Is there a point to religion?

[problematica]

 

Mid Easterner terrorists were supposedly fighting for their religion of Islam & they killed off nearly half of New York to do that. And you dare say that religion is harmless!

 

 

Not anywhere near half of New York. There's also no evidence to prove that "Terrorists from the Middle East" caused 9/11.

 

Explosives were planted at the base of the tower. How'd they get there? Jet fuel doesn't burn at a high enough temperature to burn down the material which constructed the Twin Towers' date=' it was the explosives at the base. It was a huge frame-up on the American Government's part to frame-up the Middle East so people wouldn't object if they "responded" by blasting Middle Eastern countries like Afghanistan and Iraq for oil.

 

As for whether or not religion is harmless, religion in itself is just a set of beliefs for which people can live by, which isn't the direct cause of wars and death. The cause of the wars and death due to religion is conflicts of religions. It's when people decide "your beliefs are different from mine, so you're a bad person and should be killed" about other people. If they just stuck to their own beliefs and lived by them it wouldn't be a problem, it's the disagreement of beliefs which people use to label people as wrong with that's the cause of war, death, etc.

 

So just don't question others' beliefs and everything's fine, needless death can be averted.

 

I myself am an Atheist, but I respect the beliefs of others. ;)

 

To sum it up: Religion is a set of stories, beliefs and values which can be important to live by. It's fine as long as people don't question other religions and use it to make others seem evil due to their being "wrong" or "different."

[/quote']

 

Thank you

 

As for this thread, I find it humorously ironic. It is about people's preachyness of religion and working to get people to follow it, yet here nearly everyone is preaching how religion is bad and are working to get people to not follow it.

[2sick4u]

Bah' date=' get over the little pansified babies who are trying to tell you that you're going to hell if you don't beleive in some crap, just flick them off and get on with your lives...

 

[b']Note to Enrise: There's more than just Christianity out there. That; and how hostile people are to Christians counter-acts how pushy Christians are to others. Really, if you just say "No. Thanks, I'm not really interested." They'll proceed to stop targeting you with their evangelizing. [/b]

 

We don't know if there is a God, Devil, Angel, or whatever Celestial Being that has the power over us... Hell, Anybody can make up their own Religion almost, that is how we have so many Branches of the Protestant part of Christianity...

 

This is true. The argument that faith 'cannot be proven wrong' is limp and flawed at best. However, I believe where that argument holds virtue in the form of debating creationism is in how much a large minority believe in it. If you find 40,000,000 people that believe in the flying spaghetti monster, you're going to have to prove it wrong as apposed to themselves proving it correct.

 

We can't prove there is a God, Devil or whatever, and Science can't either... Heck, if we might die, we just probably be in the same Situation as the Matrix movies...

 

Most would assuming that dieing is similar to not being born.

 

That is, pre-life is the same as post-life. Consciousness is merely the bridge in between them.

 

Maybe... But we may never know until the day we die, so, while your having a good time flicking overly-religious people off, and being with your friends, don't pay attention to what Religion says, because there may be nobody controlling us...

 

Let's relate this to the Yu-Gi-Oh card game, shall we?

 

You have a card in your hand, called "Heaven, rotting and hell." Due to how all 3 are described Religiously, you must assume that Heaven would result in a +1 to hand advantage being foretold as eternally blissful and all, Rotting will be neutral and thus a 0, leaving hell as a -1.

 

In order to garner the benefits of Heaven's "+1" ability, which we'll merely say is 'Draw two cards." one must first believe in Creationism. However, after-wards, one must flip a coin. If they've called it right, by that I mean theorized correctly, they get to Draw the two cards. If they called it wrong, they activate the Neutral effect of Rotting, and draw one card.

 

However, they can choose to pronounce the ideal that a conscious deity doesn't exist, thus activating the effect of hell, which we'll say is merely "Discard this card to the graveyard". An obvious -1, and shouldn't be desired. However, much like Heaven, when activating the effect of 'hell,' one must flip a coin. If they've called it right, they get to activate the effect of 'rotting.' If they've called it wrong, 'Hell' still activates.

