[ARCHIVED DEBATE] A Civilized Debate on Religion

[New Colorado Republic]

Because you titled this thread "a debate on religion" and the first thing I saw was a poll on the existence of a god,I am forced to educate you and probably most other posters in this thread.

Religion and belief in god(s) are two different things. There are a few atheistic religions, such as Buddhism and Laveyan Satanism, and certain Wiccans dont have deities. Theism means you have a god. Atheism means you don't. Religion, however, is a different matter. Religion is a label for ones beliefs, and not necessarily beliefs in god, nor does it require a god. I am sure it can be confusing, as most religions preach some kind of god, but for fucks sake, educate yourselves!

[Pensalum]

Because you titled this thread "a debate on religion" and the first thing I saw was a poll on the existence of a god,I am forced to educate you and probably most other posters in this thread.

Religion and belief in god(s) are two different things. There are a few atheistic religions, such as Buddhism and Laveyan Satanism, and certain Wiccans dont have deities. Theism means you have a god. Atheism means you don't. Religion, however, is a different matter. Religion is a label for ones beliefs, and not necessarily beliefs in god, nor does it require a god. I am sure it can be confusing, as most religions preach some kind of god, but for fucks sake, educate yourselves!

Good point. I agree that the poll is in need of revision. Perhaps, it could list common theological principles, or something like "what are your views on religion?"

[New Colorado Republic]

Because you titled this thread "a debate on religion" and the first thing I saw was a poll on the existence of a god,I am forced to educate you and probably most other posters in this thread.

Religion and belief in god(s) are two different things. There are a few atheistic religions, such as Buddhism and Laveyan Satanism, and certain Wiccans dont have deities. Theism means you have a god. Atheism means you don't. Religion, however, is a different matter. Religion is a label for ones beliefs, and not necessarily beliefs in god, nor does it require a god. I am sure it can be confusing, as most religions preach some kind of god, but for fucks sake, educate yourselves!

Good point. I agree that the poll is in need of revision. Perhaps, it could list common theological principles, or something like "what are your views on religion?"

Maybe, but there is always risk of the list consisting of only "Christianity" and "Atheism" or maybe Christianity, atheism, Judaism and Islam with no mention of anything else. Then I would have to type another two paragraphs, this time about New Age, Satanism, and other religions that are not the norm.

[Jetan]

Because you titled this thread "a debate on religion" and the first thing I saw was a poll on the existence of a god,I am forced to educate you and probably most other posters in this thread.

Religion and belief in god(s) are two different things. There are a few atheistic religions, such as Buddhism and Laveyan Satanism, and certain Wiccans dont have deities. Theism means you have a god. Atheism means you don't. Religion, however, is a different matter. Religion is a label for ones beliefs, and not necessarily beliefs in god, nor does it require a god. I am sure it can be confusing, as most religions preach some kind of god, but for fucks sake, educate yourselves!

We know all of this already.

[Pensalum]

Good point. I agree that the poll is in need of revision. Perhaps, it could list common theological principles, or something like "what are your views on religion?"

Maybe, but there is always risk of the list consisting of only "Christianity" and "Atheism" or maybe Christianity, atheism, Judaism and Islam with no mention of anything else. Then I would have to type another two paragraphs, this time about New Age, Satanism, and other religions that are not the norm.

No I mean principles as in like the belief in one God, the belief in multiple gods, religions without gods, pantheism, panentheism, deism Abrahamic theism, non-Abrahamic monotheism. You know?

[New Colorado Republic]

Because you titled this thread "a debate on religion" and the first thing I saw was a poll on the existence of a god,I am forced to educate you and probably most other posters in this thread.

Religion and belief in god(s) are two different things. There are a few atheistic religions, such as Buddhism and Laveyan Satanism, and certain Wiccans dont have deities. Theism means you have a god. Atheism means you don't. Religion, however, is a different matter. Religion is a label for ones beliefs, and not necessarily beliefs in god, nor does it require a god. I am sure it can be confusing, as most religions preach some kind of god, but for fucks sake, educate yourselves!

We know all of this already.

We? Don't speak for other people. You would be surprised how many people need to be educated on the points I brought up.

[New Colorado Republic]

Maybe, but there is always risk of the list consisting of only "Christianity" and "Atheism" or maybe Christianity, atheism, Judaism and Islam with no mention of anything else. Then I would have to type another two paragraphs, this time about New Age, Satanism, and other religions that are not the norm.

No I mean principles as in like the belief in one God, the belief in multiple gods, religions without gods, pantheism, panentheism, deism Abrahamic theism, non-Abrahamic monotheism. You know?

Yes. Many people don't understand these.

[Pensalum]

No I mean principles as in like the belief in one God, the belief in multiple gods, religions without gods, pantheism, panentheism, deism Abrahamic theism, non-Abrahamic monotheism. You know?

Yes. Many people don't understand these.

Then they can look them up, or just click the one that refers to them. The thread would be for the discussion of the above religious ideologies.

[New Colorado Republic]

Yes. Many people don't understand these.

Then they can look them up, or just click the one that refers to them. The thread would be for the discussion of the above religious ideologies.

They should look them up, but it would get a bit frustrating after a while with people coming in and saying its all only "Christianity atheism or agnostic" and accusing religious people (regardless of whether or not we are Christians) of impeding progress.

[Menassa]

Soooo

For anyone who does believe in, or hopes for the existence of God, how do you think the afterlife would work? Is it only for people who believe in God, is it for everyone? Is it for people who live justly?

