Science prooves religion is a crutch

arq

kenny olav wrote:

...I'm proud to say my daughter is a very happy atheist!

Even I'm proud of her! congrats!

pandora

vomikus39 wrote:

I tend to agree with Gern's POV. Pandora seems like a genuine person, not forcing his/her faith on anyone. Faith seems to work well for Pandora, so let it be. I tend to agree with Gern cause I cannot bring myself to whole-heartedly believe that there is an entity in the sky watching over us. If there is, this entity obviously has NO say or influence as to what goes on earth. Look around us, a god that I would believe in wouldn't allow what goes on. Going by christianity, it is man made. Constantine chose what stayed in the Bible and what didn't. Written by men, with many many gospels ommitted by men. You don't need all that rubbish to believe. I wish I could believe, I honestly try to, but then that whole logic thing kicks in. I envy people like Pandora, having a moral faith may make life a little easier. Maybe someday I will believe.

People confuse faith with religion. Spirituality with being religious.
My faith is not grounded in religion. My faith is in the knowledge that we have souls, that we will leave this world and continue on. I know this because of a miracle I experienced, a miracle I lived.
What makes life easier is love, without it, the support and hope it gives, life would not be worth living.
Have faith in me, have faith in yourself, in Gern, in the human race.
If there is a God this would be what he would want. For us to just try and understand and love each other each day we live.
For every terrible thing that happens in our world there is and comes the opportunity to love. To connect and aid each other through the trials of life. We are all connected and not so different.
Look around at the beauty we have been given, look around at each other.
As a gifted friend told me once, we are all heroes, each one of us, just reach out your hand in love.

Gern Blansten

vomikus39 wrote:

I tend to agree with Gern's POV. Pandora seems like a genuine person, not forcing his/her faith on anyone. Faith seems to work well for Pandora, so let it be. I tend to agree with Gern cause I cannot bring myself to whole-heartedly believe that there is an entity in the sky watching over us. If there is, this entity obviously has NO say or influence as to what goes on earth. Look around us, a god that I would believe in wouldn't allow what goes on. Going by christianity, it is man made. Constantine chose what stayed in the Bible and what didn't. Written by men, with many many gospels ommitted by men. You don't need all that rubbish to believe. I wish I could believe, I honestly try to, but then that whole logic thing kicks in. I envy people like Pandora, having a moral faith may make life a little easier. Maybe someday I will believe.

Yes I don't want to effect anyone's beliefs but yet this is an anonymous message board so it is here for all to see and interpret.

One doesn't need faith to make life easier. To me it was living a lie. I remember being 10 years old sitting in church and just thinking "man this doesn't make any fucking sense"...

I don't have a problem with the faithful as long as they don't overstep their bounds...I consider myself very fair, rational and moral and yet I pray to no one.

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a ... 0107060305

check out this article....just imagine if instead of using the atheist example Daniels uses a "Jewish" or "Muslim" example....and yet very little outcry

Gern Blansten

kenny olav wrote:

I also find the opposite has been true for me. I was raised in an evangelical church, which confused the shit out of me as a kid. I loathed going there every Sunday, and I also had to endure bible camp, youth group, the church basketball league, etc, etc. Hypocracy and a nonsensical set of beliefs is all it was. I'm not sure if ever really believed in this "God" they were telling me about. It was all a great source of consternation and anxiety, and I felt like a dunce because I never understood it. It wasn't until I was a teenager that I was able to realize that it was they, not I, who was crazy. I don't need a crutch. I have no idea what will happen when I die, but I don't feel hobbled by it. What will be will be. I am a very spiritual person, in fact. I just don't subscribe to the idea that the ancient god of the Hebrews split himself into three parts, one of them mortal, only so he could be tortured to death by other mortals in order to forgive them for their sins. I mean, it's fucking ludicrous. Shame on everyone who tortures their kids' minds with this insanity. I'm proud to say my daughter is a very happy atheist!

I'm with you.

