Religion Poll

[Ral]

I see organized religion as Man's attempt to understand and put structure around a concept so large and incomprehensible Man can't understand it. From that, imperfect men have then occasionally used it to gain undue influence; once it goes so far, a new branch is developed that tries to return to the original purpose, but eventually this gets derailed as well. Organized religion is not evil/overbearing/oppressive/greedy, but those in it (read- All people) are. Hence, the disconnect between what is espoused from the pulpit, and what makes news. What most don't realize is that often that "bible bashing" comes from concern based on that person's belief system. Not all the time (see above) of course, but generally those I have run across tend to fall into this category.

Also, for those of you who do not attend church, keep in mind the vast amount of "religious" people are just as appalled, probably more so than those not connected.

lastly, I find it deeply ironic that the only ones posting inflammatory remarks and pictures, and being blatantly intolerant and spiteful deride Christianity/organized religion for being intolerant and spiteful. Then, they accuse organized religion of hypocrisy. I will not say that the Christian Church is not hypocritical (it's inevitable based on Man being less than perfect), but come on. And, this is not limited to this thread, but seems to crop up any time religion is mentioned.

With that said, you can probably guess I was raised Christian. (not affiliated with any specific denomination.) If you disagree with my beliefs on God, Christ, the Universe, that's fine. But, please afford the respect for my opinion and belief system that you require. And yes, I realize I'm talking to a minority of those posting on this board.

Last thing- IF I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY, I WOULD HAVE MUCH, MUCH STRONGER WORDS FOR THOSE PRECIOUS FEW THAT USE RELIGION FOR THEIR OWN PERSONAL GAIN OR SUPERIORITY COMPLEX.

[wannaBMthree]

What the hell is Unitarian Universalism? I just voted for it....

I was baptizedcatholic

[e30 gangsta]

I see organized religion as Man's attempt to understand and put structure around a concept so large and incomprehensible Man can't understand it. From that, imperfect men have then occasionally used it to gain undue influence; once it goes so far, a new branch is developed that tries to return to the original purpose, but eventually this gets derailed as well. Organized religion is not evil/overbearing/oppressive/greedy, but those in it (read- All people) are. Hence, the disconnect between what is espoused from the pulpit, and what makes news. What most don't realize is that often that "bible bashing" comes from concern based on that person's belief system. Not all the time (see above) of course, but generally those I have run across tend to fall into this category.

Also, for those of you who do not attend church, keep in mind the vast amount of "religious" people are just as appalled, probably more so than those not connected.

lastly, I find it deeply ironic that the only ones posting inflammatory remarks and pictures, and being blatantly intolerant and spiteful deride Christianity/organized religion for being intolerant and spiteful. Then, they accuse organized religion of hypocrisy. I will not say that the Christian Church is hypocritical (it's inevitable based on Man being less than perfect), but come on. And, this is not limited to this thread, but seems to crop up any time religion is mentioned.

With that said, you can probably guess I was raised Christian. (not affiliated with any specific denomination.) If you disagree with my beliefs on God, Christ, the Universe, that's fine. But, please afford the respect for my opinion and belief system that you require. And yes, I realize I'm talking to a minority of those posting on this board.

Last thing- IF I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY, I WOULD HAVE MUCH, MUCH STRONGER WORDS FOR THOSE PRECIOUS FEW THAT USE RELIGION FOR THEIR OWN PERSONAL GAIN OR SUPERIORITY COMPLEX.

Well spoken sir.

[bergie_318is]

religion is overrated and is becoming less "beleaved in" anyway

[cferb]

agnostic

[CleanAzzE30z]

I see organized religion as Man's attempt to understand and put structure around a concept so large and incomprehensible Man can't understand it. From that, imperfect men have then occasionally used it to gain undue influence; once it goes so far, a new branch is developed that tries to return to the original purpose, but eventually this gets derailed as well. Organized religion is not evil/overbearing/oppressive/greedy, but those in it (read- All people) are. Hence, the disconnect between what is espoused from the pulpit, and what makes news. What most don't realize is that often that "bible bashing" comes from concern based on that person's belief system. Not all the time (see above) of course, but generally those I have run across tend to fall into this category.

