Religion

[Princess Artemis]

why do you think the idea of communism somehow being unbiblical comes from?

Probably it's mostly the very poor opinion which Marxism held of religion mixed with US hyper-patriotism.

[SPQR]

I'm Roman Catholic. My parents are from Poland, so I follow all the Polish Roman Catholic traditions/beliefs. I've been Roman Catholic my whole life, and it's not going to change anytime soon. I love my God, and religion is a beautiful thing.

 

I think that other religions (unless they revolve around something that's illegal/immoral/frankly stupid) are a-okay. I do find atheism quite sad, though. Perfectly valid, of course, but sad.

 

Gays are a-ok. I'm neutral on gay marriage (I'm not gay, so I don't really have a valid opinion IMO). Abortion isn't a thing to be taken lightly, but in some cases (such as rape, danger to the mother etc.), I believe it can be justified. I believe in science

 

I don't associate with the crazy Bible-pushers who scream "CONVERT!!! REPENT!!!" at you. True Catholicism (and Christianity) isn't about that. Nor is it about crazy pedo-priests or other "fake Christians". Anyone who thinks otherwise is VERY mistaken.

[Alpha1]

I do find atheism quite sad, though. Perfectly valid, of course, but sad.

 

Forget Jesus. The stars died, so you could be born.

[Dr. Paine]

Forget Jesus. The stars died, so you could be born.

Even though I doubt the seriousness of your tone for that... it's true. And when I first realized that, it was freaking awesome

 

Yes, man is formed from dust- stardust. We're recycled from the material of other times and worlds, other creatures and indeed people who have lived and died, and when we die, we'll find new life in... well, everything and anything that continues to exist, be it a tree, a sun, a worm, another person, a rocket...

 

It's absolutely beautiful, to me Granted, I seem to view it in a slightly more poetic light than just a blatant statement of fact, but it's still true, and it humbles me far more than the thought of just being... created.

[potterwolf]

why do you think the idea of communism somehow being unbiblical comes from?

It probably comes from the fact that when people run into something that they fear or dislike (communism), they tend to assume that their god is also against that thing.

 

It's the easiest way to rally your people together, isn't it? Tell them that they're fighting god's war?

[Rosedamai]

It's absolutely beautiful, to me Granted, I seem to view it in a slightly more poetic light than just a blatant statement of fact, but it's still true, and it humbles me far more than the thought of just being... created.

Yes, that applies to me too. I was in my elementary school back then, deadly afraid of dying, and my science teacher explained that to the whole class. Suddenly death just didn't seem so bad anymore-sort of like reincarnation in a way.

 

I also think that dying won't be so bad after all. I've been knocked out unconscious a couple of times, as I've gone through some major surgeries, and I guess death is a bit like that- you don't have time to process it or whatever. It's simply the end.

[philpot123]

I had an interesting discussion with a Christian communist today that made me think about the pledge drama.

 

Now, I myself, have always opposed the words "under God" in the pledge because it insults the veterans who served prior to the cold war, and could easily be seen as an attempt to force religion and/or monotheism on the students, but mostly because of the former reason.

 

Now, the words were added in 1954, after the knights of Columbus and a bunch of preachers got together. The big reason we added it was to differ ourselves from the "godless communists" as in Marxist communism. Many people today hold that God/Jesus is against communism. Some people even claim it's referenced in Revelation.

 

But given that the apostolic church was either socialistic or communistic, that while Jesus was alive all money was kept in common, and that the US was originally founded as a communist society by the pilgrims, why do you think the idea of communism somehow being unbiblical comes from?

I don't have a problem with voluntary communism, because it IS clear from scripture and observance of history that it has worked in the past and can be a very good system. The problem that has arisen in modern times is forcing it upon people, and by doing so all the negatives to the system come out. There is no "perfect" system, but voluntary communism is pretty dang close. It just seems that the majority of the time when communism is established that its A. By force and B. It is not true communism, because there is always some corrupt individual/s in power benefiting from it more so than the average "Proletariat." Scriptural communism could work. Communism as it is outlined in the Communist Manifesto... not so much.

Edited November 16, 2011 by philpot123

[Princess Artemis]

It's absolutely beautiful, to me Granted, I seem to view it in a slightly more poetic light than just a blatant statement of fact, but it's still true, and it humbles me far more than the thought of just being... created.

