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Recently, Religion has come up in a number of discussions and it would be good to discuss them. EVERYONE has a belief. This topic has some effect in a lot of lifes.
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I personally aren't religious. I feel that religeon was created as a way of explaining things that were unexplainable ages ago. Who the planets were formed etc etc.
Now we know, through science, that there is a perfectly good reason for most of the questions that used to be un-answerable.
However, i, like most people on here, don't really care if someone is religious. What i mean is, if you come up to me and say "I'm buddhist" or whatever, i'm not going to suddenly decide not to talk to you.
Now we know, through science, that there is a perfectly good reason for most of the questions that used to be un-answerable.
However, i, like most people on here, don't really care if someone is religious. What i mean is, if you come up to me and say "I'm buddhist" or whatever, i'm not going to suddenly decide not to talk to you.
I abosutely agree with you.
I think a large part of it is fear and ignorance.
I've read the Bible, I've also read The Koran and Tibetan Book of The Dead, I try to educate myself as to all of the options, so that I can either make a choice for myself or have a basis to argue with somebody over.
When I say argue, I dont mean a fight or a trading of insults, I mean a calm and rational discussion as to the plus and minus to a subject.
People fear things they dont understand, and it's much easier to use hostility than to try and appreciate it.
I know people duck and hide when Jehova Witness knock on the door, or are rude and slam the door.
I find that odd, I always take the time to listen and ask questions.
Not because I'm overly interested in converting, but because if someone is taking the time to explain, then I will gladly hear them out.
The only time I find myself reacting with less than politeness is when fundamentalism comes into play.
But that is because, in my experience, fundamentalism is a total lack of flexibility or a tolerance for other's viewpoints.
It is a "My way is the only acceptable way and therefore you are wrong."
Sure, we may think it's funny that Jehova Witness' dont celebrate Xmas - but what if they're right?
Just as we laugh at Muslims for not eating pork and facing Mecca each day to pray, what if they're right?
My point is, nobody knows for certain which religion is the correct one.
They might all be, they might all be wrong.
To condemn someone for a belief is to say "I know better than you and you are wrong", which is a level of arrogance I cannot understand.
I think a large part of it is fear and ignorance.
I've read the Bible, I've also read The Koran and Tibetan Book of The Dead, I try to educate myself as to all of the options, so that I can either make a choice for myself or have a basis to argue with somebody over.
When I say argue, I dont mean a fight or a trading of insults, I mean a calm and rational discussion as to the plus and minus to a subject.
People fear things they dont understand, and it's much easier to use hostility than to try and appreciate it.
I know people duck and hide when Jehova Witness knock on the door, or are rude and slam the door.
I find that odd, I always take the time to listen and ask questions.
Not because I'm overly interested in converting, but because if someone is taking the time to explain, then I will gladly hear them out.
The only time I find myself reacting with less than politeness is when fundamentalism comes into play.
But that is because, in my experience, fundamentalism is a total lack of flexibility or a tolerance for other's viewpoints.
It is a "My way is the only acceptable way and therefore you are wrong."
Sure, we may think it's funny that Jehova Witness' dont celebrate Xmas - but what if they're right?
Just as we laugh at Muslims for not eating pork and facing Mecca each day to pray, what if they're right?
My point is, nobody knows for certain which religion is the correct one.
They might all be, they might all be wrong.
To condemn someone for a belief is to say "I know better than you and you are wrong", which is a level of arrogance I cannot understand.
It's nice to see that some people are not put off by other people's religions. But, unfortunately, as in cooldogs post in bullying, some people would rather hurt people for being of a certain religion. That is wrong. Respect others religion as it is a part of people all over the world and not just in England.
Personally, I don't care what you believe in.
I'm not saying I don't respect your beliefs, I'm saying that it makes no difference to me what your religion is.
I'll talk to anyone, be friends with anyone until they have proved to me that it is not worth it.
I remember at primary school (4-11), my best mate was a kid called Gareth, he never went to assembly or came to my birthday parties, and that used to upset me.
Imagine, a 7yr old that can only understand his best friend would never come to his birthday.
And my parents explained he was a Jehova Witness, and I said "So what?"
