Religion, Why must ppl insist on debating it? Options

[EmeraldKnight]

Everyone has their own beliefs, some belief in a deity, some do not.. I dont see the point of all these debates regarding religion...

I mean.. the ppl are clearly very religious, they're not going to change their minds about their religion, and it seems like the nonbelievers arent willing to either.. the religious debates going on in this forum are battles of stubborness that I dont see the point of.. obvious neither side is willing to concede and neither side has evidence the other will accept, so why bother continuing? I suppose if you think its fun, then go right ahead.. but i'm just tired of all the emphasis on theology

[Spirited Away]

Religion has been one of the biggest controversies in history. Wars were fought over it since... well... since civilization.

Why not continue the trend?

I know I'm being silly, but it's sort of true. As long as Man feels the need to conform, he will continue to persuade others into think the same way as he.

[IIO__oII]

its an important topic to discuss. alot of ppl have questions about it...

[EmeraldKnight]

*shrug* its just not a very viable topic, lots of the same things are being repeated over and over again and progress isnt being made.. but I suppose I'm just frustrated that everyone's focusing on religion and not the other topics, lol

[Spirited Away]

*shrug* its just not a very viable topic, lots of the same things are being repeated over and over again and progress isnt being made.. but I suppose I'm just frustrated that everyone's focusing on religion and not the other topics, lol

You're frustrated? I've been the only one arguing for the non-believers' side for... almost a page or two now.

[IIO__oII]

You're frustrated? I've been the only one arguing for the non-believers' side for... almost a page or two now.

ure frustrated? im trying to show ppl that christianity is true...

[EmeraldKnight]

You're frustrated? I've been the only one arguing for the non-believers' side for... almost a page or two now. 

Well see, I realized that Christians arent going to renounce their faith, so why bother trying to prove them wrong? all that'll happen is me wasting my energy

And plus I know nothing about religion other than the fact that I cant comprehend why so many ppl believe

[Spirited Away]

I see what you mean. But I see it as only that: a debate.

Nothing people may say will sway me from what I already believe in. But it's nice to gain more knowledge about why people believe in things they do. It's sort of a psychological rush for me.

Knowledge is power.

[EmeraldKnight]

Hehe. well put well, have at it I guess, I'll just wait till ppl post in the nontheological posts

[strice]

yeah, arguing religion is like describing blue to stevie wonder.

[angel-roh]

its an important topic to discuss. alot of ppl have questions about it...

it's not that important... like whoever made this topic is kinda right... we wont change our religion so wats the point of arguing about the other religions? and plus... why they asking questions? like wat kind of questions? who is God? which religion is the best?....x_x... it's best to keep like wat we are... we cant tell and describe the meaning of our lives and if God did something for us... we're not Jesus or anything...why shud we complain bot other religionz...ok me go dizzy

[EmeraldKnight]

it's not that important... like whoever made this topic is kinda right... we wont change our religion so wats the point of arguing about the other religions? and plus... why they asking questions? like wat kind of questions? who is God? which religion is the best?....x_x... it's best to keep like wat we are... we cant tell and describe the meaning of our lives and if God did something for us... we're not Jesus or anything...why shud we complain bot other religionz...ok me go dizzy 

In answering that, more religion was brought up.. the whole point is, that obviously, no one will change their views about their own religion, the believers wont renounce their beliefs and accept that God doesnt exist, so the onli possible scenario is that the nonbelievers will give in and accept God, and last time I checked, this is NOT the place to gain converts

[onenonly101]

People aren't tryign to gain converts because the person who started the topic is a non-believer. People were asking questions and bring up senarios which actually weren't relevent to the topic ebcause the only question was do you believe in God then it turned to prove His existence. I realized that their was no point in me arguing ebcause it wasn't going to change what I believe. I also realized I don't have to prove God to anyone, that is His job. Nothing to disprove Him so why try to disprove Him and also why try to prove Him to people who don't believe because they obviously have their mindset on not believing. But then again it doesn't hurt to try.

