Religion on the decline around the world

inlet13 · August 2012

Is the decline of religion really a good thing? I don't think so. Religion provides many with peace, otherwise, in a "free society" they would not be religious/spiritual.

Don't get me wrong, there are quite a number of examples of bad fundamentalists - harming people.. typically this occurs in a "non-free society", although there are exceptions. These people are bad and wrong because they harmed people - period. But, most religious folks I know are quite nice, good people. Religion and spirituality, in general, I see as a good thing. Regardless of the religion or person. Sin I see as a bad thing for all people, regardless of religion, or lack there of or person.

Why can't atheists, agnostics and religious - just uphold the respect of their own personal point of view of religion and not cheer on the demise of what others believe? Moreover, I can understand why being challenged unnecessarily on your belief (or lack there of) can be annoying too. This just happened to me at the airport by some random Christian missionary in a TSA line the other day, that was a bit annoying. How did he know whether I was more or less religious than him? Why did I need converting? etc.

But, back to the point - if you don't believe in God, why do you feel the need for others to do the same? If they don't hurt you, why not just let them be if it gives them some sense of peace? If you do believe in God, have respect for those who disagree. If you bring it up, don't patronize. Most likely it's not appropriate, nor will you do anything to help your mission, by trying to convert people you don't really know.

Back to the point, the whole desire of non-believers to destroy religion makes no sense to me. Let it go. Let people live. The whole thing on both sides is so controlling and yet each thinks they aren't being controlling.

PJ_Soul · August 2012

inlet13 wrote:

Is the decline of religion really a good thing? I don't think so. Religion provides many with peace, otherwise, in a "free society" they would not be religious/spiritual.

Don't get me wrong, there are quite a number of examples of bad fundamentalists - harming people.. typically this occurs in a "non-free society", although there are exceptions. These people are bad and wrong because they harmed people - period. But, most religious folks I know are quite nice, good people. Religion and spirituality, in general, I see as a good thing. Regardless of the religion or person. Sin I see as a bad thing for all people, regardless of religion, or lack there of or person.

Why can't atheists, agnostics and religious - just uphold the respect of their own personal point of view of religion and not cheer on the demise of what others believe? Moreover, I can understand why being challenged unnecessarily on your belief (or lack there of) can be annoying too. This just happened to me at the airport by some random Christian missionary in a TSA line the other day, that was a bit annoying. How did he know whether I was more or less religious than him? Why did I need converting? etc.

But, back to the point - if you don't believe in God, why do you feel the need for others to do the same? If they don't hurt you, why not just let them be if it gives them some sense of peace? If you do believe in God, have respect for those who disagree. If you bring it up, don't patronize. Most likely it's not appropriate, nor will you do anything to help your mission, by trying to convert people you don't really know.

Back to the point, the whole desire of non-believers to destroy religion makes no sense to me. Let it go. Let people live. The whole thing on both sides is so controlling and yet each thinks they aren't being controlling.

I am a "practicing Atheist", as in I'm not indifferent - I care about my beliefs because they do put me in a certain position in the world - and I have never met another Atheist who tries to convert people. Never. They talk about how they don't understand how people believe, and talk about why they don't believe, and talk about how religion may be harmful is certain ways, and some may be patronizing, yes. But I've never seen or heard of a single Atheist who has tried to actually convert people to Atheism, or, for that matter, criticize those who are good people who are open minded to others and just find peace and comfort in their beliefs. Religious people certainly cannot say the same!!!! I'd say it's certain religious people who try to impinge their beliefs on others, convert people, and who try to destroy the lifestyles and beliefs of others, NOT Atheists.

I doubt any of you have had an Atheist knock on your door and try to teach you something about not believing!

Zoso · August 2012

PJ_Soul wrote:

inlet13 wrote:

Is the decline of religion really a good thing? I don't think so. Religion provides many with peace, otherwise, in a "free society" they would not be religious/spiritual.

Don't get me wrong, there are quite a number of examples of bad fundamentalists - harming people.. typically this occurs in a "non-free society", although there are exceptions. These people are bad and wrong because they harmed people - period. But, most religious folks I know are quite nice, good people. Religion and spirituality, in general, I see as a good thing. Regardless of the religion or person. Sin I see as a bad thing for all people, regardless of religion, or lack there of or person.

