[Debate] Religion - Your Opinions.

[Phreak]

Religion |riˈlijən| - Noun

The belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods : Ideas about the relationship between science and religion.

• Details of belief as taught or discussed. : When the school first opened they taught only religion, Italian, and mathematics.
• A particular system of faith and worship. : The world's great religions.
• A pursuit or interest to which someone ascribes supreme importance : Consumerism is the new religion.


What is the point of religion exactly?
I know, I know, people want to have faith in something, yet, why?
What makes people NEED to believe in something? What makes us have to have a reason for existence? Is it because without a reason, we would go insane? Would we lose the will to live?

This thread is focused mainly on religion. I want to discuss why people think it is so important to worship a "higher" power. Personally, I went on a spiritual search looking for answers last summer. It was a time I spent reading, searching and learning about all of today's current religions. I found that all searching lead to was despair. Religion is not supposed to be understood and I believe we are not supposed to know our "higher" purpose here. I believe if we knew and it wasn't what we expected, we would lose the will to live.

Yet why do people believe, if they know that their religion might just be all made up, just to give life a meaning? I think that a big key to that is searching you inner self. Religion gives us morals. It gives us guidelines to live by and allows us to have rules in order to shape our lives into, what we believe is, sophisticated and honorable people. In the end, it doesn't matter what happens. If we die and realize that our religion was correct, then great! If we die and realize everything we believed was wrong, then at least we led a life worthy of something while on Earth. At least we led our lives with morals and guidelines.


Feel free to comment or add your own opinions. No answer is wrong here. This is a no flame zone where we discuss this topic as intellectuals.

 

[Anxiety]

I can sum religion with one word. Exageration. I don't think many people will disagree. I think it's fine having a religion, infact I think it's great. If it helps you get through life and makes people better people, then absolutely fantastic. Though, there is no need to force your beliefs upon children, project lies to make sure they worship under the religion you choose, and there is no reason to go to war for this. People don't need to die because of unproven faiths, none of the religions out there have proof, but yet they're ALL right.

You know the funny thing though? Jahovas witnesses. They go door to door spreading the word of christianity, how great and loving Jesus, but it's against their policy to give blood. So let's say a Jagovas Witness' son needed a blood transfer immediatly, and his blood was fine to transfer to save his sons life, he wouldn't give it. He'd let his son die, because it goes against his faith to give blood. That. Is. Sickening.

I'm an Agnostic, I don't care either way if their is religion. To be honest, I'm more on the Athiest side if anything because of all the wrong doing the current religions have caused.

 

[Phreak]

I can sum religion with one word. Exageration. I don't think many people will disagree. I think it's fine having a religion, infact I think it's great. If it helps you get through life and makes people better people, then absolutely fantastic. Though, there is no need to force your beliefs upon children, project lies to make sure they worship under the religion you choose, and there is no reason to go to war for this. People don't need to die because of unproven faiths, none of the religions out there have proof, but yet they're ALL right.

You know the funny thing though? Jahovas witnesses. They go door to door spreading the word of christianity, how great and loving Jesus, but it's against their policy to give blood. So let's say a Jagovas Witness' son needed a blood transfer immediatly, and his blood was fine to transfer to save his sons life, he wouldn't give it. He'd let his son die, because it goes against his faith to give blood. That. Is. Sickening.

I'm an Agnostic, I don't care either way if their is religion. To be honest, I'm more on the Athiest side if anything because of all the wrong doing the current religions have caused.

I agree with you in several parts.
Firstly, I think it's horrible to push religion upon children. While I think it is smart to educate them, I think you should let your kids decide for themselves. If you are truly bound in your faith, you should want to spread it to your children. When I went on my religious search, my dad got extremely angry at me, saying "I raised you better than this." I told him, "So your basically saying that I should believe what you believe just because you tell me to, or should I find out what I truly believe so that I actually AM a believer." He came around and decided that it was good for me to find out truly what I, personally, believed.

Secondly, It isn't religion that causes wars, it's people. You can't hold religion responsible for people's actions. No where in religion and I have researched and studied most of them all, does it say to make war. Even if you are thinking, "Well what about Islam." No, Islam is a peace preaching religion, however, radicalization in branches of Islam leads to persecution of others. It is people's fault that we are in wars.

Third, Jehovah Witnesses, what a joke. I don't recognize them at all as a part of Christianity.

