Any Non religious people here?

[goodburbon]

You may have read it wrong. I don't blame religion for what has happened, I don't believe in it. I do allow for the possibility that I am wrong, and If the Christianity is right about god then I stand by my conviction that he/it is an a-hole.

I'm not going to debate your convictions with you Darky, I respect your opinions and I hold you in high esteem. I believe what I believe, and it is that those who cling to a religion for answers accept what they are taught without question and without rational proof. You may find that this is a strength, I do not. I accept that you find it a strength, I understand why and I'll leave it at that.

 

[kastein]

Non religious here... not opposed to the idea of a higher being, but I'm pretty sure with enough time we can come up with equations to explain most of the universe. We'll see I guess :dunno:

I was raised Christian, however. I still consider the ten commandments a pretty good set of rules to live by, and I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have turned out how I did without believing at a young age. Whether that is a good or a bad thing remains to be seen

 

[5-90]

"An atheist is a person with no invisible means of support."

The closest I may get to using "hypocrite" and "church" in the same sentence would be talking about the "Reborn" - some of the biggest damned crooks I've ever met personally were "Reborn," which I found odd.

And definitely hypocritical.

Apart from that, the only problem I really have with it is when they try to haul me into it - if they don't, we'll get along just fine.

Changing gears - IMO, religion and science aren't mutually exclusive. Try researching higher-dimensional astrophysics or hyperspatial physics, and you can't help but wonder. While you're about it, read Flatland to get the view from the other side. We would seem as gods to two-dimensional beings, no? You can trap someone in two dimensions simply by drawing a line around them, but we can simply step over it.

The Tensor field equations used to mathematically describe space-time don't settle down into something understandable in three dimensions - or even four. Ten or twenty-six are the magic numbers there.

We can experience and understand four (height/width/depth/time,) which leaves six or twenty-two that we can not. So, if there are beings that can manipulate or understand more dimensions than us, would they not be as gods? To us?

Just throwing out something different for everyone to chew on...

 

[themangeraaad]

Non religious here... not opposed to the idea of a higher being, but I'm pretty sure with enough time we can come up with equations to explain most of the universe. We'll see I guess :dunno:

I was raised Christian, however. I still consider the ten commandments a pretty good set of rules to live by, and I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have turned out how I did without believing at a young age. Whether that is a good or a bad thing remains to be seen

Seems that you and I have a similar story to tell... just you told it in less words than I did. :laugh:

I still hope to find a semi-religious woman so I have a reason to raise my children under a religion; to kindof counter-balance myself out...

I want this just because I still feel that the community of my church and the lessons my church taught me did me well. But at the same time I don't want my future wife (if there is one) to be overly religious and push it on my kids like my mother did to me. I would rather give them their space and let them find out how they want to live on their own.

As I said in a previous comment, I believe that religion was created to explain things that could not be explained otherwise... what I left out is what Ken mentioned... that religion (at least christianity that I grew up with) gives a good basis for human morals.. I don't think I would be much different without religion, but hell, who knows what indirect relation religion had on my life.

If religion led to good ethics and such in my parents, which led to them being hard asses and holding me to good ethics, which led to me holding myself to high standards... then that is great. But I also believe that the same can be achieved with no religious backing at all. It all comes down to proper parental support and proper praise/punishment when necessary.

 

[CherBear]

"An atheist is a person with no invisible means of support."

The closest I may get to using "hypocrite" and "church" in the same sentence would be talking about the "Reborn" - some of the biggest damned crooks I've ever met personally were "Reborn," which I found odd.

And definitely hypocritical.

Apart from that, the only problem I really have with it is when they try to haul me into it - if they don't, we'll get along just fine.

Changing gears - IMO, religion and science aren't mutually exclusive. Try researching higher-dimensional astrophysics or hyperspatial physics, and you can't help but wonder. While you're about it, read Flatland to get the view from the other side. We would seem as gods to two-dimensional beings, no? You can trap someone in two dimensions simply by drawing a line around them, but we can simply step over it.

The Tensor field equations used to mathematically describe space-time don't settle down into something understandable in three dimensions - or even four. Ten or twenty-six are the magic numbers there.