Why can't atheists, agnostics and religious - just uphold the respect of their own personal point of view of religion and not cheer on the demise of what others believe? Moreover, I can understand why being challenged unnecessarily on your belief (or lack there of) can be annoying too. This just happened to me at the airport by some random Christian missionary in a TSA line the other day, that was a bit annoying. How did he know whether I was more or less religious than him? Why did I need converting? etc.

But, back to the point - if you don't believe in God, why do you feel the need for others to do the same? If they don't hurt you, why not just let them be if it gives them some sense of peace? If you do believe in God, have respect for those who disagree. If you bring it up, don't patronize. Most likely it's not appropriate, nor will you do anything to help your mission, by trying to convert people you don't really know.

Back to the point, the whole desire of non-believers to destroy religion makes no sense to me. Let it go. Let people live. The whole thing on both sides is so controlling and yet each thinks they aren't being controlling.

I am a "practicing Atheist", as in I'm not indifferent - I care about my beliefs because they do put me in a certain position in the world - and I have never met another Atheist who tries to convert people. Never. They talk about how they don't understand how people believe, and talk about why they don't believe, and talk about how religion may be harmful is certain ways, and some may be patronizing, yes. But I've never seen or heard of a single Atheist who has tried to actually convert people to Atheism, or, for that matter, criticize those who are good people who are open minded to others and just find peace and comfort in their beliefs. Religious people certainly cannot say the same!!!! I'd say it's certain religious people who try to impinge their beliefs on others, convert people, and who try to destroy the lifestyles and beliefs of others, NOT Atheists.

I doubt any of you have had an Atheist knock on your door and try to teach you something about not believing!

well to a large sense that's because being atheist is all about tolerance and peace for all. It's not about 'not believing' anything. It's like if you relate a hobby like stamp collecting to being religious.. not being a stamp collector isn't a hobby.. this is the same with being atheist.

I hate when religious types mark atheism as a religion when it's quite the opposite.

PJ_Soul · August 2012

Zoso wrote:

PJ_Soul wrote:

inlet13 wrote:

Is the decline of religion really a good thing? I don't think so. Religion provides many with peace, otherwise, in a "free society" they would not be religious/spiritual.

Don't get me wrong, there are quite a number of examples of bad fundamentalists - harming people.. typically this occurs in a "non-free society", although there are exceptions. These people are bad and wrong because they harmed people - period. But, most religious folks I know are quite nice, good people. Religion and spirituality, in general, I see as a good thing. Regardless of the religion or person. Sin I see as a bad thing for all people, regardless of religion, or lack there of or person.

Why can't atheists, agnostics and religious - just uphold the respect of their own personal point of view of religion and not cheer on the demise of what others believe? Moreover, I can understand why being challenged unnecessarily on your belief (or lack there of) can be annoying too. This just happened to me at the airport by some random Christian missionary in a TSA line the other day, that was a bit annoying. How did he know whether I was more or less religious than him? Why did I need converting? etc.

But, back to the point - if you don't believe in God, why do you feel the need for others to do the same? If they don't hurt you, why not just let them be if it gives them some sense of peace? If you do believe in God, have respect for those who disagree. If you bring it up, don't patronize. Most likely it's not appropriate, nor will you do anything to help your mission, by trying to convert people you don't really know.

Back to the point, the whole desire of non-believers to destroy religion makes no sense to me. Let it go. Let people live. The whole thing on both sides is so controlling and yet each thinks they aren't being controlling.

I am a "practicing Atheist", as in I'm not indifferent - I care about my beliefs because they do put me in a certain position in the world - and I have never met another Atheist who tries to convert people. Never. They talk about how they don't understand how people believe, and talk about why they don't believe, and talk about how religion may be harmful is certain ways, and some may be patronizing, yes. But I've never seen or heard of a single Atheist who has tried to actually convert people to Atheism, or, for that matter, criticize those who are good people who are open minded to others and just find peace and comfort in their beliefs. Religious people certainly cannot say the same!!!! I'd say it's certain religious people who try to impinge their beliefs on others, convert people, and who try to destroy the lifestyles and beliefs of others, NOT Atheists.

