NationStates Jolt Archive

Why is religion so important? Why does it govern such a large part of our lives? I, who do not even believe in Christianity, am affected by it. Because of this religion, I can't buy beer on Sunday, or drugs (I live in the U.S). Some people are not allowed to marry the person that they love. A man in the hospital cannot be saved because we don’t want to destroy life (stem cell research). Those that suffer, and have no chance of recovery cannot choose to end their own lives. Why is this? Why is it that someone in some backwater state can tell me how I can and cannot live my life? I don’t get this?

Another note, why do people in general, no matter what religion they are, even if they are Atheists care so deeply about what others believe. I have been told that I am going to hell because I don’t believe certain things. It is the same thing on the Atheist side. Personally, I don’t know whether there is a god or not, and don’t care, I would just like to live my life the way I choose. Can’t we all just get along?

It would be to easy for some mate ..

Its as if they want all the hasstle that it brings and has caused ..

Beats me

People are brought up believing in such things. From a very young age they are taught that religion is more important than life and death. Also people identify themselves with their particular religion. This creates sort of an "us and them" mindset.

I'm agnostic. Frankly, I don't know if God exists or not, and I don't think I'll ever have some kind of life changing event or anything like that. However, I try to respect other people's beliefs/religions and try to learn about them as much as possible. Understanding other people can never be a bad thing.

Another note, why do people in general, no matter what religion they are, even if they are Atheists care so deeply about what others believe. I have been told that I am going to hell because I don’t believe certain things. It is the same thing on the Atheist side. Personally, I don’t know whether there is a god or not, and don’t care, I would just like to live my life the way I choose. Can’t we all just get along?

:D Well said, and I would say that atheists are not interested in what other people believe they are just tired of the bible thumpers that rag on/annoy them on a constant basis, thus the birth of the angry atheist.

Why is religion so important? Why does it govern such a large part of our lives? I, who do not even believe in Christianity, am affected by it. Because of this religion, I can't buy beer on Sunday, or drugs (I live in the U.S). Some people are not allowed to marry the person that they love. A man in the hospital cannot be saved because we don’t want to destroy life (stem cell research). Those that suffer, and have no chance of recovery cannot choose to end their own lives. Why is this? Why is it that someone in some backwater state can tell me how I can and cannot live my life? I don’t get this?

Another note, why do people in general, no matter what religion they are, even if they are Atheists care so deeply about what others believe. I have been told that I am going to hell because I don’t believe certain things. It is the same thing on the Atheist side. Personally, I don’t know whether there is a god or not, and don’t care, I would just like to live my life the way I choose. Can’t we all just get along?

Hell, because of religion, a lot of women aren't getting their prescriptions filled for birth control because the pharmacists "don't believe in it". :rolleyes: :mad:

These fundie Christians make MY religion look bad. :mad:

Quote:
Originally Posted by Anti-American radicals
Another note, why do people in general, no matter what religion they are, even if they are Atheists care so deeply about what others believe. I have been told that I am going to hell because I don’t believe certain things. It is the same thing on the Atheist side. Personally, I don’t know whether there is a god or not, and don’t care, I would just like to live my life the way I choose. Can’t we all just get along?


Well said, and I would say that atheists are not interested in what other people believe they are just tired of the bible thumpers that rag on/annoy them on a constant basis, thus the birth of the angry atheist.

The gazelle said to the lion "Can't we all just get along..?"

And the lion said "Sure,.. simply sacrifice a few of yours, and we'll get along like we always have"

At which the gazelle, being young and really not liking this whole "ecology" thing said "But can't you just go eat harmless grass, like we do..?"

Whereupon the young gazelle was mauled into a fitting lunch for a hungry lion who had tired of the incessent whining of young prey.

The gazelle said to the lion "Can't we all just get along..?"

And the lion said "Sure,.. simply sacrifice a few of yours, and we'll get along like we always have"

At which the gazelle, being young and really not liking this whole "ecology" thing said "But can't you just go eat harmless grass, like we do..?"

Whereupon the young gazelle was mauled into a fitting lunch for a hungry lion who had tired of the incessent whining of young prey.

Eh? :confused:

Hell, because of religion, a lot of women aren't getting their prescriptions filled for birth control because the pharmacists "don't believe in it". :rolleyes: :mad:

These fundie Christians make MY religion look bad. :mad:

Ah,.. yes,.. the infantile one speaks.

When you're grown to where you are not so hate filled and psychotic, you'll see the ways of the world as an interesting game, and people such as you used to be in your youth, as serving the necessary function of idealistic fungus.