 

That's a narrow-minded stand-point I used to have on Creationism, and it is narrow-minded due to how it disregards any other after-life theory being correct, mainly re-incarnation, but still. If Heaven and Hell both exist, believing will bring about better benefits than not. Having at-least some sort of faith in Creationism would leave the after-life, at worst, as Neutral. Not believing in it at all will leave the best as Neutral. =/.

 

That, and a Religious life isn't exactly a bad one. Wrong or not, I've met some of the greatest people I've ever known through my entire 'Christian' phase, as well as how I've gotten to see some of the world on Missionaries and such.

 

But still, it cannot be proven to not exist, as it cannot be proven to exist which results in where you put your dedication to always be opinionated. =/.

 

All we know is that the Universe was created by the Big Bang, but sometimes, I might think that Chuck Norris just roundhouse kicked God to the face...

 

I may be wrong, and if I am, gladly point it out to me. But I re-call the Big-Bang not having much of an insight as to how it actually began taking effect. As in, what was existent for the Bang to happen? How was it existent prior to that? And so on. Call me wrong if you will, but I remember it from somewhere. =/.

[/rant]

 

~Enrise

 

Abolishing Religion will cause more conflict than keeping Religion has.

 

That' date=' and Lol@AlbusTryingToBeAnIntellectual.

[/quote']

Mid Easterner terrorists were supposedly fighting for their religion of Islam & they killed off nearly half of New York to do that. And you dare say that religion is harmless!

 

No, they didn't. Don't be a fool.

 

In monarchy Europe, the kings would like to use the church as an excuse to prosecute other people or minorities.

 

Yes, and I believe Tabris brought up the same stand-point in the 'World Wars, how many has their been?" thread. However. Saying such a fact is saying what Religion was during the times of Europe, so to speak, isn't anything similar to what Religion is like on a modern standard. Religion works hand-in-hand with freedom, morals and so forth. But that's somewhat beside the point.

 

The point is is that, in my opinion, the amount of social rebellion and conflict that would ensue as a result of abolishing Religion is more disastrous than keeping it. =/.

 

Hate to say it. But prove me wrong. :P.

 

 

Yeahh,

[Guest]

2sick4u's yugimonz analogy is basically Pascal's Gambit translated into layman's terms.

[2sick4u]

No.

 

I might just be curious here' date=' Duff.Man., but care to elaborate?

 

I think I'd actually enjoy hearing what someone who tries to be as smart as you are has to say about this topic, in detail, of course. Go ahead, let it all hang out. Ethics, Governing advantages or whatever. Share with us why there is no point to Religion, and I may just come 'round to respecting you. =D.

 

2sick4u's yugimonz analogy is basically Pascal's Gambit translated into layman's terms.

 

An argument actually on Religions side is still an argument actually on Religions side.

 

When typing my analogy up, I presumed a philosopher had already contributed something similar, so thanks for sourcing that, I guess. =/.

[Guest]

No.

 

I might just be curious here' date=' Duff.Man., but care to elaborate?

 

I think I'd actually enjoy hearing what someone who tries to be as smart as you are has to say about this topic, in detail, of course. Go ahead, let it all hang out. Ethics, Governing advantages or whatever. Share with us why there is no point to Religion, and I may just come 'round to respecting you. =D.

 

2sick4u's yugimonz analogy is basically Pascal's Gambit translated into layman's terms.

 

An argument actually on Religions side is still an argument actually on Religions side.

 

When typing my analogy up, I presumed a philosopher had already contributed something similar, so thanks for sourcing that, I guess. =/.

 

Of course, this also means that other philosophers have developed detailed counterarguments. So yeah. >_>

[Willieh]

Lol.

 

Religion is what founds us. Believing in a higher power has helped out and destroyed in so many ways, that without religion; it probably wouldn't be worth living. It's self-rightous and selfless. It's a living breathing, inanimate non-breathing, paradox. But the interesting part of the equation are the people like you try to make it look bad, and people like them try to make it look good.