We can experience and understand four (height/width/depth/time,) which leaves six or twenty-two that we can not. So, if there are beings that can manipulate or understand more dimensions than us, would they not be as gods? To us?

Just throwing out something different for everyone to chew on...

Flatland is a rather interesting read if you are into books like that.

 

[Boatwrench]

What I find truly amusing is that religious folk will try and convert you all day and all night... us non-religious people will let you follow your own beliefs. I have many more stories regarding conversion attempts that I will not get into, but some are quite amusing .

I have experienced just the opposite. Ironically, a fellow I used to work with named Christian was the most vocal anti-religous guy I have ever met.

 

[Boatwrench]

I'm with you on that one. All my family knows I don't believe in organized religion but when my mom died my aunt sent me a god damn card with a prayer in it and said they would pray for me and said I should look at my bible(I have 3 bibles and a bunch of other religious books) for guidance.

I called her and I was pissed. Seriously... you take advantage of MY MOTHERS DEATH when I'm fawking 19 to try and convert me? Screw you.

Like Darky stated she was reaching out to you. Your aunt was using a manner that brings her comfort. On those prayer cards while cleaning out my deceased mother-in-laws house I found prayer cards in a shoe box dating back 50 years.

 

[Boatwrench]

90% of the members are great people and for most of their religious beliefs aren't any different than any other main stream religion out there.

Yep.

 

[Darky]

True.



How much time have you spent in the bible belt? We have people standing out on the corners holding signs that say "Repent", "God is the way", and etc.

People stand around with megaphones and preach about the word of God during parades and concerts down town. People erect billboards in their yards telling you to repent your sins.



I don't think it has anything it has to do with "strength" or "manliness" or whatever. It doesn't take "strength" to believe in God or to not.

I have a problem believing that the bible is the "word of God" since it's been manipulated at the hands of man for centuries.

If you compare the KJV and NKJV to the oldest existing manuscripts (the Dead Sea Scrolls, which were in a cave away from man's influence for hundreds of yrs, til after KJV had been translated I'm fairly certain), they match up. When you look at all the verifiable points of history in the Bible and compare them to other sources, they've either matched, or led to further archaeological finds that matched.

 

[Darky]

You may have read it wrong. I don't blame religion for what has happened, I don't believe in it. I do allow for the possibility that I am wrong, and If the Christianity is right about god then I stand by my conviction that he/it is an a-hole.

I'm not going to debate your convictions with you Darky, I respect your opinions and I hold you in high esteem. I believe what I believe, and it is that those who cling to a religion for answers accept what they are taught without question and without rational proof. You may find that this is a strength, I do not. I accept that you find it a strength, I understand why and I'll leave it at that.

I didn't say that blindly believing is a strength, maybe my wording was off. I guess the best metaphor I can come up with is the bully in the schoolyard who gets beat up by his dad but puts on a tough exterior at school. Inside, he's just a sad, scared kid. If you're a Christian, following Christ, you submit to Him/God, not to a pastor or priest here on Earth. You attend a church and listen to sermons to learn, but you're also supposed to "study to show yourself approved".

 

[IndyXJ]

JESUS IS COMING...look busy.

 

[beakie]

gotta say I am impressed with the conversation thus far, not overly intense, pretty respective on all sides, and I for one am jotting a few points down for further discussions with friends/family.
anyway,

what I left out is what Ken mentioned... that religion (at least christianity that I grew up with) gives a good basis for human morals.

I don't feel the church/religion is required to give a good basis for a moral existence. The 10 commandments are a great platform, but I'd guess the basis for those were still rules to live by years before they were created.
I would say, as many here already have, that if you need/want religion in your life, and it gives you reason to live a good life, and your happy with it... bonus for you.
I for one can live morally, happily and in good standing with my friends/family... plus I get Sundays off.

My wife is United I think, I have said I won't be putting my kids through any religious rites of passage, if they grow up and feel the need thats fine. She has said she thinks we should baptize them, yet she hasn't attended church since I have known her, nor will she attend when I call her on it. Instances like that I don't understand... but hey she's my wife... I'm not supposed to understand her right?

Anyway, non-religious here, understand and support those who do, but its just not something I see the need for at this time.