I doubt any of you have had an Atheist knock on your door and try to teach you something about not believing!

well to a large sense that's because being atheist is all about tolerance and peace for all. It's not about 'not believing' anything. It's like if you relate a hobby like stamp collecting to being religious.. not being a stamp collector isn't a hobby.. this is the same with being atheist.

I hate when religious types mark atheism as a religion when it's quite the opposite.

Me too. People make a lot of incorrect assumptions about Atheists.... Something that we and religious people have in common, I guess.

Zoso · August 2012

PJ_Soul wrote:

Zoso wrote:

[quote="PJ_Soul"

Don't get me wrong, there are quite a number of examples of bad fundamentalists - harming people.. typically this occurs in a "non-free society", although there are exceptions. These people are bad and wrong because they harmed people - period. But, most religious folks I know are quite nice, good people. Religion and spirituality, in general, I see as a good thing. Regardless of the religion or person. Sin I see as a bad thing for all people, regardless of religion, or lack there of or person.

Why can't atheists, agnostics and religious - just uphold the respect of their own personal point of view of religion and not cheer on the demise of what others believe? Moreover, I can understand why being challenged unnecessarily on your belief (or lack there of) can be annoying too. This just happened to me at the airport by some random Christian missionary in a TSA line the other day, that was a bit annoying. How did he know whether I was more or less religious than him? Why did I need converting? etc.

But, back to the point - if you don't believe in God, why do you feel the need for others to do the same? If they don't hurt you, why not just let them be if it gives them some sense of peace? If you do believe in God, have respect for those who disagree. If you bring it up, don't patronize. Most likely it's not appropriate, nor will you do anything to help your mission, by trying to convert people you don't really know.

Back to the point, the whole desire of non-believers to destroy religion makes no sense to me. Let it go. Let people live. The whole thing on both sides is so controlling and yet each thinks they aren't being controlling.

I am a "practicing Atheist", as in I'm not indifferent - I care about my beliefs because they do put me in a certain position in the world - and I have never met another Atheist who tries to convert people. Never. They talk about how they don't understand how people believe, and talk about why they don't believe, and talk about how religion may be harmful is certain ways, and some may be patronizing, yes. But I've never seen or heard of a single Atheist who has tried to actually convert people to Atheism, or, for that matter, criticize those who are good people who are open minded to others and just find peace and comfort in their beliefs. Religious people certainly cannot say the same!!!! I'd say it's certain religious people who try to impinge their beliefs on others, convert people, and who try to destroy the lifestyles and beliefs of others, NOT Atheists.

I doubt any of you have had an Atheist knock on your door and try to teach you something about not believing!

well to a large sense that's because being atheist is all about tolerance and peace for all. It's not about 'not believing' anything. It's like if you relate a hobby like stamp collecting to being religious.. not being a stamp collector isn't a hobby.. this is the same with being atheist.

I hate when religious types mark atheism as a religion when it's quite the opposite.[/quote]
Me too. People make a lot of incorrect assumptions about Atheists.... Something that we and religious people have in common, I guess.[/quote]

you would hope it's improving but here in America I'm in the minority when it comes to not being religious.. everyone looks at me funny when I tell them that at my work as they are ALL pretty into their church. My thing is religious types haven't got a monopoly on 'good values' and am annoyed when this is brought up.

PJ_Soul · August 2012

Zoso wrote:

PJ_Soul wrote:

Zoso wrote:

[quote="PJ_Soul"

Don't get me wrong, there are quite a number of examples of bad fundamentalists - harming people.. typically this occurs in a "non-free society", although there are exceptions. These people are bad and wrong because they harmed people - period. But, most religious folks I know are quite nice, good people. Religion and spirituality, in general, I see as a good thing. Regardless of the religion or person. Sin I see as a bad thing for all people, regardless of religion, or lack there of or person.

Why can't atheists, agnostics and religious - just uphold the respect of their own personal point of view of religion and not cheer on the demise of what others believe? Moreover, I can understand why being challenged unnecessarily on your belief (or lack there of) can be annoying too. This just happened to me at the airport by some random Christian missionary in a TSA line the other day, that was a bit annoying. How did he know whether I was more or less religious than him? Why did I need converting? etc.

But, back to the point - if you don't believe in God, why do you feel the need for others to do the same? If they don't hurt you, why not just let them be if it gives them some sense of peace? If you do believe in God, have respect for those who disagree. If you bring it up, don't patronize. Most likely it's not appropriate, nor will you do anything to help your mission, by trying to convert people you don't really know.

Back to the point, the whole desire of non-believers to destroy religion makes no sense to me. Let it go. Let people live. The whole thing on both sides is so controlling and yet each thinks they aren't being controlling.

I am a "practicing Atheist", as in I'm not indifferent - I care about my beliefs because they do put me in a certain position in the world - and I have never met another Atheist who tries to convert people. Never. They talk about how they don't understand how people believe, and talk about why they don't believe, and talk about how religion may be harmful is certain ways, and some may be patronizing, yes. But I've never seen or heard of a single Atheist who has tried to actually convert people to Atheism, or, for that matter, criticize those who are good people who are open minded to others and just find peace and comfort in their beliefs. Religious people certainly cannot say the same!!!! I'd say it's certain religious people who try to impinge their beliefs on others, convert people, and who try to destroy the lifestyles and beliefs of others, NOT Atheists.

I doubt any of you have had an Atheist knock on your door and try to teach you something about not believing!

well to a large sense that's because being atheist is all about tolerance and peace for all. It's not about 'not believing' anything. It's like if you relate a hobby like stamp collecting to being religious.. not being a stamp collector isn't a hobby.. this is the same with being atheist.

I hate when religious types mark atheism as a religion when it's quite the opposite.

Me too. People make a lot of incorrect assumptions about Atheists.... Something that we and religious people have in common, I guess.[/quote]

you would hope it's improving but here in America I'm in the minority when it comes to not being religious.. everyone looks at me funny when I tell them that at my work as they are ALL pretty into their church. My thing is religious types haven't got a monopoly on 'good values' and am annoyed when this is brought up.[/quote]

Well you should find this little nugget interesting then. I think I posted this somewhere else months ago.... Americans put their trust levels for Atheists alongside those they have for rapists, according to this preliminary study. :fp: :fp: And religious people accuse non-believers of being intolerant?!

http://life.nationalpost.com/2011/11/30 ... sts-study/

EDIT: WHOOPS! I wrote Americans instead of religious people! ... Freudian slip? Maybe... it's just that Americans are so much more religious than Canadians, I think I assumed.

Zoso · August 2012

PJ_Soul wrote:

[quote="Zoso"

Why can't atheists, agnostics and religious - just uphold the respect of their own personal point of view of religion and not cheer on the demise of what others believe? Moreover, I can understand why being challenged unnecessarily on your belief (or lack there of) can be annoying too. This just happened to me at the airport by some random Christian missionary in a TSA line the other day, that was a bit annoying. How did he know whether I was more or less religious than him? Why did I need converting? etc.

But, back to the point - if you don't believe in God, why do you feel the need for others to do the same? If they don't hurt you, why not just let them be if it gives them some sense of peace? If you do believe in God, have respect for those who disagree. If you bring it up, don't patronize. Most likely it's not appropriate, nor will you do anything to help your mission, by trying to convert people you don't really know.

Back to the point, the whole desire of non-believers to destroy religion makes no sense to me. Let it go. Let people live. The whole thing on both sides is so controlling and yet each thinks they aren't being controlling.

I am a "practicing Atheist", as in I'm not indifferent - I care about my beliefs because they do put me in a certain position in the world - and I have never met another Atheist who tries to convert people. Never. They talk about how they don't understand how people believe, and talk about why they don't believe, and talk about how religion may be harmful is certain ways, and some may be patronizing, yes. But I've never seen or heard of a single Atheist who has tried to actually convert people to Atheism, or, for that matter, criticize those who are good people who are open minded to others and just find peace and comfort in their beliefs. Religious people certainly cannot say the same!!!! I'd say it's certain religious people who try to impinge their beliefs on others, convert people, and who try to destroy the lifestyles and beliefs of others, NOT Atheists.

