Which religion do you follow?

[vulgar_newcomer]

Pagan wasn't on the list.

I agree other then folk, which I suspect

[csb999]

Not do something active to end (burning a church is a pretty active thing ) but ignore it until it goes away . Not being anti-religious but areligious .

[G-Lexington]

Is that your revenge for Christianity 'demonizing' gargoyles?

I just think it's expected of me, and I've never been one to turn down a free ride on a bandwagon.

In Gary Numan's autobiography, he says "I'd rather believe in hobbits and elves than Jesus." I quite like that quote. My favorite quote from an atheist ever was "The Bible and Christianity is just all lies and fairy tales. It's not surprising I feel that way, though. I'm a Sagittarius, and we're skeptical by nature."

Lex

[Hard-up1]

I'm Christian.

A lot of gay men have an ax to grind against the status quo, which inherently includes Christianity.

I don't feel compelled to follow suit.

I also don't feel obligated to be anti-atheist, or any other faith. I'm glad I don't have to take on that crusade.

[zoltanspawn]

A lot of gay men have an ax to grind against the status quo, which inherently includes Christianity.

A lot of gay men have an ax to grind because Christianity has treated us so shabbily.

I say, forgive the Christians for their sins. Recognize the good Christians, and the good in Christianity.

It is there.

[Thynight]

I'm an agnostic atheist.

[cgymike]

I put other since I am still evaluating if religion itself has any validity in my life. I have a question about praxis and religion.

[hotb0d]

I'll play the game, but Buddhism isn't a religion. It's more of a philosophy.

[Blueboy82]

I don't really have a religon but I do follow the Dalai Lama's teaching.

I find his teachings and words of wisdom, philosophy very enlightening.

[Hard-up1]

I'll play the game, but Buddhism isn't a religion. It's more of a philosophy.

Every man is entitled to his own religion beliefs and interpretations, but Buddhism is indeed a practiced religion, both in the West and in its origins in the East.

To exempt it somehow from the trappings and connotations of the label "religion" is an imbalance in the simple use of language.

For many Christians, the religion has been evolved to become simply a philosophy of attitudes, sans belief in the supernatural, but it yet remains a religion in every sense of the word for hundreds of millions of humans.

That Buddhism may attract large numbers of philosophic adherents does not negate the fact that there are many millions more who visit temples, offer prayers (not just meditations) and acknowledge what anyone would certainly identify as deity or deities.

[secondmonkey]

I worship the devil.

[mitchymo]

Interesting - what was expected of you? I mean were they eager to 'draw you in' and tell you how to act?

Well, its a long story to explain how the Jesus Army came into my family's life, but when they did, they couldn't be stopped lol.
They ARE indeed a charismatic bunch. Very friendly. The kind of people that don't give Evangelicals a bad name. Still doesn't change the fact they think gays need to be 'righted'.
They had visited my family home when i was in my mid-teens, several times encouraging my mother to go to a communal gathering and tea (evening meal for you non-brits). Eventually their persistence paid off and she said ok.
She was however a little uneasy and asked me to go with her. I agreed.
At their commune, which was a rather nice looking house with a huge barn conversion making the dining room, we sat in the lounge with around 20 other people, singing ensued.
The Evangelistic nature of rejoicing was quite frankly disturbing to me.
Me and my mum were hardly singing from the hymn sheets we were given, we had them obscuring our mouths for the most part.

I tell you something tho, when we sat down for the meal afterwards, we had some homemade bread which was exceptionally tasty. They must have made that with the same kind of enthusiasm with which they sung, it was gorgeous.

After that day, they had visited a few more occassions encouraging us to go back, but no we did not. Once was enough. Thankfully my mum is not a devout CofE Christian, so she wasn't gonna be swayed by a more intense version of the faith.

[Laufey]

I worship the devil.

I can see a positive side to the Christian-Islamic-Jewish God being real...

It means we can have the biggest gay party ever in hell.

[JWaggy]

I can see a positive side to the Christian-Islamic-Jewish God being real...

It means we can have the biggest gay party ever in hell.

"It's not even that hot!"

[mbamike]

I am a Christian.

[BreakTheIce]

Athiest here, and I think all religion is bullshit.

[LeicsDom]

I got banned from another forum for refusing to stop bashing religion, catholic priests, child abusers etc

I'm glad to see that sort of fascist dictatorship isn't prevalent on here

[HoodedRat]

^
It's probably best for you to avoid the 'North American Christianity Forum' (aka, Religion, Spirituality & Philosophy).

It's supposed to be a no-flame zone; in other words, Christians can behave like total cunts towards other religions but post anything too critical of US Christianity and watch your posts disappear as if by magic.

[Rickrock]

I am Roman Catholic, born and raised. I still practice the Catholic faith. I have adjusted/filtered some of its teachings in my mind and conscience to match what I now believe, but still believe and practice it in general.

[Scealle]

Is this about about http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryukyuan_religion ?