Y'know, a scientifically minded person who believes God created everything can see it that way as well. But for me, I see a grand design and a Designer behind it all, infinite of scope and reach who could plan such a tremendously delicate and profound system...and know that He planned it in a way so that the stars would die to form you and me.

 

Perhaps I see it that way because I'm a creator myself : )

[Dr. Paine]

Y'know, a scientifically minded person who believes God created everything can see it that way as well. But for me, I see a grand design and a Designer behind it all, infinite of scope and reach who could plan such a tremendously delicate and profound system...and know that He planned it in a way so that the stars would die to form you and me.

 

Perhaps I see it that way because I'm a creator myself : )

I can see where you're coming from Making a small world for writing is difficult enough, pulling off a fully functional universe is insane. I sincerely apologize if that came off as talking down to a religious view or anything, it really wasn't ^^' Either way you look at it, whether it's just a lucky chance happening or an intentional creation, it's absolutely beautiful and wonderful, isn't it?

[Princess Artemis]

It didn't come off that way at all, so no need to apologize : ) I liked what you said and I wanted to share how it looks to me coming from the other side.

 

It is a beautiful and wonderful thing, totally agree with you there.

[Rosedamai]

It is a beautiful and wonderful thing, totally agree with you there.

Yes, sometimes I look up at the night sky and imagine that billions of years later, I might have a place in that universe, hopefully twinkling as a star.

 

Gives me the shivers.

[Kestra15]

Yes, sometimes I look up at the night sky and imagine that billions of years later, I might have a place in that universe, hopefully twinkling as a star.

 

Gives me the shivers.

I'm already a shining star ;~P

[Rosedamai]

I'm already a shining star ;~P

Lol yes you are...a shining beacon of hope for all humans....*dazzled*

[Kestra15]

Lol yes you are...a shining beacon of hope for all humans....*dazzled*

I am Mr Kestra.

[Ruins]

I made up my own religion... It seems to work as well as all the others.

 

And I agree with the above posts, the idea of becoming part of a star eventually... Wow. But not as wow as my belief that this universe is made out the the 'building blocks' of prior universes, which had expanded to far and collapsed in on themselves- thus causing a new Big Bang.

Edited November 16, 2011 by Ruins

[SPQR]

Yes, man is formed from dust- stardust. We're recycled from the material of other times and worlds, other creatures and indeed people who have lived and died, and when we die, we'll find new life in... well, everything and anything that continues to exist, be it a tree, a sun, a worm, another person, a rocket...

So the whole 'men-out-of-clay' thing isn't too far from the truth?

 

It is quite beautiful, actually.

[CYDA LUVA83]

For those looking for a good religious debate in a book.

Godless is a great book to read. It's about a teen boy whose has finally gotten tired of his parents forcing Catholic religion down his throat, so he and his friends try to come up with a new religion that they can practice in peace.

 

Just thought I'd share.

[arada111]

I, personally, dislike the religion of christianity, being a wiccan. but i respect the people who believe in it. i know some very good christian people who are very nice to me but i dislike the rules of christianity and i dislike the beliefs. i'm not trying to be mean or anything, just trying to state my opinion.

[Spinxo]

Here I am in a religious topic, somehow I thought that I'd never end up in one again because of how I was attacked for being an Atheist. I'm in a new place, however, so lets see how we get along. The rules on this topic seem to be pretty strict and reinforced.

 

I'm an Atheist for many different reasons. Some may seem insultive, but understand that I'm not trying to insult anyone on this forum and if I do then I'm very sorry that I did.

 

The first reason that I'm an Atheist is because the whole idea of a deity just doesn't make sense to me. There is no proof that a "God" created the universe, but there is several different pieces of evidence that support the prediction of the Big Bang Theory that brought our world to life. They're all scientific, of course. Well, that's my opinion. Some scientists are starting to doubt the theory because of some mixed data that they got. However, I'm not flat out saying that a higher deity doesn't exist, who am I to tell?

 

The second reason is because I've tried out many different religions and not a single one seemed to support me or respect me. It could be just the people in my area being grouchy or trolls, but I'm not going to be a part of a religion if people aren't going to be respectful to me.