 

[JNickel101]

I believe in God and the great thing about being a Christian is the fact that all that is needed if you to to accept him.

Tell me you typed that with a straight face.

You (and other Christians) might SAY that, but you know it isn't true.

 

[88 Wagonman]

Anyone suddenly get the urge to watch the movie "Dogma"?

 

[tharlanjr]

Tell me you typed that with a straight face.

You (and other Christians) might SAY that, but you know it isn't true.

Couldn't be more true.


In all seriousness and not trying to preach, but the only requirement is that you accept that Jesus's only Son died for your sins.

John 14:6

The only way to the father (get to heaven) is through the Son(Jesus Dying for you)...


Of course that doesn't mean you can just do anything till you die they say it, it needs to be truley felt in your heart...


/End Rant


Thats just how I feel and how I have always learned...

 

[CherBear]

I have always been a firm "Golden Rule" believer. Sums up most religious teachings pretty well. Hopefully it will get me somewhere with the Big Man...

 

[XJEEPER]

Both me and my wife grew up LDS (mormon) and all my family on my side and my wife's side are mormon also. Neither of us had been involved with the religion since becoming adullts. Both her family and mine are "lifetime mormons" which definately biasis their views a bit. My familiy is always trying to get me back in to it. They think that we are "going through some issues", or "need some time" they just don't understand that I have made up my mind. This makes things very uncomfortable at family gatherings. I respect their beliefs and NEVER challenge them without prior provocation on their part.

What really drove me away was the hypocrisy and what I called "Brain washing." The sign on the door said "visitors welcome" but anytime someone came in wearing anything other than white shirt, tie, slacks or a women wearing a plain dress they were frowned upon. Also anytime someone smelled like cigarette smoke they were asked to sit in the back.

What really holds that religion together is how they "hook em' while they're young." One the first sunday of every month they would "bear they're testimonies" This was so that if you wanted to bet up in front of everyone and tell them your beliefs and how god has touched your life. What's the problem with this? 2/3 of them were children between the ages of 3 and 10 with their parents whispering in their ears word for word what to say!

Ask them sometime, "how do you know your religion is true?" They will answer, "I prayed about it and recieved and answer." Sure, if your looking for an answer when you are lost, you will find any coincidental incident to be an "answer."

Don't get me wrong, I am a spiritual person. I just can't stand religion, religious people that try to bring you into theirs, and people that can't make the distinction between spiritual and religious.

Interesting points of view.......quite contrary to my experience with the LDS faith.

 

[JNickel101]

We had an unusually high number of Mormons in my hometown (Carlisle, PA). Quite a few families, with lots of kids. Seemed like I had about a dozen in my small graduating class. For the most part, they were ok - but I found them to be pretty hypocritical - and just overall a little odd. I'll never forget the day I asked the one kid why he always drank caffeine-free sodas....and I guess it is against their beliefs to ingest any sort of drug(?).....or certain ones...

So the next time I saw him eating a chocolate candy bar, I made sure to let him know that chocolate had caffeine in it. The look on his face was priceless....

Tharlanjr, it is things like that which made me question your statement about Christianity. Every denomination has their own rules - from Catholicism to Mormonism. Even the Protestant churches have their "rules". It is far more than just "believing Jesus died for your sins".....WAY more....

 

[88 Wagonman]

I'll never forget the day I asked the one kid why he always drank caffeine-free sodas....and I guess it is against their beliefs to ingest any sort of drug(?).....or certain ones...

So the next time I saw him eating a chocolate candy bar, I made sure to let him know that chocolate had caffeine in it. The look on his face was priceless....

I remember growing up and not being allowed to drink coffee, tea or even sodas with caffeine. Every mormon I knew said that caffeine was bad. The reasoning was simple: "It's against the word of wisdom to drink caffeine." For those of you who don't know what that is: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Word_of_Wisdom 20 years later, almost every mormon I know drinks sodas with caffeine. I called someone on it once and they said "The book of mormon says that we are not to be commanded on all things." According to him though, it is still bad to drink coffee or tea. This is another example of changing to fit the times.

 

[JNickel101]

.....kinda like how Islam refers to itself as "The Religion of Peace"? :dunno: