What is your religion/belief?

[Mighty Monk]

I'm a hardened Atheist and a firm believer that religion causes more trouble than it does good in the world! Perhaps I'd even go as far as saying that without it, our world would be more peaceful, but who am I to say that?

However, I respect that people have their beliefs and, while they are perfectly entitled to hold that belief, I don't appreciate them even for a second trying to tell me what I should believe; I don't do it to them, so.

The only good I could say that comes out of having a belief in god is that of 'hope'. In times of hardship those of faith may pray to god in a hope that he can solve their problems, so if it helps them, fine.

It's not for me at all though.

[whiffen]

Atheism shouldn't be on that list, since atheism is just the default position when you're born. It's not a way to belive.

Wat

[kkirspel]

(Disclaimer: I realize that at this point this post is a very tall drink of water. Please don't be discouraged. Persevere!)


I don't believe in any founded religion largely b/c they all seem irrational and far fetched. Like, how is it acceptable for the "word of God" to change over time? It use to be cool to have slaves, nowadays its not. That was the word of your God, yet it changes conveniently with social changes. That in itself is a deal breaker for me.

I personally beleive Christianity was a story that spun out of control; I think Jesus was a real guy that taught of morals and was ahead of way his time. And a religion formed from that; people giving reason to him being so great.

Anyways, I believe in evolution, big bang, decent with modification, natural selection, nebular-condensation theory, red shift, etc etc ect, b/c they all have facts and proof grounded to them. Where as the Bible is commonly looked at as "proof" even though it was written by men 2000 years ago that stoned women when they slept with a man outside of marriage.

That would make it seem like I'm an atheist, and I agree with many of those popular atheist writers like Richard Dawkins (btw you should youtube every one of his interviews right now, he's great). But I still ask the question (and if religion was smart, they'd be focused on this too instead of downplaying science), how/why did the big bang start? What/who made that happen? And thats where I consider myself an agnostic; something started the whole chain reaction and I'm not saying its a sentient being, but whatever it is, its given me the ability to be alive today and for that, I will call it God for lack of a (better?) term.

And last thing I promise, I do think religion as a good impact on people sometimes; helping others, etc. Though I don't agree with the reasoning "I'm helping them so I can go to heaven" thats greedy in itself - doing something so you get something from it. It should really be about "I'm helping them b/c I truly care about helping them" and religion is not an required ingredient for that at all. And conversely, "I'm helping them so I don't go to hell" - using fear to motivate people isn't the way to go either.
And of course, for all the good religion can do, there is just as much evil as well, such as killing in the name of God, as someone already said.

(okay , I'm a liar)
And jangalomph, I feel you man. I'm in the south too and 90% of everyone I know is Christian to the core... a large reason to why I'm single most all the time (c'mon... Ima a sexy devil...)
And while they all cram their religious views at people like me all. the damn. time, if I speak up just once about my own beliefs... oh man, its on; so many of them will get overly offended and self righteous.

[Spike]

Atheism shouldn't be on that list, since atheism is just the default position when you're born. It's not a way to belive.

Wat

Do you belive in unicorns or santa clauss? No? Then you're an unicorn atheist and a santa atheist.

I actually hate when belivers call me an atheist. I'm not the one who needs to prove something, so I'm the NORMAL person, and you're THE BELIVER (not actually you, the beliver).

[The Giblets of Jesus]

Aaaand then the thread got knocked down a notch :L

[pk_hunter]

I always tend to find more agnostics/atheists on skill-based forums (i.e. level design) because these sites are designed to help people learn new things and collaborate with others -two qualities which devout religious people seem to disapprove of.

I've said it before and I'll say it again - I have no problem with people who have their own set of beliefs. It's healthy and some people just need to believe in something in order to make some sort of sense of it all. That's fine - I don't have any belief in a god myself, but I can appreciate people who do.
My problem is with organised religion and people who literally believe in holy books written thousands of years ago. Back then these texts and beliefs were relevant because we hadn't matured as a society, but they have no place in modern society and to pretend otherwise is utterly ignorant.
Christians and Muslims are the worst for it in my day-to-day experience. They'll argue that people without religion are without morality, but that is just not true. Sure, maybe religion was needed to teach people morality 2000 years ago, but a set of morals is just part of our society now.
And a religious person is, in my opinion, less morally correct than an atheist. Why? Religious people do good in an attempt to please their god and get into heaven. Atheists do good because it's good. They don't expect to be rewarded for it when they die. For that reason, they are the truly selfless ones.

Have your own beliefs, people, but for the love of god (irony intended) don't follow an organised religion. Every single one has more ulterior motives than I dare to think about and some of the things they preach (no condoms, for example - I'm looking at you, Catholicism) are downright disgusting and wrong. I don't get why people like to be punished by their faith rather than celebrate life.


/rant


EDIT:
Actually, more rant.
That comment about people being born atheist annoyed me, because I don't know a single Christian who wasn't born into a Christian family. It's all about how you were raised - it's why religion should not be allowed in schools - kids are too impressionable at that age.
Are you a Christian? I guarantee if you'd been born in, say, Saudi Arabia you wouldn't be. It's all about how you were brought up.

[MayheM]

So Spike, you are saying people should not be aloud to believe what they choose to believe? How is that any different from the Church forcing non believers to convert during the inquisition? Or Muslim extremists waging war on those who do not believe as they do? I do agree religion can have disastrous outcomes if used in ways like I listed above, but to lump all religions together and label all people who believe in God as "not normal" is pushing it.

