Why I hate religion!

[Buddhagirl]

I think you have a different definition of "Joe Schmoe Churchgoer" than I do.  I know a lot of people who are devout Christians and go to church weekly, even carry a bible in their car for spare-time reading.  None of them have EVER tried to take away my rights or tell me what to do.  I wonder if you've had a bad experience...?

And Dave, I think you're missing my point about the idea of God.  What if you envision "God" as a spiritual center point, and not as a magical invisible man in the sky?

No bad experiences for me. Except when they try to take away my right to an abortion and contraception, dictate whom can marry whom. Pesky little rights like that.

[Brian Fein]

Maybe I'm in over my head in this debate...

I am just having a hard time tagging anyone who holds a belief in religion as "insane."  I think the tag is being used too liberally, and should be reserved for the most extreme cases.  

I don't agree with A LOT of things preached by the church, which is why I don't support a lot of it.  However, I don't take the self-righteous step of saying that "I'm normal, you're all crazy."  I think that could go either way.

Some people need faith in their life.  Some people don't.  Neither circumstance makes those people crazy, ill, insane, or any of it, as I can see.

[Dave Gray]

I believe you were the first to say mentally ill.  I went along with it.  I originally said "delusion", I believe, although I didn't go back and check.  Crazy isn't a term I really use, and is more derogatory.

I would say the same thing about homosexuality.  From an evolutionary position, I think it's a genetic defect or possibly a mental illness.  I think it's acceptable, however and I fully support gay rights.  I don't think gay people are crazy, however.

[Brian Fein]

I believe you were the first to say mentally ill.  I went along with it.  I originally said "delusion", I believe, although I didn't go back and check.  Crazy isn't a term I really use, and is more derogatory.

I do however, think that people who believe in God are suffering from a delusion.  It's not intellect-based, but rather more of a mental-illness or brainwashing. 

For semantics purposes, Mental illness, delusion, crazy, etc, are all the same thing to me.

[Phishfan]

Scientology = Mormonism but it in no way is even close to Chrtistianity

Scientology = Scientology not anything else. By the way, doesn't Mormonism fall under Christianity? That shoots your statement in the foot.

[Dave Gray]

For semantics purposes, Mental illness, delusion, crazy, etc, are all the same thing to me.

Word.

I stand by "mental illness".  I guess I was the one who used it first.  Depression is a mental illness.  I would say people suffering from depression are crazy, though.

...not all of them, at least.

[bsmooth]

Ok again I have to say you are full of it.  Comparing 1200 BC to 350 BC is literally world's apart and that's even "if" Lao Tzu actually lived.  No one is even sure if that was a real person, scholars included.  I have no idea where you got 6th century BC.  Also, I can guarantee you that you can't find 10:1 scholars that say it came first.  That's just lunacy.  In fact the oldest reliable writings and references of are from 1BC ... much later than Biblical manuscripts.

 

Just what makes reliable writing? Either it is writing or it isn't. But since you have convieniently left out much older writings let me refresh your memory.

1. This one is from the new world and falls into that wide gap the old testament may have been written in.
http://research.ua.edu/archive2006/olmec.htm

2. This makes it sound as if the biblical writings were not quite as old as you claim as they came after pottery writings.
http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/10/31/earliest-hebrew-writing.html

3. And the big one.....http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/334517.stm. Be sure to read to the end where they show the three cultures that developed writing first and the dates.

[landlocked]

I actually feel sorry for people that choose not to believe in God.

[bsmooth]

I actually feel sorry for people that choose not to believe in God.

Why? How do you know your chosen faith is the correct one? Where is the line drawn on who is a better believer? Just because you can quote scripture and go to a building more often, does this make you a better follower of god than someone who lives a good life.

[Spider-Dan]

Scientology = Scientology not anything else. By the way, doesn't Mormonism fall under Christianity? That shoots your statement in the foot.

You might be under the impression that "Christianity" includes "those religions that believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah and died for our sins."  Apparently, this is not the case.  I have personally witnessed:

- Protestants claim that Catholics are not Christians
- Catholics claim that Mormons are not Christians
- Mormons claim that Jehovah's Witnesses are not Christians
- Jehovah's Witnesses claim that only they are true Christians

So yeah, I probably wouldn't put too much stock in how one group of Christians classifies another.  If your religion believes that Jesus was a divine savior that died for the salvation of man, then you are pretty much a Christian by definition.

[Buddhagirl]

I actually feel sorry for people that choose not to believe in God.

Why? I live a good life. I treat people fairly. I'm not out hurting people. I take good care of myself and don't abuse my body. I give to charity and work to help those that can't help themselves. Outside of me not believing in god, what am I missing out on?

[landlocked]

Why? How do you know your chosen faith is the correct one? Where is the line drawn on who is a better believer? Just because you can quote scripture and go to a building more often, does this make you a better follower of god than someone who lives a good life.

"People that choose NOT TO BELIEVE in God"At no time did I single out one faith vs. another.I also similarily feel bad for those that cannot comprehend reading beyond a third grade level.lol.

[landlocked]

Why? I live a good life. I treat people fairly. I'm not out hurting people. I take good care of myself and don't abuse my body. I give to charity and work to help those that can't help themselves. Outside of me not believing in god, what am I missing out on?

It is quite your right to believe or disbelieve whatever you wish.Just as it is my right to feel sympathy for those whom I choose.Besides,I thought you were a Buddhist?

[CF DolFan]

Just what makes reliable writing? Either it is writing or it isn't. But since you have convieniently left out much older writings let me refresh your memory.

1. This one is from the new world and falls into that wide gap the old testament may have been written in.
http://research.ua.edu/archive2006/olmec.htm

2. This makes it sound as if the biblical writings were not quite as old as you claim as they came after pottery writings.
http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/10/31/earliest-hebrew-writing.html

3. And the big one.....http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/334517.stm. Be sure to read to the end where they show the three cultures that developed writing first and the dates.

This is a perfect example of you arguing for arguments sake as people keep complaining about.  I wish I had your free time.  Nothing you said even relates.  We were speaking of two texts.  I didn't convienently leave out anything but thanks for trying to get into the conversation.

Had you been a conservative member of this board 10 other members would have attacked you for doing what you just did ... or even for less.

[Buddhagirl]

It is quite your right to believe or disbelieve whatever you wish.Just as it is my right to feel sympathy for those whom I choose.Besides,I thought you were a Buddhist?

I lean towards Buddhism, but do not believe in a higher power.

And it is your right, but it is also my right to ask WHY you feel sympathy for those that don't believe in god.