I doubt any of you have had an Atheist knock on your door and try to teach you something about not believing![/quote]

well to a large sense that's because being atheist is all about tolerance and peace for all. It's not about 'not believing' anything. It's like if you relate a hobby like stamp collecting to being religious.. not being a stamp collector isn't a hobby.. this is the same with being atheist.

I hate when religious types mark atheism as a religion when it's quite the opposite.[/quote]
Me too. People make a lot of incorrect assumptions about Atheists.... Something that we and religious people have in common, I guess.[/quote]

you would hope it's improving but here in America I'm in the minority when it comes to not being religious.. everyone looks at me funny when I tell them that at my work as they are ALL pretty into their church. My thing is religious types haven't got a monopoly on 'good values' and am annoyed when this is brought up.[/quote]

Well you should find this little nugget interesting then. I think I posted this somewhere else months ago.... Americans put their trust levels for Atheists alongside those they have for rapists, according to this preliminary study. :fp: :fp: And religious people accuse non-believers of being intolerant?!

http://life.nationalpost.com/2011/11/30 ... sts-study/[/quote]

yes I have only been in america for a few years but this was something I learnt very quickly.. steve harvey said don't date atheists because they have bad morals

But wait... I'm the one preaching tolerance and peace

They are speaking about certain minorities not being allowed to have certain rights.

inlet13 · August 2012

PJ_Soul wrote:

inlet13 wrote:

Is the decline of religion really a good thing? I don't think so. Religion provides many with peace, otherwise, in a "free society" they would not be religious/spiritual.

Don't get me wrong, there are quite a number of examples of bad fundamentalists - harming people.. typically this occurs in a "non-free society", although there are exceptions. These people are bad and wrong because they harmed people - period. But, most religious folks I know are quite nice, good people. Religion and spirituality, in general, I see as a good thing. Regardless of the religion or person. Sin I see as a bad thing for all people, regardless of religion, or lack there of or person.

Why can't atheists, agnostics and religious - just uphold the respect of their own personal point of view of religion and not cheer on the demise of what others believe? Moreover, I can understand why being challenged unnecessarily on your belief (or lack there of) can be annoying too. This just happened to me at the airport by some random Christian missionary in a TSA line the other day, that was a bit annoying. How did he know whether I was more or less religious than him? Why did I need converting? etc.

But, back to the point - if you don't believe in God, why do you feel the need for others to do the same? If they don't hurt you, why not just let them be if it gives them some sense of peace? If you do believe in God, have respect for those who disagree. If you bring it up, don't patronize. Most likely it's not appropriate, nor will you do anything to help your mission, by trying to convert people you don't really know.

Back to the point, the whole desire of non-believers to destroy religion makes no sense to me. Let it go. Let people live. The whole thing on both sides is so controlling and yet each thinks they aren't being controlling.

I am a "practicing Atheist", as in I'm not indifferent - I care about my beliefs because they do put me in a certain position in the world - and I have never met another Atheist who tries to convert people. Never. They talk about how they don't understand how people believe, and talk about why they don't believe, and talk about how religion may be harmful is certain ways, and some may be patronizing, yes. But I've never seen or heard of a single Atheist who has tried to actually convert people to Atheism, or, for that matter, criticize those who are good people who are open minded to others and just find peace and comfort in their beliefs. Religious people certainly cannot say the same!!!! I'd say it's certain religious people who try to impinge their beliefs on others, convert people, and who try to destroy the lifestyles and beliefs of others, NOT Atheists.

I doubt any of you have had an Atheist knock on your door and try to teach you something about not believing!

I said the following:

Why can't atheists, agnostics and religious - just uphold the respect of their own personal point of view of religion and not cheer on the demise of what others believe?

I'll elaborate -

I do believe there are atheists who cheer on the demise of what other believe. This thread is proof. Re-read it if you'd like.

In terms of deeds, there are bad atheists and there are good atheists. There are good agnostics and there are bad agnostics. There are good religious folks and bad religious folks. Anyone who thinks otherwise is foolish. An atheist can be just as annoying and a bad human, in terms of deeds, as fundamentalists of any religion. Thinking otherwise is close-minded.

