Religion Discussion Thread

[Cyrisnia]

Hellooooo NSG! Its Cyrisnia here. First thread I'm making.
From the ~month or so I've been here, I've seen a series of religious discussion threads pop up alot. Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Neopagan, etc etc, and I'm thinking it'd be a good idea if there was a general Religious Discussion thread for everyone to talk to about different religions, religion in general, how it affects humanity, how they're similar/different, and the like. Feel free to discuss anything relating to religion, whether it be practices, morals, LGBTQ* rights, gender, and more. Please, no flaming other religions.

Links to other discussion threads:
Christian Discussion Thread: http://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=302830
Jewish Discussion Thread: http://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=195852
Islam/Muslim Discussion Thread: http://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=256791
Will post more links as time goes by, will also make more polls/record results, send me a TG if you want a link to be added in this, or have an idea for a poll!

POLL 1 RESULTS: "What is your opinion on religion?"
1. Religion is bad (12 votes, 35%), 2. Depends on the people practicing (11 votes, 32%), 3. Its good (5 votes, 15%), 4. Don't care (3 votes, 9%), 5. Its somewhere in the middle (2 votes, 6%), 6. No real opinion (1 vote, 3%)

POLL 2 RESULTS: "What religion are you?"
1. I don't believe in a god/gods (23 votes, 43%), 2. Christian (16 votes, 30%), 3. I don't know if theres a god or not (6 votes, 11%), 4. Other (4 votes, 7%) 5. Jewish (3 votes, 6%), 6. Muslim (2 votes, 4%), 7. Hindu and I don't care (0 votes, 0%)

POLL 3 RESULTS: "Do you support religions being more tolerant towards the LGBTQ+ community?"
Organized Religion: 1. Yes (15 Votes, 25%), 2. I don't care (4 votes, 7%,), 3. No. (3 votes, 5%)
Unorganized Religion: 1. Yes (5 votes, 8%) 2. No/I don't care (no votes, 0%)
Non-Religious: 1. Yes (25 votes, 42%). 2. I don't care (5 votes, 8%), 3. No (2 votes, 3%)
As someone in the LGBTQ+ community, I'd just like to thank all who voted "Yes", regardless of religious affiliation. Its nice to know that even the religious people on NSG are very accepting.

POLL 4 RESULTS: "Why did you choose to join the religion you are apart of? Or why did you choose none?"
1. Lack of proof in faiths in general (31 votes, 26%), 2. Because it spoke to me, and it seemed to be what I wanted to follow (29 votes, 24%), 3. Because I was raised in a family practing it, and alot of people I know practice it (28 votes, 23%), 4. People being bad about religion (forcing it) turned me away from a religion/religions in general (20 votes, 17%), 5. Lack of proof of other faiths (13 votes, 11%)

POLL 5 RESULTS: "Do you follow your religions dietary laws?"
1. What cruel people make dietary laws? (11 votes, 28%), 2. Non Religiou, but I still follow some sort of dietary law (tied with) Yes. (9 votes each, 23% each), 3. No. (8 votes, 20%), 4. I don't know if mine has them or not (3 votes, 8%)

Note: All religions are welcome here, same with people who aren't sure about it and don't believe in deities. Its a general discussion thread about it.

[Lavan Tiri]

#1: The url tags don't work.

#2: dis gun git lokd.

[Cyrisnia]

#1: The url tags don't work.

#2: dis gun git lokd.

1. Will fix.
2. Uh? Okay?

[Lalaki]

I oppose both religious groups forcing their beliefs on others and New/Militant Atheism. I support the friendly atheists/agnostics and theists who respect and work with each other.

[The 93rd Coalition]

#1: The url tags don't work.

#2: dis gun git lokd.

1. Will fix.
2. Uh? Okay?

He means there are already a multitude of threads on this, so it locking of thread posting is inevitable and imminent.