And the fungus tells us where to do some cleaning.

:)

Ah,.. yes,.. the infantile one speaks.

When you're grown to where you are not so hate filled and psychotic, you'll see the ways of the world as an interesting game, and people such as you used to be in your youth, as serving the necessary function of idealistic fungus.

And the fungus tells us where to do some cleaning.

:)


Its funny when someone doesnt have an answer for the problem question obviously involving them and they dribble utter pish like that.

Ah,.. yes,.. the infantile one speaks.

When you're grown to where you are not so hate filled and psychotic, you'll see the ways of the world as an interesting game, and people such as you used to be in your youth, as serving the necessary function of idealistic fungus.

And the fungus tells us where to do some cleaning.

:)Have you been eating fungus?

Why is religion so important? Why does it govern such a large part of our lives? I, who do not even believe in Christianity, am affected by it. Because of this religion, I can't buy beer on Sunday, or drugs (I live in the U.S). Some people are not allowed to marry the person that they love. A man in the hospital cannot be saved because we don’t want to destroy life (stem cell research). Those that suffer, and have no chance of recovery cannot choose to end their own lives. Why is this? Why is it that someone in some backwater state can tell me how I can and cannot live my life? I don’t get this?

This comes from a Christian...I think the beer thing is kinda silly.

About your "drug" thing, I'm not sure which sort of drugs you're talking about, so I can't address that.

With the gay marriage thing, I do think churches and religions have a right to decide what they will recognize as marriage, but I do think there should be a civil union that gets the same recognition on other levels (particularly financial, because I've seen how lack of this coverage can impact a gay couple). As for whether my church should accept gay marriage--I don't really have an opinion, to be honest.

About stem-cell research, I do have trouble with this one, but only with one kind of it...if I were the one who was terminally ill, I don't think I could accept a cure that came about by the particular method of stem-cell research that creates embryos for the purpose. I think that would be too steep a price to pay for my life. Why do you never hear about stem cells taken from adults, or from the afterbirth (placenta/umbilical cord, etc.)? These do exist, and I get the feeling that some forget that. Simply because one method is causing a controversy, people act like it's a completely black-and-white issue, that if you stop that, then you've brought the entire concept to a grinding halt.

The final one needs clarification as well...are we talking about doctor-assisted suicide, or simply the idea of a living will?

Lastly...I think it's rather narrow to assume that all who may believe against the things you named are from "backwater states", which I am going to assume (and I may be wrong) that you mean the Southeastern U.S. While there are many very conservative religious people here, they are all over the nation (conservative types, I mean). If they were all in the South, was gay marriage defeated in Ohio? They certainly aren't part of the South that you're thinking of. We'll have more data after the election (it's on the ballot in several states), but I'm not sure you can blame one region for the things you don't like.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Iakeokeo
Ah,.. yes,.. the infantile one speaks.

When you're grown to where you are not so hate filled and psychotic, you'll see the ways of the world as an interesting game, and people such as you used to be in your youth, as serving the necessary function of idealistic fungus.

And the fungus tells us where to do some cleaning.


Its funny when someone doesnt have an answer for the problem question obviously involving them and they dribble utter pish like that.
__________________
____________________________
Hmmmm.... Time to change my underpants

Yes, Camy,.. it IS time to change your underpants..!

If you don't understand what you're reading, simply ask for clarification.

And learn to speak english, buckaroo..!

You're making the scots look REALLY bad. (An assumption about the scots, there, as I seem to remember some reference to Scotland somewhere associated with you.)

Yes, Camy,.. it IS time to change your underpants..!

If you don't understand what you're reading, simply ask for clarification.

And learn to speak english, buckaroo..!

You're making the scots look REALLY bad. (An assumption about the scots, there, as I seem to remember some reference to Scotland somewhere associated with you.)


OMG here we go again LOL you really are quite pathetic as you have just showed NS.

Trying to make me angry wont work m8 your wrong and cant handle it and the sweat may be tricking down your scared head as you realise the fantasy may be fake.

Mate dont be scared im not

So... do you want people to surpress their opinions? People say that stuff because they have opinions about things and we're a very vocal species.

Yes, Camy,.. it IS time to change your underpants..!

If you don't understand what you're reading, simply ask for clarification.

And learn to speak english, buckaroo..!

You're making the scots look REALLY bad. (An assumption about the scots, there, as I seem to remember some reference to Scotland somewhere associated with you.)

What an Odd Person!