[EmeraldKnight]

People aren't tryign to gain converts because the person who started the topic is a non-believer. People were asking questions and bring up senarios which actually weren't relevent to the topic ebcause the only question was do you believe in God then it turned to prove His existence. I realized that their was no point in me arguing ebcause it wasn't going to change what I believe. I also realized I don't have to prove God to anyone, that is His job. Nothing to disprove Him so why try to disprove Him and also why try to prove Him to people who don't believe because they obviously have their mindset on not believing. But then again it doesn't hurt to try.

Thank you, I said it from a nonbeliever's point of view, you said it from a believer's, now if more ppl read this and realize, we can focus on other topics where a concession can actually be made

[Spirited Away]

I suppose you have a point about how senseless it is to argue something like religion because it's almost impossible to reach a standpoint where both can agree on.

But I still think it's kind of fun. It's the only one thing that I can argue and be sure of myelf because it's testing how well I know my own beliefs/myself, and it sometimes proves how some other are not so sure about themselves. Which is kind of sad.

Religion makes people lower their self worth. Everything good they do, they will attribute it to a higher being instead of praising themselves for being strong. (Possible debate anyone?)

[EmeraldKnight]

Religion makes people lower their self worth. Everything good they do, they will attribute it to a higher being instead of praising themselves for being strong. (Possible debate anyone?)

That's a realli good point, and I agree with you all the way.. now we just wait for the believers to come and refute this..

[*Kathleen*]

Eh, I agree with you, but you can't prove much on either side. Yes, there seems to be more hard evidence on the nonbelievers' side, but you must realize that so many people become enlightened and their eyes become open to a lot of the stuff people bring up, you know?

[EmeraldKnight]

Eh, I agree with you, but you can't prove much on either side. Yes, there seems to be more hard evidence on the nonbelievers' side, but you must realize that so many people become enlightened and their eyes become open to a lot of the stuff people bring up, you know?

On the nonbeliever's side yes, but people are just going to renounce their religion, and most, as we've seen stubbornly stick to their side, and repetition proliferates

[onenonly101]

Religion makes people lower their self worth. Everything good they do, they will attribute it to a higher being instead of praising themselves for being strong. (Possible debate anyone?)

Why should we praise ourselves? We didn't come here on our own. We should give God the glory because He gave us the abilities to accomplish what we have done. So i don't see why I should praise myself. There is nothing wrong with saying yeah i did a good job, but in syaing i did this myself, it was me, me, me.

Yes, there seems to be more hard evidence on the nonbelievers' side

i don't think there is more evidence for nonbelievers. They base what they belive on faith and speculation, belivers base it on faith and speculation

[IIO__oII]

hmm and also maybe for the christians... they want to talk ppl into thinking about all this God stuff.. u knoe... if he IS true.. if he DOES exist... they just want sum answers to their questions. i'd like to lead sumone into Christ here

[Spirited Away]

Why should we praise ourselves? We didn't come here on our own. We should give God the glory because He gave us the abilities to accomplish what we have done. So i don't see why I should praise myself. There is nothing wrong with saying yeah i did a good job, but in syaing i did this myself, it was me, me, me.

The above is the perfect example of what I mean. Hehe.

I've never thanked God for anything I've done for myself in my life, and trust me, I've done a lot of things for myself. I never even thought about God's existence until 3 years ago when my cousin asked me to join her Church.

I get myself through hard times, I've never once thought about God. I depend on my own strength to get me through the day.

For believers, you may say that your God helped you, but please, respect that other people have learned that the will to live is more important than the will to serve someone else.

There's nothing wrong with saying "me me me" either. If you've been to Hell and back, if you've suffered and risen through all, then you have the right to say what you want. You deserve that much.

[WildGriffin]

*Gasp*

Fae is a humanist.

Suprise of the century.

