you should try it.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Wildling on May 12, 2011, 06:51:02 pm
Someone prove me that god exists. You cant because he doesnt! hahahaa..HAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
this is going to be interesting

hahahha xD
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: ManOfWar on May 12, 2011, 08:29:55 pm
Im wondering when people sit down and start to think "I will start a religion" and then writes a very long book, just saying.

Thats what the mormons did! bwahaha morminism

also, is it true the church or some religious authority declared a time where there are no longer Godly "divinitions" or messages from God?  Like A.D 4453 to the present no more stuff like that?
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Mtemtko on May 12, 2011, 09:50:26 pm
Probably not, not even religious people will fall for that one.

you just wait, theres always one.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Olwen on May 12, 2011, 09:53:13 pm
I have come to show you the path.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Dezilagel on May 15, 2011, 06:04:33 am
Jedi.


:p
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: chadz on May 15, 2011, 02:06:39 pm
SillySunday question (somewhat serious, actually, because I was just thinking about this for some hours)

If there were a god, would he wonder if there is someone above him - his own god?
If he does, that's hardly omnipotent.
If he doesn't, he's atheist.

If I were religious, that thought would worry me.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: okiN on May 15, 2011, 02:11:36 pm
If there were a god, would he wonder if there is someone above him - his own god?

Certainly not if this god was exactly as described in Abrahamic religious texts, or even ancient Greek ones etc. Doubt doesn't fit in with perfection.

If he does, that's hardly omnipotent.
If he doesn't, he's atheist.

Sorry, no. Not believing in a higher power than yourself doesn't make you an atheist if you're already the highest power in all of existence, with unlimited and perfect knowledge about everything. You're being very silly.

If I were religious, that thought would worry me.

It seems to me you lack understanding of the psychology of religion. :P
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Devilize on May 16, 2011, 05:01:46 am
SillySunday question (somewhat serious, actually, because I was just thinking about this for some hours)

If there were a god, would he wonder if there is someone above him - his own god?
If he does, that's hardly omnipotent.
If he doesn't, he's atheist.

If I were religious, that thought would worry me.

Your thinking is stuck in the box, you need to think outside of it. God wouldn't "wonder", think, or even know. These very terms are created by humans to help define our understanding. God is beyond these worldly definitions as he created knowledge himself. We as humans will never truly be able to define God as God is because we are bound by the laws that God created to govern our universe, laws like gravity.

Just as 2 dimensions can never truly interact with 3 dimensions, the painting with the painter, nor will we every truly interact with god, the created with the creator.

Just an FYI, I have no denomination but I am not atheist. I was raised Methodist, which in my eyes now is a truly fucked up belief through Christianity. However, I have read the Bible front to back and found it rewarding and uplifting, yet my interpretation of it was my own and no one else. Which lies the foundation for my lack of a denomination.

In short, I simply wanted to share my definition of god which is simply - without limitations. I like to think of him not in terms of a hierarchy but more of a different plain of existence from our own.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: HarunYahya on May 16, 2011, 05:32:30 am
Someone prove me that god exists. You cant because he doesnt! hahahaa..HAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA..this is going to be interesting
check my sig ;)
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: ManOfWar on May 17, 2011, 08:25:55 pm
In the words of Steven Hawking and I quote

I have lived with the prospect of an early death for the last 49 years. I'm not afraid of death, but I'm in no hurry to die. I have so much I want to do first. I regard the brain as a computer which will stop working when its components fail. There is no heaven or afterlife for broken down computers; that is a fairy story for people afraid of the dark.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Fluffy_Muffin on May 17, 2011, 09:37:45 pm
Fact: No one knows what will happen when we die (Yes, not even the great Stephen Hawking)

That being said if i have to choose between being optimistic and pesimistic i would rather be optimistic and believe in an afterlife.

Yes boys valhalla; eat, drink, women and playing crpg for real all day long
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: ArchonAlarion on May 21, 2011, 01:01:39 am
God is dead.

Long live Dog!

But seriously, religion is a nasty blight of stupidity and in a century or two it will be gone (unless our civilization regresses or something... wait that's probable).

Anyone who has access to the internet and is "religious" should be ashamed of themselves for clinging to what is obviously pure fantasy or, at the very most, one of many stories of how the universe might actually be governed by weird anthropomorphic entities who like to demand shit from humans (sounds like... primitive parental projections!)
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: cutsomecheesewithmybow on May 21, 2011, 04:07:39 am
Science is the new religion and people follow it as blindly as they have followed its predecessors.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Linx on May 21, 2011, 06:24:04 am
I'm Asatru. Neo-Norse Paganism.


Our gods aren't "do what we want or be damned". They teach lessons and guide you to a better life and ask they honor you as you would your ancestors. Fits my lifestyle and my ideals. When I was a child I was Christian because of my grandmother, then I went into an agnostic period before settling on Asatru.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Dammit on May 21, 2011, 05:55:59 pm
I enjoy people that say "Jesus never existed"

Oh hai, you dont have to believe what he taught but to say he never existed? Are you retarded?
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Eyerra on May 21, 2011, 06:43:47 pm
No objective proof of god/gods = no reason to believe in god/gods. No, Bible nor Qu'ran nor Pali Canon nor Torah don't count. :V

Yes, I think Stephen Hawking has a respectable say in this for his scientific accomplishments. His quote about human consciousness as a sum of neurological connections and hormonal/electrical impulses is as far as we can get at this moment. Why make assumptions based on primite societies beliefs that were to satisfy human curiosity about the world?

If you didn't have a 'soul' before you were born why would you have one after death? Or do you now have to (Lord knows why...) rely on scientific knowledge about conception / psychology / whatever? :lol:
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Dammit on May 21, 2011, 07:21:10 pm
Ah well, Jesus still existed and was a documented man that did live.

OF course you dont have to believe what he taught or who he was...but saying Jesus never existed is like saying einstein never existed because you dont believe in him.

History =/= Religion.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Eyerra on May 21, 2011, 08:02:32 pm
I saw Jesus (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yp7Gfvbn_Xo) yesterday at the mall!

Ah well, Jesus still existed and was a documented man that did live.

True, but you have to consider a lot of that was written decades and centuries after his passing.
I see him as a cool, hippie & schizophrenic dude who smoked a lot. :wink:
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Soldier_of_God on May 25, 2011, 07:28:28 pm
wow this thread is still kicking? lol!
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Mamba on May 25, 2011, 08:59:43 pm
All religions were created by man. Its pretty obvious, because the time when religions were created, there were no governments to set up rules, no common consent. Everybody must just have acted after their own morale.

That knowledge pretty much prevents me from believing in any religion, and if there is a god somewhere hes just a powerful alien.
As guidelines religions helped pretty good building societies, the people who invented them were smart to do that because they bring some sort of order.

Its pretty funny that 4000-2000 years later we are still not smarter and think religions have to rival.
That tells something about human evolution.

Oh and IF I believe in something then its the flying spaghetti monster. That religion is so valid like all the others.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: ManOfWar on May 26, 2011, 03:36:50 pm
wow this thread is still kicking? lol!

When your not face to face with a person, religion is always easy to talk about
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Gorath on May 26, 2011, 04:39:38 pm
because the time when religions were created, there were no governments to set up rules,

 :shock:
What history did your professors teach?
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Adam_Bomb on May 26, 2011, 06:19:10 pm
I'd be willing to bet that humans (and our bipedal ancestors) have always had some form of superstition or religion, and I'm sure it WAS the government.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: DANK on May 26, 2011, 07:39:59 pm
I'm not religious, but I think if I was I would take major offense to the groupings in the poll.(different takes on same)??




Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Soldier_of_God on May 26, 2011, 10:47:50 pm
When your not face to face with a person, religion is always easy to talk about

Thats true, although true religion is best drawn on the canvas of life, rather than weaved into conversations. not to say noone talks about it! thats why religious groups exist.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: hyena on May 27, 2011, 11:41:46 am
I actually envy people that have faith, it must be nice having that sense of security and conviction.

I do not dismiss religion nor do I embrace it, I suppose i'm agnostic in the sense that if I saw evidence of a supreme being I would follow them without question, although that of course is contradictory to the essence of 'faith'.

I will just.. wait and see what happens when I die! I do not approve of strong atheists, for I feel that it is the right of anyone to believe in what they wish, and also it is impossible to prove 100% that a God of some sort is not real. I just respect everyone beliefs, as to them, it is as real as the sky is blue.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: 7000bc on May 28, 2011, 09:27:05 pm
A satanist around christians, christian around atheists, atheist around muslims, muslim around jews,  and strongly anti-philantropist.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: KaMiKaZe_JoE on May 29, 2011, 05:46:22 am
I worship myself, being essentially perfection incarnate. I am God.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Sultan Eren on May 30, 2011, 12:02:11 pm
Deist
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Kafein on May 30, 2011, 08:04:29 pm
I'd like all football supporters that chose the "no god" category to revise their copy and choose the last one instead. It's way more realistic.

Half joke, as allways  :P
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: EponiCo on June 02, 2011, 03:12:38 am
No objective proof of god/gods = no reason to believe in god/gods. No, Bible nor Qu'ran nor Pali Canon nor Torah don't count. :V

Yes, I think Stephen Hawking has a respectable say in this for his scientific accomplishments. His quote about human consciousness as a sum of neurological connections and hormonal/electrical impulses is as far as we can get at this moment. Why make assumptions based on primite societies beliefs that were to satisfy human curiosity about the world?

If you didn't have a 'soul' before you were born why would you have one after death? Or do you now have to (Lord knows why...) rely on scientific knowledge about conception / psychology / whatever? :lol:

Physicalism (or Materialsm) faces a big problem. We've banned a lot of stuff we can directly experience (color, sound, pain etc.) from the natural sciences. Yeah, you may say light has color, but in science it's really just a metaphor from primitive societies for energy levels, and it reaches only your eyes not your brain, so it plays no role anyway. Now, if you are really saying that all this consciusness stuff is caused only by interaction of neurons etc. you have to explain how those colors etc. are caused. Afaik there has been not a single theory the scientific community takes serious. There's a few who make claims with nothing to back up, there's a few who write big books about it (like Hawkings collegue Penrose) who get accused of using quantum mechanics as a new pixie dust, then there's others who say it's impossible. Making any of those positions look like they are scientific is as unscientific as you can get.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Pdogg5954 on June 06, 2011, 06:50:11 am
:shock:
What history did your professors teach?

Believe it or not, many historians are not considering the possibility that religion predated and necessitated governments and civilization. Look up the Göbelki Tepe temple in Turkey.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: verinen on June 07, 2011, 05:26:11 pm
Personally- agnostic atm, but I think really serious about chadzianity.

imo relligions are very good for communities- less murderers, rapers etc.
Atheism is only for mentally strong people, who don't need fictive friends and can handle the fact that we are nothing more than wiser monkeys- our lives don't mean more that lives of ants.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: 7000bc on June 09, 2011, 10:07:00 am
Personally- agnostic atm, but I think really serious about chadzianity.

imo relligions are very good for communities- less murderers, rapers etc.
Atheism is only for mentally strong people, who don't need fictive friends and can handle the fact that we are nothing more than wiser monkeys- our lives don't mean more that lives of ants.

Or it's for people who like to take comfort in thinking that they have absolute control over their lives and enjoy the delusional "fact" that they are invincible and no one can possibly hurt them.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Keshian on June 09, 2011, 06:21:28 pm
Or it's for people who like to take comfort in thinking that they have absolute control over their lives and enjoy the delusional "fact" that they are invincible and no one can possibly hurt them.

Yeh, if you think you have it all figured out, odds are you know nothing as you can't see past your own blind spots (assumptions), most of the atheists I've known make just as many assumptions as people believing in a faith, they really should be honest with themeselves and become agnostics and admit they don't know instead of saying they know for certain how the universe works from the extremely limited technolgical capabilities of science today that often leave more questions than answers.  For all we know all religions could be correct, simply because we create our own gods with the collective consciousness of millions.

On another note:
Hail the rise of the Horned One, may his reign of terror last for 7 eternities.....  jk

I say everyone should just follow the whirling dervishes of the sufi tradition, constantly singing poems about passionate love with God.   Who wouldn't want a religion based on making love to God.
South Park Quote:
"but you boys sound like you REALLLLLY love Jesus."

I tend to follow a stoic philosophy as it pertains to religion;  I don't know and I have no way of finding out, so stop worrying about it and just live your life the way you want to live it.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Tears of Destiny on June 09, 2011, 07:52:46 pm
Yeh, if you think you have it all figured out, odds are you know nothing as you can't see past your own blind spots (assumptions), most of the atheists I've known make just as many assumptions as people believing in a faith, they really should be honest with themeselves and become agnostics and admit they don't know instead of saying they know for certain how the universe works from the extremely limited technolgical capabilities of science today that often leave more questions than answers.  For all we know all religions could be correct, simply because we create our own gods with the collective consciousness of millions.

On another note:
Hail the rise of the Horned One, may his reign of terror last for 7 eternities.....  jk

I say everyone should just follow the whirling dervishes of the sufi tradition, constantly singing poems about passionate love with God.   Who wouldn't want a religion based on making love to God.
South Park Quote:
"but you boys sound like you REALLLLLY love Jesus."

I tend to follow a stoic philosophy as it pertains to religion;  I don't know and I have no way of finding out, so stop worrying about it and just live your life the way you want to live it.

Well damn... +1 for writing my post better then I would have...
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Torp on June 10, 2011, 02:49:40 am
http://www.venganza.org/

Browse the site, read the letter to arkansas school board.
Read - Understand - Enjoy
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Uumdi on June 10, 2011, 12:59:28 pm
I was raised Roman Catholic, in a nice suburb in the midwest.  I got called an infidel (of all the words, haha) by my 6th grade CCD (sunday school, only on a tuesday) teacher because I persisted in asking him why priests couldn't marry.

Honestly, I considered myself agnostic throughout life, growing up, throughout high school, experimenting, having fun, generally not giving much of a care, being what might be considered a "good" person.  I found myself drawing closer to religion in my first experiences with death.  I discovered the news that my grandmother died while barely conscious, drugged up with a 105 degree fever, throwing my guts up and hallucinating.  Moving on to the wake and funeral, which took place in a Serbian Orthodox Church, was a very interesting experience, though terribly emotional.  It was a beautiful ceremony, suprisingly colorful, though very serious and depressing.  Seeing your family cry, especially your father as a young kid definitely shocks the consciousness.

Witnessing the full extent of human suffering just takes a toll on some people I suppose.  Granted, an elderly person passing away is one thing, but it soon took to family members, friends, associates.  Cancer here, cancer there, overdose here and there, I couldn't help but start giving a shit.  I even played Everquest for 6 and a half years in my youth, and I knew two dudes who killed themselves.  I wasn't a close friend, but certainly both were guildmates that I had partied and raided with, and I attended their in-game funerals.  Seems odd looking back that such a stage in life ever happened.

I turned to The Good Book, because I did find a strong affinity with the Christian faith, as in its core it is beautiful and perfect, but I can and will agree with any atheist or agnostic here that it has become castrated and profaned on so many levels.  I did feel like it was lacking something as well, which brought me back to my question for the teacher about why priests can't marry.  Its such a strong masculine tradition, but we have unfortunately seen where repression and bottling our sexual force has led us, especially within the Catholic preisthood.  Woman is potentially the greatest thing on Earth for a man (potentially the worst too I imagine).  Call me a hopeless romantic, but what about the 'quest for the holy grail', and what about true love, and all of those ideals I held so dear.  Some people don't care about that, or think its nonsense, but not much interested me in the world besides love and cooperation.

Before you say "too long did not read", I'll cut to the chase.  I began reading into quite a bit, I picked up the Qu'ran, because I was sick of friends and peers being so cruel and ignorant towards Islam and its Muslim followers.  Reading into astrology, and a ton and ton of history with the Knights Templar and the esoteric order of the Essenes, and the Sufis, etc. I found Gnosis, or the Gnostic Movement, more specifically the teachings of Master Samael Aun Weor.  So if I must define myself, I simply cut out the "a" from "agnostic" and became a gnostic, or at least an aspirant.

I voted Buddhist/Hindu, because though it touches on every great religion, it really does acknowledge the significance of the Innermost, and the Essence, developing soul, meditation, and eliminating our ego and psychological defects.  It's certainly occultism, but it is very practical, and certainly nothing to be misunderstood.  The divine Masculine and the divine Feminine are both touched upon, and there is a certain balance that is refreshing about Eastern religion and philosophy.  Its taught that Buddhism is the doctrine of the Mind and the work in the death, while Christianity is the doctrine of the Heart, or the birth of the soul.  Both obviously touch on discipline and virtue though.

Thanks for reading guys, if you made it this far.  I think its a beneficial thing to have a thread like this.  We can all see each other as equals I hope.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Tzar on June 10, 2011, 01:41:11 pm
Im bi winning  :mrgreen:
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Son Of Odin on June 11, 2011, 05:08:36 am
I think chadz had some good points in his posts. All from that geographical location affecting on your possible religion and such. That is exactly what I thought about when I was younger. I was christian for a long time... Longer than I am proud of. Then I slowly became agnostic... Maybe more theistic agnostic at first but now I am more like atheistic agnostic. Why? Because I simply think that human is atheist when he/she is born to this world and I find all these, let's call them "human invented gods" as a waste of time and mental resources. Why not completely atheist? While I can pretty securely ASSUME that the gods of all religions of the world are not existing, I cant tell myself that there is no god at all (Because I can't prove that). If there is some deity or more likely "force" of somekind (haha not making a star wars quote, sorry) that started this world, it most likely is not God, Allah or even Odin :P. There is quite small possibility that any of these gods that we know by name, is possibly the "mystical force" and if one of them is, then what? The possibility of guessing which religion has the real god? Even smaller :D. Since there is no rational reason for me to believe, why should I limit my life with some religion that tells me what I can do and what I cannot do?

And about LaVeyan satanism... I found The Satanic Bible as a good entertrainment.. Some good advices but I got really bored when the ritual- parts showed up. Something else you should know about this book is that, Anton LaVey shamelessly copied many parts from a book called "Might Is Right - Survival of The Fittest" by Ragnar Redbeard. "Redbeard" is not the only one he stole from. TSB has really much influences from Aleister "The Great Beast 666" Crowley as well. Biggest mistake LaVey made is that he tried to make his satanism a real religion with dogmas and all when he simultaneously teached not to have any dogmas and rules because he thought that human can do right decisions naturally and thus any rules would not be neccessary. So I would advice to read Might Is Right instead of The Satanic Bible and leave Crowley books alone  :mrgreen:.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Casimir on June 12, 2011, 04:19:56 am
I worship the one true lord armagan, but i also follow the teachings of chadzianity.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Apostata on June 20, 2011, 12:04:18 am
SillySunday question (somewhat serious, actually, because I was just thinking about this for some hours)

If there were a god, would he wonder if there is someone above him - his own god?
If he does, that's hardly omnipotent.
If he doesn't, he's atheist.

If I were religious, that thought would worry me.

If there is a god , then he's uncreated and the first animator of the world as he's the very first source of any consequence or chain of consequences in the world
His omnipotence emanates from his uncreated essence
God is aware of himself, henceforth he must be  theist, or else 0.

Nevertheless: God's necessity of existence is questionable, as the first "creator" or "source" of cause(our world) is not imperatively needed to be aware of itself or  to be intellectualy potent over its own existence. It's seem to be more like a scheme of order, than an concept of some omnipotent being 
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: gazda on June 20, 2011, 12:12:36 am
Jedi !
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Artyem on June 21, 2011, 10:43:19 am
Raised in a house where religion wasn't forced or common. My father is a Pantheist and my mother just calls herself a modern pagan. I often find myself following Pantheistic guide lines.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Tagora on July 29, 2011, 12:25:25 am
Aleister Crowley


just kidding =)

edit: Crap, someone mentioned him just above me..
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Dezilagel on July 29, 2011, 12:44:23 am
Jedi.


:p

Jedi !

You're (p)aaaaaages behind! :D
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Reinhardt on July 29, 2011, 01:20:01 am
I like many of the morals and values that religion teaches and preaches, but I'll just leave it as "it's not really my thing". I occasionally find the need to pray, but I'm Agnostic.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Sayton on July 29, 2011, 01:26:25 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Lm6pEhykhs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCfemmxqaRg

Sums up my view on religion.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: D_the_Barbarian on July 29, 2011, 01:41:39 am
I worship the FSM (Flying Spaghetti Monster), so i am a Pastafarian.

Ramen to you good sir.

http://www.venganza.org/ (http://www.venganza.org/)
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Wookimonsta on July 29, 2011, 11:50:01 pm
yeh, where is pastafarianism?
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: LordBerenger on August 14, 2011, 11:30:40 pm
208 Atheists...damn bet Satan's real happy now  :D
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Tavuk_Bey on August 15, 2011, 12:18:13 am
i am the best religion
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Overdriven on August 15, 2011, 12:20:34 am
Lol atheism is as much a religion as any that's the amusing thing. Atheism requires as much faith as believing in a God does.

The idea of God cannot be proved, but neither can it be disproved, hence why it's called faith in the first place.

I wrote a philosophy essay for my final coursework at A level (got an A* on it to) on the idea of God and our inability as human's to possibly understand the concept of either the existance of, or none existance of such a thing. Our intellect, language and current level of knowledge cannot simply comprehend any idea of God, the same way as it is near impossible for the human mind to adequately come to terms with the possibility of an inifinite universe and the idea that beyond that, there is simply nothing. We can try and understand it all we like, but the fact is, if God is indeed a higher power that is all knowing ect ect, then we can never truly understand what that means, and those words, although adquate, can't actually convey what God truly is. The same way, unless we can see the nothingness, we cannot truly comprehend it, it's an idea to difficult to come to terms with. There are far more similarities between atheism and religion than either would like to admit.

Devilize struck very closely to what I'm talking about:
Your thinking is stuck in the box, you need to think outside of it. God wouldn't "wonder", think, or even know. These very terms are created by humans to help define our understanding. God is beyond these worldly definitions as he created knowledge himself. We as humans will never truly be able to define God as God is because we are bound by the laws that God created to govern our universe, laws like gravity.

Just as 2 dimensions can never truly interact with 3 dimensions, the painting with the painter, nor will we every truly interact with god, the created with the creator.

I have switched between both atheist views and religious views in the past, without ever really associating myself with any particular version of each. My mind keeps changing, but as of now I am rather more of the view that all this isn't an accident and I'd rather have a little faith that there is something beyond, than face my own impending disappearence into nothingness. Call that naive or what you like, but I can write an essay against whatever arguments you could bring against me. Such is the nature of the subject.

I recently read the Quran, partly to try and gain a better understanding of something that most western cultures bitch about, but actually know nothing of. And I have to say, when it comes down to it, it makes a hell of a lot more sense than the bible and certainly is misquoted 1000's of times. When people say something bad about Islam from the Quran, 99.9% of the time they have removed it from the context of the writing. Even when extremist Muslims quote something to support their actions, 99.9% of the time it'll be taken out of context. The Quran is written in such a way that it's very difficult to debate aspects of it (unlike the bible), but people still manage to take things the wrong way if they don't fully read something. I've had to re-read much of it because getting your head around it is difficult. But it certainly makes sense. Add on the fact that in Islamic law, and therefore Islamic countries, it is illegal to rewrite anything in the Quran the wrong way, even down to the punctuation. If you do this, it is considered not the Quran. Even translations of the Quran aren't actually the Quran, it has to be in Arabic (therefore to actually read it you have to learn Arabic). In that sense it's more likey that the Quran has remained unchanged for centuries and therefore has a greater possibility of actually being truer. Whereas the amount of different versions of the bible ect and the fact we know it was written by a variety of different people, throw that far more into question.

There are so many misconceptions of Islam. For example, people think it harsh towards women. It isn't, it's actually harsher towards men. For example, a woman may work and earn money and keep all of it for herself. However, the man is required by law to provide for the woman and share a certain % of his wage with her in order to support her, regardless of what the woman is earning. It also has some liberal views on sex. The husband can demand sex whenever he pleases from his wife, but he must satisfy the women if he does. If the man cannot satisfy his woman, she is allowed divorce on these grounds :lol:

The funny thing is, that even in the Quran it considers Christians, Jews and Muslims to be of the same religion. They are all people of the book. For example, a Muslim man is allowed to marry a Christian or Jewish woman (not the other way round, due to the fact it is considered necessary for the man to be Muslim because he is the head of the family, takes them to the mosque, the bread winner ect). Which is why it's even more ridiculous that there is such conflict between them.

O and as to those who say religion is generally a good thing. I would agree. Even though I'm not Christian, and my family is not particularly Christian, my parents made me go to Church as a kid, mostly because of the morals they teach. In school at assembleys my head teacher would read bible stories (dumbed down for kids) and it is certainly helpful at that age. Religion teaches children valuable lessons. Unfortunately adults warp this a bit.

I like to try and understand religions as much as possible before passing any form of judgement on them. But the fact is, all of them are just as likely as the next one, same with atheism.

Why make assumptions based on primite societies beliefs that were to satisfy human curiosity about the world?

This line bugged me. Primate societies as in 2000 years ago for Christianity? 1500 for Islam. Certainly older for the multi-god religions. But I do not consider 2000 years long enough for us to have evolved to gain any knowledge of the world that can expunge our religious assumptions. Certainly our scientific knowledge has expanded. But 200 years ago people thought the world was flat. What's to say that in another 200 years many of our current scientific theories won't be obsolete and out right wrong? Science, can also fall under the word religion. Scientific fact doesn't actually exist. Only foolish and popularist scientists claim something as fact. Academics claim the rest is scientific theory. For example, the big bang theory. Even 5 years ago I was taught this as fact by the science teachers at school and documentaries claimed it as such. Now even the people who came up with the theory think it's wrong and makes little sense.

PS: Yes I'm in and essay writing, argumentative mood  :P

also, is it true the church or some religious authority declared a time where there are no longer Godly "divinitions" or messages from God?  Like A.D 4453 to the present no more stuff like that?

In Islam it is believed that Mohammed was the last and final prophet. There are actually tons listed in the Quran before him, from Moses to Jesus (yes they believe in him, just not as the son of God). So in that sense there will be no more messages from God. The Quran was his final teaching, Mohammed was chosen to write God's final teachings down (supposedly an illiterate man. Arabic grammer, poetry and mathematical occurences are also considered beyond perfect in the Quran as in it's not possible that a human mind thought it and wrote it). Other than that we are now left to it. We can supposedly see God's work in our lives when we pray and are rewarded for being good and religious people. But otherwise there will be no more messages until the day of judgement.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Anwyl on August 15, 2011, 02:39:06 am
No Sikhism option?
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: The_Angle on August 15, 2011, 03:19:19 am
I have to take my hat off in honour of this Overdriven sir, he deserves my respects.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Captain_Georges on August 15, 2011, 10:58:59 am
THERE IS ONLY THE EMPEROR. HE IS OUR SHIELD AND PROTECTOR
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Siiem on August 15, 2011, 11:01:36 am
I'm a muslim.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: The_Angle on August 15, 2011, 11:36:09 am
THERE IS ONLY THE EMPEROR. HE IS OUR SHIELD AND PROTECTOR
+1
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Fluffy_Muffin on August 15, 2011, 12:12:36 pm
THERE IS ONLY THE EMPEROR. HE IS OUR SHIELD AND PROTECTOR

I am the instrument of his will

He who stands with me shall be my brother
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Mtemtko on August 15, 2011, 12:14:40 pm
Quote
: Everyone is a muslim, they just dont know it. - Safavid
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: LordBerenger on August 15, 2011, 12:21:59 pm


Inshallah!
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Siiem on August 15, 2011, 01:29:01 pm


So... everyone who is a muslim and admits it, does not know he is muslim. How does one then know you are muslim and how can you claim to be muslim if everyone is muslim without knowing it. I, I... I, hmm maybe I'm not muslim after all, or am I? Obviously I cannot know, but if I say I am I'd be lying cause no one knows. I'M CONFUSED.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Hirlok on August 15, 2011, 01:47:44 pm
I stay away from organized religionism as far as possible. Main reason are the noisy aggressive habits of at least two of them, like ringing bells or singing strange tunes from high towers, pestering my pagan ears... ;-)

The fact that our pseudo-scientific view of the world is pretty limited on the other hand leaves enough room for exploration and keeps things interesting for at least a few dozen incarnations more...

BTW agnostic does not necessarily mean being atheist, and there are also those who oppose the gods (=powerhungry warlords of the non-physical world...) while assuming that energies exist that people have come to call "gods".

So while I consider myself an agnostic with some background in serious esoterics and the borderlands of science, I had to vote gnostic in this case..
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Overdriven on August 15, 2011, 01:55:52 pm
So... everyone who is a muslim and admits it, does not know he is muslim. How does one then know you are muslim and how can you claim to be muslim if everyone is muslim without knowing it. I, I... I, hmm maybe I'm not muslim after all, or am I? Obviously I cannot know, but if I say I am I'd be lying cause no one knows. I'M CONFUSED.

Everyone is a Muslim, even without knowing it, because in Islam it's regarded as reverting...not converting. Everyone is considered born Muslim, they may just stray from the path a long the way. And if you are in another religion at some point, you revert, not convert.

Obviously if you are Muslim already, you know you are. That quote it more directed at the people who are atheists or of another religion.

