Is Believing In God...?

[CreepersWiener]

Let's get real here. Is believing in a god(s) just make believe? Was religion just invented to fulfill certain people's insecurities over their own mortality and the crude, hard, entropic nature of the world and the universe? Wouldn't the world be better off without a belief in religion and to cast off the out dated belief in some type of invisible man in the sky? Would there be less war and strife? Could we actually start focusing on real, worldly problems? Christianity has been around for thousands of years, as well as Islam; but the poor are still poor and the hungry are still hungry. Nothing has changed, and Jesus hasn't shown up to take responsibility. War still litters the planet and Obama is sending more troops to Afghanistan because he got voted in as the "change" candidate.

Is believing in God...wrong? Does simply believing in a God lead to intolerance towards others? How can a just and merciful God allow all this evil to take place in the world? If he is real, why doesn't he just intervene?

I am sorry, I just can't bring myself to believe in any type of god or spirit, and ask it favors. I like to accomplish things on my own merit. I don't believe in magic and praying to idols (I guess that's as close to Christianity I will ever get), and I definitely would never pretend I was eating the body and blood of some man who lived 2000 years ago.

To me, this is foolishness. What purpose are these people serving by pretending to be magic spell casting wizards? Might as well play a good game of Dungeon and Dragons.

What brings people to faith in made up stories and elaborate myths? I am curious.

[azezzo]

Is believing in God...wrong? Does simply believing in a God lead to intolerance towards others? How can a just and merciful God allow all this evil to take place in the world? If he is real, why doesn't he just intervene?


his interference would take away our free will, we have to decide for ourselves to be moral or not.

[john9blue]

It's natural to wonder why the universe exists and what our purpose is within it.

And some religions may preach intolerance or hatred, but they usually don't last long.

[Baron Von PWN]

I think we would be better off without relligion. I don't think religion predesposes people to predjudice though, it can create an excuse for it though.

[john9blue]

I think we would be better off without relligion. I don't think religion predesposes people to predjudice though, it can create an excuse for it though.

I think it's wrong to suppose that because you find yourself better off without religion, everyone else must be better off without it too.

[Army of GOD]

A religion thread?!

I never would've guessed!

[Baron Von PWN]

I think we would be better off without relligion. I don't think religion predesposes people to predjudice though, it can create an excuse for it though.

I think it's wrong to suppose that because you find yourself better off without religion, everyone else must be better off without it too.

I have no problem with people being religious, I think they would be better of without it but im not going to go around telling people not to beleive.

[dcc1220]

Do you really expect to be swayed by any single argument that could be presented in a forum such as this?

If you are willing to take an in depth look at the very questions you pose, I would recommend a video series called "The Truth Project". It is a series of lectures given by Dr. Del Tackett. It is most definitely given from a Christian perspective, but I have known many non-christians who have watched the series and appreciated it.

In the end it doesn't matter what any one single person feels or believes. Truth is what it is, regardless to whether one group of people or another believe it.

[Phatscotty]

god is what each individual needs god to be, when they need it. Mostly in time of death, but also in great times of struggle and conflict.

[Phatscotty]

I think we would be better off without relligion. I don't think religion predesposes people to predjudice though, it can create an excuse for it though.

I think it's wrong to suppose that because you find yourself better off without religion, everyone else must be better off without it too.

I have no problem with people being religious, I think they would be better of without it but im not going to go around telling people not to beleive.

sure, just go around telling them everything else tho

[Baron Von PWN]

I think we would be better off without relligion. I don't think religion predesposes people to predjudice though, it can create an excuse for it though.

I think it's wrong to suppose that because you find yourself better off without religion, everyone else must be better off without it too.

I have no problem with people being religious, I think they would be better of without it but im not going to go around telling people not to beleive.

sure, just go around telling them everything else tho

[neanderpaul14]

jesus f*cking christ another god damn religion thread

Okay time for all our local zealots to come out of the woodwork, prop their little soapboxes up on the corner of CC and Main and begin preaching about how all us non-believing heathens are going to hell. C'mon folks you know who you are let's start the preach fest.

