Are you religious?

... well, are you? If so, what religion do you follow and why?

I'm Athiest myself, so I see all religions as the same. I believe the universe was created by "the big bang" and that we're all star dust (can't remember the famous guy who said that as a quote) and that if there were some higher-power, we'd want to start a war with 'him' and not each other - for the sake of all these kids that die each year and all the bad that goes on in life.

Perhaps 'the higher one' is busy though now? Who knows?

I've just never seen proof of anything 'god-like' and I've seen a lot of proof of 'the big bang'.

Don't want to offend anybody with this by the way, I'm just curious to wonder what makes religion tick. I understand many families all over the world are bought up with it in their life, so the chances are, they'd believe it too, but have you ever questioned it at any point if that is the case? If so, what was the answer?

Cheers

(Perhaps you'll convert me?)

 

PEARList here.
Physical Evidence And Reasoned Logic

I'm an Athiest. All I see religion doing, is creating a giant gap between people, and hindering scientific and cultural advancement.

 

+1 Rocketman.

My father's best mate is a Vicar too. I just never bought it, even as a kid.

The bible states life is only X thousands years old, when we know life is millions of years old, and that the universe is billions of years old. It sort of renders religion useless IMO.

Clearly at the time of creating religion (and I think it was just to have laws etc at the time) they didn't expect us to be flying around space in years to come. Which IMO means that they didn't realise the value of human beings, yet they state they're the ones that value it the most, in some sense.

I'd love to speak to somebody who could convert me, but even my Dad's best mate couldn't.

 

Nope not one ounce of religion or faith in me, I'm more of a beliver in things that can only be seen or explained. I think religion retards scientific growth, cripples mans innovative abilities, and is nothing more than a means of mass social control. Modern religion is nothing more than a money making machine as far as I'm concerned and a means to gain power and control.

I do think its probably necessary though from the aspect it does provide some control over the simple minded minions who follow it.

The Judeo-Christian Bible was written by men, and therefore contains the fallacies of men, the Bible has been constantly rewritten, translated from language to language, and amended to suit the needs of those in charge of its distribution -- for most of history since Christ, this was the Catholic Church and its founders. And for those of you who don't know, translation is not an exact science. Languages just do not translate word for word, and the accuracy of the translation depends on the skill, vocabulary, and motives of the translator (a human being, don't forget).

We all laugh at ancient times when they worshiped multiple gods (Zeus and company), but yet some how we're naive enough to think that they're wrong, and "our god" really does exist. Catholicism was successful because it incorporated many old religions. Greek and Roman gods are just a few of those who have direct equivalents among the Catholic saints.

I mean really, when was the last time you heard of someone conceiving a child without intercourse. (before modern medical technologies)

 

+1 David.

Any chance you can checkout my floating image issue in this here AA-A forum cat?

As for your views. Spot on IMO.

 

I think we have another thread somewhere around here along these lines, but I'll answer anyway.

Nope I'm not religious in the least. Religion is man-made, bunch of different denominations/religions, man-made rules, do's and don'ts, etc etc etc.

I am, however, a CHRISTian, which means to be Christ-like. I try to live according to the teachings of God/Jesus, in the Bible. I can't even imagine living without faith.

 

I do truly envy those who have actual faith, as its something I can't get my head around yet

 

well that's b/c of...

just sayin This ability is found just below the left nipple.

 

Christ is a part of a religion... therefore you are at least somewhat religious.

That is one of the reasons I can't have faith in a single religion. There are soooo many of them, and each group thinks they're the correct way to get to heaven/paradise/eternal life. Those are horrible odds when you think about them, and just hope the one that is right doesn't have a hell or eternal damnation or much of the world will be rotting in it.

I also can't have faith in a book that is full of fallacies proven by scientific reason. (this is just about every religious book, not just the bible).

 

I'm not particularly religious. Technically agnostic, but I don't care about the arguments for whether God does or doesn't exist in general, and have about as limited interest in the texts.

 

She is saying she is commited to a Christian faith, i.e., Judeo Christianity.

To be religious means to have reverence to God or gods of any other faith.

Can one be religious of their own chosen faith? Yes, but not exclusively.


The term has evolved over time.

The typical manner for its use is just how the OP stated it...are you religious?

