NationStates Jolt Archive

Look, I can understand if your have reason to believe in a God(s). I can tolerate it if you define specific elements (like the Bible) as being doctrine. But what is it in your faith, strongly religious people, that makes it authoritative enough to be part of a system of government?

Because they don't like your sinfulness! :p

It has to do with...well, as my english prof. says, "Why's there a fucking elephant in the kitchen?!"

Basically, they see that there's something horribly, horribly wrong with you, and for some reason you can't see it. So they wanna help you.

It has to do with...well, as my english prof. says, "Why's there a fucking elephant in the kitchen?!"

Basically, they see that there's something horribly, horribly wrong with you, and for some reason you can't see it. So they wanna help you.


*laughs at the elephant comment* I wish i had a teacher like that...

as for the religious bit...I've got semi-paganistic beliefs myself...so...*shrugs*

Good topic, but the real question would be why is religion there to begin with, you have to understand fundamental human psyche to truely appreciate the answer.

People want something to believe in. This comes from the fear of not knowing. If theres something out there that man doesn't understand, religion or a belief system is like a 'security blanket' in which he can wrap himself around it and feel protected. The Greeks and Romans did this extensively, creating most of their god's history through stories relating how they made the world it is: "why's there thunder?" "cause thor throws it"

Since religion has now become the chief arbitrator and ruling body as far as the paranormal and un-reasoned phenomenon, its just a small step for it to become a position of power among a man's life. The guy with all the answers says this is a sin, so it must be.

It's because people are afraid to die.

because most law codes are based off moral codes which are based off of religious codes

the same goes for government decisions; why did we invade Iraq - because many people belived it was the moral thing to do, why do they believe that - because Christianity tells them so

just take out the middle man(men) and its not that hard to jump to a theocracy

The fundamental goal of every religion is to perpetuate a set of ideas by acculturation.

This amuses me...

"why is there religion"

"because man made it up"

no-one thinks there is religion because...hmmm...maybe...just perhaps... that the stuff in the OT like, kinda, happened? and people believe in a God because he's been appearing to us as humans since He made us?

Makes more sense to me than "religion is there cuz we're afraid to die"

Why are we afraid to die? What's to fear... without a religion telling you there's something on the other side, and maybe living in your self-centered closed little universe inside your own ego isn't enough?

This amuses me...

"why is there religion"

"because man made it up"

no-one thinks there is religion because...hmmm...maybe...just perhaps... that the stuff in the OT like, kinda, happened? and people believe in a God because he's been appearing to us as humans since He made us?

Makes more sense to me than "religion is there cuz we're afraid to die"

Why are we afraid to die? What's to fear... without a religion telling you there's something on the other side, and maybe living in your self-centered closed little universe inside your own ego isn't enough?

Ah, only, there a lot-and I mean, a whole LOT-of religions in the world.

Are you saying each and every one of them is correct? :D

Control.

afraid to die? i don't think thats quite right...i thinks it more as monkey pimp pointed out its control.
there are two things in this life you can't possibly control, birth and death, what goes on in between is usually a matter of choice, so not to have control makes us wary of it. but since we have no choice but to die, why the fear. personally, i would not like to die, for i would always like to see what the future holds, but i have to accept that sometime i will not exist as i know now, therefore there is not point in being afraid, you should just accept it.

as for the stuff in the OT happening, i can't remember chapter and verse, but the one with the talking donkey, please, i am more likely to believe otherwise than in a god who inspires a shrek character :p

Very interesting topic. I have to agree with the posts that talk about how most governmental actions are based on moral decisions which are based in religion. It seems obvious that murdering someone is wrong, but think about why. It's because life is viewed as something sacred and a gift. That idea didn't just fall out of the sky, it's based in religion. It's just that it's such a common idea that people don't make the connection.

Religion has always been a way for people to find guidance. It sets guidelines, rules, etc. and gives people parameters for living there lives. It helps keep order and keeps people from just acting without any type of repercussions. While they may not get caught here, people may avoid doing something "wrong" if they know they'll have to answer to God when it's all said and done.

Personally, I think religion is a very good thing and has a place, to some extent, in government. However, it definitely has the potential to get out of control and it's up to the people to keep it in check.

By the way, when I say religion has a place in government, I don't mean to say that government should tell you who to believe in, how to pray, etc. It's more of an issue of bring morality (murder is wrong, theft is wrong, etc.) to people. Think about how many laws go along with the teaching in the 10 Commandments. Bringing some elements and beliefs from religion into government is not necessarily a bad thing.

By the way, when I say religion has a place in government, I don't mean to say that government should tell you who to believe in, how to pray, etc. It's more of an issue of bring morality (murder is wrong, theft is wrong, etc.) to people. Think about how many laws go along with the teaching in the 10 Commandments. Bringing some elements and beliefs from religion into government is not necessarily a bad thing.
if people need religion to have morality then our civilization is already dead and burried.