As for my two cents, I am a christian, but I oppose violent proselytization (I think that's how it is.) This includes atheistic proselytization.

(I think that's how it is.)

[Cyrisnia]

1. Will fix.
2. Uh? Okay?

He means there are already a multitude of threads on this, so it locking of thread posting is inevitable and imminent.

As for my two cents, I am a christian, but I oppose violent proselytization (I think that's how it is.) This includes atheistic proselytization.

(I think that's how it is.)

Ah, thanks for explaining why.

[The 93rd Coalition]

He means there are already a multitude of threads on this, so it locking of thread posting is inevitable and imminent.

As for my two cents, I am a christian, but I oppose violent proselytization (I think that's how it is.) This includes atheistic proselytization.

(I think that's how it is.)

Ah, thanks for explaining why.

Is good.

[Adab]

I oppose both religious groups forcing their beliefs on others and New/Militant Atheism. I support the friendly atheists/agnostics and theists who respect and work with each other.

Agree with the above. We should always encourage friendly and constructive dialogue between the religious and the irreligious. Hopefully this thread can be a place for one, if it doesn't get locked by the mods.

I'm Sunni Muslim, by the way.

[Confederate Flower Power]

Religion is essential for human civilization. Were it not for religion, we would sink into the same depths of depravity, debauchery, moral degeneracy, depression, and morphine addiction that plagues the North. It is the Grace of God and the strength of our faith in Him that will give us the power to overcome our Yankee rivals and win our independence.

I do hope my primitive 19th century internet connection is fast enough to post my message before the thread moves on and my comments become irrelevant...

[Neutraligon]

I oppose both religious groups forcing their beliefs on others and New/Militant Atheism. I support the friendly atheists/agnostics and theists who respect and work with each other.

What's a militant atheist?

[The 93rd Coalition]

I oppose both religious groups forcing their beliefs on others and New/Militant Atheism. I support the friendly atheists/agnostics and theists who respect and work with each other.

What's a militant atheist?

Somebody who promotes atheism via violent and/or militaristic means.

(Think of an atheistic crusade.)

[Washington Resistance Army]

Religion is essential for human civilization. Were it not for religion, we would sink into the same depths of depravity, debauchery, moral degeneracy, depression, and morphine addiction that plagues the North. It is the Grace of God and the strength of our faith in Him that will give us the power to overcome our Yankee rivals and win our independence.

I do hope my primitive 19th century internet connection is fast enough to post my message before the thread moves on and my comments become irrelevant...

Any evidence for this?

[Jetan]

Religion is essential for human civilization. Were it not for religion, we would sink into the same depths of depravity, debauchery, moral degeneracy, depression, and morphine addiction that plagues the North. It is the Grace of God and the strength of our faith in Him that will give us the power to overcome our Yankee rivals and win our independence.

I do hope my primitive 19th century internet connection is fast enough to post my message before the thread moves on and my comments become irrelevant...

Any evidence for this?

You need a new one.

[Neutraligon]

What's a militant atheist?

Somebody who promotes atheism via violent and/or militaristic means.

(Think of an atheistic crusade.)

And these people exist, where?

[MERIZoC]

I oppose both religious groups forcing their beliefs on others and New/Militant Atheism. I support the friendly atheists/agnostics and theists who respect and work with each other.

What's a militant atheist?

A term that pissed-off theists came up with in an attempt to discredit their opponents.

[Cyrisnia]

Religion is essential for human civilization. Were it not for religion, we would sink into the same depths of depravity, debauchery, moral degeneracy, depression, and morphine addiction that plagues the North. It is the Grace of God and the strength of our faith in Him that will give us the power to overcome our Yankee rivals and win our independence.

I do hope my primitive 19th century internet connection is fast enough to post my message before the thread moves on and my comments become irrelevant...

Any evidence for this?

