NationStates Jolt Archive

There are many religions that aren’t, how shall I put it, as reputable as others. They carry with them a dark aspect that many people simply dislike. That’s not to say that the entire religions is bad, just that certain people of that religion make it seem that way. So what parts of religion make it dark, and what parts aren’t so dark? Well here’s a list of the best and worst aspects of religion that I can come up with. You can discuss, suggest additions, or seek explanation. Well here’s the list so far, will edit when new ideas arise.

Best:
1. Community and socialization.
2. Celebrations and ceremonies, without which life would be boring.
3. Interesting stories that provide people with archetypes, especially in rough times.
4. Something to reference.

Worst:
1. Fundamentalists.
2. Religious, rules and dogma, using religion to subjugate it’s own people.
3. Using religion to justify war
4. Blind obedience.
5. Absolute Truth Claims
6. Trying to exterminate or at least subjugate other religions or people because of their religion.

I must admit that so far the worst dominates the best, but not everybody embodies the worst aspects of religion. Some people have an aversion towards the worst aspects, others may not know they even embody the worst, while others willfully embody the worst.

Note: Poll has nothing to do with main topic, it's an aside.

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Out of all the demons in this world, none is more frightening than man

*shrugs* I mean, I'ma be honest: religion is a crutch. I'm not saying, now, that it is for the weak; on the contrary, it takes much strength of the flesh AND spirit to be devout. Religion is a great standby to pick you up when you're down. When you feel like nothing else is going right in your life, and you have no control, with religion, you know that Someone/thing is watching over you, and that you are a part of something larger than yourself.

That being said, yes, some people use that crutch to trip others, and that's sad and mean and abusive. It has sullied the good names of many organized religions (i.e. the Crusades to Christianity, 9/11 to Islam, etc). Such people need to realize that a belief system, while being a way of life, should be used to better oneself, not to hurt others.

I dunno, that's just my two cents.

DP

TP

QP

Opera sucks.

Grrr... no I mean, really, it sucks.

Because it didn't tell me that the message had actually posted!

Mods, if you see this, I kindly ask that you delete the duplicates...

(deleted)

(deleted)

Thats why I'm a Buddhist 8)

Thats why I'm a Buddhist 8)
Ahh, yes Buddhism the godless religion. Without a supreme being, or big book supposedly written by a supreme being a long time ago telling you what’s right and what’s wrong, there will be less of the worst aspect.

BTW, I am so disappointed of the number of people who are unfamiliar with Troma films. Hasn’t anybody heard of the Toxic Advenger?
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Out of all the demons in this world, none is more frightening than man

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormonism) seems pretty good. The only "bad" things about it are:

1: A lot of weird rituals that outsiders would be weirded out by.
2: people are skeptical as to the origin of the Book of Mormon, but we can easily rebuttle that.
3: Practiced Polygamy (and possibly teenage marriages) utill they were made illegal.
4: Even though they have doctrines and records about only fighting in self-defense except when commanded not to fight, there is one contraversial point in mormon history with mixed accounts. That incident is still claimed by mormons to be in self-defense, but many are skeptical.

So yeah... we're not violent, we don't have any fundamentalists or extremists, our purpose is mostly one of community and selflessness and welfare. We give tons and tons of supplies to problem countries, we send teenagers over to poverty-stricken countries to serve as voluntary service missionaries with no monetary compensation, we give an education to those who can not afford it in 3rd world countries, we run great cheap universities, we are models of example of moral standards in our schools and neighborhoods...

We clothe the naked, feed the hungry, and take in the poor... We love one another, we give aid to those not of our faith... We are what Christianity was supposed to be.

I don't get it. My brother in law couldn't even attend his sister's wedding because he doesn't practice it anymore. Thats just twisted. I say get out while you still can.

I don't get it. My brother in law couldn't even attend his sister's wedding because he doesn't practice it anymore. Thats just twisted. I say get out while you still can.if you're talking about Mormonism, there's a good reason. See, Mormons have a word that very few religions still use... that word is "sacred." Sacred, meaning something done behind closed doors in special circumstances done under direct commandment By God, and in God's presence, in a holy temple that no unclean/unworthy person may enter. But you guys, when you see Sacred, you immediately think "Secret" which is totally untrue.

Having a nonmenber enter the temple would be like having a Guy with muddy boots trod all over a white carpet.

Surely you can respect our wishes... I mean, it's unusual nowadays, but we take such things very seriously.