I think so. Something like a mixture of Buddhism and Japanese Shinto. It sounds a bit complicated and I don't really quite understand when my two friends had a sharing session with me. The other day we went to a Japanese restaurant and we saw A Ryukyuan butsudan inside. They immediately identified to us that they had the same religion. Maybe I will ask them again and try to understand what their belief system is about.

That sounds like a rather logical and healthy belief system

Yeah I agree. Early this year when one of them had a birthday party and invited me and a few of my classmates over. His family and his religion friends welcome us with warm arms. Even though we didn't know 99% of the people there, we sure don't feel neglected attending it.

[Laufey]

I am Roman Catholic, born and raised. I still practice the Catholic faith. I have adjusted/filtered some of its teachings in my mind and conscience to match what I now believe, but still believe and practice it in general.

That's what I've never understood, picking and choosing from a religion. I would have thought it's all or nothing type of "deal".

If you don't want to follow all of it then you might as well just be spiritual and even God-believing without organized religion. If you can't then you must be a part of it because of the culture and social pressure rather than actual faith that the religion is true.

[geloge]

I'm pastafarian

[LeicsDom]

^
It's probably best for you to avoid the 'North American Christianity Forum' (aka, Religion, Spirituality & Philosophy).

It's supposed to be a no-flame zone; in other words, Christians can behave like total cunts towards other religions but post anything too critical of US Christianity and watch your posts disappear as if by magic.

To be fair a whole forum dedicated to religious apologists back patting themselves is not somewhere I would bother to venture

[Laufey]

I'm surprised we haven't gotten a single Islam vote yet.

[LeicsDom]

Muslims aren't allowed to be gay

Just like they aren't allowed to eat bacon, drink coffee or fuck outside their marriage

[Laufey]

But why do we have 16 Christians then?

[LeicsDom]

But why do we have 16 Christians then?

To make up the numbers of virgins waiting for Muslims when they martyr themselves

[Laufey]

I want those big Arab cocks!

Too bad I'm not a virgin.

[refujiunderground]

been an atheist for 10 years now and never turning back. i've felt more liberated mentally than all the years i was brainwashed by catholic school and older people that were trying to put me on to their way of thinking. this works for me fine.

one thing i don't get is how come people feel the need to put down other people's beliefs that are different from their own. i used to do that but nowadays, i stopped because it makes no sense.

[Laufey]

I don't speak against religion because I enjoy putting people down. I do it because I think organized religion is very harmful to man.

In general I'm honest about it when I think something is harmful and should be avoided... I won't make an exception for religion just because it's PC to not speak against them.

[GiancarloC]

Every man is entitled to his own religion beliefs and interpretations, but Buddhism is indeed a practiced religion, both in the West and in its origins in the East.

No it's not. It's a philosophy. It's not quite a religion. Still making statements with no proof I see?

[LeicsDom]

I want those big Arab cocks!

Too bad I'm not a virgin.

A staple gun and a roll of Saran Wrap can sort that

[LeicsDom]

one thing i don't get is how come people feel the need to put down other people's beliefs that are different from their own. i used to do that but nowadays, i stopped because it makes no sense.

It makes every sense that you want to show them what a waste of time and energy it is believing in something that not only doesn't exist but causes untold harm. The lives lost to religion over the centuries is more than any disease. Then there is the mental harm that some religions cause to millions of people, both today and in history

[Coward92]

I don't speak against religion because I enjoy putting people down. I do it because I think organized religion is very harmful to man.

In general I'm honest about it when I think something is harmful and should be avoided... I won't make an exception for religion just because it's PC to not speak against them.

Studies implicate that your claim "organized religion is very harmful to man" is false. Studies show that those who are part of an organized religious group are more likely to be balanced and enthusiastic individuals, because they have a sense of belonging. That doesn't seem to apply the same way to those who have a unique moral and ethical codex.

Just a thought.
I myself follow my own path too.

[Laufey]

I'm not denying people can gain from it mentally...

But at the same time I can't just ignore all the violence and oppression which organized religion has caused.

The more violent the bigger it gets. Christianity and Islam are the biggest ones simply because they are the religions which were with violence forced over many many nations.

[GiancarloC]

Studies implicate that your claim "organized religion is very harmful to man" is false. Studies show that those who are part of an organized religious group are more likely to be balanced and enthusiastic individuals, because they have a sense of belonging. That doesn't seem to apply the same way to those who have a unique moral and ethical codex.

What studies? I haven't seen studies showing either way. Those who are part of an organized religious group aren't more likely to be balanced or enthusiastic. What rubbish. And for those atheists, they can be very enthusiastic... and finding others way to belong in society (there are other organizations out there that push different kinds of views). There was a study done on how prayer is actually harmful, but beyond that I haven't seen much.

[Laufey]

I've seen studies on religious people on average being less intelligent than nonreligious people.

[oakpope]

No it's not. It's a philosophy. It's not quite a religion. Still making statements with no proof I see?

Religion :

"Religion is a collection of belief systems, cultural systems, and world views that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to explain the origin of life or the Universe. They tend to derive morality, ethics, religious laws or a preferred lifestyle from their ideas about the cosmos and human nature. According to some estimates, there are roughly 4,200 religions in the world."