Religion, or lack there of, is not the cause of sin (or wrong doing) on earth. Bad deeds by human beings is the problem.

Zoso · August 2012

inlet13 wrote:

PJ_Soul wrote:

inlet13 wrote:

Is the decline of religion really a good thing? I don't think so. Religion provides many with peace, otherwise, in a "free society" they would not be religious/spiritual.

Don't get me wrong, there are quite a number of examples of bad fundamentalists - harming people.. typically this occurs in a "non-free society", although there are exceptions. These people are bad and wrong because they harmed people - period. But, most religious folks I know are quite nice, good people. Religion and spirituality, in general, I see as a good thing. Regardless of the religion or person. Sin I see as a bad thing for all people, regardless of religion, or lack there of or person.

Why can't atheists, agnostics and religious - just uphold the respect of their own personal point of view of religion and not cheer on the demise of what others believe? Moreover, I can understand why being challenged unnecessarily on your belief (or lack there of) can be annoying too. This just happened to me at the airport by some random Christian missionary in a TSA line the other day, that was a bit annoying. How did he know whether I was more or less religious than him? Why did I need converting? etc.

But, back to the point - if you don't believe in God, why do you feel the need for others to do the same? If they don't hurt you, why not just let them be if it gives them some sense of peace? If you do believe in God, have respect for those who disagree. If you bring it up, don't patronize. Most likely it's not appropriate, nor will you do anything to help your mission, by trying to convert people you don't really know.

Back to the point, the whole desire of non-believers to destroy religion makes no sense to me. Let it go. Let people live. The whole thing on both sides is so controlling and yet each thinks they aren't being controlling.

I am a "practicing Atheist", as in I'm not indifferent - I care about my beliefs because they do put me in a certain position in the world - and I have never met another Atheist who tries to convert people. Never. They talk about how they don't understand how people believe, and talk about why they don't believe, and talk about how religion may be harmful is certain ways, and some may be patronizing, yes. But I've never seen or heard of a single Atheist who has tried to actually convert people to Atheism, or, for that matter, criticize those who are good people who are open minded to others and just find peace and comfort in their beliefs. Religious people certainly cannot say the same!!!! I'd say it's certain religious people who try to impinge their beliefs on others, convert people, and who try to destroy the lifestyles and beliefs of others, NOT Atheists.

I doubt any of you have had an Atheist knock on your door and try to teach you something about not believing!

I said the following:

Why can't atheists, agnostics and religious - just uphold the respect of their own personal point of view of religion and not cheer on the demise of what others believe?

I'll elaborate -

I do believe there are atheists who cheer on the demise of what other believe. This thread is proof. Re-read it if you'd like.

In terms of deeds, there are bad atheists and there are good atheists. There are good agnostics and there are bad agnostics. There are good religious folks and bad religious folks. Anyone who thinks otherwise is foolish. An atheist can be just as annoying and a bad human, in terms of deeds, as fundamentalists of any religion. Thinking otherwise is close-minded.

Religion, or lack there of, is not the cause of sin (or wrong doing) on earth. Bad deeds by human beings is the problem.

I agree.. what I meant was being a good human being and religious isn't mutally exclusive...

Cosmo · August 2012

My take... if you need to rely on religion (or any external source) to find inner peace... you are looking in the wrong place.

pandora · August 2012

yes it is...
but knowing God is on the rise

Cosmo · August 2012

inlet13 wrote:

I said the following:

Why can't atheists, agnostics and religious - just uphold the respect of their own personal point of view of religion and not cheer on the demise of what others believe?

I'll elaborate -

I do believe there are atheists who cheer on the demise of what other believe. This thread is proof. Re-read it if you'd like.

In terms of deeds, there are bad atheists and there are good atheists. There are good agnostics and there are bad agnostics. There are good religious folks and bad religious folks. Anyone who thinks otherwise is foolish. An atheist can be just as annoying and a bad human, in terms of deeds, as fundamentalists of any religion. Thinking otherwise is close-minded.

Religion, or lack there of, is not the cause of sin (or wrong doing) on earth. Bad deeds by human beings is the problem.