 

I look at it for what it is. Entertainment.

[Tabris]

All the same' date=' such defenses induce a facepalm from me. For those to be called "defenses" is a mockery of the word "defense", of logic (and common sense), of the people (especially the more credulous ones)...

 

/rant

[/quote']

 

Lawl, taking Swift at face value. The point wasn't to defend the church; it was to attack and trivialize it. He's a satirist.

 

Or do you think he really supported eating babies?

 

Oh. Forgot.

 

+ facepalm +

---

The point is is that, in my opinion, the amount of social rebellion and conflict that would ensue as a result of abolishing Religion is more disastrous than keeping it. =/.

 

+ curious +

 

... which would be?

 

And, please, Crab, control your Swift.

[2sick4u]

No.

 

I might just be curious here' date=' Duff.Man., but care to elaborate?

 

I think I'd actually enjoy hearing what someone who tries to be as smart as you are has to say about this topic, in detail, of course. Go ahead, let it all hang out. Ethics, Governing advantages or whatever. Share with us why there is no point to Religion, and I may just come 'round to respecting you. =D.

 

2sick4u's yugimonz analogy is basically Pascal's Gambit translated into layman's terms.

 

An argument actually on Religions side is still an argument actually on Religions side.

 

When typing my analogy up, I presumed a philosopher had already contributed something similar, so thanks for sourcing that, I guess. =/.

 

Of course, this also means that other philosophers have developed detailed counterarguments. So yeah. >_>

 

As I said, that was my perspective on Creationism, but it isn't anymore.

 

I'm well aware that the devotion associated makes the neutral a-lot more one sided than it appears to be.

 

The point is is that' date=' in my opinion, the amount of social rebellion and conflict that would ensue as a result of abolishing Religion is more disastrous than keeping it. =/.[/i']

 

+ curious +

 

... which would be?

 

Besides the obvious? From various Census's and Graphs, you can average out that only about 15-20% of the World are Non-Religious. Even then, only about a quarter of that number are pronounced Atheists. As such, denying 80% of the worlds people the right to worship freely would result in one hell of a chaotic rebellion.

 

Besides that, I don't actually see how it would be possible to abolish Religion completely. Restriction =/= Prevention, if ever.

 

Which.. Actually makes my theory rather redundant, but still. =p.

[Azuh]

Is there a point to religion?

 

Is there a point to life?

 

Think about it, doesn't take a genius

[Obi-wan Cannoli]

No.

 

I wanted to say that.

 

So um...

 

No.

[Raelen]

Short Answer: Yes

 

Long Answer: Google "Lutheran Beliefs."

[Tabris]

To Azuh:

 

Go ask any atheist that you know.

 

+ primes up for an interview +

 

To 4u:

 

But of course, you said "abolish". And by "abolish" you mean "remove forcibly".

 

Of course, as an ardent democrat, I detest such action. Of course people can kowtow to bones and stones whenever they feel to.

 

But I feel we're strayin' a bit too far. Where were we?

[Wyhe]

The main point here is just that religion has caused more harm than good so far & will continue so. The human race should know that the so-called "holy truth" spoken in holy text are just what some people in the ancient past has written down to promote vices. (such as slavery, sexism, racism & mutual hatred)

[~ P O L A R I S ~]

The main point here is just that religion has caused more harm than good so far & will continue so.

 

No, the harm isn't caused by religion, it's caused as a result of religion because people can't accept others' differences. If all differences were accepted, there'd be no religion wars.

[Wyhe]

The main point here is just that religion has caused more harm than good so far & will continue so.

 

No' date=' the harm isn't caused by religion, it's caused as a result of religion because people can't accept others' differences. If all differences were accepted, there'd be no religion wars.

[/quote']

It is within human nature not to accept change.

 

People make friends with others only because one finds similarities with each other. However, if one identifies another to be too different based on any sort of criteria, there will be discrimination & all conflicts can be traced to the following points.

 

-Race

-Religion

-Culture

 

These elements serve as walls that shall eternally divide the human race into various conflicting civilizations.

