Religion & Spirituality - 27 October 2007

Imagine life in the western world without religion... (think about dominant religions for the sake of simplicity of this question).

Some people need religion to provide morals. For instance, heaven and hell. If it was proven that there was no heaven or hell, don't you think that people would 'sin' more if there was less of a reason to? It's wrong to kill because you wouldn't want people to do it to you, right? But for Christians, Jews, etc., it is an even bigger reason not to kill because you will live your afterlife in a firely pit of hell...

I don't believe in heaven or hell, reincarnation, sin, divine powers, etc. However, I do believe, at this point in time, that religion provides morals and values to those who would have few without the power and fear of 'God'. Religion answers questions with no answers (beginings of the world, for instance), and most people need that.

I'm looking for sociological theories and other references to back this up.

2007-10-27 07:43:41 · 14 answers · asked by Thinking 5

2007-10-27 07:41:47 · 19 answers · asked by Page 4

What would you do if you found a 1914 wheat penny?

2007-10-27 07:40:21 · 8 answers · asked by Gilligan 1

I have been coming here for some time and I have come to like a number of the people who come here but there is one person in particular who has caught my attention.
I seem to be developing a crush on her.
Is that being silly?

2007-10-27 07:39:54 · 51 answers · asked by darwinsfriend AM 5

2007-10-27 07:39:20 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous

2007-10-27 07:37:54 · 16 answers · asked by . 3

I wan t to stay alive for till tuesday then I can die but if he could keep me alive till Friday that will be great also.

2007-10-27 07:37:26 · 11 answers · asked by Allo C 1

Was it just God and Satan hanging out or what?

2007-10-27 07:36:27 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous

2007-10-27 07:35:39 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous

I know classes need to be taken...But who takes the class?just me?(my hubby is not catholic,but we were married in a catholic church)does he need to take it too?and does the godfather and our 3 witnesses also need to take the classes?how long are these classes and what is covered in them?at what age is a child usually baptized?tell me anything else I need to know

2007-10-27 07:32:17 · 9 answers · asked by kelly 3

Christians always tell me that Jesus loves me, regardless, but if I don't put my faith in him, I will go to hell. That doesn't strike me as a very loving gesture.
Now, I already know what you want to say and let me stop you before you do. Just because I'm an atheist, doesn't mean I'm not curious about religion so don't just say "if you don't believe, then why do you care". That will qualify as a lazy stupid answer.

2007-10-27 07:32:06 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous

If so, how is He different from the non personal Jesus that many others love? How did you get Him all to yourself?

2007-10-27 07:31:47 · 10 answers · asked by thefinalresult 7

is it a sin if I sometimes prefer to listen to Patsy Cline because it does the same thing ?

2007-10-27 07:29:08 · 12 answers · asked by Prof Fruitcake 6

2007-10-27 07:27:55 · 20 answers · asked by Page 4

In this place everything is divine,
look with your own eyes,
your body is the vehicle,
your nature is cosmic,
to move, to love, to be,
who could ask for more?

2007-10-27 07:26:47 · 28 answers · asked by Anonymous

If price of Christians’ sins and crimes have been paid, why they are paying US$2 billions for sexual abuse of children?
Total amount paid out by the U.S. church since 1950 to more than $2 billion
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19762878/
Settlement represents Church’s largest payout in sexual abuse scandal on account of sexual abuse by catholic church.
LOS ANGELES - The nation’s largest Catholic archdiocese will settle its clergy sex abuse cases for at least $600 million, by far the largest payout in the church’s sexual abuse scandal, The Associated Press learned Saturday.
Attorneys for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the plaintiffs will release a statement Sunday morning and hold a news conference Monday, said Ray Boucher, the lead plaintiff’s attorney.
An anonymous source with knowledge of the deal placed its value at $660 million, by far the largest payout in the church’s sexual abuse scandal. The amount exceeded earlier reports from sources that the settlement w

2007-10-27 07:26:00 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous

God is obviously not real. Why have people spent years and years killing eachother and having wars over it? Santa Claus is more belivable!

And why on earth do people still belive it after all this evidence is disproving it?

I dont mean to insult anyone who is religious i just want to know why thoes people are religious.

2007-10-27 07:25:02 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous

2007-10-27 07:20:44 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous

The LDS Church doesn't pay any of the leaders, no one is compensated for their time and efforts...do any other churches NOT pay their clergy/pastors/teachers?
Just curious...

2007-10-27 07:20:33 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous

2007-10-27 07:18:56 · 18 answers · asked by Ťango 3

or does that sin belong to the individual?

2007-10-27 07:12:15 · 18 answers · asked by . 3

2007-10-27 07:11:45 · 24 answers · asked by Lost. at. Sea. 7

im just interested in what other religions say, so could some people tell me what there beliefs are? im christian so i dont need anything on that but any other religions will do great for me. thanks.

2007-10-27 07:09:41 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous

Wouldn't that be awesome!?

2007-10-27 07:09:34 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous

You ask God for forgivess, because you did something but then you keep doing it and you keep asking for forgivess but you do it again. Then you promise not to do it again and don't do it anymore, will he forgive you?

2007-10-27 07:06:09 · 18 answers · asked by الإيمان 2

and is arrogrance pride or vanity?

2007-10-27 07:04:06 · 15 answers · asked by . 3

Why are all paintings of Jesus depicting a man with blue eyes, blondish hair, and light skin when people from the area that he was from had darker skin, dark hair, and dark eyes?

Just wondering.

Peace.

Michael

2007-10-27 07:01:25 · 9 answers · asked by Slow Hand 4

Two Arabs boarded a shuttle out of Washington for New York. One sat in the window seat, the other in the middle seat. Just before take off a fat little Israeli guy got on and tookthe aisle seat next to the Arabs. He kicked off his shoes, wiggled his toes and was settling in when the Arab in the window seat said, "I think I'll go up and get a coke.""No problem," said the Israeli. "I'll get it for you."

While he was gone, the Arab picked up the Israeli's shoe and spat in it.When the Israeli returned with the coke, the other Arab said, "That looks good. I think I'll have one too." Again, the Israeli obligingly went to fetch it, and while he was gone the other Arab picked up the other shoe and spat in it.

The Israeli returned with the coke, and they all sat back and enjoyed the short flight to New York.As the plane was landing the Israeli slipped his feet into his shoes and knew immediately what had happened."How long must this go on?" he asked. "This enmity between our peoples..... this hatred... this animosity... this spitting in shoes and peeing in cokes?"

2007-10-27 07:00:40 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous

2007-10-27 06:59:32 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous

I am asking this from a neutral point of view, as I do not belong do any religion. I have just been wondering about it recently about one of my friends who is a 'DEVOUT' Catholic.

He is very heavily in to pornography (in an addictive capacity, in my opinion) and also regulary gets drunk, tells lies, etc etc.

Yet he often preaches to me about his beliefs and has lied to people before about how he is against pornography because it is degrading even though I know he is heavily in to.
What is going on with this guy?
He is being a hypocrite ? or am I just reading too much in to things.

2007-10-27 06:50:54 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous