The Official Religious/Political Debate Thread (dance, rock, show, quote)

[hookers with machineguns]

Originally Posted by covle

iv been doing a lot of studying on the origins of christianity in recent times and am wanting to talk REASONABLY about it. i have nothing against christians, it just doesnt seem rational to me to follow something that was completely altered from its original state and forgered over the following centuries. barely anything is or was original in the whole religion.

again, i am after a debate, i will respect all things said by anyone in a reasonable response

Religion is a good incentive for people who seek more than just what's there. It gives life a "purpose" for those who feel there's more than just the physical nature of life. There can be no harm in believing that living a "good" life will be rewarded. There's no harm in having faith, even if it turns out to be wrong.

Any given religion has undoubtley skewed from the original writings. But, that's how it should be. Everyone should have their own unique interpretations. I personally think it's bullsh*t if you just put yourself under a secular or political label, and blindly pre-determine your beliefs based on what's generally accepted in your organization. That's just lazy and narrow-minded.

On a personal note, I'm one of those tacky "spiritual-but-not-religious" hacks. I think the concept of 'God' or 'after-life' or 'heaven' is out of our physical and mental realm; i.e., we can only speculate and have faith, but we're not smart enough to figure out what's "real" and find a medium between science and pseudoscience.

Anti-God and Pro-religious preaching are usually based on similar premises and end up in circles. I think it's fine that these people preach, because there is nothing that says any of us have to listen or care. You create your own moral guidelines and live by it. Others will do the same. Well, there you go.

[adidasss]

Originally Posted by hookers with machineguns

On a personal note, I'm one of those tacky "spiritual-but-not-religious" hacks. I think the concept of 'God' or 'after-life' or 'heaven' is out of our physical and mental realm; i.e., we can only speculate and have faith, but we're not smart enough to figure out what's "real" and find a medium between science and pseudoscience.

very much the same situation even though i'm a catholic...
oh and it pisses me off when people who are not catholics or christians talk about christianity, you don't believe? fine, but please don't talk down to people who do, like we're idiots because we do believe...
and can you please explain to me how christianity changed? the church as an organisation may have changed but the bible and especially the new testament hasn't changed, at least not to my knowledge....

[riseagainstrocks]

I am a Christian but I take a scientific look at things as well. Intelligent Design has many flaws but is more feasible than evolutionism. Most Darwinians would say in return something along the lines of "so cause you think it's unlikely, you invent a God" and to that I reply that there is a higher probability that I would guess the number you're thinking of from -10000000000000000000000 to 1000000000000000000000000. I'm going with outside force.

[davidMC1982]

The real problem with religion today is the organisations that surround it and their vested interests. Organised religion has many parallels to organised crime.

The laws/practices that surround religions are the most baffling to me. If there is a "higher being", do people really think he (or more likely, she, since women are the updgrade of man lacking only an instruction manual) would be so petty as to care whether you prayed 5 times a day, or used contraceptives or shaved your beard? Well, maybe if this higher power is a woman...

Dave

[right-track]

Originally Posted by davidMC1982

The real problem with religion today is the organisations that surround it and their vested interests. Organised religion has many parallels to organised crime.

If there is a "higher being", do people really think he (or more likely, she, since women are the updgrade of man lacking only an instruction manual) would be so petty as to care whether you prayed 5 times a day, or used contraceptives or shaved your beard? Well, maybe if this higher power is a woman...

Dave

Haha...if this "higher being" was a woman, then leaving the toilet seat up would be a sin, punishable by death...probably by stoning.

Good point though Dave.

[riseagainstrocks]

Originally Posted by davidMC1982

If there is a "higher being", do people really think he (or more likely, she, since women are the updgrade of man lacking only an instruction manual)

you're not a real man. real men don't say women are better than them.

[Scarlett O'Hara]

Originally Posted by adidasss

very much the same situation even though i'm a catholic...
oh and it pisses me off when people who are not catholics or christians talk about christianity, you don't believe? fine, but please don't talk down to people who do, like we're idiots because we do believe...
and can you please explain to me how christianity changed? the church as an organisation may have changed but the bible and especially the new testament hasn't changed, at least not to my knowledge....

You just wrapped up exactly how I feel! Why is it always such a problem to be Catholic, without people asking you "so are you like, really hard out into it?" What the hell is hard out supposed to mean? People complain about religion when they don't know hardly anything about it.

[Scarlett O'Hara]

Originally Posted by riseagainstrocks

you're not a real man. real men don't say women are better than them.

A mans a man. What makes a man real? Who can say who's better anyway?

[Urban Hat€monger ?]

I worship at the temple of me

[TheBig3]

I'm a christian.

I don't know what makes you think all christians follow the same thing. Whats changed exactly? And Im pretty sure the religeous laws I follow are not the heavily altered ones you think. I won't return to the church until priests can marry and women can be priests.

My lack of attendance is moot. Im still a Christian.