Hope to see more views!

 

[Anxiety]

Meh, maybe it was ignorant for me to accuse religion of war-creating. But you have to admit, the religion itself makes the people passionate enough to killa human being for not believing in what they believe. The amount of christian priests that have commited child abuse is sickening... and do they get punished? No they don't. Most christians I know are ignorant, those priests are ignorant too. The Christians (and other religious people) I don't mind are the ones who can accept whatever you believe. A real Christian, Islamic, or any other person should accept that you need to believe in what you want to believe, which you stated quite perfectly.

You're right, we do need to educate our children and all children about religion, about all of them, but there is no way that you can force it on them. I've known children to get to the point of self-harm because they don't want to tell their parents about actions that would offend their religion. I know people who have been scared to go home, because they don't believe in what their parents believe. That's where it gets too far. So in general, religion is exaggerated by more than half of people I would say, and it doesn't help with media like we have in the UK.

 

[Phreak]

Meh, maybe it was ignorant for me to accuse religion of war-creating. But you have to admit, the religion itself makes the people passionate enough to killa human being for not believing in what they believe. The amount of christian priests that have commited child abuse is sickening... and do they get punished? No they don't. Most christians I know are ignorant, those priests are ignorant too. The Christians (and other religious people) I don't mind are the ones who can accept whatever you believe. A real Christian, Islamic, or any other person should accept that you need to believe in what you want to believe, which you stated quite perfectly.

You're right, we do need to educate our children and all children about religion, about all of them, but there is no way that you can force it on them. I've known children to get to the point of self-harm because they don't want to tell their parents about actions that would offend their religion. I know people who have been scared to go home, because they don't believe in what their parents believe. That's where it gets too far. So in general, religion is exaggerated by more than half of people I would say, and it doesn't help with media like we have in the UK.

Everything in here, I completely agree with.
Christians are hypocritical. I can say that, because I am surrounded by Christians 99% of the time and see the double lives they lead. My dad was in the ministry for over 25+ years and there were so many back stabbers in the churches he ministered at. I believe that religion does make people passionate enough to kill, however, Religion is a VERY touchy subject.

No one likes to think about "what if my religion isn't the 'right' one?" Everyone defends their religion to the fullest, because they are scared of it being false. Do you blame them? Not at all. While I hate that war is the outcome, people will never get along.

Suffocating your kids in a specific religion leads to nothing but harm and retaliation in the long run. Do you know how many "preacher's daughters" I've seen go crazy / wild once they hit college. They are so fed up with living this "perfect" life in front of the church, that they let go and go wild when they are alone. This can lead to a number of horrible things such as alcohol poisoning, drug addiction, etc.

Peace is an impossible goal. There are too many different minded people in this world for us ALL to get along. While I wish this would happen, it won't. There will always be conflict, war, crime etc.

 

[Wiggles]

With all religions there are extremists, I do practice a religion.

Religion just makes sense to me, there had to be something to create this world. In my mind nothing can be here forever, it had to be created and has to be destroyed some time or other.

 

[Anxiety]

The big bang theory.

 

[Legend_mybb_import1694]

Religion, religions set moral standards for many people and it also gives people a sense of acceptance and meaning in life. Although I disagree with you Crayo, I believe religions do start wars as we can see in Jerusalem. I am a practicing Muslim, I don't see myself as an extremist but I am willing to do a lot for my religion.

 

[LMCampbell]

Can you trust a book written (however long ago).
We have no proof it occured except, the Bible, Qu, ran, (whatever the others are)

My understanding is, the following of one persons beliefs is narrow minded. You should be able to make your own decisions not follow what a book wrote (however long ago).

I want an argument against me to get going.
As what i have said it pretty pitiless.

*Hope I splelt Qu,ran right...*

 

[Wiggles]

The big bang theory.

That still doesn't make sense to me, there had to be something here to create the gasses that were in the big bang.

 

[Legend_mybb_import1694]

Can you trust a book written (however long ago).
We have no proof it occured except, the Bible, Qu, ran, (whatever the others are)

My understanding is, the following of one persons beliefs is narrow minded. You should be able to make your own decisions not follow what a book wrote (however long ago).

I want an argument against me to get going.
As what i have said it pretty pitiless.