Err...how does this plague the north? I live in Massachusetts and its not depraved, degenerate, depressed, and certainly not addicted to drugs (unless you live in Springfield). I think religion probably evolved BECAUSE of civilization. Groups of people in the same place would believe the same thing, very few times has religion actually caused civilization.

[Pope Joan]

Religion is institutionalized spirituality.

Today it is taking more fluid forms than in the past, moving away from traditional organizations. People around the world can work together to try to revive ancient Egyptian worship for instance, and they even schedule meet-ups.

The greatest harm comes from the idea that I cannot be right unless you are wrong. Looking for enemies in order to reassure myself of my virtue. No good can come of that.

As long as we cherish freedom of conscience for others as well as ourselves, we should be okay.

[Adab]

Religion is essential for human civilization. Were it not for religion, we would sink into the same depths of depravity, debauchery, moral degeneracy, depression, and morphine addiction that plagues the North. It is the Grace of God and the strength of our faith in Him that will give us the power to overcome our Yankee rivals and win our independence.

I do hope my primitive 19th century internet connection is fast enough to post my message before the thread moves on and my comments become irrelevant...

Oh, don't worry 'bout that. I hear the Internet connection speed in 1861 was acceptable.

Well, not everyone and everything in the North is so depraved and debauched, you know. Many people from the North also fought for the preservation of the Union and the end of slavery (but's let not stray too far into the Civil War subject; we're here to discuss religion).

Being an Anglo-Americanophile, here I feel I can say about this: God bless these United States of America.

[Jetan]

Any evidence for this?

Err...how does this plague the north? I live in Massachusetts and its not depraved, degenerate, depressed, and certainly not addicted to drugs (unless you live in Springfield). I think religion probably evolved BECAUSE of civilization. Groups of people in the same place would believe the same thing, very few times has religion actually caused civilization.

What, you need a new one too?

[Washington Resistance Army]

Err...how does this plague the north? I live in Massachusetts and its not depraved, degenerate, depressed, and certainly not addicted to drugs (unless you live in Springfield). I think religion probably evolved BECAUSE of civilization. Groups of people in the same place would believe the same thing, very few times has religion actually caused civilization.

What, you need a new one too?

Can you buy us some? Pl0x?

[Cyrisnia]

What, you need a new one too?

Can you buy us some? Pl0x?

what

[Washington Resistance Army]

Can you buy us some? Pl0x?

what

Sarcasm detectors, I missed it and apparently someone else did too.

[Cyrisnia]

what

Sarcasm detectors, I missed it and apparently someone else did too.

i think i missed everything

Religion is institutionalized spirituality.

Today it is taking more fluid forms than in the past, moving away from traditional organizations. People around the world can work together to try to revive ancient Egyptian worship for instance, and they even schedule meet-ups.

The greatest harm comes from the idea that I cannot be right unless you are wrong. Looking for enemies in order to reassure myself of my virtue. No good can come of that.

As long as we cherish freedom of conscience for others as well as ourselves, we should be okay.

Wasn't there a Neopagan discussion thread?

[Lalaki]

What's a militant atheist?

A term that pissed-off theists came up with in an attempt to discredit their opponents.

Actually in the USSR a group existed that was extremely hostile to all religions, and New Atheism doesn't just promote the lack of belief in God, but also a soft antitheism. In other words, it breeds intolerance and hate for the other side. Which is the opposite of what we should be trying to achieve.

I am an irreligious agnostic, for the record.

[Neutraligon]

A term that pissed-off theists came up with in an attempt to discredit their opponents.

(Image)

1)Actually in the USSR a group existed that was extremely hostile to all religions, and 2)New Atheism doesn't just promote the lack of belief in God, but also a soft antitheism. In other words, it breeds intolerance and hate for the other side. Which is the opposite of what we should be trying to achieve.

I am an irreligious agnostic, for the record.

1) And, such groups exist whether or not one believes in god. There are religious who are hostile to atheists. I fail to see your point.
2) Source?