NationStates Jolt Archive

Thats it. Im just getting sick and tired of all the foolishness. Christianity is doomed, if they are praying to Gas Stations, Complaining about some books, movies, and who knows whatever else. I have been some quiet little Christian guy just minding my own business. Im converting

Converting to what? Is this a thread where people of all the world's religions can try and sell theirs to you? That'd be a thread to see...

Converting to what?

But good on you, anyway. It's better to stand for what you believe in personally than religiously, in my opinion.

You've seen reason? Do tell.

Thats it. Im just getting sick and tired of all the foolishness. Christianity is doomed, if they are praying to Gas Stations, Complaining about some books, movies, and who knows whatever else. I have been some quiet little Christian guy just minding my own business. Im converting
...to a ROBOT!

Sure, convince me - I do acknowledge a devine presence, however apparently there are some serious wrongs with Christianity. So, if anyone has any reading material on other religions, by all means.,..

Thats it. Im just getting sick and tired of all the foolishness. Christianity is doomed, if they are praying to Gas Stations, Complaining about some books, movies, and who knows whatever else. I have been some quiet little Christian guy just minding my own business. Im converting
Yay! ...wha--?

you sending a angry letter to the pope then?

Thats it. Im just getting sick and tired of all the foolishness. Christianity is doomed, if they are praying to Gas Stations, Complaining about some books, movies, and who knows whatever else. I have been some quiet little Christian guy just minding my own business. Im converting
I'm confused. If you didn't want to be tarnished with the same brush as other people, why are you converting?

Just take no label at all and go on believing whatever you want to believe/believed anyway.

Sending letters to the pope would be pointless. He wouldnt read it anyway!

Sure, convince me - I do acknowledge a devine presence, however apparently there are some serious wrongs with Christianity. So, if anyone has any reading material on other religions, by all means.,..
Oh, you haven't seen reason. :( Well, not atheist reason.

No longer accepting Christianity makes you by default an agnostic.

I recommend Buddhism or Taoism. The world needs more peaceful and pro-environment people if it wants to survive.

I'm confused. If you didn't want to be tarnished with the same brush as other people, why are you converting?

Just take no label at all and go on believing whatever you want to believe/believed anyway.

No, I just dont want to be associated with a bunch of morons. I live my life good (relatively), and I think that is what should matter

No longer accepting Christianity makes you by default an agnostic.
Because there are no agnostic Christians. :p :rolleyes:

No longer accepting Christianity makes you by default an agnostic.

I recommend Buddhism or Taoism. The world needs more peaceful and pro-environment people if it wants to survive.

I know a touch on Buddhism but what is Taoism - that came from china, no?

Taoism or Daoism - Chinese religious tradition, pointing to or revealing the "way" (Tao) that is the reality underlying physical and biological creation.

If I was to take up any religion, it'd be buddhism, but that's just me.

Ill have to look into it - any especially good websites? (buddhism that is)

Sure, convince me - I do acknowledge a devine presence, however apparently there are some serious wrongs with Christianity. So, if anyone has any reading material on other religions, by all means.,..

Sure, here you go. http://www.venganza.org/ :D

A friend of mine was Catholic for years (his entire life, actually), then decided that most of it was crap, and now considers himself a non-denominational Christian. Basically, he still believes in the Christian god, but doesn't accept any of the teachings specific to the different branches of Christianity. Just thinking you could do the same.

Thats it. Im just getting sick and tired of all the foolishness. Christianity is doomed, if they are praying to Gas Stations, Complaining about some books, movies, and who knows whatever else. I have been some quiet little Christian guy just minding my own business. Im converting

Seems to me that you have more of a problem with how a small group of Christians (the ones that get all the publicity) are acting, not Christianity the religion. I, too, think alot of Christians are quite rediculous, but that doesn't stop me from being a Christain. Being a Christain doesn't make me like them, only I determine how I am, and I'm not ganna let them take away such an important part of who I am.

I'm confused. If you didn't want to be tarnished with the same brush as other people, why are you converting?

Just take no label at all and go on believing whatever you want to believe/believed anyway.

That's a great idea, if you don't want to be part of something you see as "doomed"

oh stop it and just enjoy it

its as funny as seeing all those southern baptist crying over the graven image of the 10 commandments.

