The problem with muslims is other muslims are making them look bad. The "good" muslims should take care of the "bad" muslims, so we can get… more passed this progressive problem we are having, and live peacefully to coexist. Personally i believe in the next couple hundred years, we will have space travel, so all we have to do is not kill each other until we find a new planet to defile.
I'd say that I am a non-denominational Christian. I feel like I have a relationship with God, and it's pretty much impossible for me not to believe in a higher power given several things that have happened in my life.
I was raised a Christian.
I don't go to church any longer, but nevertheless I still believe in God, and I can quote the "good book" from cover to cover.
I guess if I were to belong in a group it would be Messianic Judaism, although Yeshua (Jesus) condemned religions that are derived from foll… moreowing traditions ahemallmodernreligionsahem instead of focusing on the love of God and each other, and following earthly leaders ahempopeandrabbisahem instead of seeking God's direction directly through Yeshua (and not through a closet with some priest) just like He himself said in the gospels.
So you could say I'm just a person (Jewish in ethnicity) that believes in God and that the Messiah described in the Tanakh is Yeshua, I'm not Christian and I'm not Jewish (as in the Orthodox Judaism which is nothing like it was in the past).
I know this is probably confusing, because it seems to be a paradox to be Jewish and believe in Yeshua, but if anyone wants to ask about it I'm here to answer
That's very nice to hear, the sad truth though is that the extremist Orthodox Jews are almost no better than radical Muslims, some even hurt Gentiles on God's behalf. If everyone would accept the love of Christ and not fight on his behalf, religion wouldn't for so many wars
Christianity. I don't believe going to church or having some rules is gonna make you go in Heaven, it's about personal relationship between person and God/Jesus and when you put all of your faith you'll be changed aka born again.
Why Buddhism in particular? I did East Asia studies in college so I've invariably had to learn a lot about Buddhism.
Personally, I was ra… moreised Episcopalian, but I'm fervently agnostic (I can get into why I say agnostic rather than atheist if you'd like. It's not a cop-out to be nice to religious people - I'm actually pretty much an anti-theist).
I'll also say, as far as tolerance, I don't believe in religious tolerance any more than I believe in political tolerance - they are ideas, some can be foiled with logic, some require ridicule. You shouldn't insult the person, and you certainly can't ban it by law, but you can argue and mock, and I'm willing to have my ideas to be derided and made fun of.
In all seriousness, I love God and Jesus as much as the next guy, but I hate how some of us are so damn extreme on are practices. I.E the way we treated gays, bisexuals, and lesbians, and me being Bisexual is pretty close to home. And are overzealous view on abortion ect.
A couple of reasons, predominantly because I believe truth in itself is a good, even if it is agains utility (IE no matter how depressing the truth is, truth should be pursued). Whether religions does more good than harm is secondary - Richard Dawkins said "there are good people, and there are bad people, but for a good person to do a bad thing, it takes relgion." Well, I think the opposite is true as well, bad people are often constrained by the fear of God, probably moreso than otherwise good people driven to ill deeds. Even if religion is beneficial to society on the whole, I still believe truth to be the highest objective.
As to the truth, I have less a problem with the idea of 'God' in the abstract (though what God is I think is an important question that hasn't been resolved - hence I call myself an agnostic rather than an atheist), than I do with the religions that we have (Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, etc... pick whichever one you want). The shortest answer is that they proclaim to be divine revelation even though history shows the development of theological beliefs over time. (Watch PBS's Empires: The Kingdom of David - it shows the development of Judaism from a polytheistic religion to a monotheistic one. It's more complicated than the story of Abraham with his father's statues, it shows how polytheistic beliefs remained within Judaism well after the events of Exodus). In the case of Buddhism, there was a development from Theravada to Mahayana Buddhism, which largely conformed to the necessities of Sui and Tang Chinese society; not to mention the interplay between Buddhist and Daoist theology (If I remember my Chinese history class correctly, I can get back with more info if you're interested) - basically, divine revelation shouldn't being historically informed.
Obviously, I can't speak for every religion out there, but the ones I know I'm against them in general simply because they don't hold water in terms of evidence, and I don't believe that falsehood should be embraced simply because it provides inspiration or comfort.