[muy_thaiguy]

jesus f*cking christ another god damn religion thread

Okay time for all our local zealots to come out of the woodwork, prop their little soapboxes up on the corner of CC and Main and begin preaching about how all us non-believing heathens are going to hell. C'mon folks you know who you are let's start the preach fest.

Overreact much?

[Fuzzylogic99]

ummm troll food

well if you want a honest answer than you need to accept the idea that it is possible
that there can be supernatural being(s).It obvious that you are pretty closed minded
and seems to be quite hostile to the idea of a god or god(s).....saying that it kind of
pointless to discuss this since you have alreday made up your mind that relgious people
are superstitious morons, You did not say it but its kind of implied.

[HapSmo19]

I selected the "no" option.

Can you imagine an entire planet of enviro-nazis? Sheesh.

[BigBallinStalin]

Let's get real here. Is believing in a god(s) just make believe? Was religion just invented to fulfill certain people's insecurities over their own mortality and the crude, hard, entropic nature of the world and the universe?

It is and it isn't.

Wouldn't the world be better off without a belief in religion and to cast off the out dated belief in some type of invisible man in the sky?

Not for everyone, so no.

Would there be less war and strife?

No, there's always other reasons for war lying around waiting to be picked up and used.

Could we actually start focusing on real, worldly problems?

My religion is my journey in life, and religion for many is also a path. This path focuses on real and wordly problems, so having no religion doesn't really fix anything.

Christianity has been around for thousands of years, as well as Islam; but the poor are still poor and the hungry are still hungry.

And atheism's been around for thousands of years and the poor are still poor and the hungry are still hungry, and oh no's and woe is me.

Nothing has changed, and Jesus hasn't shown up to take responsibility. War still litters the planet and Obama is sending more troops to Afghanistan because he got voted in as the "change" candidate.

And religion, or the lack thereof, is responsible for this...?

Is believing in God...wrong? Does simply believing in a God lead to intolerance towards others? How can a just and merciful God allow all this evil to take place in the world? If he is real, why doesn't he just intervene?

No, depends on the person, regardless of religion or the absence thereof.

I am sorry, I just can't bring myself to believe in any type of god or spirit, and ask it favors. I like to accomplish things on my own merit. I don't believe in magic and praying to idols (I guess that's as close to Christianity I will ever get), and I definitely would never pretend I was eating the body and blood of some man who lived 2000 years ago.

OK then, Christianity nor Islam is for you. That also leaves out many others. Consider studying Zen, or get into Philosophy. And if none of that suits you, then that's fine too. Good luck out there.

To me, this is foolishness. What purpose are these people serving by pretending to be magic spell casting wizards? Might as well play a good game of Dungeon and Dragons.

Since you have something against wizards, would you rather be a Paladin, Cleric, Priest, Knight, Barbarian, or a Troll?

What brings people to faith in made up stories and elaborate myths? I am curious

There's much more to religion than made up stories and elaborate myths. Some don't even have that. You need to adjust your perception of what religion is to a more encompassing and honest one if you're really interested in being open-minded.

Well, that was a fun 3 minutes.

[luns101]

Okay time for all our local zealots to come out of the woodwork, prop their little soapboxes up on the corner of CC and Main and begin preaching about how all us non-believing heathens are going to hell. C'mon folks you know who you are let's start the preach fest.

[soapbox=preachfest sermon #666]As a part-time zealot, (the economy has been really bad so it's been difficult getting more than 40 hours a week) I can state that I get a great sense of satisfaction by holding you people under water during baptisms until y'all agree with my point of view. The only thing I think that's more fun is when we set nativity scenes up in your yards, ring the doorbell, and then run away. Oh man, good times! The look of horror on your faces when we say 'God bless you' after a sneeze is also priceless.

