What do u think:, is the bible all bullsh!t? Options

[add1cted2f1re]

Ok, we read this story called Gilgamesh if you haven't read it, google it. But basically its about this guy who wants to be immortal, and his dad tells him that one of the gods told him that a giant flood was coming to wipe out humanity.
(sound familiar?)
well... guess what he did? yep, he made a boat, filled it with his family and animals. then, when they grounded, he set out a bird to find land. blah blah blah, he repopulates the earth.

ok... now tell me that doesnt sound familiar.

I think the bible is full of crap. Whoever wrote it (probably a group of ppl) just got ideas from old stories. and dont say that the bible was written before Gilgamesh because Gilgamesh was written in early the BC's (like 2000bc)

anyone care to argue

i dont want to hear all you all calling athesiest and crap... cuz im not .

i believe in... a higher power, but i just think the bible is a bunch of nonsense

[*mipadi*]

I don't really see the point of attacking the religious beliefs of others. Who cares if another's religious beliefs are right or wrong? Religion isn't something based in fact; any religious person will tell you they believe because of faith, not evidence.

Furthermore, do facts really matter in this case? Religion is so powerful that it shapes the way people live their lives; does it really matter whether everything they believe is factual or not? They believe it and live their lives with it, no matter what.

One is not likely to change a man's mind by attacking his religion; and who cares if he believes something different, anyway? As long as his spiritual life does not encroach upon mine, I don't much care what he believes.

[NoSex]

I don't really see the point of attacking the religious beliefs of others.

Well, there could be any number of reasons given any number of situations. Alternative medicine, pseudoscience, discrimination, sexism, prejudice, baseless claims, false hopes, mutual communication, progression.

In most cases, it isn't so much an attack, as it is a reavaluation. An examiniation of vigor into the things human beings believe, and why they believe them. Not only is this important to understanding human nature, it is also important to a progressive out-look on mankind in general.

If an idea does not sit right with some, it is best to examine their case against the idea which is under scrutiny. We should communicate our issues in hopes of opening minds, growing, understanding, and respecting each other.

It would not be so progressive to call names and poke fun; resorting to ad hominem arguments. Although, I admit to doing such things on occasion, I more than often present well thoughtout objections. I welcome thought and discussion. I want to understand where others are coming from, and for others to understand where I am coming from.

If anything, you should understand the potential to human growth any form of debate presents.

Who cares if another's religious beliefs are right or wrong?

Those who believe in the first place. Those who do not believe. Most intellectualy honest individuals have a great care for whether or not what they believe is true. Right or wrong.

Given an enviroment where contrary beliefs are held by many different people, the truth value of your specific belief, in comparison with others, often becomes even more important. You have to justify your belief in face of contrary positions.

Religion isn't something based in fact; any religious person will tell you they believe because of faith, not evidence.

That is a hasty generalization. The truth of the matter is that there are many different people who hold many different beliefs for a variety of reasons. I have met a great number of religious individuals who hold that their position is supported by evidence and is the most reasonable thing to believe. I have met Christians who adamently despise those fellow Christians who believe in blind faith. Many religious people require and demand evidence for their beliefs.

Belief in the face of contrary or insufficient evidence is faith. Even those Christians who accept religion on faith, accept it as fact. They demand it to be fact, despite the lack of evidence.

They believe it to be a fact that their religion is true. If you can provide evidence to suggest otherwise, an honest, dispassionate, and ethical individual should recognize that. However, too often they do not. Why should we respect such a position? Why should we respect those beliefs held up by nothing but fear? If faith is belief without evidence, what supports it?

If the belief is not supported by facts, reason, and evidence what else is left other than emotionalism?

I respect those who can justify what they believe. I respect those beliefs that are supported by reason, promote reason and understanding, and demand intellectual investigation. I respect even more those who do examine their beliefs and themselves. I respect those who ask themselves why exactly they believe.

Those who fail to do this, and instead suppstitute reason with emotionalism, I fail to respect that. There is nothing admirable about ducking away from reality and spending your entire life weaving away from obstacles of truth while appealing to cognitive dissonance. There is nothing admirable about those who choose to live a dream in fear of their waking life.

Furthermore, do facts really matter in this case?

As a matter of fact, they do. What one believes, as a religious conviction, is either true or false. If the fact of the matter is that their religious convictions are false, they are living a lie.

In many cases, that lie may not just affect a single individual. In many cases, it can affect the whole world. It is very important that we pay attention to facts.

Religion is so powerful that it shapes the way people live their lives; does it really matter whether everything they believe is factual or not? They believe it and live their lives with it, no matter what.

That's scary. That's dangerous. That's increasingly detestable.

Religion is powerful. All the more reason to care for rationality, reason, evidence, facts, and the truth. All the more reason to have an open dialouge on religion. All the more important to debate the issue and honestly examine it.

One is not likely to change a man's mind by attacking his religion; and who cares if he believes something different, anyway?

I have converted quite a significant number of religious individuals. I appealed to their reason, and they listened. They understood and they agreed. Most of them did alot of introspection, and investigation into their own convictions. They made the change themselves, and I find that to be highly admirable.

However, it isn't so much important that an individual become an atheist. That is not exactly my goal. Such a goal would be rather naive. As you said, it is not that likely that a man can change another's religious convictions. My main goal is to cause individuals to think. Just to ask questions, probe away at their religion and the religion of others. Rationalism isn't so much about conclusions as it is about how one reaches and holds those conclusions. So long as you honestly think about what you believe, and examine those beliefs, I would be very pleased.

As long as his spiritual life does not encroach upon mine, I don't much care what he believes.

I guess I can not help myself. I still care. I think it's very important.

"There is something feeble and a little contemptible about a man who cannot face the perils of life without the help of comfortable myths. Almost inevitably some part of him is aware that they are myths and that he believes them only because they are comforting. But he dares not face this thought! Moreover, since he is aware, however dimly, that his opinions are not rational, he becomes furious when they are disputed."
-- Bertrand Russell