Anywho, i dont belive in a single "True" God, and certinly dont think it should govern our lives. Lets just belive what we want to belive and not care about anyone elses belifs!

Why is religion so important? Why does it govern such a large part of our lives?

Because of where our lives are going to all end up, sooner or later. Eventually, each of us will be worm chow, and that frightens people. It's all so scary, the idea that we have a few scant decades, at most, and then will vanish.

Plus, for that very reason, religion is an extremely effective means of wielding power over other people. Just ask Dubya. Or Pat Robertson. Or Jerry Falwell.

I'm agnostic. Frankly, I don't know if God exists or not, and I don't think I'll ever have some kind of life changing event or anything like that. However, I try to respect other people's beliefs/religions and try to learn about them as much as possible. Understanding other people can never be a bad thing.

Thas is exactly what I think.

What an Odd Person!

Anywho, i dont belive in a single "True" God, and certinly dont think it should govern our lives. Lets just belive what we want to belive and not care about anyone elses belifs!


If someone where to belive that they should kill your family, then I guess you
would not care? Maybe they belive in human sacrifice and your family happens to be the target, what then? Who is to say they are wrong? Not your philosophy, they are just doing what they belive.

If someone where to belive that they should kill your family, then I guess you would not care? Maybe they belive in human sacrifice and your family happens to be the target, what then? Who is to say they are wrong? Not your philosophy, they are just doing what they belive.

If someone were to kill my family, then i would kill them, pure and simple. Nothing to do with religion. Why should other people care what my religion is, then kill me for it? I just dont get it.

If someone where to belive that they should kill your family, then I guess you
would not care? Maybe they belive in human sacrifice and your family happens to be the target, what then? Who is to say they are wrong? Not your philosophy, they are just doing what they belive.


They are obviously one of the sickos in this world

If someone were to kill my family, then i would kill them, pure and simple. Nothing to do with religion. Why should other people care what my religion is, then kill me for it? I just dont get it.

In your statement that I quoted you spoke of beliefs. The point that I was trying to bring up was the issue of right and wrong and how those beliefs affect us even if our head is in the sand. By the way, moral beliefs are tied directly to religion. In my belief system, as I am sure in yours, killing other people is wrong. The question is, on what basis do we found this belief? The example may have been a bad one, but as a conservative Christian I have good reason and foundation for my moral beliefs, what is yours? Is it wrong to steal, to cheat, to lie, or murder? If so then why?

In your statement that I quoted you spoke of beliefs. The point that I was trying to bring up was the issue of right and wrong and how those beliefs affect us even if our head is in the sand. By the way, moral beliefs are tied directly to religion. In my belief system, as I am sure in yours, killing other people is wrong. The question is, on what basis do we found this belief? The example may have been a bad one, but as a conservative Christian I have good reason and foundation for my moral beliefs, what is yours? Is it wrong to steal, to cheat, to lie, or murder? If so then why?


I would most definately say its from what my parents taught me and with the love THEY gave to me i know in my heart its wrong to steal and murder.

It doesnt take a fantasy novel to teach anyone these so easy to teach rules of life.

I would most definately say its from what my parents taught me and with the love THEY gave to me i know in my heart its wrong to steal and murder.

It doesnt take a fantasy novel to teach anyone these so easy to teach rules of life.


Where did your parents learn these rules? How do you know that your heart is right? Maybe you just know. Not an acceptable answer, you would not let me go with such an answer. There has to be a starting point, a prime mover as Aristotle might say. Is it becaues of all the "good" in the world? I hardly think so. So, please tell me how your parents and your parent's parents and so forth knew to teach such moral philosophy.

I personally believe in a religion because my tiny human mind cannot comprehend nothingness. It is also a way for me to advance myself and become better.

Why it has such a massive influence on our lives is not a blanket term of all religions. Only the Xtian religions, that teach suppression, oppression and ignorance are really all that suppressing in daily life.

Where did your parents learn these rules? How do you know that your heart is right? Maybe you just know. Not an acceptable answer, you would not let me go with such an answer. There has to be a starting point, a prime mover as Aristotle might say. Is it becaues of all the "good" in the world? I hardly think so. So, please tell me how your parents and your parent's parents and so forth knew to teach such moral philosophy.

Sorry, won't wash, sonny Jim/Jane. I'm an infidel, my parents were thoroughly atheistic, and our ancestors on one side were persecuted for opposing prevailing religious belief. Religion does not teach morality, it gives some interesting stories that reinforce it. Are you saying that, before religion and without religion, people simply went around killing each other over food and sex with no control? Are you saying, then, that dolphins, chimps, wolves and shitloads of other social animals are following some sort of religion? Where are their shrines?