And that still stands today, be it a Jehova Witness, Catholic, Christian, Buddhist, Sikh, Muslim..."So what?" is my standpoint.
But that gets taken the wrong way, when it shouldn't be.
I'm not saying you're wrong to believe in whatever it is,I'm saying that I think so little on our differences that I can't treat people differently.
Whether it's being gay, religious, disabled...whatever it is, doesn't make you any different to me.
I will respect someone until they do something that offends me, and then it doesnt matter your background, I treat a person as a seperate entity, without affiliations to anyone.
Which is why I resent this rampant PC we suffer from.
I worked with a guy once that was a complete moron. He would make the most sexist, offensive remarks to me about other people in the office, and also would talk about me to others.
So I confronted him and we almost came to blows, ended with me cursing him at full volume in the office.
Fair enough, except he was coloured.
Therefore, I was being a racist.
I was stunned at that, it had never even entered my head that this dude was coloured. I just knew he was an absolutely offensive, back-stabbing moron.
But I recieved a verbal warning for racist behaviour.
Needless to say I quit.
I don't care if you black, white, green, a christian, a jehova witness, whatever you choose and are born is nothing to do with me.
I consider myself a spiritual person, but not a religious one.
I believe that there is something there, but I cannot commit to the idea of a godhead.
It's called being a Gnostic, to appreciate a "force" at work without submitting to a religious belief.
However, if you choose to take a different path, so be it.
And as long as it doesn't matter to you that I am not a (insert religion here), then we'll go to the pub and I'll buy you a drink and talk.
I'm not saying I don't respect your beliefs, I'm saying that it makes no difference to me what your religion is.
I'll talk to anyone, be friends with anyone until they have proved to me that it is not worth it.
I remember at primary school (4-11), my best mate was a kid called Gareth, he never went to assembly or came to my birthday parties, and that used to upset me.
Imagine, a 7yr old that can only understand his best friend would never come to his birthday.
And my parents explained he was a Jehova Witness, and I said "So what?"
And that still stands today, be it a Jehova Witness, Catholic, Christian, Buddhist, Sikh, Muslim..."So what?" is my standpoint.
But that gets taken the wrong way, when it shouldn't be.
I'm not saying you're wrong to believe in whatever it is,I'm saying that I think so little on our differences that I can't treat people differently.
Whether it's being gay, religious, disabled...whatever it is, doesn't make you any different to me.
I will respect someone until they do something that offends me, and then it doesnt matter your background, I treat a person as a seperate entity, without affiliations to anyone.
Which is why I resent this rampant PC we suffer from.
I worked with a guy once that was a complete moron. He would make the most sexist, offensive remarks to me about other people in the office, and also would talk about me to others.
So I confronted him and we almost came to blows, ended with me cursing him at full volume in the office.
Fair enough, except he was coloured.
Therefore, I was being a racist.
I was stunned at that, it had never even entered my head that this dude was coloured. I just knew he was an absolutely offensive, back-stabbing moron.
But I recieved a verbal warning for racist behaviour.
Needless to say I quit.
I don't care if you black, white, green, a christian, a jehova witness, whatever you choose and are born is nothing to do with me.
I consider myself a spiritual person, but not a religious one.
I believe that there is something there, but I cannot commit to the idea of a godhead.
It's called being a Gnostic, to appreciate a "force" at work without submitting to a religious belief.
However, if you choose to take a different path, so be it.
And as long as it doesn't matter to you that I am not a (insert religion here), then we'll go to the pub and I'll buy you a drink and talk.
I think the problem is that people get the wrong idea about Jehovah's Witnesses and they spread it. Jehovah's Witnesses don't force their religion on other. It is a complete personal decision.
oh, I could write a dozen pages on this topic!
Firstly, Jehovahs Witnesses. People have persecuted them not just for their beliefs, but the way they see their purpose as 'converting' everyone else. This, I believe, but correct me if I'm wrong, is down to the fact that they believe only those that are converted go to heaven, and then only the best of those, a kind of elite section - a bit like our Notable system!
It's as valid as the next religion, but because their style is so 'in your face' it means that their actions are sometimes forced on people who don't want to speak to them. Their beliefs are also extreme compared to other religions in the UK, effecting everyday life, I feel sorry for them because they are persecuted for this, although it doesn't mean I believe in what they do.
