are you a religious person?

[cIementine]

You guys really don't know much about this at all.

Try reading Thomas Aquinas' 5 proofs of the existence of God, The Consolation of Philosophy of Boethius, and DesCartes' Meditations on First Philosophy if you want solid answers to all your questions. Otherwise you have no place in saying whether or not you believe in God. If you don't understand the fundamentals, you probably won't know how to properly put advanced arguments in their proper place.

I disagree. Just because I don't believe in God, and same goes for many others, doesn't mean that I deny his existence, or have to make a super advanced point as to why I don't. Just like no one should have to explain why they're religious. While many people do deny his existence, that's okay. If they don't believe in him, there's no point making them read something they don't really care for just to make advanced arguments.

 

[DJStarstryker]

Nah. I don't have a problem with religion in and of itself, but sometimes religious people misbehave in the name of their religion. Some of the most religious people have bullied me for no reason in the past. And sometimes people use religion as an excuse to kill others. No thanks.

 

[JCnator]

I did believe in religion for a short while when I was much younger, but that was when I was much less smarter than I am today. Slightly before I reached 13 years old, I stopped believing it.

My problem with the religions mostly lies on what happens if I happen to commit a sin according to said religion. Would I die by everything suddenly trying to murder me? Or rather the practitioners of that religion simply rejecting me for my misbehaving? Common sense for me would point to the latter, especially when considering that any religion could've been started by humans from a distant past when they needed to keep their morality up in first place. From there, I can't convince myself going back to any religion anymore, as it seems shady.

Aside from being able to belong with some other peoples, I think religion should be outdated by now, as the humanity progressed so far they wouldn't need it anymore, with the exception of them being heavily correlated to poverty. Science, morality and philosophy are more than capable on convincingly bringing the happiness for me. Religion will be likely my very last resort if everything else failed me.

 

[EpicGamer12]

This is exactly what I hate about religion. When I say that I don't believe in the existence of "god" and people try to pin it on me that I'm uneducated. I'm perfectly educated considering I grew up in a Christian home. I don't need to read your theories and see your "proof" about why I need to believe god exists.

I'm not saying you are generally uneducated. I'm talking to the people who think they have concrete proof that God doesn't exist. Remember that it goes both ways. People tell me the exact same thing about how God doesn't exist. I could say that is exactly what I hate about non-religion. Try not to look at things solely from your own point of view.

- - - Post Merge - - -

I disagree. Just because I don't believe in God, and same goes for many others, doesn't mean that I deny his existence, or have to make a super advanced point as to why I don't. Just like no one should have to explain why they're religious. While many people do deny his existence, that's okay. If they don't believe in him, there's no point making them read something they don't really care for just to make advanced arguments.

Again, I'm really referring to the people who actually care and want to make a case on his existence. I'm not trying to bring people who don't want to discuss existence of a God into a discussion about the existence of God.

 

[Bowie]

theres not much difference between these two things. the foundation of religion is religious people. as such, you should learn to respect both even if you dont agree with them. im sure youd like us to respect your beliefs even if we dont agree with them

I think there's a huge difference. You can hate carrots without hating the people who eat carrots. Religion is a lot like a carrot, Esphas.

I don't expect respect from anybody, actually. I don't particularly care about that sorta thing. I respect myself and my beliefs and what other people think isn't really my place to talk. There are a lot of other, much more intelligent individuals with the same beliefs as me who can make a better argument, so there's no point in me caring whether or not, just as an example, somebody hates carrots.

 

[Beardo]

Nah, it's not really for me. I'm a free spirit or whatever

 

[Halloqueen]

I was raised into religion and went to catholic school for all of my education until my high school graduation. I abandoned organized religion early in my high school career when I saw classmates using racial slurs and the awful things some people do to others, using their faith as their justification.

I don't know where I stand now. Initially after the break-off I considered myself wholly atheist, but now I might be agnostic. It's hard to just toss away all those years of indoctrination. Whatever the case may be, if the people who use their religion to belittle and demonize others are permitted heaven, I'd rather there be nothing for us after death.

 

[Esphas]

I think there's a huge difference. You can hate carrots without hating the people who eat carrots. Religion is a lot like a carrot, Esphas.