A friend of mine was Catholic for years (his entire life, actually), then decided that most of it was crap, and now considers himself a non-denominational Christian. Basically, he still believes in the Christian god, but doesn't accept any of the teachings specific to the different branches of Christianity. Just thinking you could do the same.

Well, actually, I find the whole system flawed - Another thing is i am getting tired of not being able to talk about certain aspects of christianity. For example, heaven - there is no mention of it. According to several references, when you die, you stay in the ground until Judgement day and "rise to the east". NOT go to Heaven.

Then there are things you are supposed to not talk about, like Jesus. Jesus the son of God right? Not exactly. He claimed to be "the king of the Jews", but his father (Joseph), was a decendant of David (so he could be a King), but the bible says that Joseph was NOT Jesus' father, so how then did Jesus claim to be king of the Jews - no wonder they put him to death for heracy.

Have you considered Judaism? Sure the antisemitism and occasional attempts at genocide suck, but on the plus side you get to run the media and take over the world.

Scientology seems interesting. You get to hang out with movie stars.

There's always Islam. You can scare people by looking angry and yelling Allah Akbar, and it could get you an all expense paid vacation to a Caribbean Island resort.

Worship me, I'd make a great god!

That's a great idea, if you don't want to be part of something you see as "doomed"
Did God ever say "Go ye forth and Be Christian, or elst"? I think you'll be somewhat hard-pressed to find anything along those lines in the bible.

Christianity is but a human label. It is no skin off the "Christian" God's back if you want to call yourself "Fantasiast" and stand up to the social bizarrities that are "Christianity" as long as you do what he tells you.

Have a go at becoming a Branch Davidian!

*edits*

Or not.

Have you considered Judaism? Sure the antisemitism and occasional attempts at genocide suck, but on the plus side you get to run the media and take over the world.

Scientology seems interesting. You get to hang out with movie stars.

There's always Islam. You can scare people by looking angry and yelling Allah Akbar, and it could get you an all expense paid vacation to a Caribbean Island resort.

all expence paid trip to Guantanimo (spelling). Right. Scientology has been engraned in my mind as being "of the devil, by the devil" however I have read Mary Baker Eddy's bood (the founder of the religion), and it was rather interesting. Jewishness - Not sure on that one. God, just god - sounds good. Having swasticas burned into my grass with gasoline - sounds not so good!

Christianity is doomed,

People have been saying that since the religion is formed. It's right up there with such sayings as "kids these days" and how every generation has a few members who believe that the irresponsible next generation will destroy the world or some nonsense.


if they are praying to Gas Stations, Complaining about some books, movies, and who knows whatever else. I have been some quiet little Christian guy just minding my own business. Im converting


You should be a Christian because you believe in Christ and in Christian teachings. The same goes for any other religion (you should be a member of that religion because you accept its teachings.) If all you want is to be with all the cool kids, join a club or get a hobby or something. Don't quit or join religions without giving any thought for what they believe.

Have a go at becoming a Branch Davidian!

*edits*

Or not.

never heard of it, what is it?

Im an athiest, but I must say, dont give up on it just yet.
Giving up on a religion due to the actions of a few of its idiot followers isnt really fair.

However, if your considering such a move, maybe you lack the conviction in the first place.

If so, dont feel bad, losing faith in a religion that was entirely made up from other religions, has no actual basis in reality, and whos "creator" doesnt really exist....most would consider it a sign of wisdom.

You should be a Christian because you believe in Christ and in Christian teachings. The same goes for any other religion (you should be a member of that religion because you accept its teachings.) If all you want is to be with all the cool kids, join a club or get a hobby or something. Don't quit or join religions without giving any thought for what they believe.

No, I just think that things are getting a bit to rediculous now-a-days. Something more quiet that will not get me killed would be the ideal religion.

You should be a Christian because you believe in Christ and in Christian teachings.
I strongly object to that sentiment. Why should we be obliged to adopt a social identification for ideas we have? That's like being forcefully segregated due to our favourite colour.

never heard of it, what is it?

It's the sect that David Koresh led, if you must know. It was really a joke.

Worship me, I'd make a great god!
No! Worship me! I give out free jellybeans, and have an amusement park for members only! :P

I strongly object to that sentiment. Why should we be obliged to adopt a social identification for ideas we have? That's like being forcefully segregated due to our favourite colour.

Ok, I'm going to join a basketball team, but I don't think I'll actually play the sport.

I have a few friends on the team. Who's to say I can't be on the same team as them!

No! Worship me! I give out free jellybeans, and have an amusement park for members only! :P
A damn good amusement park it is, too. Never got any free jellybeans though...

People have been saying that since the religion is formed. It's right up there with such sayings as "kids these days" and how every generation has a few members who believe that the irresponsible next generation will destroy the world or some nonsense.

No, actually its quite true.
Christianity is at its zenith in popularity.
It has nowhere to go.
It can only go down.
Ask the worshippers of Thor, or Zeus, or Mithas about waning religions.



You should be a Christian because you believe in Christ and in Christian teachings. The same goes for any other religion (you should be a member of that religion because you accept its teachings.) If all you want is to be with all the cool kids, join a club or get a hobby or something.

Christianity is all about community.
Thats the major appeal about it.
Everyone in your church knows everyone else.
Joining any christian church these days is "joining with the cool kids".
Its all about the sense of community.


Don't quit or join religions without giving any thought for what they believe.
/agree

Ok, I'm going to join a basketball team, but I don't think I'll actually play the sport.

I have a few friends on the team. Who's to say I can't be on the same team as them!
Erm...actually, to use your analogy, I believe it would be something along the lines of, 'Ok, I'm going to play basketball, but I don't think I'll join the team.' Either that, or 'I'm going to play basketball, but I don't think I'll call myself a basketball player'. In both cases it works fine.

I'd recommend Shinto, Buddism, Taoist, Bah'ai, Jainism...

If you really wanna go out there, Zorastrianism is good if you're montheistic but would like to reconnected with an ancient form of monotheism.

Ok, I'm going to join a basketball team, but I don't think I'll actually play the sport.

I have a few friends on the team. Who's to say I can't be on the same team as them!
Mercury had already established that he believed in God and agreed with Christian teachings but didn't want to be associated with Christians any more. You said in response:

You should be a Christian because you believe in Christ and in Christian teachings.
which in context came across as you saying "You believe in Christ and in Christian teachings, therefore you should be a Christian".

I agree on the point you're now making - that people shouldn't be Christians due to social influences. However, he has no obligation to be a Christian even when he does believe in God and Jesus.

Ill have to look into it - any especially good websites? (buddhism that is)
Here's a handful:
http://www.buddhistinformation.com/ida_b_wells_memorial_sutra_library/
http://buddhism.kalachakranet.org/
http://www.buddhanet.net/
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/
http://www.lamrim.com/

wassup The Bizarre!

Thanks

No, actually its quite true.
Christianity is at its zenith in popularity.
It has nowhere to go.
It can only go down.
Ask the worshippers of Thor, or Zeus, or Mithas about waning religions.


You could be right, you could be wrong. We'll see. Christianity is almost dead in Europe, but growing a lot in the third world. Who knows.



Christianity is all about community.
Thats the major appeal about it.
Everyone in your church knows everyone else.
Joining any christian church these days is "joining with the cool kids".
Its all about the sense of community.


I agree. I am a Christian and I love the community aspect. But do you think an adult should participate in the rituals of a religion while having absolutely no belief in it (outside of exploratory reasons- or possibly because you want to learn to believe)? It would be pointless.

As I said, there are clubs for that. Don't pretend to be religious. Don't live a lie. Join a club of something you actually like or believe in. Join a badmitton club if you like badmitton or something...

clubs and religion are FAR to different things.

Mercury had already established that he believed in God and agreed with Christian teachings but didn't want to be associated with Christians any more. You said in response:


which in context came across as you saying "You believe in Christ and in Christian teachings, therefore you should be a Christian".

I agree on the point you're now making - that people shouldn't be Christians due to social influences. However, he has no obligation to be a Christian even when he does believe in God and Jesus.

Yes, I think what I wrote was misinterpretted (the way I wrote it left it open for misinterpretation). What I meant was do not join a religion if you do not believe, nor have any intention of ever believing what that religion teaches. The way he was bantering around about converting because Christians are dumb (or something to that effect) gave me the impression that he considers religious membership to not be related to actually believing the teachings, but instead more dependent on how certain members of the religion act. That's wrong.

clubs and religion are FAR to different things.

Exactly. Clubs are great if you just want community and to meet friends and to be around people like you. Religion, on the other hand, has rules, and rituals, and most importantly, a set of beliefs, that go along with its community.

No! Worship me! I give out free jellybeans, and have an amusement park for members only! :P

I give out free amusement parks and have a jellybean for members only.

clubs and religion are FAR to different things.
Hrm... I would disagree somewhat. Religion is not a priori - there is a very fundamental community aspect to it. If the only link you have with God or gods is in theory or internal belief and communication, you're not engaging in Religiosity; rather, you're being spiritual. I'd say that a given religion is like a union of lots of different clubs of a given name, all of which are unified by an interest and devotion to spirituality of a particular kind. The idea is to engage in and share this interest with others and to explore it in detail as a group.

Converting to what? Is this a thread where people of all the world's religions can try and sell theirs to you? That'd be a thread to see...
check out my new thread.

My suggestion? Give it some time and don't rush into any belief. After all, you have the rest of your life to decide on (and possibly change again) any beliefs that you have.

Thats it. Im just getting sick and tired of all the foolishness. Christianity is doomed, if they are praying to Gas Stations, Complaining about some books, movies, and who knows whatever else. I have been some quiet little Christian guy just minding my own business. Im converting
Its about time you saw things my way. join atheism. There are 5 good reasons

5) No silly morals to follow. Unless you live in a theocratic nation, that is

4) you don't need to waste your weekends going to a church

3) No need to starve yourself. ever.

2) save money!! (because there is no pilgramage)

and the #1 reason to be atheist that the existance of god is impossible, and also simply an illogical concept.

you sending a angry letter to the pope then?
Nah, just a few of the Penthouse:Forum letters that he's included in.

Nah, just a few of the Penthouse:Forum letters that he's included in.
Er, the ones the Pope is involved with. Either/both of them. The popes, that is. Okay, three of them, since it should include Mercury God as well. *shrug*

A friend of mine was Catholic for years (his entire life, actually), then decided that most of it was crap, and now considers himself a non-denominational Christian. Basically, he still believes in the Christian god, but doesn't accept any of the teachings specific to the different branches of Christianity. Just thinking you could do the same.

Beat me to it... Had a friend of mine do the same thing.

Sure, convince me - I do acknowledge a devine presence, however apparently there are some serious wrongs with Christianity. So, if anyone has any reading material on other religions, by all means.,..


You should look into Buddhism. :eek: OOOHHHH NIRVAAAANAAA....

Sure, convince me - I do acknowledge a devine presence, however apparently there are some serious wrongs with Christianity. So, if anyone has any reading material on other religions, by all means.,..
Maybe wqith the members, but not the religion as a whole.

five reasons to be an athiest eh - did that come from Conan?

Converting to what? Is this a thread where people of all the world's religions can try and sell theirs to you? That'd be a thread to see...

It's been done. :p

Isnt Gnosticism (not Agnosticism), still acknowledging Jesus, but NOT with the hocus pocus of church and all?

Converting to what? Is this a thread where people of all the world's religions can try and sell theirs to you? That'd be a thread to see...
He is on the 22, 7 metres in looking to covert the try i just scored.

Try Judaism. Mind you, the conversion process involves about a year of studying, followed by circumcision (if you're male). But, you get to be part of a religion with a great tradition of scholarly insight - and we encourage you to ask questions!

Try Judaism. Mind you, the conversion process involves about a year of studying, followed by circumcision (if you're male). But, you get to be part of a religion with a great tradition of scholarly insight - and we encourage you to ask questions!

snip snip - (already been done thankyou) I've did some reasearch into that already. And have been learning Hebrew off and on for a while now. Is there a Convert to a Jew website? One thing though, I am not going to Israel. I saw this televangelist on TV the other day advertising to "send a Jew to israel for 350 dollars".

Isnt Gnosticism (not Agnosticism), still acknowledging Jesus, but NOT with the hocus pocus of church and all?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnosticism

It is most easily described as a mystical paganism of sorts.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnosticism

It is most easily described as a mystical paganism of sorts.

After a skim of that I will definately have to look some more into it - very insightful

Thats it. Im just getting sick and tired of all the foolishness. Christianity is doomed, if they are praying to Gas Stations, Complaining about some books, movies, and who knows whatever else. I have been some quiet little Christian guy just minding my own business. Im converting

yay! good! convert to agnosticism! i'm newly converted. t'is quite liberating! :D

My religion is Sex. You should try it.