I hope that if there is an afterlife, anyone can go there. If there is a God, it must know that the choosing of religion is very arbitrary, and therefore should not judge based on that choice. I hope there is some sort of reward or incentive for living decently, but I have know idea on what basis that would be judged. I do not hope for the existence of eternal damnation.

All the righteous have a share in the world to come... then again so do all the wicked so...

[Nazi Flower Power]

Religion already gets more respect than it deserves. No one has a problem talking trash about Nazism or Communism when they disagree with those ideologies, so why should we not talk trash about religions? Religions can be just as dangerous as political ideologies, and they should be subject to the same kind of criticism.

You're right, the Christian 32% want genocide and are all wicked and evil.

I didn't say a word about Christians in that post.

Perhaps you are familiar with my posting history and know I dislike Christianity, or perhaps you're projecting. I certainly didn't make any blanket statement (here or elsewhere) that all Christians are evil. That was your baggage that you brought into the thread.

[Shnercropolis]

Whether or not there is a god is of no consequence to me.

[Menassa]

You're right, the Christian 32% want genocide and are all wicked and evil.

I didn't say a word about Christians in that post.

Perhaps you are familiar with my posting history and know I dislike Christianity, or perhaps you're projecting. I certainly didn't make any blanket statement (here or elsewhere) that all Christians are evil. That was your baggage that you brought into the thread.

All Religion = Christianity
Just as
All Soda = Coca-Cola

[Nazi Flower Power]

I didn't say a word about Christians in that post.

Perhaps you are familiar with my posting history and know I dislike Christianity, or perhaps you're projecting. I certainly didn't make any blanket statement (here or elsewhere) that all Christians are evil. That was your baggage that you brought into the thread.

All Religion = Christianity
Just as
All Soda = Coca-Cola

I wish all soda was coca-cola. Coke is awesome. Especially the kind they make for Passover with the yellow caps. I guess they do that for the Christians...

[Menassa]

All Religion = Christianity
Just as
All Soda = Coca-Cola

I wish all soda was coca-cola. Coke is awesome. Especially the kind they make for Passover with the yellow caps. I guess they do that for the Christians...

*insert joke about Passover coke and blood libel here*

I'm a sarsaparilla man, I like my soda like I like my religion.

Weird as heck.

[Nazi Flower Power]

Religion already gets more respect than it deserves. No one has a problem talking trash about Nazism or Communism when they disagree with those ideologies, so why should we not talk trash about religions? Religions can be just as dangerous as political ideologies, and they should be subject to the same kind of criticism.

You're seriously comparing all Religion to Nazism or Communism?

On what intellectual grounds do you do that?

I didn't.

I am comparing religion and political ideology in general, saying that a bad religion can do just as much damage as a bad political ideology.

[Pensalum]

Soooo

For anyone who does believe in, or hopes for the existence of God, how do you think the afterlife would work? Is it only for people who believe in God, is it for everyone? Is it for people who live justly?

I hope that if there is an afterlife, anyone can go there. If there is a God, it must know that the choosing of religion is very arbitrary, and therefore should not judge based on that choice. I hope there is some sort of reward or incentive for living decently, but I have know idea on what basis that would be judged. I do not hope for the existence of eternal damnation.

All the righteous have a share in the world to come... then again so do all the wicked so...

Hmm,

If I remember correctly, there is no hell in the Jewish faith right? I think that makes more sense than eternal punishment for people who are unlucky and pick the wrong religion.

[Menassa]

All the righteous have a share in the world to come... then again so do all the wicked so...

Hmm,

If I remember correctly, there is no hell in the Jewish faith right? I think that makes more sense than eternal punishment for people who are unlucky and pick the wrong religion.

You would have to further define hell, in terms of the evangelical Christian sense, no there is no such place.

[Nazi Flower Power]

I wish all soda was coca-cola. Coke is awesome. Especially the kind they make for Passover with the yellow caps. I guess they do that for the Christians...

*insert joke about Passover coke and blood libel here*

I'm a sarsaparilla man, I like my soda like I like my religion.

Weird as heck.

Weird and old-fashioned, like your religion.

Sarsaparilla is not bad, actually. And some kinds of ginger ale are worth drinking. I like Moxie now and then, and that guarana soda they make in Brazil. Coke is my favorite soda, but I was exaggerating when I said I wish it was the only kind.

[Vuuhn]

All Religion = Christianity
Just as
All Soda = Coca-Cola

I wish all soda was coca-cola. Coke is awesome. Especially the kind they make for Passover with the yellow caps. I guess they do that for the Christians...

Passover is Jewish...

[Menassa]

I wish all soda was coca-cola. Coke is awesome. Especially the kind they make for Passover with the yellow caps. I guess they do that for the Christians...

Passover is Jewish...

And upcoming.

[Vuuhn]

Passover is Jewish...

And upcoming.

Yeah Moses!

[Pensalum]

Hmm,

If I remember correctly, there is no hell in the Jewish faith right? I think that makes more sense than eternal punishment for people who are unlucky and pick the wrong religion.

You would have to further define hell, in terms of the evangelical Christian sense, no there is no such place.

Is there somewhere else people go?

[Menassa]

You would have to further define hell, in terms of the evangelical Christian sense, no there is no such place.

Is there somewhere else people go?

In order for people to receive punishment in the after world? There is such a place, but no one is there eternally.

[Big Jim P]

I wish all soda was coca-cola. Coke is awesome. Especially the kind they make for Passover with the yellow caps. I guess they do that for the Christians...

Passover is Jewish...

Roses are red
Violets are bluish
If it weren't for Jesus
We'd all be jewish