 

The third reason may seem insultive, but it's not intended to be an insult. People of other religions tend to push their religion on other people. It's not all the time that it happens, but there's always a single person who tries to force their religion on someone by using peer pressure. I'm not a fan of people who do that to others. I don't know about you, but I tend to get insulted when a person preaches in the middle of a plaza and says that I worship their version of a "Satan" just because I don't believe. Who are you to tell that a "God" existed at one point and made the universe? It's time that you people let others believe in their own personal "Jesus" and if they choose to join you, then congrats. Don't force it on others, though. I mean, where's the dignity in that?

 

My final reason is that both sides cannot be proven real. How do I believe in something that hasn't been proven more or less accurate? It's stupid to get my hopes up, so I'm an Atheist. The definition of Atheist is the belief of no deity. I like to say that it's the belief of nothing since I don't really believe in anything besides the fact that I'm here and I have to live until it's time for me to die.

Edited November 28, 2011 by Spinxo

[hazeh]

http://www.politicususa.com/en/obama-thanksgiving

[Spinxo]

http://www.politicususa.com/en/obama-thanksgiving

I find it ridiculous how people are acting about his failure to mention "God" in his Thanksgiving speech. Don't the people who believe in him get enough achknowledgement? I think they're being way too crazy about it. Obama might've avoided mentioning him because he knows that some people don't believe and he didn't want to insult them, but who am I to say? This is such an overreaction. There are many reasons that he could've avoided mentioning this "God".

[philpot123]

http://www.politicususa.com/en/obama-thanksgiving

While there are some valid points there, don't you think the argument could be so much more clearly, convincingly, and objectively presented without stooping to the negative, confrontational, demeaning tone that piece takes? :/

[Kestra15]

I find it ridiculous how people are acting about his failure to mention "God" in his Thanksgiving speech. Don't the people who believe in him get enough achknowledgement? I think they're being way too crazy about it. Obama might've avoided mentioning him because he knows that some people don't believe and he didn't want to insult them, but who am I to say? This is such an overreaction. There are many reasons that he could've avoided mentioning this "God".

Since the country in question has it's official motto as 'In God We Trust' where 80% of it's populace identify as Christian, it is perhaps understandable if people are upset that it's President doesn't mention God during it's biggest national holiday after Independence Day.

 

Then again America is supposed to be secular with a clear distinction between Government and Church.

[hazeh]

While there are some valid points there, don't you think the argument could be so much more clearly, convincingly, and objectively presented without stooping to the negative, confrontational, demeaning tone that piece takes? :/

Well, it's a liberal bias article. I don't expect them to take an objective stance. x) Just like I don't expect Conservative articles to be objective, either. Now, if it was supposed to be a piece set on convincing others and whatnot, then sure, it should have approached that a little better. But it's clearly an opinionated article, so likely the majority of the readers are those that already agree. ^^

 

 

Since the country in question has it's official motto as 'In God We Trust' where 80% of it's populace identify as Christian, it is perhaps understandable if people are upset that it's President doesn't mention God during it's biggest national holiday after Independence Day.

 

Then again America is supposed to be secular with a clear distinction between Government and Church.

 

Well, that wasn't always our motto. It's really just the crazy weirdos throwing the hissy fit. All of the other Christians really don't care, since that holiday has nothing to do with America anyways. The speech was supposed to be about giving thanks to the People, not to a deity, so I'm pretty sure us normal Americans, religious or not, really didn't care that he didn't say it. I'm glad he didn't though, because that would have pissed me off. Those people don't have any justification for being upset, especially when Obama already says "God bless America" in a bunch of his other speeches. Plus, he was not the only President to not say it in a Thanksgiving speech, and I didn't see them throwing a fit over that. I think it has more to do with blind backwards "nationalism" and their dislike for him than anything else, really.

Edited November 28, 2011 by Shiny Hazard Sign

[PlutoIsHades]

The first reason that I'm an Atheist is because the whole idea of a deity just doesn't make sense to me. There is no proof that a "God" created the universe, but there is several different pieces of evidence that support the prediction of the Big Bang Theory that brought our world to life.

This is one of my reasons for being atheist. It just doesn't seem to 'click' in my mind.

 

My grandma is against my atheism, and she blames it on my dad because he's atheist too. She's not really Christian, but definitely not atheist.

 

I hate when people try to force their religion onto others, especially atheists. Our belief is that there is no god. Now stop trying to force us into believing there is one.