Thought you'd know that :wink:
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Siiem on August 15, 2011, 02:15:07 pm
Everyone is a Muslim, even without knowing it, because in Islam it's regarded as reverting...not converting. Everyone is considered born Muslim, they may just stray from the path a long the way. And if you are in another religion at some point, you revert, not convert.

Obviously if you are Muslim already, you know you are. That quote it more directed at the people who are atheists or of another religion.

Thought you'd know that :wink:

That indicates that someone at one point knew 100% for sure they were a muslim, which indicates said person created islam for the sole purpose of confusing others with these nonsensical philosophies. Which in turn means I must obviously NOT be a muslim.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: LordBerenger on November 04, 2011, 01:03:16 pm
146 religious vs 221 non religious lol.

Though i bet ones voting for Wiccan option was trolling

Also bumping this thread because it's one of the best on this forum and should be showcased for the newer forum members!
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Oberyn on November 04, 2011, 02:18:39 pm
Agnostic isn't "non-religious". Unless you redo the poll and separate it from Atheist we won't be able to know how many souless heathens there are in cRPG.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Mtemtko on November 04, 2011, 02:22:41 pm
I miss safavid
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Vibe on November 04, 2011, 02:29:26 pm
there is no god
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Razzen on November 04, 2011, 02:32:02 pm
I am a chadzian
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Henry_Broodsonson on November 04, 2011, 03:39:51 pm
Science is the new religion and people follow it as blindly as they have followed its predecessors.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=rop8-iBjJU0#t=468s

                 will
Science could just take more direct action when it comes to human behaviour.

Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Fluffy_Muffin on November 04, 2011, 05:48:12 pm
I miss safavid

Hahah yea i bet he would try to convert us by quoting the kuran or tell us how all other religions are inferion and shit, always funny  :mrgreen:
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Tavuk_Bey on November 04, 2011, 06:00:04 pm
Hahah yea i bet he would try to convert us by quoting the kuran or tell us how all other religions are inferion and shit, always funny  :mrgreen:

is he still alive? :D
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: djavo on November 04, 2011, 06:18:59 pm
Im milfist. Join my church.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: B3RS3RK on November 04, 2011, 06:26:12 pm
Jedi
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Kalp on November 04, 2011, 07:02:23 pm
Sorry but where is Great Cthulhu in the poll ?  :D
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: LordBerenger on November 04, 2011, 08:25:32 pm
If OP was still active i would've loved lots of new options to vote at and option to ''Re vote'' again. And adding a belief in deity without particular religion just personal belief in some ways similar to agnostics would've been sweet.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: LordBerenger on November 04, 2011, 08:55:51 pm
edit nvm
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Bjarky on November 04, 2011, 09:41:46 pm
I am a chadzian
yeah, where is the chadzianity?
damn heretics!  :P
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Uumdi on November 07, 2011, 03:49:33 am
"All religions are precious pearls strung on the golden thread of divinity." Samael Aun Weor.

Don't think that Gnostic choice was there months ago when I voted Buddhist, but they're one in the same.  Christianity tends toward the teaching of the Birth of the Soul, while Buddhism tends toward the teaching of the Death of the Ego.  Science, Mysticism, Art, and Philosophy are the 4 pillars of human interest.  I'm beating a dead horse here, but its worth saying again that things arent black and white in the world.  Religion and spirituality have everything to do with physics, chemistry, endocrinology, anatomy and any other field of science we can think of, and vice versa.  After internalizing and studying scripture for years on end, I honestly wish I balanced it with practical studies too.  We should admire the people with all sorts of knowledge.  We can theorize all day, but I don't even know how to change the oil in my car, and I throw like a girl.  IRL I'm a 3/3 build, that's for sure.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: LordBerenger on November 08, 2011, 06:08:23 pm
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081128012611AAAoVCt
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Uumdi on November 08, 2011, 07:03:00 pm
Well absolutely, its an internal experience.  People are inspired and find meaning through symbols, feel comfortable with familiarity, and enjoy practicing with like-minded individuals.  We feel the need to inspire positive emotions within ourselves on a weekly or daily basis so we can focus on what's really important in life.  For some people going to the temple helps with that sense of devotion, and some people go out of their way to try to break bad habits, or spend more time with the people they love, or physical exercise.  A lot of it is about developing that positive mindset and sense of devotion, and by all means we can do none, some. or all of those things. 

There's probably "masters" in the world who are completely illiterate.  Another example was when canadian missionaries spoke to the eskimos about accepting Jesus to avoid going to hell-

Well if I never heard of Jesus, would I still go to hell?
--Well... no I don't think so
WELL WHY WOULD YOU TELL ME THEN!?

Its about accepting the way of Christ by adopting an attitude of humility and sacrifice regardless of your lifestyle, rather than worshipping the physical body of a (THE) messenger.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Kazak on November 09, 2011, 04:31:57 am
the dumbest poll I have ever seen.  :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Apostata on November 12, 2011, 10:35:38 am
Don't think that Gnostic choice was there months ago when I voted Buddhist, but they're one in the same.  Christianity tends toward the teaching of the Birth of the Soul, while Buddhism tends toward the teaching of the Death of the Ego.  Science, Mysticism, Art, and Philosophy are the 4 pillars of human interest.  I'm beating a dead horse here, but its worth saying again that things arent black and white in the world.  Religion and spirituality have everything to do with physics, chemistry, endocrinology, anatomy and any other field of science we can think of, and vice versa.  After internalizing and studying scripture for years on end, I honestly wish I balanced it with practical studies too.  We should admire the people with all sorts of knowledge.  We can theorize all day, but I don't even know how to change the oil in my car, and I throw like a girl.  IRL I'm a 3/3 build, that's for sure.

Such generalization of Christianity seems quite unfair. Souls are in general theology of both great schools of Christianity ( Orthodox and Catholic) eternal since the first act, created by God in his well known and good plan of creation (then they are waiting for the act of introduction also called the "Great suffer" in our reality). Soul, unlike the bodily qualities of man is transcendental and possess the divine and pure Ego which can only by stained or fulfilled under the weight of sins and moral wrongdoings. Judaism was pretty lame to it, as those who shall inherit the eternal life in neverending bliss were those who stick to the certain book and laws in it, thus Old Testament was never able to cope with universal scheme of world, nor win many affections of other cultures. Jesus Christ(and his followers to 4. Century AD), same as Zeno of Citium started his theological aspect of world as universal it can be, shared by all reasonal beings, under one logos(wisdom, order, shape, mind) and morally pure of any cultural interpretation and bound to the law of undying love and that law was not written, nor spoken in many languages, but acted and payed at the cross. Teachings of Jesus Christ coped pretty well with many philosophical concepts (such platonism, neoplatonism, stoicism and skepticism) popular at the fall of Rome and it took a long time until all what has been told by Jesus Christ was crippled by bounds, laws and restrictions (defined by economical and cultural needs) at the first councils to make it universal and centralised political dissentdestroying machine for Constantine the Great (trollop) and his Empire which was, after all raped by Huns,Bulgars,Slavs, Arabs and Turks accordingly.

Buddhism (in the early form, not sure what branch of Buddhism you are inclined to) wants to see through and deny all terrestrial "curtains" for the very same reason of the divine fixed ideal, which is in european style forever partying at the best party with the best souls in heaven. But in Hindu oriental world it is = Nirvana or better term "nothingness" or blowing out, ceasing to exist ( in almost neverendic karmic rebirths). Even though Hindu concept of ideal state of things is fixed and undefineable not moving "nothingness" there are amazing similarities in ethical and theological reasoning of both doctrines. And Buddhism suffers same definitions and restrictions Christianity under the designs of Church.  For example: Mahayáma doctrine is the biggest turd ever created out of philosophic concept. Even hipsters are not able to milk Nietzsche to such sick and messed up concepts of life.

Ya, the main reason I was about to wrote was that I am not that quite optimist about the relations of myths and religions to empirical science. The reason for it, is undenyable economical, scientific and cultural background for any mythological concept ever created , but the myth as a creation is no longer in any actual relation to its background and is not very likely to change as quick as empirical theories tend to. Myths can  slowly and painfully transform or be forgotten, but cant never deny itselves in a second. Those four pillars you mentioned seems more like the four interpretions of known world, and very arguable, except for art.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Uumdi on November 12, 2011, 12:41:04 pm
Yeah, I'll concede.  We can all agree that it depends on what works for the times, and things change, develop, degenerate, and resurface.  Each legitimate religion should have all three factors at their core: Birth, Death, and Sacrifice.  As far as the relation of myths to empirical science, I guess I'm easily convinced by some pretty redundant mysteries.  Ancient civilizations are especially interesting, with the most obvious example being the pyramids, but also artwork depicting flying machines, extraterrestrials, and other incredible ideas. 

Theorizing about it is a major time sink and waste of effort, but if people are experiencing the internal worlds on a regular basis through spiritual, devotional means, and meanwhile empirical science is discovering more and more about the 4th coordinate through the work of brilliant physicists, hopefully there will be a day when experts find some common ground and agree on some things.  We'll probably see an even bigger flame war between sections of humanity though, as people will disagree merely about semantics.

Briefly touching on Nirvana though, several schools that teach synthesis discuss two possible paths for somebody reaching a level of mastery where they can choose the infinite bliss of Nirvana, and opt out, like you say, and disappear from existence rather than live nearly endless amount of physical incarnations.  There is also the path of the bodhisattva, where one renounces nirvana to keep working on behalf of humanity and suffer immensely.  I'll stop overgeneralizing things and being so dramatic.  We do what works for us until the end.  Even eternity has an end.  We're not even a spec on a pale blue dot afterall.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Croaker McGee on November 14, 2011, 11:10:17 am
I'm curious as to why people believe that science and religion are mutually exclusive?

(click to show/hide)

(click to show/hide)

(click to show/hide)

I guess what it boils down to is if God exists, and he made everything, that would make us accountable to him. A notion that many can't accept. Just my personal belief.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Ninja_Khorin on November 14, 2011, 11:29:16 am
The Nine Divines



.... oh, and circles are two dimensional.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Gheritarish le Loki on November 14, 2011, 12:44:08 pm
Man has always needed a belief, just as it was too difficult to just believe in him and explain his poor existence.

At least the religions have helped to civilize the people, well i don't need to be civilized anymore....
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Croaker McGee on November 14, 2011, 06:17:40 pm

.... oh, and circles are two dimensional.

The point being that the Bible simply stated the Earth was round at a time when most people thought it was flat, you cheeky little gnome.  :wink:

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Blondin on November 14, 2011, 07:46:14 pm
Sure that's what told Galilée but it seems that the other guys didn't read the bible.

Hilarious mate.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Xant on November 14, 2011, 08:02:19 pm
I guess what it boils down to is if God exists, and he made everything, that would make us accountable to him. A notion that many can't accept. Just my personal belief.

No, what it boils down to is that "believing" in God is like believing in Santa Claus, or magical invisible unicorns. It's simply ridiculous to believe in god just because there's a book that claims god exists. Not to mention a book that's completely fucked up and describes a god that kills (among other things) innocent children.

I honestly can't imagine what it would be like to be in the mind of a believer. Is there some kind of a stone wall or a clouded area in there that prevents them from seeing just how ridiculous it all is?
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Ninja_Khorin on November 14, 2011, 08:42:53 pm
The point being that the Bible simply stated the Earth was round at a time when most people thought it was flat, you cheeky little gnome.  :wink:

(click to show/hide)
And my point is that circles are flat.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Teeth on November 14, 2011, 08:46:19 pm
Khorin is right on that. A circle is no sphere.

The Bible doesn't state that the earth is flat, just to be clear.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: The_Angle on November 14, 2011, 09:20:46 pm
visitors can't see pics , please register or login
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Outlaw 'God' anybody?
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Teeth on November 14, 2011, 09:25:29 pm
EBM may stand for:
Electron beam melting, a type of additive manufacturing for metal parts
Electronic body music, a music genre
"Epic Beard Man", see AC Transit Bus fight
Espresso Book Machine, a print-on-demand book printing press
Evidence-based medicine, an approach to medical research and practice
Expressed breast milk
Extrusion blow molding, a manufacturing process

Ebm may stand for:
E flat minor

Which EBM is your avatars'?
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: The_Angle on November 16, 2011, 03:24:52 am
Music genre.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Ninja_Khorin on November 17, 2011, 03:41:37 pm
Khorin is right on that. A circle is no sphere.

The Bible doesn't state that the earth is flat, just to be clear.

Well, that quote did say
"He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth,
   and its people are like grasshoppers.
He stretches out the heavens like a canopy,
   and spreads them out like a tent to live in."

Circle is two dimensional, in other words flat.
And that the world is a tent. In other words, the ground is flat and the "roof" in the tent metaphor are the heavens. So in essense it would look like half a sphere/circle from the sides with a flat ground.

Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Original_Sin on November 18, 2011, 10:06:15 am
I'm presbyterian.

btw what's with the Eastern Orthodox Church? everybody knows that it's a part of Christianity, but I didn't see it in "the vote".
you really don't count those guys, eh?
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Ninja_Khorin on January 29, 2012, 11:39:24 pm
I was having a discussion on this topic lately. And it made me wonder if most of the non-religious are just in a phase. Because usually when you see stats about the beliefs of a population the non-religious are in a clear minority. Do most people convert later on? Or is there fault in the surveys where they assume that belonging to a church = religious? Or is the tide really changing and in 50 years the population belief statistics will look like this? Or is it just that internet dwellers are just less religious that others?

I guess it's a mix of all of them. But I'd be interested in seeing similar statistics from the 50s-60s and 20s-30s among 20-25 year olds.


Also on another note. I often notice that people have a false view of what agnosticism is. Being an atheist does not rule out being an agnostic aswell.

Agnosticism answers the question "Is God knoweable?"
Atheism answers the question "Do you believe in God?"

There are also many variations of agnosticism and atheism. I tend to define myself as an implicit atheist weak agnostic with a pinch of apatheism


Implicit atheist: I do not believe in God, because of lack of evidence, but I do not deny the possibility of that evidence existance. God might exist, we just lack the evidence.
Weak agnostic: I do not know whether God is knoweable or not. It might be that it is impossible to prove God's existance. If that is the case I'll continue to not believe.
Apatheist: I do not care if God exists or not, because of this:
"Live a good life. If there are gods and they are just, then they will not care how devout you have been, but will welcome you based on the virtues you have lived by. If there are gods, but unjust, then you should not want to worship them. If there are no gods, then you will be gone, but will have lived a noble life that will live on in the memories of your loved ones."

Yes, I realize this is a little necro, but it was an interesting discussion. Also got inspired by the Jehova's Witnesses knocking on the door the other day again calling me a blasphemer.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Osiris on January 29, 2012, 11:46:34 pm
"is there fault in the surveys where they assume that belonging to a church = religious?"


Well You can see it in most surveys.

People in the UK for example just tick christian. I know many people who did that even though they dont really belive in god and never go to church apart from weddings and funerals. Its just a thing people do :P

In my entire time at school i think i met 1-3 actual christians.

Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Gravoth_iii on January 29, 2012, 11:48:09 pm
Religion is baad, Mkaay?

And i am truly offended that Asatro isnt on here, i believe in Tor and Oden!
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Ninja_Khorin on January 29, 2012, 11:49:58 pm
Religion is baad, Mkaay?

And i am truly offended that Asatro isnt on here, i believe in Tor and Oden!
I guess it's "other cultural religion" or "magical discipline" :P
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Gravoth_iii on January 29, 2012, 11:54:03 pm
I guess it's "other cultural religion" or "magical discipline" :P

I think it deserves to get its own vote thingy, cant find the word for it >_>. This game being full of vikings and shit should have more people believing in viking gods! ;)
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: ManOfWar on January 30, 2012, 07:01:50 am
What is the definition of truly christian?
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Brrrak on January 30, 2012, 08:04:54 am
Nice, I like a poll that isn't biased one way or the other (but does fall into some holes
(click to show/hide)
for whatever reasons) regarding religion.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Xant on January 30, 2012, 11:37:06 am
Well you can't possibly include ALL the made-up stuff people believe in.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: exelence on January 31, 2012, 04:41:21 pm
I believe in, myself, my friends, my country, Scandinavia. in that order.
I do will not whatsoever believe in any god whatsoever before I see any proof, and I've yet to see this proof. and no, you cannot proof something doesnt exist.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Dezilagel on January 31, 2012, 05:09:08 pm


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Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: B3RS3RK on January 31, 2012, 06:09:44 pm
I believe in god, however my Faith differs from the typical religions a lot(I have a different view on the happenings of Evolution etc. than most religious or atheistic people).

I still consider myself christian because that´s the religion I feel the most fitting, and Evangelic Christianity is the most tolerant religion available.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Captain_Georges on January 31, 2012, 08:08:22 pm
There is only the emperor, he is our shield and protector!
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: LordBerenger on July 01, 2012, 03:50:07 am
Bump this, it needs a serious bump so all newmy old friends can discuss religion as well.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Son Of Odin on July 01, 2012, 04:03:16 am
Bump this, it needs a serious bump so all newmy old friends can discuss religion as well.
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Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: LordBerenger on July 01, 2012, 01:55:30 pm
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Herpes
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Molly on July 01, 2012, 02:19:11 pm
Agnostic.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Fluffy_Muffin on July 01, 2012, 03:25:34 pm
Catholic
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: spl00gedon on July 01, 2012, 03:41:44 pm
As the Lead Bleed of the Menstrual Monsoon and divine Emperor of the Fallopian Kingdom, I demand worship.  Add this to your list you swine or I shall have you sentenced to death by umbilical hanging at the Fallopian gallows... 

You peasant rabble with your pagan religions make me laugh.

All hail the Fallopian Kingdom

Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Molly on July 01, 2012, 04:39:07 pm
As the Lead Bleed of the Menstrual Monsoon [...]
Stopped reading after that and kept laughing for the next 15 minutes  :mrgreen:
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: bosco on July 01, 2012, 05:26:19 pm
Catholic

This.

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Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Cumface on July 01, 2012, 05:32:24 pm
None. All religions suck cocks and only fools believe in that shit. Religions were just excuses to make people act retarded / do what the leaders wanted in the old days... I don't get how anyone in living in modern world belives that shit anymore.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: LordBerenger on July 01, 2012, 06:47:07 pm
Catholic

Really? Or troll?
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Fluffy_Muffin on July 01, 2012, 07:18:52 pm
Really? Or troll?

Yes really, ofc im not stupid to interpret the Bible literaly. It should be viewed metaphoricaly and in the light of the age it was written in
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Tibe on July 01, 2012, 07:45:36 pm
None you are aware of, I got my own...... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNd4eocq2K0 .........like all of us. :wink:
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: LordBerenger on July 01, 2012, 08:49:23 pm
Yes really, ofc im not stupid to interpret the Bible literaly. It should be viewed metaphoricaly and in the light of the age it was written in

Cool, internetz is usually a place where only atheists reside so it's surprising. Derp
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Gravoth_iii on July 02, 2012, 03:18:23 am
http://www.venganza.org/ I found meself a new religion!
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Tagora on July 02, 2012, 04:59:55 pm
I am the acid-god who created the universe.  When I return I will save you all from the absurd and vacant future of the cosmos. 
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Arathian on July 05, 2012, 12:49:32 am
I am a Christian deist satanist agnostic atheist Buddhist who also participates and believes in Wiccan.


Ask me anything!
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Tagora on July 05, 2012, 12:59:15 am
I am a Christian deist satanist agnostic atheist Buddhist who also participates and believes in Wiccan.


Ask me anything!

What's your sex life like?
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: LordBerenger on July 05, 2012, 01:06:28 am
I am a Christian deist satanist agnostic atheist Buddhist who also participates and believes in Wiccan.


Ask me anything!

What is the meaning with life? Iyo
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: TurmoilTom on July 05, 2012, 07:14:20 am
I worship only Zorato, the Lord of Anime.

ALL GLORY TO ZORATO THE LORD OF ANIME
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Arathian on July 05, 2012, 01:08:18 pm
What is the meaning with life? Iyo

To crush your enemies—See them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women!

What's your sex life like?

"the hottie and the nottie"
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Kerrigan on July 05, 2012, 06:58:40 pm
Higgs particle has been found.

RELIGION IS DEAD.

Also, I believe in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Arathian on July 06, 2012, 03:38:33 am
Higgs particle has been found.

RELIGION IS DEAD.

Also, I believe in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

I also believe in Higgism.

It states that the particle actually IS god and we worship it.

Deal with it atheist scum.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Kafein on July 06, 2012, 03:43:58 am
Higgs particle has been found.

RELIGION IS DEAD.

Also, I believe in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

I don't know about you, but it always amuses me to hear journalists report about things they know nothing about and would have some troubles understanding even if explained, as well as their general audience. Always has this "duh scientists did thing" feeling.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Kerrigan on July 06, 2012, 04:07:41 pm
I also believe in Higgism.

It states that the particle actually IS god and we worship it.

Deal with it atheist scum.
No, believers state it is God himself. Scientists call it the 'god' particle because it gives things it's 'matter'.
I don't think this particle wrote the ten commandments or told Eve not to touch the apple. It's a particle, not a conscious being. So I'd say religion is fucked. But ofcourse believers will always try to convince themselves that it has to do with the oh so mighty god. (The allmighty God who never listens to any prayer and let's terrible things happen all over the world. But ofcourse, that is God's wrath for the sins of humans, right? It has a purpose! God wills it! And more shit like that)

No, religion has fucked human kind long enough, now it is time to fuck religion.

But you just keep praying to this God of yours.

@Kafein
Yes, well it isn't easy to understand. Hell, I don't even understand it all. But what I do understand is that this so called god particle is very important and can change the universe as we know it. Which is great, don't you think? More clarity on our universe. It never stops to amaze me how much me we do not know yet.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Gurnisson on July 06, 2012, 04:25:01 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_-NfKakS6A&feature=youtu.be
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Miwiw on July 06, 2012, 04:32:19 pm
I believe in Miwiwism.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Arathian on July 06, 2012, 04:33:58 pm
No, believers state it is God himself. Scientists call it the 'god' particle because it gives things it's 'matter'.
I don't think this particle wrote the ten commandments or told Eve not to touch the apple. It's a particle, not a conscious being. So I'd say religion is fucked. But ofcourse believers will always try to convince themselves that it has to do with the oh so mighty god. (The allmighty God who never listens to any prayer and let's terrible things happen all over the world. But ofcourse, that is God's wrath for the sins of humans, right? It has a purpose! God wills it! And more shit like that)

No, religion has fucked human kind long enough, now it is time to fuck religion.

But you just keep praying to this God of yours.

@Kafein
Yes, well it isn't easy to understand. Hell, I don't even understand it all. But what I do understand is that this so called god particle is very important and can change the universe as we know it. Which is great, don't you think? More clarity on our universe. It never stops to amaze me how much me we do not know yet.

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congratulations, you just won the assburger price of the year!
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Herkkutatti666 on July 06, 2012, 05:11:52 pm
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Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Kerrigan on July 06, 2012, 05:26:01 pm
I do not understand. Why are you trolling in such a super serious thread?

Your attempt of mocking me is futile.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Arathian on July 07, 2012, 12:07:21 am
I do not understand. Why are you trolling in such a super serious thread?

Your attempt of mocking me is futile.

No, I am indeed a Christian satanist atheist buddhist. There is no possibility that this is trolling

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indeed not
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Herkkutatti666 on July 07, 2012, 12:17:14 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_-NfKakS6A&feature=youtu.be
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jdtbm3FE_Ew&feature=related
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Son Of Odin on July 07, 2012, 12:21:57 am
I am Odinist. Surprise surprise. Varg Vikernes is a prophet of the real gods.

Lol Lucifer kills Odin in Supernatural season 5. That was unrealistic. Lucifer is only an angel. Odin is a fucking NORSE GOD and would rip Satan's head off with his bear hands! That is the truth.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Herkkutatti666 on July 07, 2012, 12:25:37 am
Quote
Odin is a fucking NORSE GOD and would rip Satan's head off with his bear hands!
True story
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Arathian on July 07, 2012, 12:41:39 am
I am Odinist. Surprise surprise. Varg Vikernes is a prophet of the real gods.

Lol Lucifer kills Odin in Supernatural season 5. That was unrealistic. Lucifer is only an angel. Odin is a fucking NORSE GOD and would rip Satan's head off with his bear hands! That is the truth.
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Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Son Of Odin on July 07, 2012, 11:04:40 am
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Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Tagora on July 07, 2012, 05:05:07 pm
I also believe in Higgism.

It states that the particle actually IS god and we worship it.

Deal with it atheist scum.

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Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Sir Ryden on July 09, 2012, 06:22:35 pm
Well, I'm more of a Christian Agnostic, I think religion can be good but it's done more bad than good in the past. But, I still believe in god, there's no way to prove or disprove it, which is why faith is called faith.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: djavo on July 09, 2012, 06:58:02 pm
I am pastafarian.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Leshma on July 09, 2012, 07:18:07 pm
I am pastafarian.

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Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: rufio on July 09, 2012, 07:24:38 pm
yes i want this pastafarian option to plz, also i think its pretty damn ignorent and cuntish to put judaism and islam / hindu and buddist in  same boxes, it blatently shows youre a brainwashed christian, and its by default insulting the other religions.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Tagora on July 09, 2012, 10:46:44 pm
yes i want this pastafarian option to plz, also i think its pretty damn ignorent and cuntish to put judaism and islam / hindu and buddist in  same boxes, it blatently shows youre a brainwashed christian, and its by default insulting the other religions.

I should build a monument with all that iron(y).
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Ad1no on July 09, 2012, 11:40:11 pm
This thread certainly gave me great insight on why our in-game chats are so arrogantly ignorant.

Thanks OP.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Tagora on March 08, 2014, 09:55:08 am
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DAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYUMMMMMMMMMM

JayZ likes Aleister Crowley.
(click to show/hide)
KEEP ON SPREADING THE GOOD WORD.

p.s. apparently the jayz pic is legit.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: WITCHCRAFT on March 08, 2014, 10:47:46 am
I see that you follow the path of necromancy, Tagora.

since you brought this thread back from the dead

that's the joke now it has lost all humor because I have explained it
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Tibe on March 08, 2014, 12:04:18 pm
Lol Lucifer kills Odin in Supernatural season 5. That was unrealistic. Lucifer is only an angel. Odin is a fucking NORSE GOD and would rip Satan's head off with his bear hands! That is the truth.

Now that you mention this, yes, Supernatural is pretty hilarious from that part. There the Christian God is basically the mightiest thing that ever exsisted and every other cultures god is some significantly inferior physically killable demi-god. I suppose its understandable, since the main plot does mainly circle around chrisian beliefs and myths. And you couldnt really do it, if you threated all the gods equally. Since only one could have created humanity.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Xant on March 08, 2014, 12:06:55 pm
Why could only one have created humanity?
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Soldier_of_God on March 08, 2014, 06:38:28 pm
Man this is still going i love social experiments
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Sir_Hans on March 08, 2014, 07:08:02 pm
No one knows the truth because no one can know the truth.

Anyone who says there is or isn't a God/Gods is a fool.

The only truth is that there could or couldn't be a God/Gods...

 8-)
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Xant on March 08, 2014, 08:39:55 pm
Anyone who says there is or isn't a God/Gods is a fool.
Anyone who says "anyone who says there is or isn't a God/Gods is a fool" is a fool.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Falka on March 08, 2014, 08:45:18 pm
Anyone who says there is or isn't a God/Gods is a fool.

Anyone who says there is or isn't a unicorn/unicorns is a fool.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Herkkutatti666 on March 08, 2014, 08:45:39 pm
Should join "bear-people" aka new modern suomenusko (Finnish neopaganism) wich has almost 30 members :D
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Sir_Hans on March 08, 2014, 09:00:36 pm
Anyone who says "anyone who says there is or isn't a God/Gods is a fool" is a fool.

Anyone who says "Anyone who says "anyone who says there is or isn't a God/Gods is a fool" is a fool." ....
...
...
...
...
...
...
Is a mule.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: LordBerenger on March 27, 2016, 12:02:27 pm
Bump. Dis needs to come back from the grave.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Teeth on March 27, 2016, 12:07:08 pm
Oh god, my Christian vote from when I was 16 and years of indoctrination still got the better of my common sense.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Casul on March 27, 2016, 12:26:11 pm
Are those vodoo guys serious`? or just trollvoting?
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: LordBerenger on March 27, 2016, 12:41:15 pm
Are those vodoo guys serious`? or just trollvoting?

Edgy teens
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: the real god emperor on March 27, 2016, 01:16:55 pm
I seriously doubt there is point in discussing religion in 2016, though I didn't read the pages so I don't know what kind of hilarious drama happened here.

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Murmillus_Prime on March 27, 2016, 01:42:30 pm
Oh god, my Christian vote from when I was 16 and years of indoctrination still got the better of my common sense.

Naive fool!
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Kafein on March 27, 2016, 03:46:09 pm
Oh god, my Christian vote from when I was 16 and years of indoctrination still got the better of my common sense.

Wait, what do you mean?
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Rhekimos on March 27, 2016, 03:58:32 pm
Wait, what do you mean?

You did not have a religious upbringing?
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Sandersson Jankins on March 27, 2016, 05:07:26 pm
You did not have a religious upbringing?

I had a rather religious upbringing, albeit luckily by extraordinary parents involved in genuinely good churches. Understand my perspective on this; although I do try to be as objective as possible.

I would argue fervently that a religious upbringing does not consistently imply religious indoctrination. I will readily and happily concede that large swathes of those high in religiosity are absolutely involved in religious indoctrination of themselves and their offspring. I'll agree with what I assume your response to that is: disgust and rightful indignation. Don't you worry, it deeply angers me as well to see beliefs harmful to the greater population be projected as absolute fact so malleable minds at a young age. As it should anyone.