I don't expect respect from anybody, actually. I don't particularly care about that sorta thing. I respect myself and my beliefs and what other people think isn't really my place to talk. There are a lot of other, much more intelligent individuals with the same beliefs as me who can make a better argument, so there's no point in me caring whether or not, just as an example, somebody hates carrots.

well, no. carrots arent a way of life. by disrespecting someones religion and calling it silly, youre not being respectful toward someones way of life. and thats the difference. also carrots dont need us to eat them in order to be grown. religion requires the faith of people to thrive

and okay but i didnt say that you expect them to respect your beliefs, i said im sure youd like it if they did. and even if you wouldnt, i dont understand why youd want to be rude by not respecting their beliefs even if its not mutual

 

[cinny]

Not really or not at all.
my family is catholic. Although I tell others I am catholic, esp my relatives because they would insult me.
I believe religion has caused my family to become lunatics and hypocrites. It's sad because I wanted to practice my religion as a kid but not anymore.

I respect others who are religious or not, but don't throw it in my face like my family.

 

[Twisterheart]

I'm kind of shocked at all the people who said that religion is pointless and dumb. My religion really helped me out a lot and brought me out of dark times. Without it I don't think I would still be here. But I guess everyone has their own opinions.

 

[Bowie]

well, no. carrots arent a way of life. by disrespecting someones religion and calling it silly, youre not being respectful toward someones way of life. and thats the difference. also carrots dont need us to eat them in order to be grown. religion requires the faith of people to thrive

and okay but i didnt say that you expect them to respect your beliefs, i said im sure youd like it if they did. and even if you wouldnt, i dont understand why youd want to be rude by not respecting their beliefs even if its not mutual

For a lot of Christians (not all of them), neither is religion. People say they're Christian and have never read the Bible in full ever, in their entire lives. That's the reality of religion. It's comparable to a carrot, except perhaps that carrots don't cause as much damage as religion and probably taste a lot nicer than a page of the Bible (I don't say that from experience, in case you're thinking of ordering it at a restaurant).

I actually don't. It'd be nice, and I certainly wouldn't object, but I don't really care. I believe what I believe and you believe what you believe. As long as you're not interfering with me, I respect you. That's not to say you can't disrespect me or my beliefs, you know? I don't care for that at all, and no opportunities come along for me to be rude to Christians because I'm a nice person. I'm a wonderful person, and I'm not rude. If you hate carrots and you buy me a bunch of carrots, we can be good friends.

 

[Esphas]

For a lot of Christians (not all of them), neither is religion. People say they're Christian and have never read the Bible in full ever, in their entire lives. That's the reality of religion. It's comparable to a carrot, except perhaps that carrots don't cause as much damage as religion and probably taste a lot nicer than a page of the Bible (I don't say that from experience, in case you're thinking of ordering it at a restaurant).

I actually don't. It'd be nice, and I certainly wouldn't object, but I don't really care. I believe what I believe and you believe what you believe. As long as you're not interfering with me, I respect you. That's not to say you can't disrespect me or my beliefs, you know? I don't care for that at all, and no opportunities come along for me to be rude to Christians because I'm a nice person. I'm a wonderful person, and I'm not rude. If you hate carrots and you buy me a bunch of carrots, we can be good friends.

why are you suddenly bringing the bible in to this? and when did i specifically say christians? i was speaking generally. and no by way of life i mean obviously someones religion influences them, and if it doesnt and they dont pay attention or care about their own religion at all, they arent religious. we arent talking about ppl who only claim to be religious, were talking about actual religious people. and the fact of the matter is my point still stands. religion relies on people to exist. also why not try focussing on the good things religion brings? it helps people get through bad times and in some cases helps people become better people. its gives people hope when they have nothing left. and thats not to mention that although religion causes stuff like war or damage, in most cases its how people interpret religion that causes the damage. in that same sense, you disrespect religion for the fault of people yet you say you respect the people but not the religion. youre only contradicting yourself. so no, carrots are the worst analogy

if youre saying itd be nice then obviously you like it. you said yourself you would have no objections. no matter if you care or not youd still find it nice. and okay but its still the actions of the people that cause the damage. this is clearly something you care about and therefore it is effecting you, so the majority of religious people effect you. people will always fine a way to hurt other people even if its not through the medium of the religion. you could tickle someone to death with a feather but its not the feathers fault, just like people can hurt others through religion but the religion didnt do anything, it was the person hurting the people

