Explain Your Religious Views or Lack Thereof

[The Steel Magnolia]

So your argument is that all modern day extremists ARE in fact supported by the religious community? Every religious community?
...
What are you, high?

My argument? It's not my argument. I'm just explaining why your response was fucking stupid.

He's saying that moderate religious people, by creating this notion of tolerance, are helping religious extremism from being criticized.

You guys, somehow, took this to mean that atheists today, by being atheists, must have some involvement that happened in something before 95% of us were born.

See the relevant difference? You guys are pretty much implying that an atheist today could have some causal influence on an event that took place sixty years ago.

Intellectual honesty is hard.

[With Teeth]

My argument? It's not my argument. I'm just explaining why your response was fucking stupid.

He's saying that moderate religious people, by creating this notion of tolerance, are helping religious extremism from being criticized.

You guys, somehow, took this to mean that atheists today, by being atheists, must have some involvement that happened in something before 95% of us were born.

See the relevant difference? You guys are pretty much implying that an atheist today could have some causal influence on an event that took place sixty years ago.

Intellectual honesty is hard.

That's why you go the easy way.

[Stolen Droplets]

I don't try to talk about my religious beliefs too much here, but I am a Muslim. I believe, not because of any evidence, but because I want to.

I am Catholic, I don't believe my religion is better than others...I don't like those ignorant people who call this country a "Christian Nation." I believe in God and the after life. I believe that science and the Lord can co-exist.

I am Pro Choice and I dont believe my marriage to my eventual wife will be threatened in any way by a marriage between 2 men or 2 women. I believe that it's possible for a god to do evolution. Evolution isn't fake...its rather interesting.

[Asshatland]

Some are, unless the hijackers were atheists.

Thank you.
The original beginner of this internet-spat did not distinguish between some and all, hence inviting the comparison to Stalin (because hell, even 60 years ago not all atheists supported Stalin).

Atheism was ancillary at best to the popular support of the Soviet Communists. The party was founded on economic principles and a restructuring of the social order that had led to a top-heavy aristocracy with poor conditions for the working class. Atheism was a single facet of Communist ideology, not the damn keystone.

[Reploid Productions]

Coffee break, ladies, gentlemen, and those of non-binary gender.


~Evil Forum Empress Rep Prod the Ninja Mod
~She who wields the Banhammer; master of the mighty moderation no-dachi Kiritateru Teikoku

[Reploid Productions]

Ooookay. After going through the past ten pages, here goes:

Because religion is stupid.

Really? You had to go into "All X is Y" territory? You couldn't make an argument that doesn't fall back on trolling?

Didn't read your brick of text, but I can surmise, based upon my casual skim through it, that it's really dumb, given that you're calling for an end to all divisions EVUR.

and then flamebaiting? If you can't be arsed to READ something, then don't offer flamebaiting commentary on it.
*** Frisivisia, warned for trolling/flamebaiting. ***

Similarly:

It is delusional (as much as you hate to hear it, that is what best describes it) and offers no positive benefits that cannot be fulfilled by a secular alternative.

You've got a cleaner history, so you just get off with an unofficial warn for trolling. You can debate a topic without blanket-labeling the opposition's viewpoint as delusional.

Because it makes you a useless hindrance to human society (and propably unfit for political participation).

Yes! Yes, indeed. But they're but a symptom of the plague that is belief without evidence. )

How, pray tell, is this in any way attacking an argument and not the poster? You are claiming that your opponent and anyone who shares his view is useless and that none of them should be allowed to vote/hold political office.
*** Ljvonia, warning for trolling/flamebaiting. ***

Go cry about it then.

I reiterate:

Go cry about it.

Go cry about it.

Again, how is this attacking an argument and not attacking the poster? Given history and the amount of sniping going on, calling this one *** a warning for flamebaiting ***, as it serves literally no purpose save for riling up an opponent.

Not only that but most atheists I've seen have no values whatsoever. They're like unhappy nihilistic hedonists. I think atheism is only popular right now because it's trendy to be an atheist. It's what the cool kids do.

to all the atheistfags who are reading this who take liek an hour out of their day to bitch about religion and how evil it is(which is what the majority of religious debates revolve around, how God is either good or evil), stop. Please get a life. Or if you're not into that, go get a non-life. Like go find a few skype friends and talk to them. Go watch some anime and play COD. maybe you can learn a second language or learn how to play an instrument. Stop because you're stupid, angsty, annoying, and unproductive.

Bolding for emphasis. No. None of that. Shame on you. You JUST got back from a weeklong forumban and THIS is what you get up to? You need to learn the rules and how to follow them and swiftly. Your warning history has you teetering precariously close to losing a nation if you keep up in this vein.
*** Ikigain, two week ban for trolling/flaming. ***

Get the fuck off.

No. Taking a troll's bait does not give you a free pass to flame them. Stop that. The proper response would have been to file a report over in the Moderation forum to bring this to moderator attention. You get an unofficial warning for flaming.

I only went through the most recent 10 pages. If there was additional material I missed earlier than that in the thread, feel free to bring it up over in Moderation.

Now, a reminder for folks as to the topic:

In this thread, I want you to explain what drew you towards, or drove you from religion. Why you hold the beliefs you hold, how you deal with criticism, and what you specifically believe in a religious sense. If you don't have any religious beliefs, explain why. I'll start off.