Why it has such a massive influence on our lives is not a blanket term of all religions. Only the Xtian religions, that teach suppression, oppression and ignorance are really all that suppressing in daily life.

Only the "Xtian" religion's written doctrines, which were written by MAN.

Sorry, won't wash, sonny Jim/Jane. I'm an infidel, my parents were thoroughly atheistic, and our ancestors on one side were persecuted for opposing prevailing religious belief. Religion does not teach morality, it gives some interesting stories that reinforce it. Are you saying that, before religion and without religion, people simply went around killing each other over food and sex with no control? Are you saying, then, that dolphins, chimps, wolves and shitloads of other social animals are following some sort of religion? Where are their shrines?


Quiet frankly, I do not understand the last part of your response/question, but Christianity does teach right morality and the proper way to respect others even if some have choose to reject and twist the teachings. It depends on how you deifine religion, but the truth is there was never a "before religion." God has always existed and He created man to worship Him even if they choose to reject Him. The main difference between animals and man is, man has an intellect and the abiltiy to choose to serve God or reject Him, animanls do not.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Iakeokeo
Yes, Camy,.. it IS time to change your underpants..!

If you don't understand what you're reading, simply ask for clarification.

And learn to speak english, buckaroo..!

You're making the scots look REALLY bad. (An assumption about the scots, there, as I seem to remember some reference to Scotland somewhere associated with you.)


What an Odd Person!

Anywho, i dont belive in a single "True" God, and certinly dont think it should govern our lives. Lets just belive what we want to belive and not care about anyone elses belifs!

Yes,.. I am indeed an admittedly "odd person". :D

See my other writings, hither and yon, to see just HOW odd..!

And your beliefs are excellent..!

I do hope you would allow my people the freedom to make our "very special" religion (a non-judeo/christian non-deist pantheonic ultimate absolutism religion) the center of our lives, as we prefer it that way...?

We don't force it on anyone, as that's just silly, and we'll talk about it, if anyone "outside" wishes to, incessantly, or at least until anyone gets tired of it.

So whadda 'ya say..!?

Can my people have their culture and religion..!? :)

Quiet frankly, I do not understand the last part of your response/question, but Christianity does teach right morality and the proper way to respect others...

Where did your parents learn these rules? How do you know that your heart is right? Maybe you just know. Not an acceptable answer, you would not let me go with such an answer...

You are right, you won't be getting away with that. You can't say that your book teaches "right morality" yet her parents are incapable without said book. That is foolishness.

Morality may have been rooted in some form of religion...and if it was it was assuredly something that pre-dates monothesim. But religion is not required for morality. Simply put, if I don't think I'd like something done to myself or someone I care about, I can figure I should probably not do it to someone else. Now, that doesn't always work of course, but neither does the strict nature in which religions dictate morals.

Oh, and I know that is a version of the Confucian "silver rule" so you could argue it is rooted in religion...but Confucious was just a man, so in the end a person still defined morality, not a god or what have you.

Why religion..?

Because it's fun.

Because it makes some people less anxious.

Because it is convenient.



How about a corollary question: Why Thinking..!?



..or "Got Milk?"

Arrogance...

This is my major beef with most organized religions. Everyone thinks THEY have the answer and anyone who disagrees is going to hell, or must be shot. Arrogance is what makes people think that we need to attack countries, because they need "liberation." I don’t care what you believe, but "keep your laws off my body." Anyway, I would like to note that Islam is the fastest growing religion on this planet. Just an interesting fact.

In your statement that I quoted you spoke of beliefs. The point that I was trying to bring up was the issue of right and wrong and how those beliefs affect us even if our head is in the sand. By the way, moral beliefs are tied directly to religion. In my belief system, as I am sure in yours, killing other people is wrong. The question is, on what basis do we found this belief? The example may have been a bad one, but as a conservative Christian I have good reason and foundation for my moral beliefs, what is yours? Is it wrong to steal, to cheat, to lie, or murder? If so then why?

Someone should die if they kill someone else. That's all i truly know and belive in. And I would Load the gun, switch the saftey off, and even pull the trigger if I had to.

As for Iakeokeo, you can belive whatever you want to. Go ahead! Be my guest!

Arrogance...

This is my major beef with most organized religions. Everyone thinks THEY have the answer and anyone who disagrees is going to hell, or must be shot. Arrogance is what makes people think that we need to attack countries, because they need "liberation." I don’t care what you believe, but "keep your laws off my body." Anyway, I would like to note that Islam is the fastest growing religion on this planet. Just an interesting fact.