Nonetheless, I've witnessed plenty of folks involved in....well, I don't actually know if I should call it "my church" or not. That's a tricky one. I've spent hundreds of hours volunteering in food relief programs (warehouse shit mostly) and have been on multiple missions to Mexico with them. I've chosen not to attend weekly service frequently at all; only to see certain people that only come around once in a while. But all of the people involved in the organization of this church (not very hierarchy-based at all) and the general membership are phenomenal people. Real fucking credits to the species, and I mean that shit. Come to think of it, it is worth mentioning that local...traditional baptist and methodist churches do tend to consider my church to be far too "progressive", as they put it. Some of them hate our guts! But I've seen children grow up in that church. I'm witnessing it now, even! The large majority of these children appear to be brought up with absolutely solid Judeo-Christian values without the baggage of strict and compressing dogma.

It's funny, reading what I wrote up there makes me realize that I really do consider myself a part of this church. Every single one of them there think that I'm a great lad and a strong Christian. I wouldn't dream of doing or saying anything to make them believe otherwise. It really gives them such joy, they are such lovely people that I'd never take that away from them.

As for me, my religion is convoluted and deeply personal. I find mystical/spiritual power in secrets, in knowledge of your own synthesis that few others know. Maybe that nobody but you knows. So I openly share my faiths very scarcely, and only with very special people.

Broadly, I can say that I am a polytheistic christian heretic at this time. Beliefs certainly shift, and I do reckon this is the first time I've typed that out. I'm very sorry for how special snowflake syndrome it looks. I'm in a funny mood having stayed up a while, worked all night and come home on Easter Sunday to some nice beers and gloomy rain.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Rhekimos on March 27, 2016, 05:44:45 pm
I would argue fervently that a religious upbringing does not consistently imply religious indoctrination.

It is a term a couple of degrees too severe to be used entirely seriously in the context of most western upbringings. I think Teeth indeed used it here feeling the lingering distaste at the psychological forces exerted upon himself and others at a formative and essentially defenseless stage of life. For one thing, children can be very sensitive to all sorts of in- and out-group markings, not to mention the effect of the adults actively pointing out those who don't "belong".

It's very good that you have found peace with your own upbringing, your community and yourself though.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Xant on March 27, 2016, 05:54:13 pm
Look at celebrities. Then look at their fans. Fans act as if the celebrities are gods, touching them will induce tears and screaming and be the "best moment of their life", they'll mentally masturbate over having a piece of paper with their idol's penmarks on it... and so on.

All of that is to say that most people are apt for worship. They don't even have to be brainwashed, they WANT someone or something to look up to, something higher than themselves. Sheep, looking for an owner.

Religions, "gods", are genius. Priests getting a ridiculous amount of power that can't be refuted by claiming they speak for a god they made up, and the people, their slaves, will thank them for it. Kind of like democracy, actually. The slave collar isn't forced on people, it's put there by their own beliefs. And so it can't be rebelled against.

Then there are people who are mentally strong and don't need comfortable illusions to deal with the world, people who don't want someone big and patriarchal to take care of business for them, people who don't do worship, of anyone or anything. People who own themselves.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Kafein on March 27, 2016, 06:45:51 pm
You did not have a religious upbringing?

No. Both my parents are freethinking atheists. I went to church like twice with my grandfather out of my own curiosity because it was somewhat entertaining and mysterious. Attended catholic schools where the religious part of the education was a joke, consisting mostly of mainstream ethics and some study of the Bible. The situation of education in Belgium is that all the good non-private schools are catholic, so all the educated parents send their kids there regardless of personal religion.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Gurgumul on March 27, 2016, 07:46:49 pm
freethinking atheists
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Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Kafein on March 27, 2016, 09:24:14 pm
Well, "libre examen" has no proper translation so I used the closest thing in English.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Gurgumul on March 27, 2016, 10:24:41 pm
You could just say "atheists" without the "freethinking" part.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: njames89 on March 27, 2016, 10:39:31 pm
DEUS VULT
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Malaclypse on March 27, 2016, 10:44:11 pm
Non-religious, sort of a weird post-hallucinogen years sort of nihilistic spirituality. Everything is meaningless, everyone dies- and dies forever- and that's pretty beautiful in an of itself. It'd be comforting for me to believe stuff about a soul everlasting and so on but it seems like so much whistling past the graveyard to me.

Of course, I have no problems with the many positive aspects of religious groups, the fact that they foster a community, that that community can then go on to do good works at home and abroad, that they share a common cultural bond and so on, that's all great. My real problem is that magical thinking via dogma can cause some people to LITERALLY (no, it's really not figuratively or symbolic, apparently) believe that crackers and wine are the flesh of the Son and other such silliness- this is worrying because in my experience, magical thinking in one aspect of ones life can lead to a lack of critical analysis of beliefs in that and other avenues, because reason at that point is suspended for faith.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: MacX85 on March 27, 2016, 11:30:21 pm
Atheist/Secular. I'm not convinced that any religion has any solid evidence for their claims, thus I would call all of them wishful thinking.

Apart from that I don't care about what happens to my consciousness after my brain stops functioning.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: LordBerenger on March 27, 2016, 11:32:13 pm
DEUS VULT


Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Kafein on March 27, 2016, 11:39:25 pm
You could just say "atheists" without the "freethinking" part.

No, because I mean "freethinking" specifically. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freethought
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Leshma on March 27, 2016, 11:40:06 pm
I'm somewhat of a bastard. Depends on occasion really, I'm not into one religion specifically and for all eternity which will cost me dearly in case any of those scrips show up to be true when I leave this Earth in some non so graceful manner.

For example, I still think Jesus was wrong but that didn't stop me from celebrating his resurrection today with a nice family meal. Will celebrate again in a month. Will go to mosque when they give out free food for their holidays. Think Jews are cool. Buhda has my respect. Hindu gods are so badass, especially elephant one. Nordic and Slavic gods are beyond awesome. Have a wooden cross that protects me from evil spirits, would like to marry real witch. If I'm near cathedral or some big ass church, I'm definitely going to check it out and pretend I'm worshiping same shit as true believers because I find it kinda special.

In other words, I treat religion the same like any other form of entertainment.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Leshma on March 27, 2016, 11:48:09 pm
Edgy teens

No Voodoo no zombies. Voodoo is cool mang. Especially Voodoo 2 in SLI.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: LordBerenger on March 28, 2016, 02:23:50 am
No Voodoo no zombies. Voodoo is cool mang. Especially Voodoo 2 in SLI.

Voodoo is the work of satan
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Xant on March 28, 2016, 03:20:24 am
Around the hero everything becomes a tragedy; around the demigod everything becomes a satyr-play; and around God everything becomes -- what? Perhaps a "world"?
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: WITCHCRAFT on March 28, 2016, 05:37:40 am
My parents grew up with different Christian denominations (both Catholic), but when I was a kid we only went to church for weddings and funerals. Instead of going to church on Sunday, we went to the great outdoors. Picnics, hiking, camping. Forests, swamps, mountains, beaches. Somewhere without other people. This wasn't a replacement for church, Sunday was just Saturday #2. They didn't push hippy shit on me. I didn't have a religious experience at a backwoods altar in the wilderness. Being alone out there in the wild just felt special. There are places where the term "breathtaking view" isn't a metaphor. Your heart skips a beat. The chorus of birds, frogs, and insects. Flower blooms for which no painter could do justice. The faint scent of things on the wind...Everything is alive.

As a teen I stumbled across the term Pantheism (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantheism) and was like "yo that's it that's what i feel." After reading into it, I realized it wasn't quite the right thing. The awe of nature's beauty is there, but that's it. There is too much thought and deliberation. Nature has no need to be explained. There is no reason it exists. It should be experienced at all costs. No book, no film, no game, can match it. No mere moneyed art. I can't put it in words, all I can tell you is to get out there and see.

I'm also totally into mythology and anthropology, and over the years that has given me an intense craving to "practice" some form of worship. Ritual veneration of nature. The problem is, I have no proper way to express this need. Compare the ideas of "emic" and "etic" research in  anthropology:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emic_and_etic

I will never be able to express my convictions emically; the society I am a subset of does not have any outlets for it. If I could ever find a way to participate in a different society's nature worship that fits my beliefs, I would not be truly integrated. My experience would be partially if not totally etic. The pale observer, always left outside the innermost circle of participation.

So I just go out in the woods and have quiet time alone. I drag boulders into a stone circle. Make music that nobody else will ever hear. No matter what, there is always the awful truth clawing in the back of my mind. I am alone in my beliefs, they are intensely personal and nobody else will ever understand exactly what I feel. Nobody will ever join me to dance this dance.

Am I a special snowflake or what, eh? What a loser. Also there is some drug use in there. I felt these things before adding bad medicine to the mix, but those experiences have only cemented my beliefs.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: karasu on March 28, 2016, 10:45:52 am
I will never be able to express my convictions emically; the society I am a subset of does not have any outlets for it. If I could ever find a way to participate in a different society's nature worship that fits my beliefs, I would not be truly integrated. My experience would be partially if not totally etic. The pale observer, always left outside the innermost circle of participation.

So I just go out in the woods and have quiet time alone. I drag boulders into a stone circle. Make music that nobody else will ever hear. No matter what, there is always the awful truth clawing in the back of my mind. I am alone in my beliefs, they are intensely personal and nobody else will ever understand exactly what I feel. Nobody will ever join me to dance this dance.

Am I a special snowflake or what, eh? What a loser. Also there is some drug use in there. I felt these things before adding bad medicine to the mix, but those experiences have only cemented my beliefs.

It's good to know I'm not "alone" in this matter.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: LordBerenger on March 28, 2016, 02:15:25 pm
Repent your wicked sins and embrace Christ as your true lord & savior.

Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Leshma on March 28, 2016, 03:00:58 pm
Voodoo is the work of satan

You wanna say Mr Satan is a black person? That all black skinned fellows are inherently evil, is that what you want to say?
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Xant on March 28, 2016, 04:37:43 pm
My parents grew up with different Christian denominations (both Catholic), but when I was a kid we only went to church for weddings and funerals. Instead of going to church on Sunday, we went to the great outdoors. Picnics, hiking, camping. Forests, swamps, mountains, beaches. Somewhere without other people. This wasn't a replacement for church, Sunday was just Saturday #2. They didn't push hippy shit on me. I didn't have a religious experience at a backwoods altar in the wilderness. Being alone out there in the wild just felt special. There are places where the term "breathtaking view" isn't a metaphor. Your heart skips a beat. The chorus of birds, frogs, and insects. Flower blooms for which no painter could do justice. The faint scent of things on the wind...Everything is alive.

As a teen I stumbled across the term Pantheism (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantheism) and was like "yo that's it that's what i feel." After reading into it, I realized it wasn't quite the right thing. The awe of nature's beauty is there, but that's it. There is too much thought and deliberation. Nature has no need to be explained. There is no reason it exists. It should be experienced at all costs. No book, no film, no game, can match it. No mere moneyed art. I can't put it in words, all I can tell you is to get out there and see.

I'm also totally into mythology and anthropology, and over the years that has given me an intense craving to "practice" some form of worship. Ritual veneration of nature. The problem is, I have no proper way to express this need. Compare the ideas of "emic" and "etic" research in  anthropology:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emic_and_etic

I will never be able to express my convictions emically; the society I am a subset of does not have any outlets for it. If I could ever find a way to participate in a different society's nature worship that fits my beliefs, I would not be truly integrated. My experience would be partially if not totally etic. The pale observer, always left outside the innermost circle of participation.

So I just go out in the woods and have quiet time alone. I drag boulders into a stone circle. Make music that nobody else will ever hear. No matter what, there is always the awful truth clawing in the back of my mind. I am alone in my beliefs, they are intensely personal and nobody else will ever understand exactly what I feel. Nobody will ever join me to dance this dance.

Am I a special snowflake or what, eh? What a loser. Also there is some drug use in there. I felt these things before adding bad medicine to the mix, but those experiences have only cemented my beliefs.
That's some Pocahontas shit, fam.

Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: LordBerenger on March 29, 2016, 11:18:40 am
You wanna say Mr Satan is a black person? That all black skinned fellows are inherently evil, is that what you want to say?

Triggered
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: the real god emperor on March 29, 2016, 12:40:24 pm
Tengriism is the harmony between the eternal blue sky and the mother earth, it teaches you to be at peace with nature and respect it. There are no infidels or heathens, no discrimination.Since humanity is not even close to the peak of development, nobody will be punished for believing in another God. Sky God is unexplainable and too complicated for people to understand, also his actions are unpredicted.

Tengriism, Taoism etc. are making so much sense than Islam or Christianity. I want them on the poll plez.

edit: lets convert to Tengriism, I dunno how it works but you need to take a special bath when you re a baby, I already had it suck it europoors

Tengri greatest God EU
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: WITCHCRAFT on March 29, 2016, 04:40:10 pm
It's good to know I'm not "alone" in this matter.

lets start a cult
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: karasu on March 29, 2016, 04:44:07 pm
lets start a cult

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Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Casul on March 29, 2016, 04:48:44 pm
lets start a cult

http://forum.melee.org/index.php?action=profile;u=8177

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Admerius on March 29, 2016, 07:40:40 pm
Since Richard Dawkins had a minor stroke recently...
The warmongering hardliners in the atheist extremist alliance are gaining more influence.

These plans has been known for years(2008 to be exact)!
It is a very real threat, especially now, when Richard Dawkins will need to do appease the hardliners after thi obvious assassination attempt.

USA needs Ted Cruz
To arms brothers and sisters!

For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about look at this:
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: MacX85 on March 29, 2016, 08:28:11 pm
USA needs Ted Cruz

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Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: njames89 on March 29, 2016, 10:55:15 pm
lets start a cult

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: LordBerenger on March 30, 2016, 01:49:40 am
http://forum.melee.org/index.php?action=profile;u=8177

(click to show/hide)

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Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Sir_Hans on March 30, 2016, 06:36:37 am
Agnostics and Atheists should not be grouped together under the same category. That shit irks me!

Atheists are just as ridiculous as fundamental christians!  :wink:
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: MacX85 on March 30, 2016, 06:59:48 am
Agnostics and Atheists should not be grouped together under the same category. That shit irks me!

Atheists are just as ridiculous as fundamental christians!  :wink:

Atheism addresses belief, agnosticism knowledge. The two are not mutually exclusive.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Sir_Hans on March 30, 2016, 10:17:05 am
They both address belief and both address knowledge.

But, to be fair, it really depends what brand of atheism and what brand of agnosticism we are talking about here. But there are definitely types that are in fact mutually exclusive.

For example the type of atheist who would claim "Science is proof there is no God"
is not compatible with the "hard" agnostic who would claim "It is impossible for anyone to know whether there is or is not a God."

