Author Topic: religion is bad for society? get out... (Read 12737 times)

Ranman · « **Reply #30 on:** October 10, 2005, 02:44:00 am »

QuoteBegin-MathStuf+10 October 2005, 8:3-->

QUOTE (MathStuf @ 10 October 2005, 8:30)

There are more than enough Christian divisions, all saying that they're right. What puts one over the other?

Very good point.

We have to stick to what the Bible says. We cannot add any human reasoning to it. The Bible was written with an "original intent"... meaning it cannot have 500 different meanings from 500 different people. Many of us like to think this is true. We tend to think, "I believe this scripture means this." When, it is quite possible, it means something completely different. It is our job to seek the original intent and not what we want it to be.

Always question what you believe and be open to other interpretations or rebuttal. This will only help you to grow. Always continue to search for the truth.

Can this be done perfectly? Probably not. But, we should do our best. That is what is expected of us.

necro · « **Reply #31 on:** October 10, 2005, 07:10:00 am »

QuoteBegin-Ranman+10 October 2005, 8:44-->

QUOTE (Ranman @ 10 October 2005, 8:44)

QuoteBegin-MathStuf+10 October 2005, 8:3-->

QUOTE (MathStuf @ 10 October 2005, 8:30)

There are more than enough Christian divisions, all saying that they're right. What puts one over the other?

Very good point.

We have to stick to what the Bible says. We cannot add any human reasoning to it. The Bible was written with an "original intent"... meaning it cannot have 500 different meanings from 500 different people. Many of us like to think this is true. We tend to think, "I believe this scripture means this." When, it is quite possible, it means something completely different. It is our job to seek the original intent and not what we want it to be.

Always question what you believe and be open to other interpretations or rebuttal. This will only help you to grow. Always continue to search for the truth.

Can this be done perfectly? Probably not. But, we should do our best. That is what is expected of us.

You do know the torah makes no mention of an after life, don't you? Heaven and hell are concepts of the new testemant.

DarkAuron · « **Reply #32 on:** October 10, 2005, 11:12:00 am »

Here's my ideas on all this:
We only have one life. We should make the best of what we have until we die. Not be goody-goody so we can earn eternal life in prosperity. That's just silly IMO, but I'm not gonna down anyone that believes that. Immortality defies the cycle of life. So why should we have more than one life? When we die, we become one with the universe again. Matter cannot be created nor destroyed. So why would there be something waiting for us after we die? Thinking that life will be perfect in an afterlife if you do good all your life is, again in my opinion, a childish fantasy that will never happen.

Religion helps give many people hope. Even though I believe them to be false hopes, it still keeps people going. Often the side effects can be a bit.. annoying. Beliefs that shut out others because of taboo and such. I think that any judgemental beliefs supported by religion is supported by a bad religion. Sure, nothing is perfect, and there are many flaws, but there are several religions that I almost hate.

So what keeps me going? If I believe that theres nothing at all after we die, and that seemingly my 'life' is basically worth nothing once I die, why do I bother living? Why don't I just end it now? Well, because once I die, I'm not capable of enjoying anything. And I like to enjoy things. I do good in my life because I don't want other people to suffer for my actions, to ruin their lives. That's something I couldn't forgive myself if I ever did something to hurt another person intentionally.

That's where respect comes in. You respect others because they too have lives they life, troubles they deal with. You should respect the fact that they put time into their beliefs, their ideals. You shouldn't *ever* judge another person because in reality you're not better than another person. You might have a higher social rank, but that doesn't make you better than them. What makes a person better is the care for others and yourself. Often however, it's a rarity in life to find someone that truly does such a thing.