Also, for those of you who do not attend church, keep in mind the vast amount of "religious" people are just as appalled, probably more so than those not connected.

lastly, I find it deeply ironic that the only ones posting inflammatory remarks and pictures, and being blatantly intolerant and spiteful deride Christianity/organized religion for being intolerant and spiteful. Then, they accuse organized religion of hypocrisy. I will not say that the Christian Church is not hypocritical (it's inevitable based on Man being less than perfect), but come on. And, this is not limited to this thread, but seems to crop up any time religion is mentioned.

With that said, you can probably guess I was raised Christian. (not affiliated with any specific denomination.) If you disagree with my beliefs on God, Christ, the Universe, that's fine. But, please afford the respect for my opinion and belief system that you require. And yes, I realize I'm talking to a minority of those posting on this board.

Last thing- IF I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY, I WOULD HAVE MUCH, MUCH STRONGER WORDS FOR THOSE PRECIOUS FEW THAT USE RELIGION FOR THEIR OWN PERSONAL GAIN OR SUPERIORITY COMPLEX.

This is a great, well-thought-out, intelligent, articulate argument. Its a thing of beauty. Well played, sir.


Mariano

[1991 318is]

Organized religion is not evil/overbearing/oppressive/greedy, but those in it (read- All people) are.

That is a truly puzzling statement. I don't think I'm stretching it too thin when I take it to mean you consider "All" people to be "evil/overbearing/oppressive/greedy." The least critical interpretation would be you consider only "All people" in organized religion to be that way. Granted we're not perfect but...

[Turf1600]

Wow...there's tons of Atheists on here! WOW - guess you guys are headed to Hell! lol

I'm Catholic for what it's worth. :)

Lol. I'm headed nowhere.

[Turf1600]

That is a truly puzzling statement. I don't think I'm stretching it too thin when I take it to mean you consider "All" people to be "evil/overbearing/oppressive/greedy." The least critical interpretation would be you consider only "All people" in organized religion to be that way. Granted we're not perfect but...

If you understand the roots of Protestant Christianity it will make good sense to you. Those kinds of ideas have been around for 600 or so years.

[Tobin]

Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?
Douglas Adams

Atheist here. Someone will recognize where I first read that quote.

[Ral]

If you understand the roots of Protestant Christianity it will make good sense to you. Those kinds of ideas have been around for 600 or so years.

Turf, you make it sound like you don't believe the idea that no one is perfect

[Turf1600]

Turf, you make it sound like you don't believe the idea that no one is perfect

Not being perfect and being "evil/overbearing/oppressive/greedy" are not the synonymous. No one is perfect but not everyone is all (or even any) of the things that you describe. If I pretend for a moment that sins are not imaginary - then I don't believe everyone is born evil.

John Calvin called - he wants his bad ideas back.

[ragged325]

If you're Christian you believe that you are such a bad sinner that the only way you could be forgiven would be if God had a son and watched him tortured and murdered over three days. Happy Easter. I mean even GOD couldn't let it go that you stole $10 bucks from your brother when you were 8. It seems that Christians have a more negative view of their inner selves than more rational people.

This is somewhat off-topic:

http://www.livevideo.com/video/1F47BE44B92C45EB9E01AC83933996F8/proving-that-nobody-will-get-into-heaven.aspx

[damith]

Buddhist

I'm a Buddhist. It is not really a relligion. A philosophy. A way of living.
I think all relligions teach good things, it's the followers who change it to their needs and at the end the very same people blame relligion for everything.

[Farbin Kaiber]

...
I think most relligions teach good things, it's the followers who change it to their needs and at the end the very same people blame relligion for everything.

Fixed. And, x2.