Besides, it's not like you're forbidden from the reception...

if you're talking about Mormonism, there's a good reason. See, Mormons have a word that very few religions still use... that word is "sacred." Sacred, meaning something done behind closed doors in special circumstances done under direct commandment By God, and in God's presence, in a holy temple that no unclean/unworthy person may enter. But you guys, when you see Sacred, you immediately think "Secret" which is totally untrue.

Having a nonmenber enter the temple would be like having a Guy with muddy boots trod all over a white carpet.

Surely you can respect our wishes... I mean, it's unusual nowadays, but we take such things very seriously.

Besides, it's not like you're forbidden from the reception...
You can still have a sacred temple while still allowing outsiders in. So long as they don’t disrespect the temple, religion, or other members. It wouldn’t have desanctified your temple any to allow non-members into the temple for ceremonies such as a wedding. Just because something is sacred doesn’t necessarily mean that it must be secret. And just because something is secret doesn’t mean that it’s more sacred, that just means that it's more exclusive.
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Out of all the demons in this world, none is more frightening than man

if you're talking about Mormonism, there's a good reason. See, Mormons have a word that very few religions still use... that word is "sacred." Sacred, meaning something done behind closed doors in special circumstances done under direct commandment By God, and in God's presence, in a holy temple that no unclean/unworthy person may enter. But you guys, when you see Sacred, you immediately think "Secret" which is totally untrue.

Having a nonmenber enter the temple would be like having a Guy with muddy boots trod all over a white carpet.

Surely you can respect our wishes... I mean, it's unusual nowadays, but we take such things very seriously.

Besides, it's not like you're forbidden from the reception...
You can still have a sacred temple while still allowing outsiders in. So long as they don’t disrespect the temple, religion, or other members. It wouldn’t have desanctified your temple any to allow non-members into the temple for ceremonies such as a wedding. Just because something is sacred doesn’t necessarily mean that it must be secret. And just because something is secret doesn’t mean that it’s more sacred, that just means that it's more exclusive.
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Out of all the demons in this world, none is more frightening than manmaybe it's the fact that our wedding ceremonies are very unorthodox, and are actually a very sacred event. No offense, but we consider our temple weddings to be far more important than the more secular weddings. our weddings are truely something to be kept sacred.

Most of the secular stuff is done at the receptions.

maybe it's the fact that our wedding ceremonies are very unorthodox, and are actually a very sacred event. No offense, but we consider our temple weddings to be far more important than the more secular weddings. our weddings are truely something to be kept sacred.

Most of the secular stuff is done at the receptions.
I've never been to a wedding before, but I understand that marriage is very sacred, as it should be if done religiously. One thing that I want to know is approximately how sacred marriage is to your religion, and what approximately is the divorce rate.
__________________________________________________
Out of all the demons in this world, none is more frightening than man

There are many religions that aren’t, how shall I put it, as reputable as others. They carry with them a dark aspect that many people simply dislike. That’s not to say that the entire religions is bad, just that certain people of that religion make it seem that way. So what parts of religion make it dark, and what parts aren’t so dark? Well here’s a list of the best and worst aspects of religion that I can come up with. You can discuss, suggest additions, or seek explanation. Well here’s the list so far, will edit when new ideas arise.

Best:
1. Community and socialization.
2. Celebrations and ceremonies, without which life would be boring.
3. Interesting stories that provide people with archetypes, especially in rough times.
4. Something to reference.

Worst:
1. Fundamentalists.
2. Religious, rules and dogma, using religion to subjugate it’s own people.
3. Using religion to justify war
4. Blind obedience.
5. Absolute Truth Claims
6. Trying to exterminate or at least subjugate other religions or people because of their religion.

I must admit that so far the worst dominates the best, but not everybody embodies the worst aspects of religion. Some people have an aversion towards the worst aspects, others may not know they even embody the worst, while others willfully embody the worst.

Note: Poll has nothing to do with main topic, it's an aside.

__________________________________________________
Out of all the demons in this world, none is more frightening than man

I'd like to think we Mennonites fare pretty well on this scale.
The downside is that the close-knit community has high expectations of its members; someone whose actions indicate pride, aggression or materialism may very well be shunned.

Well, for one, I've never heard of Troma :D .

Anyways, I'm not a very religous person, because to me, all the religions are kinda to extreme. Sometimes it seems like "ok look, believe in my religion, or you are damned. Everyone else is wrong except us." I just don't like that.

maybe it's the fact that our wedding ceremonies are very unorthodox, and are actually a very sacred event. No offense, but we consider our temple weddings to be far more important than the more secular weddings. our weddings are truely something to be kept sacred.