Same here, thank yourself and your strength for the good moments. Thank God for allowing the bad ones.

[ryfitaDF]

religion causes difference, difference causes conflict, conflict causes violence, violence is wrong. theirfore i can easily conclude that religion is wrong

if people would stop making up mesiaahas to blame and kill people for this world would be a better place.

brainwash 100 people and it's called a cult. brainwash 1,000,000,000 people and it's called religion.

[juliar]

Everyone has their own beliefs, some belief in a deity, some do not.. I dont see the point of all these debates regarding religion...

How exactly were thousands of people converted into religion?

religion causes difference, difference causes conflict, conflict causes violence, violence is wrong. theirfore i can easily conclude that religion is wrong

Agreed. Wholeheartedly.

[onenonly101]

The above is the perfect example of what I mean. Hehe.

I've never thanked God for anything I've done for myself in my life, and trust me, I've done a lot of things for myself. I never even thought about God's existence until 3 years ago when my cousin asked me to join her Church.

I get myself through hard times, I've never once thought about God. I depend on my own strength to get me through the day.

For believers, you may say that your God helped you, but please, respect that other people have learned that the will to live is more important than the will to serve someone else.

There's nothing wrong with saying "me me me" either. If you've been to Hell and back, if you've suffered and risen through all, then you have the right to say what you want. You deserve that much.

Just because you don't think about God doesn't mean He doesn't think about you. You are His creation whether you recognize Him as being the reason you are here He is.

Being self reliant is sort of like an athlete allowing the coach to give him advice only when he wants it. before too long the athlete will start to deteriorate in talent and the eyes of the coach. in the same way we need to depend on God to lead us. And we should do what he says. God wants us always to try to do our best. We shoudl never do anything halfway. but there's a difference between doing our best and allowing God to do his best through us.
taking credit for everything we do is called pride a very dangerous thing. there is a good type of pride that comes from doing something well. Perhaps we've worked so hard at something and everything had come out great. we feel good about ourselves, and that's ok. the problem comes from when we take all the credit. that is the wrong kind of pride. God wants us to realize that he gave us our life and our talents. This shows humility and a deep respect for God.

[EmeraldKnight]

Debate this in the "God" post.. not here.. I actually intended this to be a general statement, not a debate, so someone please close this

[Spirited Away]

Just because you don't think about God doesn't mean He doesn't think about you. You are His creation whether you recognize Him as being the reason you are here He is.

taking credit for everything we do is called pride a very dangerous thing. there is a good type of pride that comes from doing something well. Perhaps we've worked so hard at something and everything had come out great. we feel good about ourselves, and that's ok. the problem comes from when we take all the credit. that is the wrong kind of pride. God wants us to realize that he gave us our life and our talents. This shows humility and a deep respect for God.

Forgive me EmeraldKnight, I fear I cannot fail my fellow humanists in this debate.

Just because you don't think about God doesn't mean He doesn't think about you. You are His creation whether you recognize Him as being the reason you are here He is.

He thinks about me according to you, who's a Christian, but not me. All the times that I've been alone, I get myself through my darnest, toughest times on my own.

If you think that God had something to do with it, then I would consider myself blessed, and perhaps thankful. But because I cannot perceive His presence when I'm so alone, I cannot credit him the will that it took me not to cause myself harm.

I've been self reliant most of my life, and so far, I've done fine. Of course, my relationship with my family now give me all the love that I will ever need. Should I feel the need to find a Higher love, then perhaps I will look for God, but I'm content with what I have.

I have pride in my will. If you think that I'm stubborn, you should question God why I am the way I am. Maybe He will give you the answer as to why non-believers choose to their beliefs the way they do.

I respect God, but I also respect my fellow Man.

[EmeraldKnight]

Forgive me EmeraldKnight, I fear I cannot fail my fellow humanists in this debate.