 

[Bowie]

why are you suddenly bringing the bible in to this? and when did i specifically say christians? i was speaking generally. and no by way of life i mean obviously someones religion influences them, and if it doesnt and they dont pay attention or care about their own religion at all, they arent religious. we arent talking about ppl who only claim to be religious, were talking about actual religious people. and the fact of the matter is my point still stands. religion relies on people to exist. also why not try focussing on the good things religion brings? it helps people get through bad times and in some cases helps people become better people. its gives people hope when they have nothing left. and thats not to mention that although religion causes stuff like war or damage, in most cases its how people interpret religion that causes the damage. in that same sense, you disrespect religion for the fault of people yet you say you respect the people but not the religion. youre only contradicting yourself. so no, carrots are the worst analogy

if youre saying itd be nice then obviously you like it. you said yourself you would have no objections. no matter if you care or not youd still find it nice. and okay but its still the actions of the people that cause the damage. this is clearly something you care about and therefore it is effecting you, so the majority of religious people effect you. people will always fine a way to hurt other people even if its not through the medium of the religion. you could tickle someone to death with a feather but its not the feathers fault, just like people can hurt others through religion but the religion didnt do anything, it was the person hurting the people

You are very defensive about this, aren't you? Look, I don't really care. I don't like religion, I don't see the point of religion, and I personally believe you shouldn't have to believe in talking snakes and men in the sky in order to be a good, caring, loving person. So, that's how I feel about it. You've made yourself extremely clear how you feel about the subject, so I feel that it's better for the sake of this thread and the more logical conversations I'm sure are possible here, if we just drop it, all right? All right.

 

[piichinu]

You are very defensive about this, aren't you? Look, I don't really care. I don't like religion, I don't see the point of religion, and I personally believe you shouldn't have to believe in talking snakes and men in the sky in order to be a good, caring, loving person. So, that's how I feel about it. You've made yourself extremely clear how you feel about the subject, so I feel that it's better for the sake of this thread and the more logical conversations I'm sure are possible here, if we just drop it, all right? All right.

wow i have never seen something so condescending

 

[Esphas]

You are very defensive about this, aren't you? Look, I don't really care. I don't like religion, I don't see the point of religion, and I personally believe you shouldn't have to believe in talking snakes and men in the sky in order to be a good, caring, loving person. So, that's how I feel about it. You've made yourself extremely clear how you feel about the subject, so I feel that it's better for the sake of this thread and the more logical conversations I'm sure are possible here, if we just drop it, all right? All right.

well no. im not even religious. it was a debate and i was simply arguing my side, as you were yours. if you didnt care you wouldnt have replied so dont act so above this. im not going to ask that you respect religion but i am going to ask that you dont disrespect it. thats how the damage that religion has caused started; by people disrespecting other peoples beliefs

 

[Bowie]

I just rolled my eyes so high I actually saw God. I am now a believer.

Okay, fine, to avoid accusations of being condescending, I am bringing the Bible into this because the Bible is a symbolism of the mainstream religious belief (in this country, at least). I am not addressing the Bible in any really drastic way. So, I'm not sure what you're getting so upset about there, but all right.

I am addressing religion as a whole. I'm using Christians as an example because, again, they're arguably the most mainstream religious people who live in this country. Again, I'm not sure what you're so upset about with what I've said so far. That is irreverent to the point that I'm trying to make, of which you're not paying any attention to. You're obviously very angry.

I'm not perfectly sure why you're so angry at me. I don't like religion. So what? You can go be religious and do religious things, whatever a religious person does (or not. I don't know you and you don't know me. You could be Satan and I wouldn't know, or care). I don't want to do that because I don't care and I don't believe in any religious bodies at the moment.

