Nakor
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Non-Prophet
Posts: 991
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Post by Nakor on Apr 4, 2010 12:47:49 GMT -5
My stance on religion's necessity in the distant past is that while it was not necessary, it was pretty much inevitable. We weren't developed enough, and hadn't gathered enough written knowledge to avoid that path. If it weren't for religion our society absolutely would be different today, it's just in what way it would be different that is in question. My guess? Some sciences would be a couple hundred years ahead of where they are now.
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Post by bunnyfulwanderer on Apr 7, 2010 4:48:45 GMT -5
I would say religion isn't necessary in the way people think of it today (particularly the stereotyped vision of the catholic church, centralized, organized, and with a strong "we're right you're wrong, I worship the one true god" mentality.)
However spirituality is inevitable and a positive thing. I always liked the saying "Religion is for those who fear hell, spirituality is for those who have already been there" while I wouldn't say that's necessarily my exact sentiment as it does tend to generalize I think that is certainly a good point and approaching the truth.
When early man began was forced in an undevolped world and to sustain himself, he found himself in nature, and indeed, a part of it. This is still true, and perhaps the search for knowledge has forced man to try to deny this simple truth, becuase the kinship with the earth seems less and less important as we exploit her. I believe early man felt the natural energies of the earth, and thus in his awareness. spirituality was born. The intrinsic feeling of awe in nature, and kinship to the earth, the desire to take care of our planet. the thanks we give the animals we ate, or the appreciation for the plants we consumed and later grew ourselves.
I by no means am saying we should abandon technology and society in order to "be one with nature" but I am saying the old ways are a part of us, they are a part of everyone, a yearning that perhaps we sometimes ignore. I will not say organized religion is necessary. but there is something to be said for that natural love of our own mother earth.
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Post by bombmaniac on Apr 7, 2010 5:16:45 GMT -5
personally i think a big problem with religion a a whole today is that somehow the catholic church and christianity in general has got the term religion associated with itself. i talk to people who say that they are not religious because they are not christian. that is false. you need to find something you like and stick to it. if christianity is your thing, go for it. but id say dont write off religion as a whole just because you dont like christianity.
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Post by bunnyfulwanderer on Apr 7, 2010 5:50:14 GMT -5
personally i think a big problem with religion a a whole today is that somehow the catholic church and christianity in general has got the term religion associated with itself. i talk to people who say that they are not religious because they are not christian. that is false. you need to find something you like and stick to it. if christianity is your thing, go for it. but id say dont write off religion as a whole just because you dont like christianity. yeah I've noticed that. Some people criticize all of religion based on experience of Christianity and "theists" based on Christians. although not always the case. the generalizations astound me.
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Post by bombmaniac on Apr 7, 2010 5:53:58 GMT -5
that would kinda be like someone saying "i hate computers because i once used windows vista" sheesh...
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Apr 7, 2010 6:40:36 GMT -5
personally i think a big problem with religion a a whole today is that somehow the catholic church and christianity in general has got the term religion associated with itself. i talk to people who say that they are not religious because they are not christian. that is false. you need to find something you like and stick to it. if christianity is your thing, go for it. but id say dont write off religion as a whole just because you dont like christianity. exactly why I'm a buddhist atheïst
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Post by bombmaniac on Apr 7, 2010 14:58:54 GMT -5
wait...doesnt buddhism believe in a higher power? but yes there you go
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Nakor
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Non-Prophet
Posts: 991
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Post by Nakor on Apr 7, 2010 15:11:31 GMT -5
Depends on the branch of Buddhism. There is something about a 'source' of everything in at least one branch. But most Buddhism I've encountered has been atheist.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 7, 2010 18:37:39 GMT -5
wait...doesnt buddhism believe in a higher power? but yes there you go that's why I say Buddhist Atheïst. There's no rule that says you can't combine things and indeed, not all branched of Buddhism do.
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Beanie Boy
Meteorite
"Be the change you would like to see in the world" - Gandhi
Posts: 11
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Post by Beanie Boy on Apr 11, 2010 5:58:16 GMT -5
1.Yes 2. Atheist 3. I believe religion has built modern society itself 4. I, myself, wish that religion did not exist at all, or at least (even though this sounds wrong) everyone have the same religion, which would not be human. Me, being an Atheist, have been on the verge of losing relationships with people I know due to my religion, or the relationship has, in a way, changed. I believe it is the religious fanatics doing a lot of it, if people didn't care if another was their religion or not than everything would probably be fine and dandy. Also it is a common thing, in the United States, to be Christian/Catholic so many of my friends are stunned at whoever is something so different as an atheist, who doesn't believe in a God such as "God", Buddha, Allah, ect. I believe the Church is to blame as well, some people believe in a religion so much that if their church said that their god told them to kill a certain person at LEAST one person would do it or try to.
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Post by bunnyfulwanderer on Apr 11, 2010 14:14:16 GMT -5
1.Yes 2. Atheist 3. I believe religion has built modern society itself 4. I, myself, wish that religion did not exist at all, or at least (even though this sounds wrong) everyone have the same religion, which would not be human. Me, being an Atheist, have been on the verge of losing relationships with people I know due to my religion, or the relationship has, in a way, changed. I believe it is the religious fanatics doing a lot of it, if people didn't care if another was their religion or not than everything would probably be fine and dandy. Also it is a common thing, in the United States, to be Christian/Catholic so many of my friends are stunned at whoever is something so different as an atheist, who doesn't believe in a God such as "God", Buddha, Allah, ect. I believe the Church is to blame as well, some people believe in a religion so much that if their church said that their god told them to kill a certain person at LEAST one person would do it or try to. This is a direct result of religious exclusionary belief. as well as "need to be saved" mentality. my "beliefs" leave people to believe as they wish with no consequence (other then failing human decency, which the law would do as well) and generally has the belief that while my path is a path, it's not the only path. in short. while I understand the notion of wanting to get rid of all religion (I was there once) I tend to think if people behave that way. you don't need those kind of sheeple in your life.
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