The topic amounts to the personal beliefs version of "what do you look like?" or "what's your favorite color?" sort of thing. We have plenty of other threads for the different flavors of theism vs atheism. This one does not look to me like one of them, so kindly relocate those debates to their appropriate places.


~Evil Forum Empress Rep Prod the Ninja Mod
~She who wields the Banhammer; master of the mighty moderation no-dachi Kiritateru Teikoku

[Athylon Prime]

Thank you Reploid Productions for doing that. I'm very sorry my thread went from a simple question to flaming and baiting. I'm forever in your debt for taking back control of the situation.

[The Truth and Light]

Thank you Reploid Productions for doing that. I'm very sorry my thread went from a simple question to flaming and baiting. I'm forever in your debt for taking back control of the situation.

"Forever in your debt"?

[Athylon Prime]

Thank you Reploid Productions for doing that. I'm very sorry my thread went from a simple question to flaming and baiting. I'm forever in your debt for taking back control of the situation.

"Forever in your debt"?

I was being facetious.

[Mkuki]

Can Hindus explain the relationship between worship of Brahman, if you worship Brahman at all, and the worship of the individual gods of Hinduism? Can you worship more than one Hindu god/goddess?

[The Truth and Light]

"Forever in your debt"?

I was being facetious.

Ah, my bad.

[Torcularis Septentrionalis]

K, well, on topic, I am a new Muslim, formerly gnostic atheist, because I experienced some supernatural stuff that led me to God.

[Athylon Prime]

Can Hindus explain the relationship between worship of Brahman, if you worship Brahman at all, and the worship of the individual gods of Hinduism? Can you worship more than one Hindu god/goddess?

Although I am not Hindu, Alan Watts explains it very well in

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLbvwDdeNhw

It's about 27 minutes long, but well worth the watch in my opinion.

[Menassa]

That's more of Biblical contradiction of History, not internal Biblical contradictions.

Alright, a very big one was Jesus claimed he wouldn't change the law a tittle, then proceeded to change almost all of the laws.
Shall I continue?

It happens to be that Paul changed the Law... although if Paul's the mouthpiece of Christ it's what Christ wanted... it's not really a contradiction then...

[Diopolis]

I am a traditionalist catholic because that's what I believe God wants me to be.

[Athylon Prime]

I was being facetious.

Ah, my bad.

It's ok. My humor is lost on most people, even in real life social settings, mostly because it is as dry as the Mojave Desert and sour as a Green Persimmon.

[The Grey Wolf]

Can Hindus explain the relationship between worship of Brahman, if you worship Brahman at all, and the worship of the individual gods of Hinduism? Can you worship more than one Hindu god/goddess?

It really depends on what sect of Hinduism you're referring to. Some sects are monist, other are dualist. (Not a Hindu, just answering your question.)

[Mkuki]

Can Hindus explain the relationship between worship of Brahman, if you worship Brahman at all, and the worship of the individual gods of Hinduism? Can you worship more than one Hindu god/goddess?

Although I am not Hindu, Alan Watts explains it very well in

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLbvwDdeNhw

It's about 27 minutes long, but well worth the watch in my opinion.

Text is always better.

I'll give it a look. Thanks.

[Blasveck]

K, well, on topic, I am a new Muslim, formerly gnostic atheist, because I experienced some supernatural stuff that led me to God.

Why specifically Islam?

[The Grey Wolf]

Have my own religion and it doesn't have a name or hierarchy.
Guess my beliefs can be best described as pantheist or monist. My reverence for certain personalities border on worship. I believe in the Vedas, or at least that they contain several nuggets of truth. I don't think it is possible for us to fully comprehend or know God, at least by words alone it is impossible. Like Siddhartha said, "I have become distrustful of teachings and learning and that I have little faith in words that come to us from teachers."

[Menassa]

I was focusing more on the Raishah.

The 'completing' part.

Oh, I didn't know you wanted me to explain why it is somewhat compelling, I misinterpreted your post, sorry.

Anyways it is a little compelling. I was raised in the chrisitan faith, and I was always told the story of Jesus. Because I was very young I believed in what I was told and thought the story was amazing.

The Church would always say how amazing what Jesus did, so I believed them. I'm no longer Chrisitan but I could see why Chrisitans find the sorry compelling.

Well, I'm not, nor have ever been a Christian, so would you mind explaining to me how you... or Christians find the story compelling?

[Wintersun]

I'm an atheist because I have read the BIble and the Qu'ran and then witnessed how the "pious" Jews, Christians, and Muslims act. If their god were real pretty much each and every one of them would have been struck down countless times a day. As they are not struck down within the year I judge that either their god is lazy and incompetent or simply doesn't actually exist as logic dictates.

[The Orson Empire]

Thank you Reploid Productions. That was needed.

[The Grey Wolf]

I'm an atheist because I have read the BIble and the Qu'ran and then witnessed how the "pious" Jews, Christians, and Muslims act. If their god were real pretty much each and every one of them would have been struck down countless times a day. As they are not struck down within the year I judge that either their god is lazy and incompetent or simply doesn't actually exist as logic dictates.

Because Abrahamic religions are the only religions.

[Menassa]

I'm an atheist because I have read the BIble and the Qu'ran and then witnessed how the "pious" Jews, Christians, and Muslims act. If their god were real pretty much each and every one of them would have been struck down countless times a day. As they are not struck down within the year I judge that either their god is lazy and incompetent or simply doesn't actually exist as logic dictates.

Well, it seems you know little of sin and atonement....