[:^)]

I don't know why' date=' but for some reason people needs to believe in something. Maybe the human being is the only animal that knows he will die someday without doubt, and that is scary for most of them.

[/quote']

 

I voted no, I believe when you die, you stay in your body and rot.

[Guest]

If you somehow magically abolish religion, then people find just another excuse to kill each other.

 

True fact.

[Metal Lord]

“You can argue about Christianity with people that aren’t believers, but in the end it’s pointless because it’s all about faith. There’s a lot that you can’t answer in a rational way."

 

--Charlie Simpson, Fightstar

 

He's right. How the hell am I, or anyone, supposed to get our points though to you when you've come to your own conclusions?

Let me tell you one thing, I have seen interveiws with former atheists who had experienced clinical death (the point where there is no activity in the brain WHAT SO EVER) and they all said it was far from nothingness.

Religion gives us hope, makes us better people and teaches us to learn. And just to prove some of you wrong, I read a news paper artical which stated more scientists belive in God then don't (and probably more than 10, 20 or 30 years ago) simply because they cannot disprove God's existance.

Quote from one of them:

'Atheists will have to have faith the size of a mountain to countinue to believe there is no God."

-- One of the top scientists in the world (can't remember his name.)

[Dark]

I think the only reason people created religion(s) was to differenciate themselves with others. No one can prove God exsists, and no one can PROVE they are right. So, there is no point to it.

[Wyhe]

Faith simply pleases people from seeing the world as what it truly is:an utterly neutral world where all beings are to suffer no matter what.

 

By believing in a faith, it would give off the mental illusion that you will be saved from all the sufferings of life & move on to the "Paradise".

[Guest]

' pid='1516950' dateline='1230396636']

I think the only reason people created religion(s) was to differenciate themselves with others. No one can prove God exsists' date=' and no one can PROVE they are right. So, there is no point to it.

[/quote']

 

I cannot prove that pie exists. That doesn't mean that I'm going to stop eating it, and it doesn't mean that I don't find it delicious.

[Dark]

' pid='1516950' dateline='1230396636']

I think the only reason people created religion(s) was to differenciate themselves with others. No one can prove God exsists' date=' and no one can PROVE they are right. So, there is no point to it.

[/quote']

 

I cannot prove that pie exists. That doesn't mean that I'm going to stop eating it, and it doesn't mean that I don't find it delicious.

 

I can prove pie exsists. Do you want me to post a picture from Google, about what pie looks like/is? You cannot prove God exsists, but I can prove pie exsists.

[Guest]

' pid='1516985' dateline='1230397004']

' pid='1516950' dateline='1230396636']

I think the only reason people created religion(s) was to differenciate themselves with others. No one can prove God exsists' date=' and no one can PROVE they are right. So, there is no point to it.

[/quote']

 

I cannot prove that pie exists. That doesn't mean that I'm going to stop eating it, and it doesn't mean that I don't find it delicious.

 

I can prove pie exsists. Do you want me to post a picture from Google, about what pie looks like/is? You cannot prove God exsists, but I can prove pie exsists.

 

Your senses could be deceived by an evil genie. You cannot be certain that what you see is real.

 

Go read Plato or Descartes for more on this subject. Or, if that's too hard for you, just watch The Matrix.

[Cyber Altair]

The main point here is just that religion has caused more harm than good so far & will continue so.

 

The harm is just a side effect. Without Religion many of this couldn't happen besides you just cannot prove that Religion is pointless cause as far as we know God might exist.

[Willieh]

' pid='1516950' dateline='1230396636']

I think the only reason people created religion(s) was to differentiate* themselves with others. No one can prove God exists*' date=' and no one can PROVE they are right. So, there is no point to it.

[/quote']

 

You can't prove god isn't real. So there's no point to anything. In fact; you can't PROVE ANYTHING is real. So there's no point to anything. We could all be a thought of some bigger animal that gave us artificial intelligence and memories.

 

"You can't prove" isn't a good defense seeing as it is so weak of a defense.