In that sense, I think we can accept that Buddhism is a religion.

[oakpope]

I've seen studies on religious people on average being less intelligent than nonreligious people.

I believe in God. Does your statement mean that I am less intelligent than you ?

- - - Updated - - -

It makes every sense that you want to show them what a waste of time and energy it is believing in something that not only doesn't exist but causes untold harm.

It does exist, at least for me.

[GiancarloC]

Religion :

"Religion is a collection of belief systems, cultural systems, and world views that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to explain the origin of life or the Universe. They tend to derive morality, ethics, religious laws or a preferred lifestyle from their ideas about the cosmos and human nature. According to some estimates, there are roughly 4,200 religions in the world."

In that sense, I think we can accept that Buddhism is a religion.

That's a faulty definition. Confucianism is a philosophy and it is a collection of values. But it's not a religion. Buddhism isn't a religion either. It's a philosophy. And why are you asking me to accept that?

I believe in God. Does your statement mean that I am less intelligent than you ?

He said on average.

[rellis10]

I'm an Atheist, but I'm open minded when it comes to spirituality. What people choose to believe is their own business and I really don't mind talking about it so long as they don't try to force it on me.

[oakpope]

That's a faulty definition.

He said on average.

May I, then, have your own definition on religion please ?

I know he said on average. But what was the meaning of his post then ? If I believe in God, does that mean that I am less intelligent than him ?

[GiancarloC]

May I, then, have your own definition on religion please ?

I know he said on average. But what was the meaning of his post then ? If I believe in God, does that mean that I am less intelligent than him ?

Religion is centered around the worship of a deity or deities. Buddhism isn't like that. Whether it has values is not the point. Confucianism has values too... but it's definitely not a religion.

He said on average. That means an average. He's not talking about individuals. The statement was regarding the overall... and was discussing religious people.

[oakpope]

Webster definition :

Definition of RELIGION
1
a : the state of a religious <a nun in her 20th year of religion>
b (1) : the service and worship of God or the supernatural (2) : commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance
2
: a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices
3
archaic : scrupulous conformity : conscientiousness
4
: a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith

Examples of RELIGION
There are many religions, such as Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism.

[oakpope]

dictionnary.com definition :


religion
 
re·li·gion
[ri-lij-uh n] Show IPA
noun
1.
a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
2.
a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.
3.
the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions.
4.
the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion.
5.
the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.

[GiancarloC]

Examples of RELIGION
There are many religions, such as Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism.

That definition is mistaken though. Buddhism isn't a religion. It's more of a philosophy like Confucianism. The definition is a Western definition from a western source that commonly misinterprets what Buddhism really is.

What are you trying to prove? That Buddhism is a religion? Doesn't cut it. Keep posting all the definitions you want.

Here is one for philosophy:

(dictionary.com)

phi·los·o·phy [fi-los-uh-fee] Show IPA
noun, plural phi·los·o·phies.
1. the rational investigation of the truths and principles of being, knowledge, or conduct.
2. any of the three branches, namely natural philosophy, moral philosophy, and metaphysical philosophy, that are accepted as composing this study.
3. a system of philosophical doctrine: the philosophy of Spinoza.
4. the critical study of the basic principles and concepts of a particular branch of knowledge, especially with a view to improving or reconstituting them: the philosophy of science.
5. a system of principles for guidance in practical affairs.

---

In this sense, Buddhism sounds like it fits this definition more.

[oakpope]

Religion is centered around the worship of a deity or deities. Buddhism isn't like that. Whether it has values is not the point. Confucianism has values too... but it's definitely not a religion.

He said on average. That means an average. He's not talking about individuals. The statement was regarding the overall... and was discussing religious people.

So your definition of religion is entirely based on a worship of a deity. It is a simplified view and does not contain all the possible senses of the word.

What I meant is that he can't just try to argue against religion by saying that religious people are less intelligent on average that non religious one. If the most intelligent man or woman on Earth is a religious one, does it prove anything about religion ? I don't think so.

[Adrock-JD]

None. Neither do I believe in Santa Claus, Big Foot, Elves...you get the picture.

Probably my favorite quote on religion: "We must question the story logic of an all knowing, all powerful God who creates faulty humans and then blames them for his own mistakes." - Gene Roddenberry

By the way, we have 9 votes for "other" but no Muslims or Jews??

Does anyone else find this a bit odd?

[GiancarloC]

So your definition of religion is entirely based on a worship of a deity. It is a simplified view and does not contain all the possible senses of the word.

Errr wrong. But that's the primary aspect to religion. It's not a simplified view.

What I meant is that he can't just try to argue against religion by saying that religious people are less intelligent on average that non religious one. If the most intelligent man or woman on Earth is a religious one, does it prove anything about religion ? I don't think so.

It's on average. Read the statement again. It's about AVERAGES... the OVERALL. And he can argue that, as will I.

[oakpope]

The word Car means the vehicle that is used to fly. Whatever other definitions you can have are false. Only my definition is the one right, because I say so.
Are we agreeing ?