Religion V. Reality?

Question

First of all im going to say that im atheist. I have nothing against religion of any kind. Personally I dont care what you believe in. Evolution, Religion I dont care. But lets get real here. Can you think for yourself rather than what your told to believe? Do you think it might be good for our society if we new the truth happening around us? Do you think maybe we can order ourselves? Most of the stuff we do is based on cause and effect. A person is not born good or bad, its the environment who shapes them. If religion dissapears tomorro there will still be right and wrong. Would you agree with me if I said that there is no greater god then the truth? We need to govern ourselves.

I am preaching arnt I. I didnt really think about that. Gulp... I shouldent do that.

Answer 1

Religion is a crutch for those who cant face reality. Of course this doesnt really apply to all religions but mainly to organized religion.

They attempt to construct a system of beliefs and practices that they delude themselves into believing in infallible. This way they are protected against the looming reality of their insignificance.

Answer 2

Thruth is blurred and an illusion. There is a philosophical view that everything we know to be true is actually based on faith. Try this test out.

Which of the following is a 100% fact:

1. The sun will rise tomorrow morning
2. There is a Supreme Being
3. Humans are the most intelligent beings on the earth
4. Gravity is caused by the rotation of the earth
5. In the year 1776, the Colonies of the United States Declared Independance over England
6. The earth is round

Ok, a weak test but it proves the point. There is no such thing as a 100% fact. All you have is belief.

I believe the sun will rise tomorrow because is always has, and there is no evidence I know of that will keep it from rising.(woops, it actually doesn't rise, bad example)

I'll try this one.

Though not a 100% proven fact, I believe the earth is round, because my history teacher told me it is, my history book supported the same arguement, and I can see evidence it is round.

You see, the persuit of truth is not actually a persuit of truth. It is an attept to support your beliefs.

All people, at some time in their life, will question everything important they believe in and put it up to challenge.

So, what do you believe to be true?

Answer 3

You're right, a person isn't born good or bad, but it is religion that sometimes help to shape certain people in "decent" and productive people in society. Most people are born into religion and others aren't. Religion doesn't stop a person from being who they are, example contradictors that preach then do unholy actions. Compared to back in the day religion doesn't have as much of an affect as it used to. Yes society has an effect on people and we can't escape that.

Answer 4

First of all a religion is a guideline to a moral way of life, or at least thats what it should be. All religions are free to be interpreted by anybody and in any way, and should not necessarily be followed word for word (although some people chose to do this). If we end up with a wacky religion its not the Religion's fault at all; its the people who interpreted the religion a certain way that are to blame. And everyone has to remember that all religious books were written by man, and not by god. In many ways the bible is like the declaration of independence: it is a guide to a moral way of life, written by and for man. You're right that right and wrong will still exist, its something that we are born knowing, but religion is a way to spread the knowledge of good and bad to everyone. In essence, all religions have the goal of making all its followers into better human being than they would have been all by themseves.

Answer 5

Religion is more than a belief in G-d, it is also the rituals that help us celebrate joy and deal with sorrow. A government can't do that, and order can't do that. And truth doesn't care.

When I was an atheist I had faith that people could do good. I wouldn't have wanted people to lose their beliefs even if I had a way to absolutely prove there was nothing beyond what we see here.

Would you rather be stuck in an elevator with people who believed they would get out, or in one with people who all expected to stay in there forever?

Answer 6

No one has ever told me what to believe or not to believe. I make all of my own choices. I have always thought for myself. Why do you believe that people who are religious left their brains at the door? We who are religious could say the same about you? Just because one believes in God does not mean they are any less or any more intelliegent then those who dont believe. I know the truth that is happening around me at all time.

Answer 7

America is a great country. We have the freedom to believe whatever we choose to believe. I don't go to church, but I read the Bible daily and I pray. What you said about environment is true. I think that anyone who truly wants to do right will seek God. The word atheist is usually used by people who don't want to think about God because he may interfere with the way they have chosen to live.

Answer 8

I normally avoid these: "I don't care about...blah blah blah. BUT...

You last line is worthy of comment and I am glad you feel that way. This is precisely the point of Aristotle, St. Augustine, Aquinas, Philippa Foote, Peter Geach, and others. It is a mix of theists, Christians, and agnostics. The life of the virtues is what makes it possible for a person to live the good life, a self-governed life.

HTH

Charles

Answer 9

i agree with you to an extent, but not everybody works the same. some people need that to hold on to. and others couldn't care less, religion is a place for people with a common ground to come and believe what they're comfortable in. now personally i do believe that if there were less narrow minded people in the world and less people confined to their beliefs that things would work in a more realistic and maybe peaceful way. but to each is own.

Answer 10

People will always have their own beliefs. Believe it or not, people can make their own choices. If they choose to be told how to feel on a certain issue, let them be. If someone feels more comfortable believing in something you don't, there is no reason to try and argue. No one truely knows the truth. We will all find out in the end.

Answer 11

There is no greater truth than God...how about that Ghandi?

Here's an idea. Just think about this one for a second. Maybe...just maybe...religious people believe in their religion because they CHOOSE too and they ACTUALLY believe what their religion teaches...based on their own independent thought.

I was not born a Catholic. It was something I chose. Sometimes I answer questions like, "well...I'd like to, but it's against my religion". You know why I'd say that? Because it's easier than arguing with someone over and over who does not believe what I beleive. It's easier to say that it's against my religion than to say, it goes against my morals. Then we get to play the whole accusation game. "Oh, so you're more moral than me!". Then it causes problems. Yet, WE'RE stupid...because we don't think for ourself. No...

We think plenty.

Also, it's very hard to judge a religion from the OUTSIDE.

I have no idea what it's like to be black, but I am from D.C. I grew up with lots of black friends. I might say I have an idea, but I'm not black. I can never be black. I can tell you all about being white though.

In that same respect, I can tell you how it felt to be praying to Allah. I can tell you how it felt to be praying to some made up god in my head. I can tell you how it felt to be praying to false idols and meditating on Buddha. I can even tell you what it's like to practice Kundalini meditation and to hang out with crazy indians who take peyote. I can tell you what it's like to open up all your chakras. I know a lot about religion. Because it's free to experience. I can be whatever I want. I can also tell you about the day I accepted Jesus Christ (I wont...unless you ask).

If I fight my religion, if I question it, I ask for an explanation. The explanation usually makes sense. That's why I believe it.

Most importantly, man has asked these questions since the beginning of time. God has revealed things to man. If you listen to what has been revealed...it might make sense. Or not. All I know is, God is God and man is man. Life is a LOT easier...when I'm not trying to be God.