Why I hate religion!

[Dave Gray]

Scientology is the same as Christianity, but one has been around for a lot longer.  It's also harder to silence your critics these days (but Scientology still tries).

[MaineDolFan]

You know if you follow it that even followers of Tao aren't sure if the story of Lao is true.

I've been reading all three works for a long time.  I am well aware of the history behind the writings.  You should also know that when people speak of Lao Tzu they speak of the author of the Tao.  The Tao does exist, therefore it was created.  

Lao Tzu isn't nessasarily a name but a title.  And thus, yes - Lao Tzu existed.  As a single man?  Maybe not.  The OT nor the NT was not written by one man, rather a group of authors.  

You should also know that a large vocal vehicle that supports Lao Tzu was not an individual man is the Religious Taoism group, one that follows the Tao but also believes in deities.  The Tao itself leans towards not believing in deities.  That same group also largely believe that Lao Tzu didn't write the Tao but found it.

I personally believe that Lao Tzu was an individual, as do millions of others.  I believe there is sufficient documention that supports that.

[Dave Gray]

You know this is a good thread, because the believers are debating against other believers and non-believers are doing the same.

[MaineDolFan]

Dave, you are a dink.  I believe in Big Foot.  Just wanted to toss that out there.  I'm SURE I saw him while I was video taping the loch ness monster.  They both live in my area, one in the pond behind my house and the other in the woods.  Here is proof.

[Dave Gray]

I've seen Fau without a shirt on.  Sometimes, I wonder...

[JVides]

Whatever floats your boat. I'm not saying that you're mentally ill. I'm just asking what the difference is.

Taking care of your daughter, respecting your wife, work, etc. Those ARE the things that makes us more than an insect.
Perhaps Marx is right. Religion truly is the opiate of the masses.

How?  Don't most mammals care for their young?  Don't some specias of animals mate for life?  Don't some monkeys grind organs for change in the mall (they work!).  If there is no reason for being, then shouldn't I just be like any other male of most other species and "spread my seed" indiscriminately?  Why should I not live down to my most basic mammal instincts?  Can science explain why I have a conscience unlike any other animal?  Or why my species strives to improve upon itself rather than subsist?  Why, why, why?  Is random chance really a satisfactory answer?

[Dave Gray]

If there is no reason for being, then shouldn't I just be like any other male of most other species and "spread my seed" indiscriminately?  Why should I not live down to my most basic mammal instincts?  Can science explain why I have a conscience unlike any other animal?  Or why my species strives to improve upon itself rather than subsist?

Yes, science does have a hypothesis for these things that make total sense.  If you're serious about asking, I'll gladly explain it.

[Brian Fein]

I think, when you make the jump to say "If you believe in (insert unexplained phenomena here), there's something wrong with your brain" is where you cross the line, Dave.

Unless we have different definitions.

But, you'd never think maybe there's something wrong with YOUR brain since you don't have the mental capacity to understand blind faith.

[Buddhagirl]

How?  Don't most mammals care for their young?  Don't some specias of animals mate for life?  Don't some monkeys grind organs for change in the mall (they work!).  If there is no reason for being, then shouldn't I just be like any other male of most other species and "spread my seed" indiscriminately?  Why should I not live down to my most basic mammal instincts?  Can science explain why I have a conscience unlike any other animal?  Or why my species strives to improve upon itself rather than subsist?  Why, why, why?  Is random chance really a satisfactory answer?

There is a reason for being. It's all of the things that make us human. Not the fairy tale that you'll wind up in heaven.  
I think it's scary that for most christians, the only thing keeping them from being an animal is the believe in god. I always thought being human is what seperates us from the animals.

Do you not believe in evolution then? Because if not, then this entire conversation is pointless.

[Dave Gray]

But, you'd never think maybe there's something wrong with YOUR brain since you don't have the mental capacity to understand blind faith.

It's possible.  Maybe I'm lacking something that makes one understand God.

[Brian Fein]

Right - but I don't mean God, specifically.

If I truly believe that there are aliens from other planets out there, does that mean there's something wrong with my brain?  There's no evidence to support this fact, other than scientifically-dismissed phenomena.  I think its a huge stretch to say that I'm mentally ill to believe that we are not the only life-forms in the vast expanse of the universe.

[Buddhagirl]

Right - but I don't mean God, specifically.

If I truly believe that there are aliens from other planets out there, does that mean there's something wrong with my brain?  There's no evidence to support this fact, other than scientifically-dismissed phenomena.  I think its a huge stretch to say that I'm mentally ill to believe that we are not the only life-forms in the vast expanse of the universe.

But are you willing to kill people based on this? Are you ready to start persucuting those that don't believe the same as you? Take away people's rights because the aliens don't think those people should have rights?

[Dave Gray]

I don't think people that believe in aliens are mentally ill, either.  Given the vast space of the universe, and having seen evidence of evolution, and the fact that life sprung up on Earth -- I believe that there is cause to believe in the possibility (and even probability) of alien life.  There is logical cause for that belief.  The belief in aliens comes largely from observations and probability -- both scientific evaluations -- not faith.

Now, depending on how far that goes, I might say that a person has illness -- thinking that aliens come and probe people, abduct, etc...

[MaineDolFan]

There's no evidence to support this fact, other than scientifically-dismissed phenomena. 

Not true.  I was abducted one night while chasing Big Foot out of my garden.  My ass still hurts from the things that they did to me once they got me on that ship.  That's proof enough!

But seriously, this is a good point.  Dave - you believe that we are alone in the universe or there is something else out there?

[Dave Gray]

But seriously, this is a good point.  Dave - you believe that we are alone in the universe or there is something else out there?

I don't believe in humanoid aliens that visit Earth.

But, is the other life in the universe?  I'd say it's probable.  Given the something CAN happen, over enough time, something WILL happen.  I believe that the universe is large enough and old enough that it's likely that the phenomenon of life has happened more than once.

I'm not absolutely convinced of it, though -- either way.