The One True Religion

[jsanders]

Are you disputing the fact that Stalin persecuted atheists

Not at all, but they weren’t targeted for their faith.

 

[Rich]

Not at all, but they weren’t targeted for their faith.

You mean there weren't any communists targeted?

 

[KenHigg]

SJ - Did you write the 'Beirut: Gulag Orkestar' music review on last.fm? If you did you're wasting your time around here...

 

[Mile-O]

SJ - Did you write the 'Beirut: Gulag Orkestar' music review on last.fm? If you did you're wasting your time around here...

Yes, I did. Why would you think I'm wasting my time here?

 

[Rich]

Why would you think I'm wasting my time here?

Brainwashed ?

 

[jsanders]

SJ - Did you write the 'Beirut: Gulag Orkestar' music review on last.fm? If you did you're wasting your time around here...

I agree Ken, we all are.

 

[Rich]

I agree Ken, we all are.

We ?

 

[lightray]

SJ - Did you write the 'Beirut: Gulag Orkestar' music review on last.fm? If you did you're wasting your time around here...

What has this got to do with 'The One True Religion'?

I'd be interested to know what the panel thinks about Spirituality,
it hasn't had a mention.

 

[Mile-O]

I'd be interested to know what the panel thinks about Spirituality, it hasn't had a mention.

I don't perceive there to be a separate entity (soul) independent of my body and see no evidence of such a thing. I would expect those who assert that there is such a thing to offer evidence in support rather than press forward with faith as a sole justification, which is not justification at all.

P.S. It's not a panel, feel free to weigh in with your side.

 

[lightray]

It is interesting that so many religions seem to signify their deity is the spiritual embodyment of a once existing human or portray them in a human form of some kind.
What do you think that is all about?

 

[ShaneMan]

First of all let's begin by asserting that an atheist does not have faith in evolution. Why would an atheist require faith when all they rightly need to do in order be convinced by the probability of evolution when they can just refer to the evidence. It's in books, it's scattered online, and is currently under study to further understanding..

What evidence? Evolution started out a theory and still is a theory. You choose to be more convinced by the evidence that a scientist brings to you and a person of faith chooses to believe what their Bible/Torah tells them. Difference being. Usually, someone who believes in evolution is some how more intelligent. Someone who believes God created is some how simple, dumb, or a whacko. (see below for an example)

You may not be far off the truth there. What is it about their brains - that makes them part of this intelligent species we deem ourselves - that would accept such improbable nonsense as God, utter prayers to him, and waste time partaking in little rituals whether it be bowing to Mecca five times a day or chomping on a wafer? Why would they accept such rubbish - which has no basis in fact - in the face of substantial evidence favouring the Darwinian model? Idiots and whackos; you're on the money

If an atheist can wean someone person of their religious crutch/blinkers then it should be seen as a success. It would mean that one person no longer turns to improbable inventions based upon inconsistent scriptures and has taken a look at the evidence as to why there is no intelligent designer but why natural selection is a logical method in which to place their undestanding of their place in the world....

Please point me to the "inconsistent scriptures" that you have found in the Bible. Just curious as to where they are.

Indeed, the world would be a better place because of atheism.

Please help me to understand how.

 

[jsanders]

I started this thread simply to illustrate that anyone, no matter what their beliefs, can act the fanatic.

 

[Adeptus]

What evidence? Evolution started out a theory and still is a theory.

...

Please point me to the "inconsistent scriptures" that you have found in the Bible. Just curious as to where they are.

I've just been involved in a huge thread on another forum, of creationism vs evolution
(started by the news of a creationist "museum" being built in the USA)
There were some very good posts there, pointing out biblical inconsistencies etc...
I'll post some of the links when I find them...

but for now... "Theory" in the scientific sense is not the same as in the general sense.
http://wilstar.com/theories.htm

A theory is an explanation of a set of related observations or events based upon proven hypotheses and verified multiple times by detached groups of researchers.

and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory

In scientific usage, a theory does not mean an unsubstantiated guess or hunch, as it often does in other contexts. A theory is a logically self-consistent model or framework for describing the behavior of a related set of natural or social phenomena. It originates from and/or is supported by experimental evidence (see scientific method). In this sense, a theory is a systematic and formalized expression of all previous observations that is predictive, logical and testable.

 

[Rich]

The cranks are coming out here too
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/newsenglish/witn/2006/11/061127_intelligent.shtml

 

[BarryMK]

I wonder how many of the people here espousing religion can truthfully say that they formed their beliefs of their own free will, at an age when they were (one would hope) able to think for themselves, as opposed to having been indoctrinated from the cradle by parents/family peers/local church/synagogue/mosque/wicca/witchdoctor and so on?

Also how many had alighted on a specific religion after critically examining all the alternatives as opposed to blindly following the example set by family etc?

 

[ColinEssex]

I wonder how many of the people here espousing religion can truthfully say that they formed their beliefs of their own free will, at an age when they were (one would hope) able to think for themselves, as opposed to having been indoctrinated from the cradle by parents/family peers/local church/synagogue/mosque/wicca/witchdoctor and so on?

Also how many had alighted on a specific religion after critically examining all the alternatives as opposed to blindly following the example set by family etc?

Very good Barry.

You could also ask how many people here espousing religion can truthfully say they stick to its teachings?

Too many so called christians here act in a way that is at odds to their faith. Which actually enhances what Rich and I say.

At least Rich and I have never claimed to be something we're not - unlike many Americans here. I would never call fellow posters names, or immediately dismiss an opinion as being "worthless" - but sadly, it seems the norm here now. Strange we didn't get so much of it towards the end of last week - can't think why


Col

 

[Brianwarnock]

I wonder how many of the people here espousing religion can truthfully say that they formed their beliefs of their own free will, at an age when they were (one would hope) able to think for themselves, as opposed to having been indoctrinated from the cradle by parents/family peers/local church/synagogue/mosque/wicca/witchdoctor and so on?

Also how many had alighted on a specific religion after critically examining all the alternatives as opposed to blindly following the example set by family etc?

This I believe is a crucial point, and have on a previous thread pointed out that religion seems to be a post code lottery, if it is so important why would the supreme being leave so much to chance?

Brian

 

[Rich]

I wonder how many of the people here espousing religion can truthfully say that they formed their beliefs of their own free will, at an age when they were (one would hope) able to think for themselves, as opposed to having been indoctrinated from the cradle by parents/family peers/local church/synagogue/mosque/wicca/witchdoctor and so on?

Also how many had alighted on a specific religion after critically examining all the alternatives as opposed to blindly following the example set by family etc?

I'm reminded of a visit I made to an Irish rc family just a couple of years ago.
The woman's son who was about 9yrs old came into the room at about 5pm and asked his mother if he could go out to play with his friends, yes replied his mother,AFTER you have learnt chapters 1 to 396 for father ted, and after you've done your essay on god and after you've practiced next weeks sermon and after you've read father ted's thesis and don't forget you've got to read the bible before you go to bed.
Education my ass! The poor sod didn't stand a chance of being allowed to think for himself

 

[Brianwarnock]

Education my ass! The poor sod didn't stand a chance of being allowed to think for himself

and we have all seen pictures of the nodding donkeys learning the Koran

Brian

 

[lightray]

This I believe is a crucial point, and have on a previous thread pointed out that religion seems to be a post code lottery, if it is so important why would the supreme being leave so much to chance?

Brian

What would be the point otherwise? surely our existense depends on our ability to take those chances.