Haha that's alright, but that's just the thing.. I never meant this to be a debate.. more of a complaint against the religious debates

[lemonlina]

Blegh, I think religions are stupid. -_- I mean, religions can clump people together and have this whole big nice community, but it always clashes with other religions one time or another. I mean, wars have been fought because of differences in religion or just hatred against one particular belief.

I'm particularly annoyed by people who are obsessed with their religion. They think every disagreement is some attack on their beliefs. People are writing books against The Da Vinci Code because they think that it's all lies and Dan Brown is trying to force everyone to convert. O_o They also go around trying to convert everyone to their religion. There's this boy in my class who does that. O_O

I personally think the only good religion out there is Buddhism. I mean, there's no God, they're not worshipping anyone/anything, and it's more of a way of life instead of a religion. Plus, it's a peaceful religion. As far as I know, no wars have started because of Buddhism. Yes yes, I know about China forcing out all of Tibetan Buddhist, but at least they're not reacting against this violently.

We're all different enough as it is by race, but adding religion to this just makes it even worse in my opinion. And this whole things with God/gods/goddesses... people are making themselves inferior. C'mon, they're making sacrifices (in the past), they're begging them for forgiveness, they sometimes even go as far as causing themselves personal pain in the act of asking forgiveness, praying for who knows what, and much more crap that isn't really needed. At least in Buddhism there isn't a god or wtvr. Yes yes, there's Buddha, but he's more of a role model and sets an example for what other Buddhists want to achieve; enlightenment.

Every religion thinks that they're right and everyone else is wrong. Then no one's right and everyone's wrong. =|

[Spirited Away]

I personally think the only good religion out there is Buddhism. I mean, there's no God, they're not worshipping anyone/anything, and it's more of a way of life instead of a religion. Plus, it's a peaceful religion. As far as I know, no wars have started because of Buddhism. Yes yes, I know about China forcing out all of Tibetan Buddhist, but at least they're not reacting against this violently.

I agree with some of your ideas about why religion is bad...

<----- ex Buddhist.

But just to clear things up, Buddhism does have dieties and they do have idol worships. The hardcore Buddhists are pretty extreme in their worship and believe in strange things, trust me on this one. As with most religions, Buddhism also have different sects and each sect believes in different things.

[heyyeh]

religion is based on faith, and when faith is questioned people feel the need to back up their own religion. because without their faith, their religion is nothing.

[*RiC3xBoy*]

religion is based on faith, and when faith is questioned people feel the need to back up their own religion. because without their faith, their religion is nothing.

In other words, when people know of more than one religion, they tend to feel as though the other religions are inferior in which it creates fear. And, Fear leads to hate. And so on and so forth of the Yoda speech.

[heyyeh]

exactly

[ParanoidAndroid]

Religion is basically who a person is in general. We cannot randomly stop someone's way of life just because we're tired of contreversey

[sovietski]

here we go again, it became a why do we argue about religion to lets get right back at it. There are certaintly instigators in these forums who stir up these arguments...they are arguments because not one debate has reached a conclusion on religion..which makes it much more less than a debate to a pointless argument.

You say that Religion causes difference and that causes conflict...so does that mean the next time I see a black kid at my school I should switch schools? Maybe we should elimate all difference...and all become Hitlers? I don't agree with ur idea of life.

Maybe instead of scapegoating problems, work on living together in peace and harmony...with that view, you will never achieve that, and sadly be the one who is beginning the conflict.

[Spirited Away]

here we go again, it became a why do we argue about religion to lets get right back at it.  There are certaintly instigators in these forums who stir up these arguments...they are arguments because not one debate has reached a conclusion on religion..which makes it much more less than a debate to a pointless argument.

You say that Religion causes difference and that causes conflict...so does that mean the next time I see a black kid at my school I should switch schools?  Maybe we should elimate all difference...and all become Hitlers?  I don't agree with ur idea of life.

Maybe instead of scapegoating problems, work on living together in peace and harmony...with that view, you will never achieve that, and sadly be the one who is beginning the conflict.