The woodworks aren't really that bad of a place now that you mention it. It's sort of like when Dane Cook & company constructed that secret man-cave on the top shelf of an aisle at 'Super Club' in Employee Of The Month. We've got big plans for another Crusade so watch out, heathens!! Did you little pagans really think you were going to get away with the whole "something magically came from nothing" routine?!!

Silly heathens...you still aren't invited to Bingo Night at all the Catholic Churches[/soapbox]

[Aradhus]

There's much more to religion than made up stories and elaborate myths. Some don't even have that. You need to adjust your perception of what religion is to a more encompassing and honest one if you're really interested in being open-minded.

What utter bullshit. He needs to adjust? Or maybe you need to adjust? Religion is the definition of made up stories in one form or another. That is what it is, at its core, with a smidgen of warped psychology wrapped around.

[john9blue]

jesus f*cking christ another god damn religion thread

Okay time for all our local zealots to come out of the woodwork, prop their little soapboxes up on the corner of CC and Main and begin preaching about how all us non-believing heathens are going to hell. C'mon folks you know who you are let's start the preach fest.

You forgot to mention the atheist zealots.

[BigBallinStalin]

There's much more to religion than made up stories and elaborate myths. Some don't even have that. You need to adjust your perception of what religion is to a more encompassing and honest one if you're really interested in being open-minded.

What utter bullshit. He needs to adjust? Or maybe you need to adjust? Religion is the definition of made up stories in one form or another. That is what it is, at its core, with a smidgen of warped psychology wrapped around.

You're being close-minded, so of course you're going to take this the wrong way.

Religion isn't just defined as a bunch "of made up stories in one form or another." If you really believe your nonsense and if you really are an atheist, than you're atheist for all the wrong reasons. You've taken a small aspect of this idea of religion and then applied your small interpretation of it to the whole concept of ALL religions. It's insane and completely ridiculous. The only atheists that I respect are the ones who actually understand what they're doing, the ones that know what they're talking about. You know, the ones who actually did some research, weren't satisfied, and then made a well-informed decision. Unfortunately, a lot of atheists like you make many atheists look like uninformed idiots; you rage and whine (usually about one kind of religion) and then say, AH, f*ck IT, they're all wrong, it's all bullshit, I don't care, and then that's it. You've become atheist based on a narrow-minded interpretation of reality.

Look, if you don't want to appear like such a fool, then you should specify which religion you're talking about. That's a better route if you really want to carry on with your point.

[Serbia]

It never ceases to amaze me the amount hatred and anger expressed by some of the hard core atheists on this site.

[thegreekdog]

Personally, I like forcing people to believe in God (specifically Catholicism) by helping Congress pass laws restricting all other religions and requiring mandated belief in God. Ideally, the Anti-Atheist project that we have going will take away that ridiculous Establishment Clause in the US Constitution.

In my rather limited experience on this website, I've seen a lot more vitriol from the non-religious than from the religious. Pretty weird considering the religious just continue to hold people down. I guess religious people don't use the internets much... that's the only explanation.

[Baron Von PWN]

Personally, I like forcing people to believe in God (specifically Catholicism) by helping Congress pass laws restricting all other religions and requiring mandated belief in God. Ideally, the Anti-Atheist project that we have going will take away that ridiculous Establishment Clause in the US Constitution.

You must be jokeing

[Timminz]

I selected the "no" option.

Can you imagine an entire planet of enviro-nazis? Sheesh.

Thanks Hap. This made me laugh out loud, and I got busted for being on CC at work.

[thegreekdog]

Personally, I like forcing people to believe in God (specifically Catholicism) by helping Congress pass laws restricting all other religions and requiring mandated belief in God. Ideally, the Anti-Atheist project that we have going will take away that ridiculous Establishment Clause in the US Constitution.

You must be jokeing

If you think I'm serious, then you must really have an issue with religious people. Do they force their religion(s) upon you in Canada?