Are you religious?

Stephen · #1 (**permalink**) 06-20-2009, 03:21 AM

I'm curious to know if this generation is letting go of religion or not... it's just a yes/no poll, and I know there's varying degrees of religiousness, so just put yes if you believe in a god and no otherwise.

Please don't make this into a theist/atheist debate... no side will ever convince the other. It's just a poll.

Riku · #2 (**permalink**) 06-20-2009, 03:28 AM

OMG WTF HOW DARES YOU SAY GOD DONT EXIST BRO LIEK MY MOM SAID HE DOES SO SHES RIGHT GTFO YOU LIE BRO.

^

An example of what SHOULDN'T be said in this thread.
I consider myself moderately religious.
I have questions that cannot be answered by humanity.

Cloudfire · #3 (**permalink**) 06-20-2009, 04:04 AM

There are things that can't be answered by science, but I'm happy to simply say 'I don't know the answers'.

I don't like doing/believing anything without 100% proof - until then, not religious.

**FWI** · #4 (**permalink**) 06-20-2009, 04:52 AM

I firmly believe that God does exist. I'm very open to the conversation and subject, don't judge, and love listening to atheists, agnostics, and other versions of theists explain their walk in that aspect of life.

edit: also, Stephen, if you are interested in what younger generations now think about religion, there's a book that contains much research on Christianity in the US (of course, only one religion in one region): UnChristian. I warn you that it is very much written in a way to challenge Christians to address its own issues in dealing with their own generation, but the statistics are interesting to any reader.

Levinoss · #5 (**permalink**) 06-20-2009, 05:14 AM

The truth is out there at least the guys who took all my money and sanity said so.

http://www.scientology.com....

Seriously I don't know but i'll let you know when I do.

Templar · #6 (**permalink**) 06-20-2009, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Levinoss

The truth is out there at least the guys who took all my money and sanity said so.

Official Church of Scientology Online Videos-What is Scientology, Scientologist Beliefs, Spiritual Healing with Dianetics....

Seriously I don't know but i'll let you know when I do.

Large sign up fees and then you get to watch Tom Cruise and John Travolta come out of the closet.

(South Park reference, lol)

Hot Shot · #7 (**permalink**) 06-20-2009, 01:55 PM

The Babble is the best-selling science-fiction book ever made. Although it may sound that I'm athiest, I am not.

I've got tolerance over other people's views in happiness, wether it's by religion or by living an honest life. It's just that there are things that can't be proven as if it were a fact or complete fiction. I'd think that living an honest life and treating people as you'd want to be treated is far better than being a zealot and pushing your faith on other people. (i.e. extremists)

~HS

chiefwiggum654 · #8 (**permalink**) 06-20-2009, 06:33 PM

I am not .

vlcmskater · #9 (**permalink**) 06-21-2009, 08:20 AM

At this point I'm stuck right in the middle. There has to be a governing force out there that makes everything what it is.

On the other hand theres nothing that makes me believe theres a heaven or a hell or some ridiculous figurehead thats watching every move we make.

Zerrin · #10 (**permalink**) 06-21-2009, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cloudfire

There are things that can't be answered by science, but I'm happy to simply say 'I don't know the answers'.

I don't like doing/believing anything without 100% proof - until then, not religious.

Exactly why I went from Christian to Agnostic.

Funny, my friend is a hardcore atheist and earlier he was talking in his sleep, debating with whomever he was dreaming of that Christianity is a lie.

Made me chuckle a bit...

But yeah, I want 100% proof. If I can't have that than I don't want to choose a side and hope i'm right y'know?

However, I like to think of myself, although stupid at times, a intelligent person and I often seek out conversations with adults about religion, not to disprove them but to simply understand other peoples views. I respect those who listen to my point of view and in turn give thiers not, "No, you're wrong" and than try and convert me.

eatShit · #11 (**permalink**) 07-18-2009, 05:03 PM

Well, I can't really choose from your 2 choices, since I do not know your definition of "religious"
To me religious means someone who is devoted to his particular faith, regularly practices it, goes to their "church", prays ,etc...