Your stance is a pretty arrogant one. Your beliefs are right and everyone should think like you...

@ kkirspel, I know what you mean. The main reason I am single is because I am religious (to a point) and I am a fiscal conservative and live in a city that is known for its liberal beliefs. I actually had a girl tell me I would be the perfect guy if I was not so "conservative". That's what closed minded people get you... Putting limitations on people because of what they believe in their personal life. Religion is not who you are, it is what you believe. There is a big difference...

[stoopdapoop]

Do you belive in unicorns or santa clauss? No? Then you're an unicorn atheist and a santa atheist.

I actually hate when belivers call me an atheist. I'm not the one who needs to prove something, so I'm the NORMAL person, and you're THE BELIVER (not actually you, the beliver).

This post is kinda silly. That shit about unicorn/santa atheism doesn't make sense because atheism means not (prefix a) a believer in a deity (root theist)

Also, since when does being given a name mean you have something to prove? By that logic do you get pissed off when someone in the military refers to you as a civilian?

[The Giblets of Jesus]

Do you belive in unicorns or santa clauss? No? Then you're an unicorn atheist and a santa atheist.

I actually hate when belivers call me an atheist. I'm not the one who needs to prove something, so I'm the NORMAL person, and you're THE BELIVER (not actually you, the beliver).

Sorry, buts it's crap like this that give Atheists a bad name. That, and don't be offended when people call you what you are.

YOU FUCKING ATHEIST.
(sarcsm obv)

[MayheM]

I can not help but to be reminded of a line from Austin Powers 'Goldmember'. When Austin Powers dad says... " There are two things I can't stand. 1. People who are intolerant of other peoples cultures and 2. the Dutch." It just seems you feel superior to those who believe in God.

Also to clarify. Santa Clause is based one St. Nicholas who was in fact a real person, so by saying he does/did not exist would be untrue. An when I was a kid I saw a unicorn at the Circus...

[Jangalomph]

Stoop, I made the choice of free-thinking because I honestly don't wanna be called an atheist although thats strictly what i am. Being a "Free-thinker" Seems to have less of a bad image. But I would edit the poll and take out Free-Thinker and I Hate it all, but idk if it would re-set it.

As for my part of this discussion. I hate how most people think atheists are unhappy and bad people. I agree that most of the ones "i know" are gothic and weird looking. But i do know that there are many many others who look like a normal person "average joe".

My story is simply.. I was born in a christian family, started asking questions. Got in trouble for it, became an atheist because I'm tired of seeking and just realized I think there is no god, And now I'm forced to go to church. No choice.


@ kkirspel

Religion is constantly shoved in my face. But what do we expect? Its the bible belt.

[Mighty Monk]

Why wouldn't you want to be called an Atheist?

And here in England you'll find that the majority of Atheist's are "normal"... a lot of those gothy kids just dress that way. I've known some who are highly religious.

[RefaelBA]

Hey Mayhem sorry to hear that. I guess that must have hurt... Perhaps she should have tried first.

But on the other hand I can't really blame her.
I'm an Atheist and I can't really see myself starting a family with a traditional girl. The views are too far apart and while I respect each person's beliefs, I wouldn't let a religious person educate my children and lure them into religion from an early age. When they grow up the can believe whatever they want just like everybody else... If they choose to.

That's why I don't see myself starting anything serious with a girl that's religious or superstitious. I don't know what the situation was but perhaps that's what she had in mind as well. It doesn't mean you're not okay, on the contrary, she gave you a nice compliment. Personally I too think you're an excellent person from what I've seen around here.

I assume you would avoid starting a serious relationship with a devoted religious person from a different religion for the same reasons. It's not about belief at all, it's about the difference between your lives and views, and people always look into what's similar and avoid the different, and I can't blame them. A good relationship depends of having a lot in common.

[Kremator]

I don't care about atheists or believers, they will both die anyways and I guess they can find out for themselves. I see no point in indulging some sort of debate between ideologies when most people who tend to do so already had their mind made up that they are right, so it's more of one side trying to trump the other more than a sharing of opinions for both to absorb.

I live in SF like Mayhem and the city is indeed very liberal to a point of being overdone, but I am far from conservative as well. I don't come from a country where the division line between a conservative and a liberal is so clear although it has begun to become more and more defined and I feel that my country suffers more for it.

Religion, in my opinion, is like a lifestyle choice - I tolerate conservative christians with a slight pang of contempt as I would do the same for any other religion, buddhist or islam. I don't share atheistic views, and I'm not interested in how the universe began or what bearings does man have on the course of it, we're too small and insignificant to worry about such things as of this moment. I don't relate to any religion, nor any ideologies, democratic or conservative are just words made by people to categorize beliefs they don't truly understand or have different understanding of it. I live to be happy and I want those whom I love to be happy, that is all I care about.

Oops I guess I just kinda started debating, anyways, that's just my line of thought, call me nihilistic or whatever label people like to use these days for people who don't give a flying crap.

[MayheM]

Yeah, I lable myself a fiscal conservative since many things I am more middle of the road on. But yeah, some of the people here can just be obnoxious. My main gripe is that everyone assumes you have the same beliefs as them. I do not have the luxury of even thinking that...

@ RefaelBA, Thanks, but nah didn't hurt. We still hooked up... We just didn't date