Have you religious views changed as you have aged?

[rgraham666]

Nope.

Never was much involved with religion. Still not.

The existence/nonexistence of God, Allah to Zeus, take your pick, is not important to me.

So, agnostic.

But I've noticed religion makes a fine excuse to be dicks to other people.

 

[HisArpy]

If gods exist and have interest in human events, then they can't ignore overpopulation. Either they are doing something about that, or they are impotent.

There's this thing called Free Will.

If the gods manipulate us in every situation, then there is no such thing as free will and the gods wouldn't have any time left over to enjoy their feasting and wenching. Which we know from various historical works, is very important to them.

And of course the argument against impotency is readily apparent via our very existence. Life is a divine miracle regardless of how you believe humans got here or evolved. This can be illustrated by a grade school joke where science declared that humans were the equal to God because we could now create a human being.

God appeared and said unto them; "show me." So one scientist bent and grabbed a handful of dirt in preparation but God interrupted...

"Excuse me, go get your own dirt."

 

[coati]

Religion and politics are often a toxic mix. A lot of people have died as a result.

Could you guys discuss your favorite mythologies on the General Board or in the GB lounge?

 

[Bray123]

Religion and politics are often a toxic mix. A lot of people have died as a result.

Could you guys discuss your favorite mythologies on the General Board or in the GB lounge?

Unfortunately the MAGATs are pretending that there is no separation of church (white KKhristian variety) and state. It was one of Kirk's thinking points which is what happens when a college drop-out is taken seriously.

By the end of this term it will be illegal not to go to church on Sundays.

 

[JohnEngelman]

I study and respect each of the world's great religions. I was raised as an Episcopalian. Now I attend an Anglican Church that uses the 1928 Book of Common Prayer. I have read the Bible including the Apocrypha ten times in eight English translations. Right now I am reading The Jewish Study Bible, Second Edition. Earlier I read the First Edition. I have read the Koran in three English translations. As a Christian I am ecumenical, and I have attended Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Baptist, Lutheran, and Presbyterian services. I have visited Taoist and Buddhist Temples. I have only attended one synagogue service, which seems strange, because I admire Jews, I respect Judaism, and I love Israel. I am also attracted to Buddhism. I have read some of the scriptures of Hinduism and Buddhism. I have read The Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants and The Pearl of Great Price.

I believe that God inspired the Bible, but He did not dictate it. Jews wrote the Old Testament, also known as the Jewish Bible. They wrote the Apocrypha. All or most of the New Testament was written by people we would recognize today as Messianic Jews. Anyone who has known and liked as many Jew as I have knows that they like to argue and often disagree. Contradictions in the Bible intrigue me, but they do not trouble my faith.

I believe that God exists and can be worshiped many ways. I try to be a good person.

 

[HisArpy]

Religion and politics are often a toxic mix. A lot of people have died as a result.

Could you guys discuss your favorite mythologies on the General Board or in the GB lounge?

^somebody doesn't get it that in some places, religion and politics are the same 2-headed beast.

 

[Lance_Castro]

When you see all the angry losers like luk phil rob rory here, it’s easy to believe in karma.

Ahahahaha!

 

[forgotmyantidepressants]

I've gone from full-blown "fundie" to staunch atheist.

The evidence for Christianity is shockingly (embarrassingly) weak. I can't speak on the other world religions as extensively, but I suspect they might be bullshit too.

 

[coati]

^somebody doesn't get it that in some places, religion and politics are the same 2-headed beast.

That's an assumption on your part. I've lived and worked in theocracies. It sucks.

I seek freedom from religion in government.

 

[HisArpy]

That's an assumption on your part. I've lived and worked in theocracies. It sucks.

I seek freedom from religion in government.

Good luck with that.

 

[Wat_Tyler]

Thomas Jefferson‘s greatest architectural achievement was the wall of separation between church and state.

 

[Vitriolhack]

Oct 7, 2023 and the following years of continuous general antisemitism has strengthen my resolve in the existence of the state of Israel.

Interesting view Noor.

 

[latecomer91364]

My spiritual thoughts have evolved somewhat, but haven't really changed since I rejected Catholicism when I was about 10. I have no inclination to ever join another organized religion, but I certainly don't begrudge others for their true and honest faith.

I condemn those who bastardize their beliefs, like Islamic terrorists.

 

[Baztrachian]

I condemn those who bastardize their beliefs, like Islamic terrorists.

"The problem with Christians is that they do not follow the words of their Prophet. The problem with Muslims is that they do."

- Tenzin Gyatso, The 14th Dalai Lama.

 

[ll74]

Weird how the thread asked about personal religious views and somehow people have used it to attack othrs' views.

Guess it's cool that no Muslims showed up.

 

[icanhelp1]

I was raised in a liberal-left Christmas & Easter Catholic household. That means my parents were devout Catholics only two days out of the year.

At age 13 I was tired of the hypocrisy and I stopped going to church.

At 18 I met my first wife (then girlfriend) and went to her church one time fully expecting to burst into flame as I crossed the threshold. When that didn't happen I listened to the sermon and it touched me.

Over the years I have come to my own understanding. I do believe that God created the Universe because it is a universe of way too many coincidences and it is easier for me to believe in God than it is to believe in two coincidences let alone uncounted trillions of them over time.

Over the ensuing years I have come to love Christ and I appreciate the Bible.

But I fucking loathe phony, hypocritical, fuckfaces who pretend to be pious people while doing the kind of shit that would make your average Philippine whore blush.

I fucking loathe modern Christian music that is repetitive and so fucking vanilla. No highs, no lows, and almost exclusively in the keys of D and C. It is musical pabulum.

Example:

So the result is I have my personal faith and I no longer waste my time with Churchianity.

I find not believing in a supreme being, not believing in an afterlife is a dismal way to exist.

 

[AnomalyLady]

I find not believing in a supreme being, not believing in an afterlife is a dismal way to exist.

Why dismal?

 

[Lit_shreya]

Yess they are changed alot.

 

[ll74]

I find not believing in a supreme being, not believing in an afterlife is a dismal way to exist.

That's a dumb statement. Are you suggesting not having an afterlife would be dismal to you? Why?

 

[icanhelp1]

That's a dumb statement. Are you suggesting not having an afterlife would be dismal to you? Why?

I believe in a higher ascension, I believe we all have an eternal soul. The thought that dying is the end all doesn't give life much of a purpose. I didn't insult you.

 

[ll74]

I believe in a higher ascension, I believe we all have an eternal soul. The thought that dying is the end all doesn't give life much of a purpose.

To you

I didn't insult you.

You assumed that not believing what you do is dismal.

I don't believe what you do.

Not elitist at all

 

[icanhelp1]

To you

I wasn’t speaking for you

You assumed that not believing what you do is dismal.

“I find not believing in a supreme being, not believing in an afterlife is a dismal way to exist.”

Where was my statement inclusive? I believe what I believe. I didn’t ask you your beliefs. I certainly didn’t try to impose my beliefs on anyone. More of your semantics.

I don't believe what you do.

Not elitist at all

I don’t care what you believe. It’s not elitist it’s my personal opinion.

 

[eric_erosfan]

Theyve been reinforced. Only gotten stronger.

Glam's 11th Commandment: "Thou shalt findeth a hairy asshole and sticketh thy member inside."

 

[ericalauren]

I’m 38 years old and I’ve been agnostic my whole life.

 

[SmilingLez]

The only thing that is changed for me - there is a 50% probability of "something" after earthly death and a 50% probability of "nothing" after earthly death (Occam's razor)