Why don't you kindly explain to me why arguments must reach a conclusion to become a debate. Where in the world does "must reach a conclusion" define the word debate? No where. So why are you expecting a conclusion in these debates?

Your supposed analogy makes no sense and is completely irrelevant. Why do you think debates are conflicts and that people who start these threads are creating conflicts? Such things could be as simple as a sharing of minds.

[fameONE]

This is where the pious Christian and the antiChrist atheist prove that both sides are full of themselves...

To Christians and other devout followers of a given religion:
Believe what you believe, stop trying to convert the world and stop claiming that Christianity, or any other religion holds a given power over another.

To atheists:
Just shut up. Ok, you deny the existence of Gods, but this vendetta against Christians is like throwing shit at a horse's ass. It's pointless. Let it go. At the end of the day, Christians are agitated and you look like jackasses so the cycle of lunacy just continues.

Live your own life and don't try to hinder the lifestyle of another.

[Spirited Away]

If only life is that simple. *sigh*.

[fameONE]

Personally, I couldn't give two shits about what religion a person practices as long as they aren't off the deep end (i.e. refusing to marry outside of the race). As long as you're a good person, you're ok in my eyes.

I think our society has lost focus and all anyone cares about is your image and title.

[Spirited Away]

though your solution is very ideal, here lies the problem:

christians must make effort to evangelize, as it is a duty to those who follow the faith.

doesn't this mean atheists have the right to respond in kind?

I think our society has lost focus and all anyone cares about is your image and title.

i'm curious to know if you don't attribute this lost of focus to religion. just a question. actually, what is this image and title you're speaking of?

[fameONE]

Religion holds no real importance in my life even though I was brought up a southern baptist. What good is religion if someone continues to lie, decieve, cheat and steal?

Regarding my last statement, I had mainly Christians and Atheists in mind. When it comes to this head on rivalry amongst the youth, primarily college students at predominantly white schools, the big deal is how big of a Christian you are or how big of an Atheist you are. The image.

[sovietski]

need I say anything?

[*disco infiltrator*]

^ Need you spam? That was a needless post and didn't contribute anything at all to the topic.

[sovietski]

actually disco...i was asked a question that BrandonSaunders pretty much answered..but not to flake out, i thought id mention my thought on that matter...i'd suggest to you the same, and not spam..because ur comment was equally pointless.

[Spirited Away]

Religion holds no real importance in my life even though I was brought up a southern baptist. What good is religion if someone continues to lie, decieve, cheat and steal?

Regarding my last statement, I had mainly Christians and Atheists in mind. When it comes to this head on rivalry amongst the youth, primarily college students at predominantly white schools, the big deal is how big of a Christian you are or how big of an Atheist you are. The image.

Indeed, what good is religion if it's used for deception or political gains.

As for the image, on one side, you have evangelists—who threatens with the promise of Hell, and on the other you have those who are content with knowing and/or not knowing—who threatens with... disbelief? The one who is at fault is the one who insisted in the first place, in this case. That's the image I have, but it is not in regard to hardcore Atheists I guess.

actually disco...i was asked a question that BrandonSaunders pretty much answered..but not to flake out, i thought id mention my thought on that matter...i'd suggest to you the same, and not spam..because ur comment was equally pointless.

To be relevant to the topic, may I ask what question did the Don answered for you?

[AngryBaby]

its more interesting and controversal , and we never have a debate on how a religion is wrong

[sovietski]

This is where the pious Christian and the antiChrist atheist prove that both sides are full of themselves...

To Christians and other devout followers of a given religion:
Believe what you believe, stop trying to convert the world and stop claiming that Christianity, or any other religion holds a given power over another.

To atheists:
Just shut up. Ok, you deny the existence of Gods, but this vendetta against Christians is like throwing shit at a horse's ass. It's pointless. Let it go. At the end of the day, Christians are agitated and you look like jackasses so the cycle of lunacy just continues.