But you could also have an atheist say "Based on current knowledge and science, I believe there is no God"
and a "soft" agnostic could say "Nobody knows whether there is a God or Not, but perhaps one day we might make a discovery which proves it one way or the other."

The point is this:
Both atheists and agnostics already share such a wide set of beliefs under the label of atheism or agnosticism that lumping them together just exacerbates the issue of each having such a broad slew of beliefs lumped under one banner and slapped with a label.

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Teeth on March 30, 2016, 11:39:12 am
Agnostics are pompous asses who want to pretend like they are somehow the reasonable middle ground. First of all, you are either a carpenter or not a carpenter, if you are not a theist, then you are an atheist. Agnostics and atheists believe the exact same shit, namely, they are not theists based on what they know now. Agnostics just lie the burden of proof on the wrong end. If a god came cruising down from the sky on a golden cloud for all to see, I am pretty sure virtually all atheists would believe in him, save a few loonies of course. Does that make them agnostic now?

Actual certainty in any held belief is a pretty high bar, and it is pretty stupid to form a separate category on the lack thereof.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Armpit_Sweat on March 30, 2016, 12:07:10 pm
Agnostics are pompous asses who want to pretend like they are somehow the reasonable middle ground. First of all, you are either a carpenter or not a carpenter, if you are not a theist, then you are an atheist. Agnostics and atheists believe the exact same shit, namely, they are not theists based on what they know now. Agnostics just lie the burden of proof on the wrong end. If a god came cruising down from the sky on a golden cloud for all to see, I am pretty sure virtually all atheists would believe in him, save a few loonies of course. Does that make them agnostic now?

Actual certainty in any held belief is a pretty high bar, and it is pretty stupid to form a separate category on the lack thereof.

This makes good sense imo. +1
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Xant on March 30, 2016, 01:37:46 pm
Agnostics and Atheists should not be grouped together under the same category. That shit irks me!

Atheists are just as ridiculous as fundamental christians!  :wink:
Yeah, that's what all the kids who want to impress with their knowledge say after their first visit to Wikipedia page about atheism.

Unfortunately, what Teeth said is true. 99.99999999999999999999999999999999999999999% of people who say they're atheists don't mean that it is absolutely, completely, utterly impossible for there to exist a god-like being.

This isn't a new argument.

http://forum.melee.org/general-off-topic/believe-in-god-2/msg927395/#msg927395

http://forum.melee.org/general-off-topic/believe-in-god/msg924556/#msg924556
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: MacX85 on March 30, 2016, 02:31:06 pm
But, to be fair, it really depends what brand of atheism and what brand of agnosticism we are talking about here. But there are definitely types that are in fact mutually exclusive.

Yeah, agnostic atheism is not the same thing as gnostic atheism.

I'm an agnostic atheist towards the non specific god claim, meaning I don't know for a fact that there is or isn't any imaginable god yet I don't believe there is one.
But I can be a gnostic atheist towards a very specific god because its described properties may be contradictory or have just been disproven by science, like thunderbolts not being tossed to earth by Zeus.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Yeldur on March 30, 2016, 02:43:36 pm
Agnostics are pompous asses who want to pretend like they are somehow the reasonable middle ground. First of all, you are either a carpenter or not a carpenter, if you are not a theist, then you are an atheist. Agnostics and atheists believe the exact same shit, namely, they are not theists based on what they know now. Agnostics just lie the burden of proof on the wrong end. If a god came cruising down from the sky on a golden cloud for all to see, I am pretty sure virtually all atheists would believe in him, save a few loonies of course. Does that make them agnostic now?

Actual certainty in any held belief is a pretty high bar, and it is pretty stupid to form a separate category on the lack thereof.

Oh fuck off, Atheists hold a firm belief that there 100% is NO Gods what so ever, Agnosticism is the belief that we DO NOT KNOW. Don't throw us in the same category because we're not at all similar. You're the only one acting like a pompous ass here.

Anyone who is an Atheist SHOULD believe that there is no god at all and is simply impossible for them to exist.

Anyone who is an Agnostic SHOULD believe that there is a chance Gods do exist and a chance they do not.

If God came flying down from the sky then there's proof a God exists, thus disproving all Atheist theories, but we don't know if that will ever happen do we, no sense making up stupid speculations that will more than likely never happen, if there were Gods I'm very sure they have no interest in meeting us, we're far from worthy to meet a God/s.

There's also the added benefit that we don't have to manage the bullshit arguments between the two moronic sides who wish to fight about whether their God is real or not every minute of every day. I'm not interested in debating on something that we will more than likely NEVER know, so I choose to abstain from arguments by simply saying "I don't know."

But in reality, who the fuck gives a shit? Nobody ACTUALLY knows if a God exists or not, it's pure speculation that a God exists in the first place, the only "evidence" we have is a book written by the so called son of God. And there are many more different versions of this for each religion. And overall, if a God/s did decide to show his/her face, what exactly would that change? It's not going to affect you much other than some people will be proved right, others wrong. Anything happening other than that is pure speculation, as we have absolutely no idea what God it would be, nor what it would do.

Oh and also, calling Religion a simple enough matter to just say "YOU'RE EITHER THIS OR THIS" is beyond stupid.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Teeth on March 30, 2016, 02:56:40 pm
You're an atheist
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: MacX85 on March 30, 2016, 02:59:29 pm
Oh fuck off, Atheists hold a firm belief that there 100% is NO Gods what so ever

No, atheism is the absence of a belief in a deity. Nothing more. It's not a belief in and of itself.

But in reality, who the fuck gives a shit? Nobody ACTUALLY knows if a God exists or not, it's pure speculation that a God exists in the first place, the only "evidence" we have is a book written by the so called son of God. And there are many more different versions of this for each religion. And overall, if a God/s did decide to show his/her face, what exactly would that change? It's not going to affect you much other than some people will be proved right, others wrong. Anything happening other than that is pure speculation, as we have absolutely no idea what God it would be, nor what it would do.

I'm sure you don't go about it in that way concerning any other superstitious claims... "Do you believe that flying invisible unicorns float above your head when you sleep?" "I don't know..."
I would say "of course I don't believe such nonsense. Why would I?"

The question whether I can know it for a fact isn't important for me. The burden of proof is on the one making the positive claim.

As to what it would change if god proved himself existing: pretty much our whole understanding of the existence of the universe. Scientists would no longer look for natural reasons for stuff but could legitimately say "It was god". Hell, I would say anybody who would not be committing his whole life on worshipping that god would be out of his mind if the stuff they say about him is really true.

And btw: the bible wasn't written by Jesus if that's what you think. It's not even written by people who knew him.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Xant on March 30, 2016, 03:05:07 pm
Oh fuck off, Atheists hold a firm belief that there 100% is NO Gods what so ever,
No.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: LordBerenger on March 30, 2016, 04:07:42 pm
Most European and American nationalists who call themselves Christians aren't really Christians. They're just mere Cultural Christians but hold no faith whatsoever.

They're faker than the WWE.

Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Gurgumul on March 30, 2016, 06:27:08 pm
You all have a point, but what's the point of this discussion?
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Yeldur on March 30, 2016, 06:33:54 pm
No, atheism is the absence of a belief in a deity. Nothing more. It's not a belief in and of itself.

I'm sure you don't go about it in that way concerning any other superstitious claims... "Do you believe that flying invisible unicorns float above your head when you sleep?" "I don't know..."
I would say "of course I don't believe such nonsense. Why would I?"

The question whether I can know it for a fact isn't important for me. The burden of proof is on the one making the positive claim.

As to what it would change if god proved himself existing: pretty much our whole understanding of the existence of the universe. Scientists would no longer look for natural reasons for stuff but could legitimately say "It was god". Hell, I would say anybody who would not be committing his whole life on worshipping that god would be out of his mind if the stuff they say about him is really true.

And btw: the bible wasn't written by Jesus if that's what you think. It's not even written by people who knew him.

No need to be so pedantic, they're virtually the same thing absence of belief or belief that there isn't, they either way come down to the same base point, which is that "There are no Gods/Deities " 

I still have no idea what I was thinking when I said Jesus wrote the Bible, I guess I hadn't really woken up properly? Either way, forgive me for my large mistake there o_O

Other superstitious claims are the same, but there's a point where logic comes into it, I mean, I could just as easily say that there's an invisible einstein controlling everyone and here's my book to prove it, but the point is that logically it's not possible, so to an extent, there has to be a point where one draws the line, yes. I can't say I would believe a person who told me there was a floating unicorn above me, but I do believe that we had to have come into this world somehow, and be it through the Big Bang or through creation of God, we'll never truly know, because we'll never know what caused the big bang. It could be a God, it could be something scientific.

You're an atheist
Keep on saying that bud, doesn't change anything.

You all have a point, but what's the point of this discussion?
Don't really know. Guess we all just have time to waste debating silly topics.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: sF_Guardian on March 30, 2016, 06:42:27 pm
I'd consider myself as non-religious. I couln't care less about any religion as they just mean nothing to me.
The only thing that pisses me of about religious people is this "we have the right belief so were better than person XY" thinking.
Also most religious people don't even live by the values their religion promotes and are fuckin fakes anyways.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Teeth on March 30, 2016, 06:58:53 pm
No need to be so pedantic, they're virtually the same thing absence of belief or belief that there isn't, they either way come down to the same base point, which is that "There are no Gods/Deities "
You are being pedantic about the difference between agnostics and atheists. Not knowing whether there is a god and not having a belief in god comes down to the same base point, belief in a god is absent so you're an atheist.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: MacX85 on March 30, 2016, 08:04:56 pm
No need to be so pedantic, they're virtually the same thing absence of belief or belief that there isn't, they either way come down to the same base point, which is that "There are no Gods/Deities "

Well, the one thing is the rejection of a claim while the other one is a claim of itself. I don't claim that there's no god, I just don't believe there is one.
Would I make the claim that there isn't one, then you would be right in accusing me of hypocricy.


Quote
but I do believe that we had to have come into this world somehow, and be it through the Big Bang or through creation of God, we'll never truly know, because we'll never know what caused the big bang. It could be a God, it could be something scientific.

Yes, and what I say to that is: I don't know. I have no idea to accept the notion of a supernatural origin as long as supernatural powers are not proven to exist in the first place.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Yeldur on March 30, 2016, 10:39:16 pm
You are being pedantic about the difference between agnostics and atheists. Not knowing whether there is a god and not having a belief in god comes down to the same base point, belief in a god is absent so you're an atheist.

There's a difference between being pedantic and two completely different definitions, what you believe is irrelevant, because I do not give two shits that you think agnosticism is atheism.

The English language defines them as two separate entities, thus they are, if you don't want to follow the English language then that's fine, but don't spread speculation around as fact when it is far from it.

"Atheism is not a disbelief in gods or a denial of gods; it is a lack of belief in gods. Older dictionaries define atheism as "a belief that there is no God." "

"An agnostic is one who believes it impossible to know anything about God or about the creation of the universe and refrains from commitment to any religious doctrine. An atheist is one who denies the existence of a deity or of divine beings."

"Agnosticism is the view that, the truth values of certain claims – especially metaphysical and religious claims such as whether God, the divine or the supernatural exist – are unknown and perhaps unknowable.[1][2][3]

According to the philosopher William L. Rowe: "In the popular sense of the term, an agnostic is someone who neither believes nor disbelieves in God, whereas an atheist disbelieves in God."[2] Agnosticism is a doctrine or set of tenets[4] rather than a religion as such."


"Atheism is, in a broad sense, the rejection of belief in the existence of deities.[1][2] In a narrower sense, atheism is specifically the position that there are no deities.[3][4][5] Most inclusively, atheism is the absence of belief that any deities exist.[4][5][6][7] Atheism is contrasted with theism,[8][9] which, in its most general form, is the belief that at least one deity exists.[9][10][11]"


"The adult world is composed mainly of Theists: they believe in the existence of one or more Gods and/or Goddesses from among the many thousands of deities who have been worshipped by humans down through history.

A minority of people are strong Atheists who deny that any deity or deities exist. They believe that the hundreds of the religious creation stories that exist in the world have it all wrong: A deity or deities did not create humans; it was humans who created the many thousands of Gods and Goddess who have been devoutly and sincerely worshiped over many tens of thousands of years. The process of creating deities continues today.

However, there is a third group. When asked whether a deity or deities exist, they don't have a definite yes or no answer. These hold Agnostic beliefs about God's existence. Each Agnostic has been unable to find convincing evidence that one or more deities exist. They have also been unable to find convincing proof that no deity exists."


"Atheism is the absence of belief in any Gods or spiritual beings. The word Atheism comes from a, meaning without, and theism meaning belief in god or gods."



Two different things with different definitions.




Sources: https://atheists.org/activism/resources/what-is-atheism
www.dictionary.com/browse/agnostic
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agnosticism
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atheism
http://www.religioustolerance.org/agnostic.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/atheism/ataglance/glance.shtml
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Yeldur on March 30, 2016, 10:43:54 pm
Well, the one thing is the rejection of a claim while the other one is a claim of itself. I don't claim that there's no god, I just don't believe there is one.
Would I make the claim that there isn't one, then you would be right in accusing me of hypocricy.


Yes, and what I say to that is: I don't know. I have no idea to accept the notion of a supernatural origin as long as supernatural powers are not proven to exist in the first place.

Yep, fair enough, I'll be sure to be more on point with my definitions in future :p

And also fair enough, you're entitled to your absence of belief in a God, I did used to be an Atheist and just believed that it was impossible for a God to have created the Earth but I'm far from that belief now, I've come to terms with the fact that we will never know whether a God or Gods existed because each culture is so vast and has their own Gods, the Romans had their Gods, the Greeks had their Gods, Hinduism has their Gods. There are so many around that it will always be impossible to prove whether they exist without them showing their face/s.

Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: MacX85 on March 30, 2016, 11:21:43 pm
I've come to terms with the fact that we will never know whether a God or Gods existed because each culture is so vast and has their own Gods, the Romans had their Gods, the Greeks had their Gods, Hinduism has their Gods. There are so many around that it will always be impossible to prove whether they exist without them showing their face/s.

Well, we have a pretty good idea of how the Earth formed by natural means by now, so the God hypothesis isn't needed anymore. Creationists still invoke a god to have caused the Big Bang or created life because that's still a quite mysterious field for science for now.

I don't know why in this day and age you would even want to begin to think about an omnipotent, incredibly powerful and intelligent being to have created everything billions of years ago when there is no reason to expect that other than that humans in all of their history were used to the idea of things being created by them. It's just a projection and wishful thinking.