We don't talk much about religion in our house but it comes up every once in awhile. My 8 year old went to church with one of her friends a few months ago....we asked her how she liked it and she said it was ok...I asked her what church she went to and she said "I don't know but it had a big X on it"

I thought that was hilarious.....I don't mean this in an insulting way to the religious but I take pride in the fact that my kids have not been exposed to that stuff.

pandora

Why do people think if you believe there is a supreme spirit that you must believe in the religions made by man?
It seems that is an excuse not to believe in God because religion has made it so unbelievable.
It also seems that most who don't believe in God were raised blindly to believe in a religion and have blind faith when faith can not be taught it must be discovered.
It seems God is getting a bad rap because of what man has created.

Lizard

Apparently God is real AND is a fan of PJ
http://community.pearljam.com/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=296851

pandora

Lizard wrote:

Apparently God is real AND is a fan of PJ
http://community.pearljam.com/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=296851

:thumbup:

Hugh Freaking Dillon

pandora wrote:

As a gifted friend told me once, we are all heroes, each one of us, just reach out your hand in love.

I haven't agreed with you much in the past on this subject, Pandora, but very beautifully put.

pandora

Billy Pumpkin wrote:

pandora wrote:

As a gifted friend told me once, we are all heroes, each one of us, just reach out your hand in love.

I haven't agreed with you much in the past on this subject, Pandora, but very beautifully put.

Thank you for your kindness Billy Pumpkin. I think we agree on love, that is all that matters to me.

Jeanwah

pandora wrote:

People confuse faith with religion. Spirituality with being religious.
My faith is not grounded in religion. My faith is in the knowledge that we have souls, that we will leave this world and continue on. I know this because of a miracle I experienced, a miracle I lived.
What makes life easier is love, without it, the support and hope it gives, life would not be worth living.
Have faith in me, have faith in yourself, in Gern, in the human race.
If there is a God this would be what he would want. For us to just try and understand and love each other each day we live.
For every terrible thing that happens in our world there is and comes the opportunity to love. To connect and aid each other through the trials of life. We are all connected and not so different.
Look around at the beauty we have been given, look around at each other.
As a gifted friend told me once, we are all heroes, each one of us, just reach out your hand in love.

I love this entire post, and can't agree more with the spirituality/religion not being one of the same.
I tend to stay out of religious debate because I think it's fine whatever anyone wants to believe in.

kenny olav

Lizard wrote:

Apparently God is real AND is a fan of PJ
http://community.pearljam.com/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=296851

God may be a fan of PJ, but apparently not a fan of us since he (or she) took off after 4 minutes and never came back

Username: god
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pandora

kenny olav wrote:

Lizard wrote:

Apparently God is real AND is a fan of PJ
http://community.pearljam.com/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=296851

God may be a fan of PJ, but apparently not a fan of us since he (or she) took off after 4 minutes and never came back

Username: god
User statistics
Joined: 19 Jan 2009 11:56
Last visited: 19 Jan 2009 12:00
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must be the omnipresent see all thing going on

BinauralJam

kenny olav wrote:

Lizard wrote:

Apparently God is real AND is a fan of PJ
http://community.pearljam.com/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=296851

God may be a fan of PJ, but apparently not a fan of us since he (or she) took off after 4 minutes and never came back

Username: god
User statistics
Joined: 19 Jan 2009 11:56
Last visited: 19 Jan 2009 12:00
Total posts: 0 | Search user’s posts
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God's got a crapper 10C # than i do.

kenny olav

Gern Blansten wrote:

kenny olav wrote:

I also find the opposite has been true for me. I was raised in an evangelical church, which confused the shit out of me as a kid. I loathed going there every Sunday, and I also had to endure bible camp, youth group, the church basketball league, etc, etc. Hypocracy and a nonsensical set of beliefs is all it was. I'm not sure if ever really believed in this "God" they were telling me about. It was all a great source of consternation and anxiety, and I felt like a dunce because I never understood it. It wasn't until I was a teenager that I was able to realize that it was they, not I, who was crazy. I don't need a crutch. I have no idea what will happen when I die, but I don't feel hobbled by it. What will be will be. I am a very spiritual person, in fact. I just don't subscribe to the idea that the ancient god of the Hebrews split himself into three parts, one of them mortal, only so he could be tortured to death by other mortals in order to forgive them for their sins. I mean, it's fucking ludicrous. Shame on everyone who tortures their kids' minds with this insanity. I'm proud to say my daughter is a very happy atheist!