Live your own life and don't try to hinder the lifestyle of another.

[Olive]

I dont see the point of all these debates regarding religion...

AHAHA a topic about religion to complain about other topics on religion... how very original...

[ParanoidAndroid]

Blegh, I think religions are stupid. -_- I mean, religions can clump people together and have this whole big nice community, but it always clashes with other religions one time or another. I mean, wars have been fought because of differences in religion or just hatred against one particular belief.

I'm particularly annoyed by people who are obsessed with their religion. They think every disagreement is some attack on their beliefs. People are writing books against The Da Vinci Code because they think that it's all lies and Dan Brown is trying to force everyone to convert. O_o They also go around trying to convert everyone to their religion. There's this boy in my class who does that. O_O

I personally think the only good religion out there is Buddhism. I mean, there's no God, they're not worshipping anyone/anything, and it's more of a way of life instead of a religion. Plus, it's a peaceful religion. As far as I know, no wars have started because of Buddhism. Yes yes, I know about China forcing out all of Tibetan Buddhist, but at least they're not reacting against this violently.

We're all different enough as it is by race, but adding religion to this just makes it even worse in my opinion. And this whole things with God/gods/goddesses... people are making themselves inferior. C'mon, they're making sacrifices (in the past), they're begging them for forgiveness, they sometimes even go as far as causing themselves personal pain in the act of asking forgiveness, praying for who knows what, and much more crap that isn't really needed. At least in Buddhism there isn't a god or wtvr. Yes yes, there's Buddha, but he's more of a role model and sets an example for what other Buddhists want to achieve; enlightenment.

Every religion thinks that they're right and everyone else is wrong. Then no one's right and everyone's wrong. =|

To tell the truth, people can actually believe in TONS of religions. The problem is that one of them got too arrogant.

[Mulder]

well, to be fair, one of the notions of christianity is that they help to "enlighten" us heathens.

[CrimsonSkyGraphi...]

Eh. >.> Okies. I'm not going to even get into the debate here. I'm more posting to the first comment in this thread.

I do agree, to some extent. I 'do' believe its wrong to push your beleifs on someone. And believe me, I've been through too much of that in my life. My mom is a total Spiritualist. Against most of the bible. <.< My bf is a full out Christian. Dont you just want to be me right now? XD Ah, it's awful. I try to tell my mom I might be interested in something that my bf is and she starts flippin out on me that I'm 'changing' my beliefs an how bad that is. <_< At least my bf is a bit more supportive. He wont flip out on me. He just wont change 'his' ideas if I try to introduce something I'm interested in. -_-

So yeah, religion can cause major conflicts. In very bad ways. Sadly..I 'do' blame that more on human competativness and fear of being wrong, over the actual fact of if religion is 'bad' or not. We need to just accept that people have a right to their own opinion. If that come asking for information cause they're interested in something, 'then' you can explain to them your side. Otherwise..Dont..try to change someone.

Now, I'm not bashing anyone for defending their ideals. It's good for your confidence to stand up for yourself and what you believe in. And for that reason, under 'controlled' circumstances..I agree with debating it. As long as no one gets offended, all's okay. It 'can' be good. As someone said before, it can show even just yourself how well you know your stuff.

So yeah. Religion = Good, in my opinion. As long as it's 'respected'. Everyone is right in what they believe in, at least to themselves. And it's not fair to try and prove them wrong.

[aznxdreamer]

i dont think people should question other peoples religon. its like, "you like the color purple? thats wrong. you have to like the color blue or else you'll burn in hell for the rest of eternity"
everyone has their own beliefs and people should have the right to practice whatever religon they want. even if believing in another god other than god, shiva, buddha, or wahtever, will take you to hell, why should we care? leave them alone with their religon and we're all happy people.

[timeflies51]

Religion should not be used to find answers, but only to help ask more questions.