About the effects of religion, yes, I understand not everybody (I tried to make this as clear as possible but, again, nobody is paying attention) is awful and cuts people's heads off or drives people to suicide, but what I'm saying is that, I don't personally (keep in mind the word "personally") believe that the positive effects of religion are worth what the negative ones are. That's my personal opinion. I don't care for yours, because I am not you. I am me, all right? Now can we stop?

 

[kassie]

I just rolled my eyes so high I actually saw God. I am now a believer.

(Liking your post simply for this -- made me lol pretty hard)

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No, I'm not religious. I was baptized Catholic when I was like 5 though. I wish my parents would have waited until I was older so I could of had an say on whether or not I was baptized into that religion.

 

[Esphas]

I just rolled my eyes so high I actually saw God. I am now a believer.

Okay, fine, to avoid accusations of being condescending, I am bringing the Bible into this because the Bible is a symbolism of the mainstream religious belief (in this country, at least). I am not addressing the Bible in any really drastic way. So, I'm not sure what you're getting so upset about there, but all right.

I am addressing religion as a whole. I'm using Christians as an example because, again, they're arguably the most mainstream religious people who live in this country. Again, I'm not sure what you're so upset about with what I've said so far. That is irreverent to the point that I'm trying to make, of which you're not paying any attention to. You're obviously very angry.

I'm not perfectly sure why you're so angry at me. I don't like religion. So what? You can go be religious and do religious things, whatever a religious person does (or not. I don't know you and you don't know me. You could be Satan and I wouldn't know, or care). I don't want to do that because I don't care and I don't believe in any religious bodies at the moment.

About the effects of religion, yes, I understand not everybody (I tried to make this as clear as possible but, again, nobody is paying attention) is awful and cuts people's heads off or drives people to suicide, but what I'm saying is that, I don't personally (keep in mind the word "personally") believe that the positive effects of religion are worth what the negative ones are. That's my personal opinion. I don't care for yours, because I am not you. I am me, all right? Now can we stop?

yikes. oh my god dude chill out. youre the one being an arrogant condescending sarcastic ahole. i wasnt mad but honestly this is pretty riling. the fact youve ignored everything ive said that is. if you had actually read what i said, i told you the reason i was debating with you

thats how the damage that religion has caused started; by people disrespecting other peoples beliefs

and also i dont really care about what religion is the main one in your country. is it typical of the people who reside there to be so self absorbed? the side im arguing for covers all religion, not just christianity and i dont want it watered down as such

youre literally just proving further just how condescending you are. you havent listened to a word ive said

i didnt even say theyre not all bad. i just said not everyone who claims to be religious is, and that theyre not really religious. its the ones who are really religious im trying to defend

i care for your opinion because disrespect is exactly what leads to "cutting people's heads off or drives people to suicide". you said outright you disrespect religion

 

[piichinu]

*cough*passive aggressive*cough*victimization*cough*changing the subject*cough*

- - - Post Merge - - -

i think i might be getting a cold :/

 

[Bowie]

yikes. oh my god dude chill out. youre the one being an arrogant condescending sarcastic ahole. i wasnt mad but honestly this is pretty riling. the fact youve ignored everything ive said that is. if you had actually read what i said, i told you the reason i was debating with you



and also i dont really care about what religion is the main one in your country. is it typical of the people who reside their to be so self absorbed? the side im arguing for covers all religion, not just christianity and i dont want it watered down as such

youre literally just proving further just how condescending you are. you havent listened to a word ive said

i didnt even say theyre not all bad. i just said not everyone who claims to be religious is, and that theyre not really religious. its the ones who are really religious im trying to defend

i care for your opinion because disrespect is exactly what leads to "cutting people's heads off or drives people to suicide". you said outright you disrespect religion

Sarcastic? Honey, I'm being serious here. I disrespect religion. I proudly disrespect religion, as a whole. I don't disrespect you as a person or any other random religious person. I disrespect the beliefs of that person. There's a big difference and I've already explained this to you but you're not listening and I'm supposedly not listening either so I think we should just end it there.

I'm not attacking nobody. I just believe that the negative effects have a far more powerful impact on the world. If God helps someone feel better when a loved one dies, that's nice and all, but when thousands of priests rape children using the Catholic church, their feelings righteously go out the window, so, that's all I have to say about it.

That's all I have to say about it. Now, fancy a carrot?