Most of the secular stuff is done at the receptions.
I've never been to a wedding before, but I understand that marriage is very sacred, as it should be if done religiously. One thing that I want to know is approximately how sacred marriage is to your religion, and what approximately is the divorce rate.
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Out of all the demons in this world, none is more frightening than manWell, i haven't attended a Mormon wedding, all i know is you have to be sinless before God (through repentance, of course) to attend the ceremony.

And the divorce rate is extremely low. I'd say 1 in 20, maybe 1 in 30 among active mormons.

actually, the divorce rate is somewhere around 2-3% among active members. i just found this out a few weeks ago.

Well, for one, I've never heard of Troma :D .

Anyways, I'm not a very religous person, because to me, all the religions are kinda to extreme. Sometimes it seems like "ok look, believe in my religion, or you are damned. Everyone else is wrong except us." I just don't like that.

Thats why I'm a Buddhist 8)

actually, the divorce rate is somewhere around 2-3% among active members. i just found this out a few weeks ago.what did I just say... 1 in 20 to 1 in 30, that's 5%-3%... I overshot! :)

just fyi. the lower the # the better...

just fyi. the lower the # the better......really? :P

dude, what the heck is with the sarcasm? i'm "on your side". if that's what you wanna call it.

dude, what the heck is with the sarcasm? i'm "on your side". if that's what you wanna call it.lol sorry

you're forgiven.

you're forgiven.

To forgive is divine.

All hail Aquaville =P j/k

There are many religions that aren’t, how shall I put it, as reputable as others. They carry with them a dark aspect that many people simply dislike. That’s not to say that the entire religions is bad, just that certain people of that religion make it seem that way. So what parts of religion make it dark, and what parts aren’t so dark? Well here’s a list of the best and worst aspects of religion that I can come up with. You can discuss, suggest additions, or seek explanation. Well here’s the list so far, will edit when new ideas arise.

Best:
1. Community and socialization.
2. Celebrations and ceremonies, without which life would be boring.
3. Interesting stories that provide people with archetypes, especially in rough times.
4. Something to reference.

Worst:
1. Fundamentalists.
2. Religious, rules and dogma, using religion to subjugate it’s own people.
3. Using religion to justify war
4. Blind obedience.
5. Absolute Truth Claims
6. Trying to exterminate or at least subjugate other religions or people because of their religion.

I must admit that so far the worst dominates the best, but not everybody embodies the worst aspects of religion. Some people have an aversion towards the worst aspects, others may not know they even embody the worst, while others willfully embody the worst.

Note: Poll has nothing to do with main topic, it's an aside.

__________________________________________________
Out of all the demons in this world, none is more frightening than man

Kind of tying into number six here, is one of the most irritating facets of religion (at least to me): the constant proselytization. I am sick and tired of people from all different faiths coming up to me while I'm walking to school or while I'm on my lunch break, or on the ferry, or wherever, and trying to convince me why their God is so much better than any I may or may not already feel. I dunno. That's just my feelings on the matter.

There is no such thing as a Satanic community. We are each, in and of ourselves, Unique.

That means That if I consider you family, then I am your family, and will stand with you.

Jim SC

If you can find a decent community to be with it can be very sustaining.
You now, somebody to care if you get sick, somebody that knows your birthday, somebody that you may enjoy working with, chatting with, sharing ideas and complaints etc.

Bad communities suck the life right out of ya though.

If you can find a decent community to be with it can be very sustaining.
You now, somebody to care if you get sick, somebody that knows your birthday, somebody that you may enjoy working with, chatting with, sharing ideas and complaints etc.

Bad communities suck the life right out of ya though.

Coll. I have found mine, and remarkably it is not Satanic.



Ave Satanis!
Rege Satanis!
Hail Satan!

Big Jim P!
SC!

http://www.magickalshadow.com/daca/

http://www.shelterfordarkness.com/dadv/index.html

Kind of tying into number six here, is one of the most irritating facets of religion (at least to me): the constant proselytization. I am sick and tired of people from all different faiths coming up to me while I'm walking to school or while I'm on my lunch break, or on the ferry, or wherever, and trying to convince me why their God is so much better than any I may or may not already feel. I dunno. That's just my feelings on the matter.
Yes, that is one of the most annoying aspects. It can be like children taunting another child because of his hair style. Or at it's worst it's more like the Nazi concentration camps.

And still hardly anybody knows about Troma films. I’m so disappointed in everyone here. There are a lot of great Troma films out there like the Toxic Avenger series, Terror firmer, Cannibal The Musical, and so much more.
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Out of all the demons in this world, none is more frightening than man