Really, it should have been stated as...Are you with Faith?

Why? Because there are many faiths -- Buddhist, Christianity, Muslim, etc. They are all their own separate faiths, disciplines, dogma.

The term religious is too broad, confusing, and mostly touted negatively.

Seeing that person in the town square up on their soap box "preaching" from the Bible would be labeled as Religious, when in fact that person may not actually subscribe to a particular faith (ie., non-denominational).


Moreover, there are people that do subscribe to more than one faith and thus may practice in a way that is religious in nature to the definition.


Hence Peggy's important distinction.


No one ever said faith shall agree with reason, both are characterized by men.....

(please don't construe me as arguing for/against)

 

I'm not here to push my beliefs on anyone, but to say you believe in a Christian God, means you are religious.

Religious is saying basically; to be full of religion. You don't have to have a faith in all types of religions to be religious. Just like other words using the suffix -ous.

Something is poisonous, but doesn't need to have many different poisons. A snake may only have one type of poison, but it is still poisonous. It doesn't need multiple types of poison to be considered "poisonous". Same goes for religion.

The way people use it now can be explained many different ways, but that doesn't exclude the definition of the word. That was my distinction.

 

Well then by your standards, perhaps I am at least somewhat religious. But that wasn't the question, was it? The question was, Are you religious? I took that to mean, by My standards, or my way of thinking, Am I religious. The answer is still No.

I suppose that you could see Christ as "part of a religion", because that seems to be the word that everyone is stuck on. In actuality, Christ is the son of God. He was sent by God to live as a man here on earth, to show us how to live, to teach us, to guide us. The term Christian, or Christianity, is a man-made label, just as is baptist, methodist, pentecostal, islam, buddist, etc. But in and of itself, Christianity is not a religion. It is faith in Jesus Christ. It's a way of life based on His teachings. I don't adhere to any one denomination, or "religion". I have a very strong relationship with, and love for, God. So to me, being a Christian is not a religion, it's a relationship.

 

I really do hope that you find it.

For me, living without faith in God is like trying to live without food or water.
I'd die (spiritually).

 

Can I get your definition of religion then?

Christianity is a monotheistic religion. If you want to be christ-like, you must also believe in God, correct? Since God made you, me, jesus, the holy spirit, and all other things in the universe. It is a religion. I'm not trying to be mean, but its just a fact, not my opinion.

If you want to label it something else you can, but its still a religion whether you believe you want to call it a "relationship" instead.

* I've taken many Religion and Religious Philosophy Classes, so I do like to discuss the topic. Some people don't like to discuss it and thats fine with me as well. I don't want to hurt anyones feelings or make them second guess anything. I just like to discuss things that interest me and not worry about treading lightly to conserve others ideals.

 

I am not religious, got too confused about that as a kid with a Jewish father and an agnostic mother, warring families, etc.

However.

I do believe in a Higher Power. I am a recovering alcoholic and while that is not a religion, one of the main principles of recovery is finding and having a relationship with a power greater than myself.

Since that used to be vodka :nailbite:it was not that hard to change it up and believe that yes, there is a force out there greater than me.

I do not believe in Jesus as the son of God or that he ever intended that a religion was meant to be built around him.

the end.

 

and my point stands...your profuse interchangeability of the words -- religion and religious.

nothing more to say really.

be good to others.

 

I already explained what the suffix -ous is used for.

What I was replying to, was Peggys response that Christianity to her, isn't even a Religion.

Christianity itself is a religion. Demonination doesn't mean religion. You should know that MjrNut if you want to try to nitpick about vocabulary.

 

I will nitpick a flawed explanation. Instead of me explaining further, try this on and take it for your consideration going forward.

I'm just trying to offer insight to a agreeably complex mindset.

 

I've posted my understanding of what religion is - twice.

I'm not going to get into a debate or an argument. What I believe is what I believe.
I'm a Christan. The meaning of the word Christian is very simple - Christ-like. To endeavor to live as Christ taugh and was an example for us. That is how I believe, and try to live.

Anythng beyond that is just not important to me. The definition of religion is insignificant to me. Whether I'm religious or not, is just as insignificant to me. I know what I believe, and I know how I try to live and who I try to live like. I love God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit - with all of my heart. THAT is what is important to me.

And I shall leave it there.