And of course nobody can satisfyingly say what created this god being in the first place. If the universe is too complex to have come about by naturalistic means wouldn't the same be true for an infinitely more complex god?
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Kadeth on March 31, 2016, 12:15:02 am
lets start a kvlt
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Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Yeldur on March 31, 2016, 12:17:07 am
Well, we have a pretty good idea of how the Earth formed by natural means by now, so the God hypothesis isn't needed anymore. Creationists still invoke a god to have caused the Big Bang or created life because that's still a quite mysterious field for science for now.

I don't know why in this day and age you would even want to begin to think about an omnipotent, incredibly powerful and intelligent being to have created everything billions of years ago when there is no reason to expect that other than that humans in all of their history were used to the idea of things being created by them. It's just a projection and wishful thinking.

And of course nobody can satisfyingly say what created this god being in the first place. If the universe is too complex to have come about by naturalistic means wouldn't the same be true for an infinitely more complex god?

Endless possibilities, it bugs me that I'll never know.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: the real god emperor on March 31, 2016, 02:16:26 am
Agnostics are pompous asses who want to pretend like they are somehow the reasonable middle ground. First of all, you are either a carpenter or not a carpenter, if you are not a theist, then you are an atheist. Agnostics and atheists believe the exact same shit, namely, they are not theists based on what they know now. Agnostics just lie the burden of proof on the wrong end. If a god came cruising down from the sky on a golden cloud for all to see, I am pretty sure virtually all atheists would believe in him, save a few loonies of course. Does that make them agnostic now?

Actual certainty in any held belief is a pretty high bar, and it is pretty stupid to form a separate category on the lack thereof.

It isn't the same thing though, Agnosticism is a part of Atheism, but a non-Agnostic Atheist would say "There can't be any Gods, that makes no sense" while an Agnostic Atheist would say "How the fuck would I know?"

Are all Agnostics also Atheists? -Yes, because they don't believe in a certain God.
All are Atheists also Agnostic? -No, they believe God concept is completely retarded.

It is a common misconception tho, you are either a Theist or Atheist, there is no middle ground.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Xant on March 31, 2016, 04:25:31 am
Show me one atheist who's not "agnostic."

Yeah, didn't think so. Pointless semantics debate.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Sir_Hans on March 31, 2016, 04:46:17 am
Not sure if trying to troll or you actually don't understand the difference between agnostic and atheist.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Xant on March 31, 2016, 05:42:37 am
Not sure if you're retarded or if you don't understand what you're talking about. Oh, wait, yes I am (sure).
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Asheram on March 31, 2016, 07:01:38 am
Has this been said yet? visitors can't see pics , please register or login


You are being pedantic about the difference between agnostics and atheists. Not knowing whether there is a god and not having a belief in god comes down to the same base point, belief in a god is absent so you're an atheist.
GOD HELP YOU CLORIS JUGGLE THE BEAN BAGS!
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: the real god emperor on March 31, 2016, 11:27:04 am
Show me one atheist who's not "agnostic."

Yeah, didn't think so. Pointless semantics debate.

Just because you don't know any that doesn't mean they don't exist, I know plenty of people who has that kind of certain beliefs.

Okay not plenty. But some.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Falka on March 31, 2016, 12:34:50 pm
This makes good sense imo. +1

Yeah, cause it's basically a quote from The god delusion by Richard Dawkins  :wink: Still +1  :wink:

No, agnostics just don't feel the need to go on about it, no desperate need for validation that there really is no God and that anyone who believes otherwise is deluded. Many atheists are pompous asses who have exactly that chronic need, the same insane desire to 'convert the masses' that extreme theists have.

It has nothing to do with athesits/theists division. And there's plenty of agonostics who are pompous asses, too.

I couln't care less about any religion as they just mean nothing to me.

If it would be that easy... Well, I guess it is easy to not care about religion when you live in a secular state. Not so much when your country is semi theocratic.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Vibe on March 31, 2016, 01:34:48 pm
i believe in memes

visitors can't see pics , please register or login
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Leshma on March 31, 2016, 02:33:07 pm
In case you being an atheist, will you convert/join religion when the time comes? To cover all options you know, in case bullshit they preach has any merit. Won't hurt you the slightest bit, if you really don't believe in God you know there's nothing after you die so being principal about things is stupid anyway. No one will care about your personal belief after you drop the bucket, you have only tiny chances to gain something. That's what smart person would do.

Quote
Yeah, cause it's basically a quote from The god delusion by Richard Dawkins  :wink: Still +1  :wink:

That prick will be first to take Jesus Savior into his heart on deathbed. Mark my words. Only communists were brainwashed strong enough to be buried without them earning money for nothing robe wearing child molestors.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: the real god emperor on March 31, 2016, 02:54:48 pm
In case you being an atheist, will you convert/join religion when the time comes? To cover all options you know, in case bullshit they preach has any merit. Won't hurt you the slightest bit, if you really don't believe in God you know there's nothing after you die so being principal about things is stupid anyway. No one will care about your personal belief after you drop the bucket, you have only tiny chances to gain something. That's what smart person would do.

I doubt it. My grandfather is 70 and he is a solid atheist, I don't know, maybe you get bored of life when you reach that age. I find it weird too.

Only communists were brainwashed strong enough to be buried without them earning money for nothing robe wearing child molestors.

Well, yeah he is also a commie D:
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Falka on March 31, 2016, 02:56:22 pm
That prick will be first to take Jesus Savior into his heart on deathbed. Mark my words. Only communists were brainwashed strong enough to be buried without them earning money for nothing robe wearing child molestors.

Dunno about the rest, but he's kind of a ..., I agree  :wink:
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: karasu on March 31, 2016, 03:21:16 pm
   An atheist can be considered agnostic if you force him to make proper logic reasoning, whereas he'll acknowledge that in fact you can't prove the existence or not of such entities. But in the end of the day his urge to deny such existence will always make of him an atheist, disregard the previous event, abandoning the mentioned logic train of thought.


   Other than that, I believe it's pretty hypocritical to promptly deny the possibility of existence of such entities (atheism) with all the limitations we have to prove such, where the counterpart (theism), so far, is merely delusional, the perfect "scapegoat" when one cannot cope with reality and the fact that shit indeed tend to happen, there's a paraphernalia of events that can be triggered by chance, and this very definition scares the shit out of a "believer".
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Admerius on March 31, 2016, 05:17:27 pm
   An atheist can be considered agnostic if you force him to make proper logic reasoning, whereas he'll acknowledge that in fact you can't prove the existence or not of such entities. But in the end of the day his urge to deny such existence will always make of him an atheist, disregard the previous event, abandoning the mentioned logic train of thought.


   Other than that, I believe it's pretty hypocritical to promptly deny the possibility of existence of such entities (atheism) with all the limitations we have to prove such, where the counterpart (theism), so far, is merely delusional, the perfect "scapegoat" when one cannot cope with reality and the fact that shit indeed tend to happen, there's a paraphernalia of events that can be triggered by chance, and this very definition scares the shit out of a "believer".

(I'm jumping in without reading all the posts, this might have been said before)

Agnostic deals with "knowing" it has its roots in: "a"(meaning: not) and "gnosis"(meaning: knowing)

Atheist is "just" a statement of what you are not: "a"(not) and "theist"(meaning: Practitioner of a religion that claims one or more supernatural entities exists that interacts with humans and/or the natural world)

Which would mean:
Answering the question "What religion are you?" with "Atheist"
is similar to
Answering the question "Which football team do you support?" with "None"
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: karasu on March 31, 2016, 05:28:54 pm
Was replying to one of kratos posts.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Xant on March 31, 2016, 06:19:42 pm
   An atheist can be considered agnostic if you force him to make proper logic reasoning, whereas he'll acknowledge that in fact you can't prove the existence or not of such entities. But in the end of the day his urge to deny such existence will always make of him an atheist, disregard the previous event, abandoning the mentioned logic train of thought.


   Other than that, I believe it's pretty hypocritical to promptly deny the possibility of existence of such entities (atheism) with all the limitations we have to prove such, where the counterpart (theism), so far, is merely delusional, the perfect "scapegoat" when one cannot cope with reality and the fact that shit indeed tend to happen, there's a paraphernalia of events that can be triggered by chance, and this very definition scares the shit out of a "believer".
Atheism: a lack of belief that god exists. No atheist "promptly denies the possibility of a godlike creature." Seriously, someone show me an atheist who does. I'm sure there'll be plenty of examples on the internet if they're not unicorns.

But there aren't any examples. It'd take a mentally ill person, and then that'd be the fault of that mental illness, not atheism.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Gurgumul on March 31, 2016, 06:32:35 pm
Atheism: a lack of belief that god exists. No atheist "promptly denies the possibility of a godlike creature." Seriously, someone show me an atheist who does. I'm sure there'll be plenty of examples on the internet if they're not unicorns.

But there aren't any examples. It'd take a mentally ill person, and then that'd be the fault of that mental illness, not atheism.

I had a few friends who said that it's impossible for a god to exist. Other than that, I can't show you "examples on the internet" because I don't follow celebrities and other famous or well-known people.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Xant on March 31, 2016, 08:16:26 pm
I had a few friends who said that it's impossible for a god to exist. Other than that, I can't show you "examples on the internet" because I don't follow celebrities and other famous or well-known people.
Why did they claim it was impossible?
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Gurgumul on March 31, 2016, 09:13:48 pm
Why did they claim it was impossible?
One said that "before the beginning of the universe, there was no time for a god to exist". He was really smart, so I just left the topic or he'd start throwing even more smart words at my dull head.
The other one was your typical fedora atheist. He kept saying that there's absolutely no reason for anything supernatural to exist because, after all, such things are creations of mankind, not the other way around. But he was also raised by strict, catholic parents, so he might have been a little traumatized.

Rectum id bellum est coitus non.
An anus that hurts won't let a dick in.
                               -Socrates, 420 AD
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Kafein on March 31, 2016, 09:26:53 pm
Impossibility is a misnomer. As an atheist I'd rather argue that despite certainty and impossibility being concepts foreign to the world I live in, I'm still going to live my life according to my atheistic assumptions.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Xant on March 31, 2016, 10:31:43 pm
One said that "before the beginning of the universe, there was no time for a god to exist". He was really smart, so I just left the topic or he'd start throwing even more smart words at my dull head.
The other one was your typical fedora atheist. He kept saying that there's absolutely no reason for anything supernatural to exist because, after all, such things are creations of mankind, not the other way around. But he was also raised by strict, catholic parents, so he might have been a little traumatized.

Rectum id bellum est coitus non.
An anus that hurts won't let a dick in.
                               -Socrates, 420 AD
Neither of the things they said means they were the atheists I asked examples of. You didn't ask enough questions to find the true position of the first one, and the second says "there's no reason", not "it's impossible for anything godlike to exist", according to you.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Teeth on April 01, 2016, 12:47:43 am
I am pretty sure none of you agnostics use the methodology and standards you have used for the god hypothesis to decide your position on any other questions.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Xant on April 01, 2016, 01:00:37 am
I am pretty sure none of you agnostics use the methodology and standards you have used for the god hypothesis to decide your position on any other questions.
Yes, because things would get real silly real fast if they did. "There is no money in my wallet, but I'm not necessarily saying that means the money doesn't exist, we just can't know that for sure, I keep an open mind, I'm prepared to face the fact that there is money in my wallet" and so on, ad infinitum. People just say "there's no money in my wallet", and yet there are no hipsters going "OMG BUT YOU CANT KNOW THAT FOR SURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IM WALLET MONEY AGNOSTIC!!!!!!!"
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: MacX85 on April 01, 2016, 10:08:20 am
In case you being an atheist, will you convert/join religion when the time comes? To cover all options you know, in case bullshit they preach has any merit. Won't hurt you the slightest bit, if you really don't believe in God you know there's nothing after you die so being principal about things is stupid anyway. No one will care about your personal belief after you drop the bucket, you have only tiny chances to gain something. That's what smart person would do.

I really don't care what happens after I'm dead. My guess is the same thing that happened for all the billion of years before my birth. I didn't care for them either.
Maybe reincarnation in any way is a possibility, who knows...

The question would be: how do you convert an atheist to a religion? You can't just start believing myths you thought were bs your whole life just because you decide to... You would still need convincing evidence.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Vibe on April 01, 2016, 11:52:41 am
how do you convert an atheist to a religion?

you cause them brain damage with a sledgehammer to the face or something alike
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: karasu on April 01, 2016, 11:56:28 am
you cause them brain damage with a sledgehammer to the face or something alike

Or show them this forum.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Xant on April 01, 2016, 12:10:34 pm
The sledgehammer would be the kinder, gentler option.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Xant on April 01, 2016, 02:48:01 pm
You can open your wallet and have a look.

Or remember opening your wallet and having a look recently. The 'hipster' can also lean over and see that within the entirety of your wallet there is no money present.

Not your best analogy.
You can look around the world and see there is no Abrahamic God. The 'hipster' can also look around the world and see that within the entirety of the world there is no Abrahamic God present.

Not your best attempt at refuting what I said.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Xant on April 01, 2016, 04:02:31 pm
No religions claim that the Abrahamic God is physically sitting somewhere on this planet for all to see.
No peanuts claim they're made out of butter.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Armpit_Sweat on April 01, 2016, 05:27:26 pm
You can look around the world and see there is no Abrahamic God. The 'hipster' can also look around the world and see that within the entirety of the world there is no Abrahamic God present.

Not your best attempt at refuting what I said.

That's not how gods work. They reveal themselves only to a very few select individuals, unseen and unheard by anyone else, and make those individuals write things down or tell to others. As omnipotent as they are, there is no need to waste too much energy on speaking to everyone on their specific level of comprehension, but rather whisper vague, abstract and often ridiculously irrelevant things in an ear of a chosen man. Women are rarely worth wasting time on. Gods are too busy building round rocks in space, and make them spin around each other.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Xant on April 01, 2016, 05:36:24 pm
That's not how gods work. They reveal themselves only to a very few select individuals, unseen and unheard by anyone else, and make those individuals write things down or tell to others. As omnipotent as they are, there is no need to waste too much energy on speaking to everyone on their specific level of comprehension, but rather whisper vague, abstract and often ridiculously irrelevant things in an ear of a chosen man. Women are rarely worth wasting time on. Gods are too busy building round rocks in space, and make them spin around each other.
That could be how some monies works too. We just can't know. Maybe they're invisible to some people, but reveal themselves to others? That's why I'm a money agnostic. Monaygnostic, if you will.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: MacX85 on April 01, 2016, 06:02:30 pm
That's not how gods work. They reveal themselves only to a very few select individuals, unseen and unheard by anyone else, and make those individuals write things down or tell to others.