I'm with you.

We don't talk much about religion in our house but it comes up every once in awhile. My 8 year old went to church with one of her friends a few months ago....we asked her how she liked it and she said it was ok...I asked her what church she went to and she said "I don't know but it had a big X on it"

I thought that was hilarious.....I don't mean this in an insulting way to the religious but I take pride in the fact that my kids have not been exposed to that stuff.

Haha, that's funny. My kid is also 8. I want to make it clear that neither I nor her mother force her to be an atheist... we just never taught her to believe in any religion. Certainly she has questions about it, and when I explain what people believe in, she thinks it's all very "weird". But she needs to know about it. Other kids at school or wherever will ask her if she believes in God, and when she tells them she doesn't, she'll get some grief for it. Fortunately, she lives in one of the most secular parts of a liberal state, so it's not too big of an issue. Also, kids are more forgiving and less concerned about it than adults. I had to teach her to go along with any God talk when my family brings it up, which sucks, but it's easier on us than if we were honest.

eyedclaar

Jeanwah wrote:

I tend to stay out of religious debate because I think it's fine whatever anyone wants to believe in.

Oh yeah, well then I have a religion for you to be ok with. You will be the first... The first commandment involves enslaving your children in my acid mine. I could probably think of better, real-life examples...

Gern Blansten

kenny olav wrote:

Gern Blansten wrote:

kenny olav wrote:

I also find the opposite has been true for me. I was raised in an evangelical church, which confused the shit out of me as a kid. I loathed going there every Sunday, and I also had to endure bible camp, youth group, the church basketball league, etc, etc. Hypocracy and a nonsensical set of beliefs is all it was. I'm not sure if ever really believed in this "God" they were telling me about. It was all a great source of consternation and anxiety, and I felt like a dunce because I never understood it. It wasn't until I was a teenager that I was able to realize that it was they, not I, who was crazy. I don't need a crutch. I have no idea what will happen when I die, but I don't feel hobbled by it. What will be will be. I am a very spiritual person, in fact. I just don't subscribe to the idea that the ancient god of the Hebrews split himself into three parts, one of them mortal, only so he could be tortured to death by other mortals in order to forgive them for their sins. I mean, it's fucking ludicrous. Shame on everyone who tortures their kids' minds with this insanity. I'm proud to say my daughter is a very happy atheist!

I'm with you.

We don't talk much about religion in our house but it comes up every once in awhile. My 8 year old went to church with one of her friends a few months ago....we asked her how she liked it and she said it was ok...I asked her what church she went to and she said "I don't know but it had a big X on it"

I thought that was hilarious.....I don't mean this in an insulting way to the religious but I take pride in the fact that my kids have not been exposed to that stuff.

Haha, that's funny. My kid is also 8. I want to make it clear that neither I nor her mother force her to be an atheist... we just never taught her to believe in any religion. Certainly she has questions about it, and when I explain what people believe in, she thinks it's all very "weird". But she needs to know about it. Other kids at school or wherever will ask her if she believes in God, and when she tells them she doesn't, she'll get some grief for it. Fortunately, she lives in one of the most secular parts of a liberal state, so it's not too big of an issue. Also, kids are more forgiving and less concerned about it than adults. I had to teach her to go along with any God talk when my family brings it up, which sucks, but it's easier on us than if we were honest.

that's similar to us....I always tell our kids (16, 15, 10, 8) that they need to explore all religions and make up their own minds.

