Truth or dare or actually just truth: How do YOU feel about religion and religious people?

Question

Would you like to see us wiped out? Would you like to outlaw religions? Would you prefer to convert us all into nonbelievers? Would you prefer we all followed your faith,if you have one? Would you prefer we seperate into religious communities or countries? Or would you prefer that we all agree to coexist and let each other live as they see fit and this includes their faith? I choose the last one. Acceptance and coexistence.
Peace Be With You,
Debra

I want to add this is only a discussion not an argument and I will not thumbs down ANY answer. This is each persons belief or opinion.All answers are equally valid.

Answer 1

Despite my (incredibly) asinine questions, I hang out on the R&S board because I love religion, and have been a long time student of all of the world's wisdom traditions. I figure there are legitimite insights into the nature of God in all of the Sacred texts. And the major differences arise due to the "prophets" knowing that a message not adapted to the limitations of the given audience, is a message that is quickly lost.

That having been said, I suppose the only religious people I (on the whole) distrust are the literalists in any religion. Those who are so wrapped up in the minutia, that they seem to miss the forest for the trees.

Answer 2

I am a Muslim and, as much as deep down I wish that all people convert to Islam because it is such a bless, I know that this is neither possible nor in my hands to do.
We are different and will never be the same. This is how things are and will be. I do not think that religion is something that should set us apart; on the contrary, it should bring us together because religion, any religion, is compassionate, love, peace, and respect.

We cannot see eye to eye but we can definitely accept each other for what we are. We do not have to totally love each other and be best friends but we can respect each other's choices and live in peace together.

Peace be upon you all.

Answer 3

Religions are nothing by themselves, it's the followers who make the religion. Most religious people I know personally, I do not have a problem with. Extremist, Fanatical Religious people really annoy me... these are the one's who are trying to convert everyone else by any means and are usually the first to scream about their freedoms being taken away when someone simply tells them to shut up.

I don't want to see anyone get wiped out. I don't believe outlawing religion will do anything to stop the Extremists... though Taxing their organizations most certainly would make the #'s drop. I am not out to convert anyone. I honestly don't care what your personal beliefs are, as far as that goes.

I respect everyone's right to believe as they want... I do chose, however, to withdraw that respect if the individual proves they are not deserving of it (example: not respecting other people while demanding respect for themselves.)

Answer 4

Religion, is a personal choice, between you and God. The only thing that matters is the condition of our heart when we stand before God during "judgment'. I don't personally believe that you have to go to a place of worship. But I do believe that your daily life and the way you live reflects who you really are and what you believe. No man or law should stop us from having a relationship with God. Those that try to dictate or do way with your (or any ones) personal choice on religion, and cause a person to "stumble" , Matthew 18:6 states; "But whoever stumbles one of these little ones who put faith in me, it is more beneficial for him to have hung around his neck a millstone such is turned by an *** and to be sunk in the wide, open sea."

Answer 5

I like to learn about every religion, I think it is interesting. I don't want to see religion done away with. I believe everyone is entitled to their own beliefs and who is to say any of the beliefs are stupid or insane? Only arrogant people have that attitude.

I champion religious freedom and tolerance, what this country was founded upon.

Answer 6

Co-existence sounds great, but since when can people actually pull that off? Religion causes more battles than anything known to man. Maybe splitting off into separate states/countries would wipe-out the holy wars.

Answer 7

So you would choose to accept and co-exist with cannibals? or Nazis? White supremacists? misogynists? child molesters? rapists?

They all have their own faiths and beliefs too. No one is "evil" in his or her own eyes.

I guess my standards are a little higher than yours. By all means, feel free to condemn me for my prejudice.

6 hours later: looking over the answers, I see I'm the only one to point these things out. In the rush to embrace everyone, no one stops to consider that there are those whom we do not tolerate nor should we accept their beliefs as legitimate.

By all means, pick a nice, fluffy answer. Uncomfortable truths are not always welcomed.

Answer 8

I would like society to see "faith" as a dirty word. I want a society that values education and knowledge rather than just pick a myth and be content in ignorance.

>>"Would you prefer to convert us all into nonbelievers?"

It is impossible to "convert" someone into a non-believer. We are all born atheists and the people who value truth, and follow it where it leads, deconvert back to the natural state of atheism.

I wouldn't want to deconvert everyone. I want to help create a society that there would be no need to deconvert anyone because everyone would base their beliefs on what is known to be true and can be demonstrated for all to see, rather than myths and things that they just want to be true.

>>"Or would you prefer that we all agree to coexist and let each other live as they see fit and this includes their faith?"

It would be impossible for people of different religions to live and let live. The very nature of religion makes this impossible. Many religions call upon their sheeple to convert as many as possible to their cult. Also, many theists think that people's actions, no matter if they are causing harm to society or not, will change god's mood toward all of us. Homosexuality for example.

"AIDS is not just God's punishment for homosexuals; it is God's punishment for the society that *tolerates* homosexuals." [Rev. Jerry Falwell, 1993]

They think certain actions make god mad at all of us, and as long as people think such things they will continue to try to conform society to their beliefs.

Answer 9

I support religion in all its different forms. Religion gives each of us hope. However, every religion must be allowed and accepted without past prejudices against it. Each religion has had a dark period or been wrongly accused of actions that are not part of their individual faith. I do not condone any religion saying that it is the ONE faith for everyone as I feel that there is no ONE religion that is right for everyone and I would never want everyone to be a part of my faith. You must answer the calling of your own faith to be true to yourself.

I would love to see a world where every religion can live together peacefully but I fear that it will never happen as unfortunately we have not outgrown our own violent tendencies and violence is unfortunately a result of fear and unwillingness to accept that there is difference in the world and must be.

Blessed Be )O(

Answer 10

They are pathetic and deluded. They live in a shell that does not allow them, or the rest of us to deal with the complex problems facing humanity and seem content to lead humanity down the sinkhole of world destruction that they seem so anxious to achieve as a result of swallowing silly made up prophesies. A little bit of Religion is like a little bit of syphilis, unless eradicated, it always gets worse.