Under that definition I'm not "religious".
I believe that there is, something. Weather it is a god or gods, or if it is anything like the organized religions describe, I do not know. But given my experience, the things I have seen and felt, there is something spiritual out there.
Yet I do not practice any ritual nor am I devoted to anything. I simply believe that there is something.

Jebus · #12 (**permalink**) 07-18-2009, 07:07 PM

A belief system should be based in truths. There is only VERY little that can be certain which is why I believe at least a basic philosophy should be taught in all public schools. That and you should need a basic first aid and CPR course in order to graduate high school. Do you have any idea how much more effective ambulances would be of proper care was taken prior to a paramedics arrival EVERY time? So many lives could be saved with such little knowledge. Almost sickening.

Question everything you are told from every angle you can imagine. If it doesn't make sense then you either haven't understood it properly or it actually doesn't make sense. Either way nobody should every be satisfied with "this is true because it's true".

I was raised christian from as young as I can remember until about 12 years old which is when I was no longer satisfied with the explanations I was being given from the church and my peers. I was quite young but I started looking to myself for answers because I couldn't seem to find them elsewhere. Around 16 is when I started reading into some philosophy. I was more comfortable with myself and existence after a year or 2 of casually reading some of my sisters college philosophy texts than after 10 years of Christianity.

People will come up with all kinds of crazy things just to protect what they believe in because it's easier for them to do so instead of letting go and admitting that something they believe in doesn't make sense.

My advice to anyone is to not believe in anything. Never accept anything you "know" as if it is the absolute truth or you will become tunnel minded and ignorant. ALWAYS be willing to consider both sides of any argument and be prepared to accept changes to your beliefs based on something new.

As far as religion goes? No I am not religious. I honestly don't think anybody should be religious in the Jesus and god sense. It's like people think that if you aren't religious you are a bad person. This is absolutely false. Don't get me wrong, religion address's a lot of important things about being a good person. The seven deadly sins and the ten commandments are still very relevant today and are something I do my best to follow. Religion doesn't have all the answers, science doesn't have all the answers. Religion to me seems lazy, for people that want to be told what the truth is instead of trying to find it for themselves. People that are looking for easy answers to the complications of life.

But hey, pretty much all of what I just said is opinion.

Shmoo · #13 (**permalink**) 07-18-2009, 09:35 PM

I said yes...I'm not that religious though. I believe that there is a higher power, but I also believe much of what scientists believe to be true is true. I also do believe Jesus did exist and that he was the son of God/the higher power. However, I don't believe many of his stories to be true. I believe he told them to teach morals, but people took them too literatly. I would like there to be life after death...I'm not going to spend my whole life dedicated to it, but I would like there to be. I also believe that to go to heaven one must be a good person. If an athiest is a good person and there does end up being a heaven, they should go to that heaven. Things like abstinence and religion should not influence your chances of getting into heaven. If you're a generally good person, that should not matter.

Well those are my big opinions on religion, I could go more in depth but meh. That's what I believe. Deal. Lol.

Jebus · #14 (**permalink**) 07-18-2009, 09:54 PM

Kinda the moral conundrum I had Shmoo. I asked someone whether or not a person that had never heard of religion or had any religious beliefs but had lived a good life would go to heaven or hell. They said they would go to hell for not believing in God and that was why a missionaries job was so important. I called major bullshit on that one. An all knowing God would know that the person had lived a good life and that he didn't even know about God. How could he possibly justify sentencing to an eternity of suffering? A lot of religion I have found to be simply outdated scare tactics.

Shmoo · #15 (**permalink**) 07-18-2009, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jebus

Kinda the moral conundrum I had Shmoo. I asked someone whether or not a person that had never heard of religion or had any religious beliefs but had lived a good life would go to heaven or hell. They said they would go to hell for not believing in God and that was why a missionaries job was so important. I called major bullshit on that one. An all knowing God would know that the person had lived a good life and that he didn't even know about God. How could he possibly justify sentencing to an eternity of suffering? A lot of religion I have found to be simply outdated scare tactics.