We live in Indiana surrounded by bible thumping morons so it's a little harder for us....I tell them that religion is very private and that they shouldn't really talk much about it

Cosmo

Jeanwah wrote:

I love this entire post, and can't agree more with the spirituality/religion not being one of the same.
I tend to stay out of religious debate because I think it's fine whatever anyone wants to believe in.

...
Yeah... I think I have been pretty clear on where I stand when it comes to religions. It doesn't mean I don't believe in God (i.e. Nature or something greater that is beyond my capacity to understand). I just don't buy into the God that Man has created in an image of himself (Man). God does not bother with the mundane aspects of our insignificant existance on thise tiny blue speck in space... He has a huge ass Universe or 11 to run.
And I'm anything but Christian... yet, I believe the teachings of Jesus provide great guidelines to live my life. That whole died for our sins so we can place all of our bullshit, indifference towards others, hatred for those not like us, self appreciation of our monetary accomplishments on His back and continue on our shitting on others... I ain't buying it. The sins I commit, I own and I will have to deal with them and I'm not casting off my responsibilities for them... nor the consequences cause by them.
I just figure, while I'm here... and that HERE is the only thing I am sure about... I'm going to do my best... and help the ones who are having a tough time here. I believe in the 'Survival of The Fittest'... in the animal world.... but, we are humans, not animals. I believe the weak amongst us should not have to fear the strong, because the strong should help and protect the weak.
I'm hoping God will cut me a break... you know, being the imperfect, a-hole I am. And If Jesus ever does come back... He'll sit next to me on the beach and watch the Sun set and answer some of the hundred questions I have about all of this.

vomikus39

People confuse faith with religion. Spirituality with being religious.
My faith is not grounded in religion. My faith is in the knowledge that we have souls, that we will leave this world and continue on. I know this because of a miracle I experienced, a miracle I lived.
What makes life easier is love, without it, the support and hope it gives, life would not be worth living.
Have faith in me, have faith in yourself, in Gern, in the human race.
If there is a God this would be what he would want. For us to just try and understand and love each other each day we live.
For every terrible thing that happens in our world there is and comes the opportunity to love. To connect and aid each other through the trials of life. We are all connected and not so different.
Look around at the beauty we have been given, look around at each other.
As a gifted friend told me once, we are all heroes, each one of us, just reach out your hand in love.[/quote]

wish I could feel the way you do

Jeanwah

vomikus39 wrote:

pandora wrote:

People confuse faith with religion. Spirituality with being religious.
My faith is not grounded in religion. My faith is in the knowledge that we have souls, that we will leave this world and continue on. I know this because of a miracle I experienced, a miracle I lived.
What makes life easier is love, without it, the support and hope it gives, life would not be worth living.
Have faith in me, have faith in yourself, in Gern, in the human race.
If there is a God this would be what he would want. For us to just try and understand and love each other each day we live.
For every terrible thing that happens in our world there is and comes the opportunity to love. To connect and aid each other through the trials of life. We are all connected and not so different.
Look around at the beauty we have been given, look around at each other.
As a gifted friend told me once, we are all heroes, each one of us, just reach out your hand in love.

wish I could feel the way you do

I know this wasn't in reference to me, but I feel the same way Pandora does, since being in a near-fatal accident. If anything puts life into perspective, it's a second chance at living life. You never know how many people love you until the day you almost lose your life. It's like witnessing your own funeral, but not dying.

vomikus39

I know this wasn't in reference to me, but I feel the same way Pandora does, since being in a near-fatal accident. If anything puts life into perspective, it's a second chance at living life.[/quote]


Well fortunately (or unfortunately) I haven't been that close to death. Maybe that would change my perspective. What I have witnessed is horrible tragedies, murders, hatred, racism, etc... Guess I can relate more to the negative. These are the reasons why I have no faith. There are good people in this world, but look at all the evil we have done. We are a destructive species. Of course I am not labeling every single human being as such, but as a whole species, I feel we are bad. I do not have faith in people or anything that may be above us.