*Hope I splelt Qu,ran right...*

Its Qu'ran but anyways. There is only a very very small chance that everything on this world happened on accident. Someone was behind all of this.

Teacher: Can you see God? Class: No. Teacher: Can you touch God? Class: No. Teacher: Then there isn't a God! Student: Sir, can you see your brain? Teacher: No. Student: Can you touch your brain? Teacher: No. Student: Oh ok so you have no brain?" The absence of evidence is not the evidence of absence

 

[LMCampbell]

Can you trust a book written (however long ago).
We have no proof it occured except, the Bible, Qu, ran, (whatever the others are)

My understanding is, the following of one persons beliefs is narrow minded. You should be able to make your own decisions not follow what a book wrote (however long ago).

I want an argument against me to get going.
As what i have said it pretty pitiless.

*Hope I splelt Qu,ran right...*

Its Qu'ran but anyways. There is only a very very small chance that everything on this world happened on accident. Someone was behind all of this.

Teacher: Can you see God? Class: No. Teacher: Can you touch God? Class: No. Teacher: Then there isn't a God! Student: Sir, can you see your brain? Teacher: No. Student: Can you touch your brain? Teacher: No. Student: Oh ok so you have no brain?" The absence of evidence is not the evidence of absence

But there is proof that the brain is there unlike the proof of god.

 

[Flow'n]

It really doesn't matter to me as long as they dont bring it up to much..

 

[Legend_mybb_import1694]

Can you trust a book written (however long ago).
We have no proof it occured except, the Bible, Qu, ran, (whatever the others are)

My understanding is, the following of one persons beliefs is narrow minded. You should be able to make your own decisions not follow what a book wrote (however long ago).

I want an argument against me to get going.
As what i have said it pretty pitiless.

*Hope I splelt Qu,ran right...*

Its Qu'ran but anyways. There is only a very very small chance that everything on this world happened on accident. Someone was behind all of this.

Teacher: Can you see God? Class: No. Teacher: Can you touch God? Class: No. Teacher: Then there isn't a God! Student: Sir, can you see your brain? Teacher: No. Student: Can you touch your brain? Teacher: No. Student: Oh ok so you have no brain?" The absence of evidence is not the evidence of absence

But there is proof that the brain is there unlike the proof of god.

I don't really like to debate about religion because at the end of the day its all based upon your moral beliefs and what you believe is true. And I believe that there is a God.

 

[Phreak]

Can you trust a book written (however long ago).
We have no proof it occured except, the Bible, Qu, ran, (whatever the others are)

My understanding is, the following of one persons beliefs is narrow minded. You should be able to make your own decisions not follow what a book wrote (however long ago).

I want an argument against me to get going.
As what i have said it pretty pitiless.

*Hope I splelt Qu,ran right...*

Your not supposed to take those books literally. They are there to give you an outline for the religion and morals they practice and believe. Without them, religions wouldn't be around. While you can say, "How can you trust these?" It's all about your personal faith and what you choose to believe in. It's impossible to say one thing is for certain or another, however, you can choose what you want to believe in and how you want to live your life.

 

[Legend_mybb_import1694]

Thats exactly my point Phreak, although most don't believe in most religions, you've still got to pick a religion at the end of the day, even if you choose to follow Atheism.

 

[Phreak]

Thats exactly my point Phreak, although most don't believe in most religions, you've still got to pick a religion at the end of the day, even if you choose to follow Atheism.

You don't HAVE to choose a religion, however, most end up doing that.
Just because everyone else needs to believe in a higher power, doesn't mean everyone does. I wouldn't even classify atheism as a religion, as it goes against all of the definitions of religion.

 

[Legend_mybb_import1694]

By not choosing a religion, you're choosing a religion, and that is Atheism. But first of all let me define the word religion for you: A religion is a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a supernatural agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.

 

[Phreak]

By not choosing a religion, you're choosing a religion, and that is Atheism. But first of all let me define the word religion for you: A religion is a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a supernatural agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.

Yes, however, the true definition of atheism, is the belief in nothing. Therefore, how can you classify it as a religion? You can't, in my opinion. There are a lot of, "so called atheists" out there and then there are hardcore atheists and in my mind, the hard core atheists would not consider themselves a religion.

 

[Legend_mybb_import1694]

I'm sorry then, I thought the belief of Atheism was that there was no God and that everything happened on accident.