Well the same could be said of atheists. They fear a higher power. So don't say that people believe in a god or gods,because you think they are afraid. I think people believe in what they wish. They don't really need a reason. Note:The example I used is not my view on atheists.

Well the same could be said of atheists. They fear a higher power. So don't say that people believe in a god or gods,because you think they are afraid. I think people believe in what they wish. They don't really need a reason. Note:The example I used is not my view on atheists.
no, honey, atheists don't believe in a higher power. this is a common misconception among believers; they think that atheists really do believe in God, but they deny God out of fear or hatred. the reality is that atheists don't fear a "higher power" any more than they fear the wrath of Santa.

no, honey, atheists don't believe in a higher power. this is a common misconception among believers; they think that atheists really do believe in God, but they deny God out of fear or hatred. the reality is that atheists don't fear a "higher power" any more than they fear the wrath of Santa.

No, you misunderstood what I said. I know for a fact that atheists don't believe in a god or gods at all. The only reason I said that was that they said that people who believe in religion fear death. I was just saying that to show that a negative comment could also be shown against a atheist. I even put a note that you failed to read.

No, you misunderstood what I said. I know for a fact that atheists don't believe in a god or gods at all. The only reason I said that was that they said that people who believe in religion fear death. I was just saying that to show that a negative comment could also be shown against a atheist. I even put a note that you failed to read.
i'm sorry if i misunderstood you, but honestly you might want to write a little more clearly; your message is not at all clear from what you wrote. you said, "Well the same could be said of atheists. They fear a higher power." i don't think you should be surprised if somebody interprets that as you saying that atheists believe in a higher power.

the fact is that anyone who believes in life after death is not facing their own mortality. it is impossible to fully face death if one does not face its finality. most religious people believe in an afterlife, and therefore most religious people are choosing not to face their own deaths. the most logical explanation for this is that they are afraid of their deaths, and the majority of religious people will freely admit that they can't deal with the idea of "nothingness" after they die. for an atheist to assume that religious persons fear death is a stereotype, that's true, but it is one that is very very strongly founded in reality.

i'm sorry if i misunderstood you, but honestly you might want to write a little more clearly; your message is not at all clear from what you wrote.

the fact is that anyone who believes in life after death is not facing their own mortality. it is impossible to fully face death if one does not face its finality. most religious people believe in an afterlife, and therefore most religious people are choosing not to face their own deaths. the most logical explanation for this is that they are afraid of their deaths, and the majority of religious people will freely admit that they can't deal with the idea of "nothingness" after they die. for an atheist to assume that religious persons fear death is a stereotype, that's true, but it is one that is very very strongly founded in reality.

To them there is no finality to you there is. These are from very different points of views. People who believe in life after death have been taught that there is no finality to it. It isn't a reality to them. While to you there is a finality to death so it is only natural that you believe that. They can not fear death if there is no finality to them. Do you see where I'm coming from?

First of all, moral codes came about before religions developed. Morality is based on the tranquility of life. Basically, actions that improve the conditions of life for man. These would eventually be incorporated within religious doctrination and be taught as spiritual law. No one knows exactly where our moral codes originated but for some reason, they're built into our human psyche. Maybe it's genetically imprinted in us on how to behave correctly within society from when our ancestors were smaller brained and much hairier?

Not all religions are authoritative enough to want to make their presence known in the government. All religions do seek to perpetuate themselves in one form or another. Some of them do so on a very limited basis and will only pass their beliefs to their children. They wont actively seek converts and may hesitate to bring in outsiders.

Although I will admit that there are a lot of loud mouthed people who think that there can be only one absolute religion. They’re typically the ones who are out there to “save” me. I've only seen this behavior in some of the bigger, more arrogant religions. But they do have numbers on their side and are easier to notice and to some extent have bragging rights. Ha ha ha ha ha, my religion is big so it must be right. Maybe we should establish religious anti trust laws to break up the religious monopolies.

the fact is that anyone who believes in life after death is not facing their own mortality. it is impossible to fully face death if one does not face its finality. most religious people believe in an afterlife, and therefore most religious people are choosing not to face their own deaths. the most logical explanation for this is that they are afraid of their deaths, and the majority of religious people will freely admit that they can't deal with the idea of "nothingness" after they die. for an atheist to assume that religious persons fear death is a stereotype, that's true, but it is one that is very very strongly founded in reality.
The reality for these people is that there is no death of the spirit/soul, only death of the body. They do fear the death of the body because it means separation from the body and the current life, and everything in it, and that's a scary thing. They don't have to face mortality, though, because they *will* live on in spirit/soul. That is their faith.