Could one not say,... "Keep your beliefs out of my sight!"...?

Some people DO need liberation. Europe needed liberation from those nasty bad evil guys with the crooked crosses.

You may need liberation from some nasty bad evil guys trying to violate your body, in one way or another, after you unwisely ventured into the especailly dark part of the city park some night.

And the reason that Islam is the fastest growing religion on the planet is BECAUSE of it's arrogance.

It seeks to remove all choice from all people. All life is to be prescribed by the "learned" and dutifully followed.

Those of you who so hold choice as the ultimate good should, perhaps, remember that.

Quote:
Originally Posted by MtMoriah
In your statement that I quoted you spoke of beliefs. The point that I was trying to bring up was the issue of right and wrong and how those beliefs affect us even if our head is in the sand. By the way, moral beliefs are tied directly to religion. In my belief system, as I am sure in yours, killing other people is wrong. The question is, on what basis do we found this belief? The example may have been a bad one, but as a conservative Christian I have good reason and foundation for my moral beliefs, what is yours? Is it wrong to steal, to cheat, to lie, or murder? If so then why?


Someone should die if they kill someone else. That's all i truly know and belive in. And I would Load the gun, switch the saftey off, and even pull the trigger if I had to.

As for Iakeokeo, you can belive whatever you want to. Go ahead! Be my guest!

.."Someone should die if they kill someone else. That's all i truly know and belive in."..

If you kill someone harming your child, where killing them is the only way to stop them,... you should then die..?

Is that really all you believe in..? :) There MUST be more to you than that.

Thank you for allowing me my beliefs, as I allow you yours. As nearly everyone, and absolutely everyone with any sense, would do, within their own bounds of belief.

The question is,... Why did you say that..?

Why did you have to specifically say that you grant me my beliefs..?

.."Someone should die if they kill someone else. That's all i truly know and belive in."..

If you kill someone harming your child, where killing them is the only way to stop them,... you should then die..?

Is that really all you believe in..? :) There MUST be more to you than that.

Thank you for allowing me my beliefs, as I allow you yours. As nearly everyone, and absolutely everyone with any sense, would do, within their own bounds of belief.

The question is,... Why did you say that..?

Why did you have to specifically say that you grant me my beliefs..?


Damn, your a tricky one.

Well, Yes, if i kill someone, then i do deserve to die. And the next person who kills me, and the one after that. I suppose it's a never ending cycle. But, then again, we all die, so why not take down some evil people while your at it? I mean, thats what the Boondock Saints dudes did, right?

As for me allowing your belifs.....Er....I guess i was just saying that it's fine by me what religion you practice. I suppose I was just making a point.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Iakeokeo
.."Someone should die if they kill someone else. That's all i truly know and belive in."..

If you kill someone harming your child, where killing them is the only way to stop them,... you should then die..?

Is that really all you believe in..? There MUST be more to you than that.

Thank you for allowing me my beliefs, as I allow you yours. As nearly everyone, and absolutely everyone with any sense, would do, within their own bounds of belief.

The question is,... Why did you say that..?

Why did you have to specifically say that you grant me my beliefs..?



Damn, your a tricky one.

Well, Yes, if i kill someone, then i do deserve to die. And the next person who kills me, and the one after that. I suppose it's a never ending cycle. But, then again, we all die, so why not take down some evil people while your at it? I mean, thats what the Boondock Saints dudes did, right?

As for me allowing your belifs.....Er....I guess i was just saying that it's fine by me what religion you practice. I suppose I was just making a point.

I was just provoking a response, which yours is an excellent one. :)

It amazes me how either-or people get with things sometimes. Not you, necessarily.

The...

..."death to all religion" (lots of these) and "death to all atheists" (only a few of these) and...

..."death to all right-wingers" (lots) and "death to all communists" (veritably none)...

is getting tiring.

Although,.. it's lots of grist for inveterate talkers.

Damn, your a tricky one.

Well, Yes, if i kill someone, then i do deserve to die. And the next person who kills me, and the one after that. I suppose it's a never ending cycle. But, then again, we all die, so why not take down some evil people while your at it? I mean, thats what the Boondock Saints dudes did, right?
Would the person whose responsibility it is to kill you, because you killed someone else, be a good person for killing you?

Would the person whose responsibility it is to kill you, because you killed someone else, be a good person for killing you?


I....uh.....guess it depends on the curcimstances.

Damn! I'm trapped!