Yeah, stuff like that pisses me off. Like I rarely go to church because I know so many people in there take everything literately in the bible and think the same thing as you stated in your story. People let religion consume their lives...if God/the higher being or Jesus lived today, I bet he/she/it or w/e would say to live a good life and not worry about the afterlife. If someone wants to spend their entire life dedicated to religion, I'm not going to go yell at them or try to stop them. If you are a priest or a nun, that's a different story. Religious leaders are (sometimes) trying to preach the morals of their religion, which is good. However, when it comes to people who aren't religious leaders, if they want to let religion consume their lives, go right ahead. Just stay away from me.

chiefwiggum654 · #16 (**permalink**) 07-19-2009, 12:00 AM

It would be awesome if one of the major religions turned out to be right.
Boy you'd feel stupid.

**FWI** · #17 (**permalink**) 07-19-2009, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jebus

As far as religion goes? No I am not religious. I honestly don't think anybody should be religious in the Jesus and god sense. It's like people think that if you aren't religious you are a bad person. This is absolutely false. Don't get me wrong, religion address's a lot of important things about being a good person. The seven deadly sins and the ten commandments are still very relevant today and are something I do my best to follow. Religion doesn't have all the answers, science doesn't have all the answers. Religion to me seems lazy, for people that want to be told what the truth is instead of trying to find it for themselves. People that are looking for easy answers to the complications of life.

But hey, pretty much all of what I just said is opinion.

I'm "Christian" and don't think you're a bad person for not being "religious."

The bible says that God judges, and that no man should. According to the Bible (putting aside the argument of God in general) -- but according to the Bible, God will judge on the day necessary. Any Christian who thinks your a bad person otherwise forgets that their own beliefs tell them that they are a "sinner," "saved" by grace (a gift accepted) and not works (being a good person).

And as far as it being lazy, I know many a man that went out to seek truth and found it in "God" (whether or not you believe there is one).

Now I'm not intending to argue with you, rather open the conversation.

Shmoo · #18 (**permalink**) 07-19-2009, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FWI

I'm "Christian" and don't think you're a bad person for not being "religious."

The bible says that God judges, and that no man should. According to the Bible (putting aside the argument of God in general) -- but according to the Bible, God will judge on the day necessary. Any Christian who thinks your a bad person otherwise forgets that their own beliefs tell them that they are a "sinner," "saved" by grace (a gift accepted) and not works (being a good person).

And as far as it being lazy, I know many a man that went out to seek truth and found it in "God" (whether or not you believe there is one).

Now I'm not intending to argue with you, rather open the conversation.

If church was filled with people like you, I would definitely go. For example, my brother started CCD one year late. My mom knew a woman who ran a CCD class and she said she would fill in my brother on what he missed. However, the administrators of the church did not let him do this. It turned into a huge fiasco and my brother was never confirmed. He went to a christian high school and college though, ironically.

Lunkwill · #19 (**permalink**) 07-19-2009, 12:55 PM

Lemme quote my friend Karl Marx.

"Religion is the opiate of the masses."

Basically sums up my thoughts on religion.

chiefwiggum654 · #20 (**permalink**) 07-19-2009, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lunkwill

Lemme quote my friend Karl Marx.

"Religion is the opiate of the masses."

Basically sums up my thoughts on religion.

Let me fully quote your friend Karl Marx.

"Religious distress is at the same time the expression of real distress and the protest against real distress. Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, just as it is the spirit of a spiritless situation. It is the opium of the people. The abolition of religion as the illusory happiness of the people is required for their real happiness. The demand to give up the illusion about its condition is the demand to give up a condition which needs illusions."

While he recognizes that religion is an illusion, he also recognizes that the illusion is a good thing for those who have nothing else.
A good analysis of this quote here: http://atheism.about.com/od/weeklyquotes/a/marx01.htm