Yes, very convenient.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Xant on April 01, 2016, 06:10:46 pm
Day 9383472: I'm fairly certain there are no rabbits in my glass of water. But I just can't be sure. Can I still call myself a vegan if I drink the water, despite not being sure a quantum rabbit in liquid form doesn't live within?
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Gurgumul on April 01, 2016, 07:12:05 pm
Day 420xD69: I'm fairly certain that Earth is a flat surface, because nothing suggests otherwise.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Xant on April 02, 2016, 12:23:03 am
Day 420xD69: I'm fairly certain that Earth is a flat surface, because nothing suggests otherwise.
I've got some bad news, buddy- you might be retarded. The roundness of Earth is observable with the naked eye.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Gurgumul on April 02, 2016, 12:41:26 am
I've got some bad news, buddy- you might be retarded. The roundness of Earth is observable with the naked eye.
idk it seems pretty flat to me
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Yeldur on April 02, 2016, 01:10:39 am
I am pretty sure none of you agnostics use the methodology and standards you have used for the god hypothesis to decide your position on any other questions.
Are you an idiot? Of course we don't. We're talking about whether a higher being exists, not whether I have a shoe on or not.

The reason this methodology works is BECAUSE of the fact that WE DO NOT HAVE an answer to the question "Does a higher being exist?". I'm guessing you didn't bother reading the list of definitions that I so kindly gave to you. Might want to go take a look ;)
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Yeldur on April 02, 2016, 01:13:11 am
idk it seems pretty flat to me

earth confirmed for flat 2k16
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Prpavi on April 02, 2016, 02:08:09 am
I've got some bad news, buddy- you might be retarded. The roundness of Earth is observable with the naked eye.


You don't say
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Xant on April 02, 2016, 03:08:44 am

You don't say
I do say, for Gurgumul's benefit.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Gurgumul on April 02, 2016, 04:35:17 am
won't believe it till I see it
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Sandersson Jankins on April 02, 2016, 06:26:06 am
I find it very interesting that nearly everyone discussing (or arguing, I suppose) these matters have a different working definition of God than myself.

Why is God obligated to be omnipotent and omniscient? Why is God obligated to be alone in his role?

To me, a God is not obligated to be any of these things. To me, a God is an entity of significantly higher order than ourselves; with far greater power for creation and destruction than we have. A God is far removed from human-kind, yet not omnipotent and not omniscient.

Maybe semantics stemming from long, relatively global domination of Abhramic faiths locks most of us into thinking about the question of the existence of God(s) as having two answers; a single omnipotent/omniscient being (almost always benevolent to boot, something Gods are not obligated to be either), or a complete lack of divine presence.

Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Xant on April 02, 2016, 06:43:00 am
I find it very interesting that nearly everyone discussing (or arguing, I suppose) these matters have a different working definition of God than myself.

Why is God obligated to be omnipotent and omniscient? Why is God obligated to be alone in his role?

To me, a God is not obligated to be any of these things. To me, a God is an entity of significantly higher order than ourselves; with far greater power for creation and destruction than we have. A God is far removed from human-kind, yet not omnipotent and not omniscient.

Maybe semantics stemming from long, relatively global domination of Abhramic faiths locks most of us into thinking about the question of the existence of God(s) as having two answers; a single omnipotent/omniscient being (almost always benevolent to boot, something Gods are not obligated to be either), or a complete lack of divine presence.
Because Abrahamic religions claim God is omnipotent and omniscient?

That's what everyone is discussing, because those are the religions that are on the table when people talk about atheists and theists.

There is absolutely nothing to talk about if you start going on about "possible potential god like being maybe existing."
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Sandersson Jankins on April 02, 2016, 06:58:08 am
Because Abrahamic religions claim God is omnipotent and omniscient?

That's what everyone is discussing, because those are the religions that are on the table when people talk about atheists and theists.

There is absolutely nothing to talk about if you start going on about "possible potential god like being maybe existing."

I truthfully didn't go through every little bit of text in this thread (Christ, it's gone on for ages!), so maybe I missed some key shit on why exactly the validity Abrahamic tradition is specifically in question.

Don't misunderstand; I'm not about to get a boner out of using the "LOL U CANT DISPROVE ANYTHING I MIGHT BE RIGHT SO YOU DONT WIN LOL" type of fallacy. I'm not saying ""hey man, just open your miiind you know, there are SO MANY things that might be out there, trippy riiight?" Ya might be seeing that, but it ain't what I'm attempting to say.

I'm attempting to share my own definition of a God that seems to be discarded out-of-hand by most folk. I'm not very vindictive about that either. Based on appearances (and hell, maybe reality as well), my beliefs are eccentric for eccentricity's sake. Special snowflake syndrome, you dig? Although I fervently hold my faith and beliefs, I will concede that I'm effective enough at self-deception to form an illusion of devotion to myself and others, just to be different.

I don't reckon its like that, though.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Xant on April 02, 2016, 07:13:16 am
I truthfully didn't go through every little bit of text in this thread (Christ, it's gone on for ages!), so maybe I missed some key shit on why exactly the validity Abrahamic tradition is specifically in question.

Don't misunderstand; I'm not about to get a boner out of using the "LOL U CANT DISPROVE ANYTHING I MIGHT BE RIGHT SO YOU DONT WIN LOL" type of fallacy. I'm not saying ""hey man, just open your miiind you know, there are SO MANY things that might be out there, trippy riiight?" Ya might be seeing that, but it ain't what I'm attempting to say.

I'm attempting to share my own definition of a God that seems to be discarded out-of-hand by most folk. I'm not very vindictive about that either. Based on appearances (and hell, maybe reality as well), my beliefs are eccentric for eccentricity's sake. Special snowflake syndrome, you dig? Although I fervently hold my faith and beliefs, I will concede that I'm effective enough at self-deception to form an illusion of devotion to myself and others, just to be different.

I don't reckon its like that, though.
Abrahamic religions make very clear (and silly) claims about how things are. They're very popular. That's why they're the ones debated about.

What's the point of discussing the possibility of a Godlike being existing, when you make no claims or assumptions? So you're saying that to you, God is not omnipotent or omniscient, just a superpowered human. Okay, and then? What has this God done? What do you think you know and how do you think you know it?
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Sandersson Jankins on April 02, 2016, 07:32:53 am
Abrahamic religions make very clear (and silly) claims about how things are. They're very popular. That's why they're the ones debated about.

What's the point of discussing the possibility of a Godlike being existing, when you make no claims or assumptions? So you're saying that to you, God is not omnipotent or omniscient, just a superpowered human. Okay, and then? What has this God done? What do you think you know and how do you think you know it?

What do I think I know? I do hold knowledge and belief very differently. I know nearly nothing! From a pragmatic perspective, I hold knowledge about things that I've observed and have been informed of by people with adequate credentials. From a more idealistic or philosophy-based (and useless for anything other than intellectual masturbation) perspective, I know absolutely nothing. Of course that brings about a nice conundrum about how I know that I know nothing. Fukken nihilistic bullshitter, I am.

Anyway, I don't claim that deities or Gods are super-powered humans. I place them in an entirely different classification from relatively powerless sentient beings such as ourselves, just as I place sentient beings in a different classification from non-sentient ones. I do; however, disbelieve rather strongly in the existence of a singular, omnipotent/omniscient deity. For that matter, I disbelieve in the simple existence of one, with or without company.

Of course, you must understand that I'm only attempting to share my beliefs and keep my eyes peeled for those of similar belief. I'm not at all attempting to argue or debate philosophy, theology, or any of that ilk.

After all, I recognize that my beliefs are mostly irrational. They are not based upon experimentation or repeated observation. They are not empirically verifiable. Although I'm very eager (without reason, as I'll be worm-food) to see if we can advance to a position in which deities are scientifically verifiable, I understand that it ain't happening anytime soon. Probably.

I have had religious experiences that I would consider wholly ineffable. They cannot be adequately put into words. Very convenient, right? Bah, I've no desire to evangelize or prostelyze to anyone, anyway. I'm just sharing.

If it helps, I find discussion based on the assumption of a dichotomy that appears hilariously arbitrary to me useless, just as you likely find discussion of my beliefs useless.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Xant on April 02, 2016, 09:21:07 am
I still don't understand what you're really getting at. What is the salient point? You've loosely defined what you think God is. That's all. Where are you going with this? You need to open up a bit more about your beliefs if you wish to find others with the same point of view as yourself.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Sandersson Jankins on April 02, 2016, 09:49:18 am
I still don't understand what you're really getting at. What is the salient point? You've loosely defined what you think God is. That's all. Where are you going with this? You need to open up a bit more about your beliefs if you wish to find others with the same point of view as yourself.

As is evident, this isn't going anywhere. Sorry about that.

Due to the nature of my beliefs, I am unfortunately ambiguous when sharing to people I don't know intimately.

I'll gladly concede to you that you likely hold beliefs with greater intellectual validity to them than I do. I've just been very able to find people in real life willing to discuss these issues respectfully and calmly, but unable to find many willing to participate in discussion outside of the prevailing dichotomy of Jehovah/YWHW/The Great I Am and complete inexistence of divine entity. Well, those and the flightly new-age beliefs vaguely based upon Jung's collective unconscious theory.

Regardless, thank you for responding.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Grytviken on April 02, 2016, 10:20:13 am
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Xant on April 02, 2016, 11:34:53 am
As is evident, this isn't going anywhere. Sorry about that.

Due to the nature of my beliefs, I am unfortunately ambiguous when sharing to people I don't know intimately.

I'll gladly concede to you that you likely hold beliefs with greater intellectual validity to them than I do. I've just been very able to find people in real life willing to discuss these issues respectfully and calmly, but unable to find many willing to participate in discussion outside of the prevailing dichotomy of Jehovah/YWHW/The Great I Am and complete inexistence of divine entity. Well, those and the flightly new-age beliefs vaguely based upon Jung's collective unconscious theory.

Regardless, thank you for responding.
It makes it hard to respond to you when you're not using insults and being rude. I don't know what to do.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Sandersson Jankins on April 02, 2016, 12:00:52 pm
It makes it hard to respond to you when you're not using insults and being rude. I don't know what to do.

You did not blatantly insult me at all. I'm not gonna be the one to start that!

Of course you're very cold and logical. You're downright Suomi in that regard, but you're usually absolutely right in most of your posting. I've not posted much in off-topic (more of a strat sperg, but that's about dead now), but I've read plenty.

As usual, you WERE right about what you posted. We are not going to have a productive nor enlightening conversation because I'm unwilling to be more transparent about my beliefs. Therefore, it is useless to continue! No harsh feelings towards you at all.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Teeth on April 02, 2016, 04:41:15 pm
Are you an idiot? Of course we don't. We're talking about whether a higher being exists, not whether I have a shoe on or not.

The reason this methodology works is BECAUSE of the fact that WE DO NOT HAVE an answer to the question "Does a higher being exist?". I'm guessing you didn't bother reading the list of definitions that I so kindly gave to you. Might want to go take a look ;)
Dictionaries are reference books of the languages we use, not the absolute guardians of all that is logical and sound. Just because many people like to use agnosticism to describe a certain thing, that does not make it a sound concept. That said, the definitions you posted do not actually interfere with my point, though a few are pretty crappy. I'll use two of the better definitions to explain:

"Atheism is the absence of belief in any Gods or spiritual beings. The word Atheism comes from a, meaning without, and theism meaning belief in god or gods."

"Agnosticism is the view that, the truth values of certain claims – especially metaphysical and religious claims such as whether God, the divine or the supernatural exist – are unknown and perhaps unknowable."

Anyone who does not profess a belief in something spiritual automatically holds the belief that the truth values of metaphysical and religious matters are unknowable. You can never prove the truth or falsity of something metaphysical, unless you believe metaphysicality is real in the first place. All we atheists have is absence of evidence, which is evidence of absence but can never be proof of absence. So all atheists are agnostics. Any atheist who claims to be certain there are no gods misunderstands his own evidence.

You cannot use the term certainty to describe the lack of belief of an atheïst, I do not know for certain that there is no god, much like I do not know for certain that the sun will rise tomorrow. The probabilities I attach to truth values of either of these statements being 1 means that I live my life as if they are both true, but I am still agnostic for either.

I guess agnosticism as a concept can be used within theïsm to describe people that believe in spirituality despite being aware that they have zero physical evidence, maybe like what Sandersson or Witchcraft have described in this thread. If you believe in spirituality you can probably have "spiritual proof" for your belief that would make you a non-agnostic theist, but that is about as far as it is useful. Any differentiation you do between agnostics and atheists lies outside of their definitions, like that rant that Heskey did about how agnostics are open-minded critical people and atheists are the same type of people that would have been religious extremists a few centuries ago, lol.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Xant on April 02, 2016, 05:29:35 pm
The probability of something is never 1 or 0, which makes the whole agnosticism business completely pointless. It applies to everything in different degrees. So getting righteously indignant over the semantics is ridiculous.

And my, my. Teeth, you've went and gotten yourself educated at some point. I'm surprised you even noted that absence of evidence is evidence of absence, considering "absence of evidence is not evidence of absence" is pretty much considered a truism by many. Thanks for that, Carl Sagan.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: WITCHCRAFT on April 04, 2016, 07:23:10 pm
Also most religious people don't even live by the values their religion promotes and are fuckin fakes anyways.

But where do you draw the line? You can pick pretty much any religion and if you follow the "rules" 100% you will be an austere social outcast, walking on eggshells wherever you go. Living any religion strictly by the books would demand you drop everything else in your life. You know, like monks. But even monks can't 100% follow all the rules all the time. To do so would be inhuman.

rly makes u think...
Title: Re: FedoraTheExplorer
Post by: Westwood on April 05, 2016, 10:26:23 am
But where do you draw the line? You can pick pretty much any religion and if you follow the "rules" 100% you will be an austere social outcast, walking on eggshells wherever you go. Living any religion strictly by the books would demand you drop everything else in your life. You know, like monks. But even monks can't 100% follow all the rules all the time. To do so would be inhuman.

rly makes u think...
In Christianity, this is kind of the loose premise behind that Jesus thing.

Man can't shake Old Testament blues -> man is impure -> man can't contact God (receive the Spirit) -> God becomes man (the Son, God-Man, etc.) -> man is reconciled with God through the blood of His Son (act of love redeems man from his failings) -> man is able to contact God in New Testament Economy (the dispensation of Himself through faith/justification by faith, whatever)

New Testament Economy =/= Old Testament Economy

It's a bit more complicated than that but that's the gist.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: the real god emperor on April 05, 2016, 11:24:01 am
Tengri is lyfe
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: njames89 on April 05, 2016, 09:05:59 pm
The sky father watches over us all.
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Prpavi on April 05, 2016, 09:33:51 pm
There is only one church worth being a part of:

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Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: LordBerenger on April 06, 2016, 02:59:47 pm
Atheist in a nutshell.

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: karasu on April 06, 2016, 03:48:57 pm
http://dudeism.com/
Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: WITCHCRAFT on April 17, 2016, 01:41:05 am
Atheist in a nutshell.

(click to show/hide)

is that... the Earth Mother (http://images.lmgtfy.com/?q=venus+of+willendorf)...?

Title: Re: What Religion are you?
Post by: Asheram on April 17, 2016, 01:44:06 am
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