Exactly, Jesus was against all traditional religions and wanted to call out the hypocrites who work more to please God with useless traditions rather than love eachother and preach for him, going to church isn't going to make you a better person in God's eyes.
Christianity. I don't believe going to church or having some rules is gonna make you go in Heaven, it's about personal relationship between person and God/Jesus and when you put all of your faith you'll be changed aka born again.
Technically, the Queen is our Pope as Head of the Anglican Church. I'm not sure how that figures in with Episcopalians and the American Revolution though... Unlike most Protestants, Episcopalians do have Bishops and Diosceses, and an overall infrastructure similar to the Catholic chuch.
Basically, King Henry VIII wanted to bone Anne Boleyn (didn't stop him from chopping her head off later) but the Pope wouldn't give him a divorce, so he decided to put himself as the head of the Church separate from the Catholics (this was the same time as the Protestant Reformation, so there was a lot of anti-Catholic sentiment). His daughter Bloody Mary tried to turn the country back to being Catholic, but it was reversed by her sister, Queen Elizabeth, who is largely responsible for the 'ritualistically Catholic, theologically Prostestant' Anglican Church you have today.
This doesn't negate my statement at all. Protestants don't answer to the Pope and don't view him as the head of the religion. Other than that, I reckon that there are Protestant churches out there that have the same/very similar structure to the Catholic Church.
Technically, the Queen is our Pope as Head of the Anglican Church. I'm not sure how that figures in with Episcopalians and the American Revo… morelution though... Unlike most Protestants, Episcopalians do have Bishops and Diosceses, and an overall infrastructure similar to the Catholic chuch.
Basically, King Henry VIII wanted to bone Anne Boleyn (didn't stop him from chopping her head off later) but the Pope wouldn't give him a divorce, so he decided to put himself as the head of the Church separate from the Catholics (this was the same time as the Protestant Reformation, so there was a lot of anti-Catholic sentiment). His daughter Bloody Mary tried to turn the country back to being Catholic, but it was reversed by her sister, Queen Elizabeth, who is largely responsible for the 'ritualistically Catholic, theologically Prostestant' Anglican Church you have today.
None of them answer to the Pope, yes; but while Lutherans, Calvinists, Presbyterians etc. don't really have a Head of the Church (to my knowledge). Anglicans do, and it's the Queen, even if she doesn't really use her authority (actually, I've never understood whether the Queen is the head or the Archbishop of Canterbury...). In any case, I'm pretty sure Protestants don't have bishops or archbishops.
(Btw, I didn't mean to be patronizing to you with the history bit; just putting out there for people, including the OP, who are interested in general).
This doesn't negate my statement at all. Protestants don't answer to the Pope and don't view him as the head of the religion. Other than tha… moret, I reckon that there are Protestant churches out there that have the same/very similar structure to the Catholic Church.
Also, I'm aware of that.
Well, the important bit is that they don't answer to the Pope. They don't necessarily need to have a head of religion, though. Queen of England is the head of Anglican Church because of the circumstances you mentioned, with all this debacle Henry VIII started. Also, I think the Archbishop of Canterbury is the top religious official in England/UK, but not a head of Anglican Church. Funny how a religious institution has a secular ruler at its head.
(Well, it still sounded as if you were trying to educate me on that subject. If you didn't mean anything by it, then it's fine. The OP is likely to be interested in that, I'm sure.)
None of them answer to the Pope, yes; but while Lutherans, Calvinists, Presbyterians etc. don't really have a Head of the Church (to my know… moreledge). Anglicans do, and it's the Queen, even if she doesn't really use her authority (actually, I've never understood whether the Queen is the head or the Archbishop of Canterbury...). In any case, I'm pretty sure Protestants don't have bishops or archbishops.
(Btw, I didn't mean to be patronizing to you with the history bit; just putting out there for people, including the OP, who are interested in general).
Anyone can hear the voice of god, if they listen. Its in the sunlight, its in the morning dew on fresh cut grass. Its everywhere, and nothing at the same time.
I am christian. Although, I respect everyone's beliefs because people are allowed to think what they want to think. I think that no matter what someone believes in (as long as they aren't hurting anyone) should be treated with nothing but kindness and respect.