...
The problem is people... not religion.
If people understood the difference between truth and belief, we wouldn't be having this discussion. People think they KNOW the truth (i.e. Does God Exist?), when, in fact, they BELIEVE that God does or does not exist.
If everyone just accepted the truth that their beliefs are beliefs that solely belong to them... none of this would matter.
...
By the way, the correct answer to the question, 'Does God Exist?'... "I don't know".

kenny olav · August 2012

A lot of modern debate about religion is whether or not it is a good thing for people.

To me, whether or not something is good doesn't matter if the thing is not proven to be true. There is no reason to believe that any religion is true. This is why it isn't taught alongside mathematics, biology, language or anything else that has a logical basis for its existence.

Religion's basis for existence is ignorance about the natural world and our lack of understanding about how everything came to be and about what might happen to us after we die. Scientists have so far explained just about everything about the natural world and disproved a lot of what every major religion has taught about it. For example, the Earth isn't flat, it doesn't have four corners and it's not being held up by pillars, like the Bible says it is. Nor is the sun in orbit around the Earth, like both the Bible and the Koran teach.

If the Bible is the infallible word of God, then the Earth must look something like this:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... p_edit.jpg

As for where the universe came from, I wouldn't be surprised if scientists figure that out during this century, or even during this decade. They might even figure out how to allow people to live eternally, or at least prove the existence of the soul and what happens to it after the body expires.

I for one think that the soul does exist and it leaves the body after death. The commonality of what people experience when they are clinically dead but brought back to life leads me to think this is true. And personally, I can't fathom that my consciousness will simply stop existing... at least not so soon. But I also can't fathom living FOREVER. My hope is that eventually I will cease to be, but not until after I've explored every dimension of the universe and experienced everything that I could possibly want to experience. Talk about wishful thinking, right? So yeah, I could be wrong... it could be this lifetime on Earth and nothing else... but I can't help thinking otherwise, and for that reason, I understand why religion exists, but I think people have to replace faith and dogma with hope and understanding.

PJ_Soul · August 2012

At least the major religions are used by powerful people to control the masses, and that's how they came about in the first place, and all their dogma and belief systems were built upon for that purpose. That is definitely not a good thing.

kenny olav · August 2012

Christopher Hitchens said it best when he said "If you want a good person to do an evil thing, that takes religion."

Smellyman · August 2012

pandora wrote:

yes it is...
but knowing God is on the rise

or not

catefrances · August 2012

Zoso wrote:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/08/religiosity-plummets-ireland-declines-worldwide-atheism_n_1757453.html

I found this an interesting but not overly surprising trend..

REJOICE!!!!! and welcome back to the day when you popped from your mammas womb pure innocent and unsullied.

know1 · August 2012

cincybearcat wrote:

If one can be religious and not overtly push their beliefs onto others, religion could easily exist in a peaceful world. In fact, in it's pure essence, it could be what truly guides and creates a peaceful world.

This type of behavior comes from those who are anti-religious as well, though. In the circles I run in, I see more people bashing religion and pushing their beliefs than I do those trying to push religion on others. I guess it's OK if it runs in that direction.

cincybearcat · August 2012

kenny olav wrote:

To me, whether or not something is good doesn't matter if the thing is not proven to be true.

They use to teach that the world was flat.

That the sun revolved around the earth.

That pluto was a planet.

Things change. Sometimes, what is known to be true at one point is proven false later. And what was thought was false, is proven true. So, I don't really agree with your line of thinking. I think teaching about possibilities, theories, and then letting people use their own minds to decipher fact from fiction is powerful as well.

cincybearcat · August 2012

know1 wrote:

cincybearcat wrote:

If one can be religious and not overtly push their beliefs onto others, religion could easily exist in a peaceful world. In fact, in it's pure essence, it could be what truly guides and creates a peaceful world.

This type of behavior comes from those who are anti-religious as well, though. In the circles I run in, I see more people bashing religion and pushing their beliefs than I do those trying to push religion on others. I guess it's OK if it runs in that direction.

I never said it was. I agree with you. Hell, I think some people think I'm religious the way I take offense to their anti-god ranting.

Religion on the decline around the world

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