Next: Christians.
The problem here is that the group is so wide, and split into so many segments that you are bound to get those that cause trouble and give all Christians a bad name. The Christian religions have caused more excuses for war than most others, but they are only excuses and if the people who used them to start wars actually read the bible (new testament anyway) they would realise that the idea is to love your neighbour whatever they do to you. Forgiveness and tolerance is a very important part of the biblical message and I believe it is lacking in our culture at present.
Catholics make up the most famous section of christianity, going back to the beginning of it. Whole countries are Catholic and church is considered part of society there, as it was in England. In fact, English law still accounts for christianity and half of this stems from Catholic rule, while the other half comes from the big effect of CofE being set up.
Other factions of Christianity vary only slightly in their beliefs, some prefering to think of the bread and wine as symbols while others believe they are transformed into the body and blood of Christ by the holy spirit present in Church services. Preists in the Catholic church are not allowed to marry, but they are in other denominations.
Other Religions:
I used to be 'hot' on other religions but I realise that its difficult to comment on them without 'witnessing' them. The absence of understanding about other religions is another major factor in wars and in violent feeling towards them, people are scared of what they don't know and some are easily led.
Many religions are similar and there are parallels between virtually all religions. Whether this is coincidence or has some divine meaning I don't know, but if this was realised more then there would perhaps be more understanding.
People who don't believe there is a divine purpose tend to be more scientific about things. But if you look at what caused the 'big bang' then look back in time from that, what caused the thing that caused that? There must be either something that caused everything we know to come into existence or time must flow in a loop.
I could go on, but for the sake of everyone's sanity, I think I'd better stop now.
Firstly, Jehovahs Witnesses. People have persecuted them not just for their beliefs, but the way they see their purpose as 'converting' everyone else. This, I believe, but correct me if I'm wrong, is down to the fact that they believe only those that are converted go to heaven, and then only the best of those, a kind of elite section - a bit like our Notable system!
It's as valid as the next religion, but because their style is so 'in your face' it means that their actions are sometimes forced on people who don't want to speak to them. Their beliefs are also extreme compared to other religions in the UK, effecting everyday life, I feel sorry for them because they are persecuted for this, although it doesn't mean I believe in what they do.
Next: Christians.
The problem here is that the group is so wide, and split into so many segments that you are bound to get those that cause trouble and give all Christians a bad name. The Christian religions have caused more excuses for war than most others, but they are only excuses and if the people who used them to start wars actually read the bible (new testament anyway) they would realise that the idea is to love your neighbour whatever they do to you. Forgiveness and tolerance is a very important part of the biblical message and I believe it is lacking in our culture at present.
Catholics make up the most famous section of christianity, going back to the beginning of it. Whole countries are Catholic and church is considered part of society there, as it was in England. In fact, English law still accounts for christianity and half of this stems from Catholic rule, while the other half comes from the big effect of CofE being set up.
Other factions of Christianity vary only slightly in their beliefs, some prefering to think of the bread and wine as symbols while others believe they are transformed into the body and blood of Christ by the holy spirit present in Church services. Preists in the Catholic church are not allowed to marry, but they are in other denominations.
Other Religions:
I used to be 'hot' on other religions but I realise that its difficult to comment on them without 'witnessing' them. The absence of understanding about other religions is another major factor in wars and in violent feeling towards them, people are scared of what they don't know and some are easily led.
Many religions are similar and there are parallels between virtually all religions. Whether this is coincidence or has some divine meaning I don't know, but if this was realised more then there would perhaps be more understanding.
People who don't believe there is a divine purpose tend to be more scientific about things. But if you look at what caused the 'big bang' then look back in time from that, what caused the thing that caused that? There must be either something that caused everything we know to come into existence or time must flow in a loop.
I could go on, but for the sake of everyone's sanity, I think I'd better stop now.
Yeah. Your right cooldogs.
I'm not religious. I got an E for RE at school (which I'm not proud of, I could have done a lot better), but everyone is entitled to their beliefs. The only sore point is that in areas of the world there are wars taking place and persecutions, just because people are a different colour or religion. Why can't we all just get along.
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