Um... that doesn't really do anything to refute my statement. The point of my statement was that many religions that still exist today (as well as some individuals) believe in a different god or gods and this has been going on since the dawn of man. So how can you be so sure that you heard Jesus and/or Yaweh instead of the voices from other gods or just hallucinations?
Anyone can hear the voice of god, if they listen. Its in the sunlight, its in the morning dew on fresh cut grass. Its everywhere, and nothing at the same time.
I feel like Atheism has a negative reputation because people stereotype atheist with assholes who think they're better then everybody else. Most atheists I know arent one dimensional assholes but a few are. (Too be far every religion has assholes in it though)
I'm an Atheist.
I feel like Atheism has a negative reputation because people stereotype atheist with assholes who think they're better th… moreen everybody else. Most atheists I know arent one dimensional assholes but a few are. (Too be far every religion has assholes in it though)
Comments
Just because some asshole pastor punched a damn kid doesn't mean you should think that's what Jesus preached, he didn't preach for punching kids.
true, jesus didnt punch kids...he taught us "believe in him or else spend eternity in hell"...far worse than a punch.
... can we not do this?
Yeah. Did you know in the Paris terroist attacks, the guy who hid the people in the fridge was a Muslim? Good man.
Heheheh so true.
my apologies, this will be my last post on this matter
Alright, sounds good.
That must have been an amazing experience, sounds like you and that person have been blessed.:))
Christian
Strong Atheism/ Practical Atheism
I can't find it in me to be an Agnostic although that isn't a problem with me. It's just that I prefer to pick one side or the other.
Born Roman Catholic but eventually stopped going to church and my entire family became pseudo-Agnostic.
I used to be a Christian, but I'm more of an agnostic now.
Roman Catholic.
Slightly Agnostic though I'm trying not to be. I guess I'm keeping my mind open to everything but I'm mostly into the religion I was born into.
I'd say that I am a non-denominational Christian. I feel like I have a relationship with God, and it's pretty much impossible for me not to believe in a higher power given several things that have happened in my life.
I was raised as a Pentacostal Christian, was an Agnostic for a while, and then became a Pentacostal Christian for a while.
I was raised a Christian.
I don't go to church any longer, but nevertheless I still believe in God, and I can quote the "good book" from cover to cover.
Sounds a bit like me. I have been a Christian off and on so many times I've lost count lol
I love Jewish people, and Israeli people. I've had the honour of meeting a few and they were wonderful people, so hospitable.
That's very nice to hear, the sad truth though is that the extremist Orthodox Jews are almost no better than radical Muslims, some even hurt Gentiles on God's behalf. If everyone would accept the love of Christ and not fight on his behalf, religion wouldn't for so many wars
Christian, but I don't really have a denomination, since I'm not SUPER religious. I just believe in all the basic stuffs
I'm not really much of a religious person, but I guess I'm christian.
Christianity. I don't believe going to church or having some rules is gonna make you go in Heaven, it's about personal relationship between person and God/Jesus and when you put all of your faith you'll be changed aka born again.
Muslim. I'm not the most religious person though.
Christian
So why are you anti-atheist?
I'm not anti-atheist.
That was in reply to Sara, not you
But upon reading it again I notice it says "anti-theist", which still intrigues me.
Oh, my bad. I was in a hurry and I didn't see the changes of shadows of grey. Sorry.
ROMAN CATHOLIC BABY!
In all seriousness, I love God and Jesus as much as the next guy, but I hate how some of us are so damn extreme on are practices. I.E the way we treated gays, bisexuals, and lesbians, and me being Bisexual is pretty close to home. And are overzealous view on abortion ect.
A couple of reasons, predominantly because I believe truth in itself is a good, even if it is agains utility (IE no matter how depressing the truth is, truth should be pursued). Whether religions does more good than harm is secondary - Richard Dawkins said "there are good people, and there are bad people, but for a good person to do a bad thing, it takes relgion." Well, I think the opposite is true as well, bad people are often constrained by the fear of God, probably moreso than otherwise good people driven to ill deeds. Even if religion is beneficial to society on the whole, I still believe truth to be the highest objective.