In this religion, there are two gods: the female part and the male part. The worshiping happens daily called "flirting," if you worship correctly, these gods will get together. And when they do get together, these gods will reward you every time.

When you join, you are assign a god (female or male). This god is your own personal spiritual guide. You can see him and even talk to him (if you are that weird) 24 hours a day, every day. Just like Jesus, he doesn't talk back but he does answer by giving you signs - usually pointing up if male.

Then, this one god, if worshiped correctly (good at flirting with the opposite gods), will get together with one of the multiple opposite gods - or maybe two of the multiple opposite gods at the same time - hey, why not!

In this religion, you can make the opposite god a monotheist religion or not. It's up to you to decide - what we call in this religion - "being faithful" or not.

My religion is Sex. You should try it.

In this religion, there are two gods: the female part and the male part. The worshiping happens daily called "flirting," if you worship correctly, these gods will get together. And when they do get together, these gods will reward you every time.

When you join, you are assign a god (female or male). This god is your own personal spiritual guide. You can see him and even talk to him (if you are that weird) 24 hours a day, every day. Just like Jesus, he doesn't talk back but he does answer by giving you signs - usually pointing up if male.

Then, this one god, if worshiped correctly (good at flirting with the opposite gods), will get together with one of the multiple opposite gods - or maybe two of the multiple opposite gods at the same time - hey, why not!

In this religion, you can make the opposite god a monotheist religion or not. It's up to you to decide - what we call in this religion - "being faithful" or not.

Laugh if you wish, but the Romans, amongst others I imagine, had churches where your "worship" was having sex with a prostitute, due to their beliefs that having an orgasm brought you closer to whichever god's church it was.

Probably quite fun, until you got smited with some kind of venerial disease or another.

Laugh if you wish, but the Romans, amongst others I imagine, had churches where your "worship" was having sex with a prostitute, due to their beliefs that having an orgasm brought you closer to whichever god's church it was.

Probably quite fun, until you got smited with some kind of venerial disease or another.

Which is why porn was invented. Before the advent of any religion today.

I wasn't kidding. I read a research paper from some Phd guy that said sex is the true religion of our generation, but we just don't conciously realize that we behave about it in a similar way.

As far as venerial disease for the Romans, I doubt it would have bothered them. I doubt they knew anything about it at the time - or at least that the mass of people were educated about it.

actually the romans were well aware of diseases. the only problem was by the time they figured it out that they had something - they were prettymuch useless in bed!

Isnt Gnosticism (not Agnosticism), still acknowledging Jesus, but NOT with the hocus pocus of church and all?
There is more hocus pocus in Gnosticism, more attention to behaviour, more practices to do; it is a way of mysticism, the gnosis, like another way of knowing that isn't really knowing, but is an experience, a state of being and awareness, distinct. There are very different kinds of gnostics, too, dualist and monist.

Equivalents in Hebrew, daath; in Sanskrit, jnana (yoga) - the difference between regular, mainstream Judaism and Kabbalism or the life of the average Hindu compared to a yogi. The gnostics are equivalent to kabbalists and yogis.

Lots and lots of hocus pocus.

Thats it. Im just getting sick and tired of all the foolishness. Christianity is doomed, if they are praying to Gas Stations, Complaining about some books, movies, and who knows whatever else. I have been some quiet little Christian guy just minding my own business. Im converting
convert to Judaism, but look into it and every other religion before making your decision.

snip snip - (already been done thankyou) I've did some reasearch into that already. And have been learning Hebrew off and on for a while now. Is there a Convert to a Jew website? One thing though, I am not going to Israel. I saw this televangelist on TV the other day advertising to "send a Jew to israel for 350 dollars".
You don't have to go to Israel if you are a Jew. If you are a Jew, you do have the option to go for free while in college. There is a group known as Taglit Birthright that pays for it. I'm going during winter break next year.

You don't have to go to Israel if you are a Jew. If you are a Jew, you do have the option to go for free while in college. There is a group known as Taglit Birthright that pays for it. I'm going during winter break next year.

Yes a nice vacation to the country would be nice - I would be the paranoid one that never goes into restaurants, cabs, busses, or mosques though for fear of being a "target"