As to the truth, I have less a problem with the idea of 'God' in the abstract (though what God is I think is an important question that hasn't been resolved - hence I call myself an agnostic rather than an atheist), than I do with the religions that we have (Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, etc... pick whichever one you want). The shortest answer is that they proclaim to be divine revelation even though history shows the development of theological beliefs over time. (Watch PBS's Empires: The Kingdom of David - it shows the development of Judaism from a polytheistic religion to a monotheistic one. It's more complicated than the story of Abraham with his father's statues, it shows how polytheistic beliefs remained within Judaism well after the events of Exodus). In the case of Buddhism, there was a development from Theravada to Mahayana Buddhism, which largely conformed to the necessities of Sui and Tang Chinese society; not to mention the interplay between Buddhist and Daoist theology (If I remember my Chinese history class correctly, I can get back with more info if you're interested) - basically, divine revelation shouldn't being historically informed.
Obviously, I can't speak for every religion out there, but the ones I know I'm against them in general simply because they don't hold water in terms of evidence, and I don't believe that falsehood should be embraced simply because it provides inspiration or comfort.
Exactly, Jesus was against all traditional religions and wanted to call out the hypocrites who work more to please God with useless traditions rather than love eachother and preach for him, going to church isn't going to make you a better person in God's eyes.
Technically, the Queen is our Pope as Head of the Anglican Church. I'm not sure how that figures in with Episcopalians and the American Revolution though... Unlike most Protestants, Episcopalians do have Bishops and Diosceses, and an overall infrastructure similar to the Catholic chuch.
Basically, King Henry VIII wanted to bone Anne Boleyn (didn't stop him from chopping her head off later) but the Pope wouldn't give him a divorce, so he decided to put himself as the head of the Church separate from the Catholics (this was the same time as the Protestant Reformation, so there was a lot of anti-Catholic sentiment). His daughter Bloody Mary tried to turn the country back to being Catholic, but it was reversed by her sister, Queen Elizabeth, who is largely responsible for the 'ritualistically Catholic, theologically Prostestant' Anglican Church you have today.
This doesn't negate my statement at all. Protestants don't answer to the Pope and don't view him as the head of the religion. Other than that, I reckon that there are Protestant churches out there that have the same/very similar structure to the Catholic Church.
Also, I'm aware of that.
None of them answer to the Pope, yes; but while Lutherans, Calvinists, Presbyterians etc. don't really have a Head of the Church (to my knowledge). Anglicans do, and it's the Queen, even if she doesn't really use her authority (actually, I've never understood whether the Queen is the head or the Archbishop of Canterbury...). In any case, I'm pretty sure Protestants don't have bishops or archbishops.
(Btw, I didn't mean to be patronizing to you with the history bit; just putting out there for people, including the OP, who are interested in general).
Well, the important bit is that they don't answer to the Pope. They don't necessarily need to have a head of religion, though. Queen of England is the head of Anglican Church because of the circumstances you mentioned, with all this debacle Henry VIII started. Also, I think the Archbishop of Canterbury is the top religious official in England/UK, but not a head of Anglican Church. Funny how a religious institution has a secular ruler at its head.
(Well, it still sounded as if you were trying to educate me on that subject. If you didn't mean anything by it, then it's fine. The OP is likely to be interested in that, I'm sure.)
Anyone can hear the voice of god, if they listen. Its in the sunlight, its in the morning dew on fresh cut grass. Its everywhere, and nothing at the same time.
I am christian. Although, I respect everyone's beliefs because people are allowed to think what they want to think. I think that no matter what someone believes in (as long as they aren't hurting anyone) should be treated with nothing but kindness and respect.
Um... that doesn't really do anything to refute my statement. The point of my statement was that many religions that still exist today (as well as some individuals) believe in a different god or gods and this has been going on since the dawn of man. So how can you be so sure that you heard Jesus and/or Yaweh instead of the voices from other gods or just hallucinations?
I'm an Atheist.
I feel like Atheism has a negative reputation because people stereotype atheist with assholes who think they're better then everybody else. Most atheists I know arent one dimensional assholes but a few are. (Too be far every religion has assholes in it though)
I usually get the impression that atheists are skeptics who question things, which I have no problem with. In fact, that's a good trait to have.
I was raised Roman Catholic and I still am.