[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]magicalfreddiemercury wrote: [/QUOTENAME]Too many people feel the only way peace can come about is if everyone else believes in their god. They will never see THEIR religion as being the cause of grief or anger. It's always the fault of other religions or of the non-believers. Someone right here in this thread said something to that very effect - that the problems with his country (the USA, I believe) are such because people have turned away from "god". As long as there are extreme and warped perceptions such as that, peace will forever be out of our reach.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]MamaQueen wrote: [/QUOTENAME]
Religion don't kill man... Man with religion kill man.[/QUOTE]
Very wise words from you both.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]rockyracoon wrote: [/QUOTENAME]Ahhhh.......So what will it take to bring peace?[/QUOTE]
Nobody has a solution that will work with the world as it is now. The majority of the world is far too religious, capitalistic, and generally absorbed in self-interest for any major social, economic, or human rights issues to be solved at the moment.
But some of us are pretty good at determining what the problems are, so at least we've made a first step. Before we can even think of any practical solutions, there needs to be a worldwide consensus as to what the problems are, to which point we'll be able to work together towards a solution. There's no telling how long that will take. For now, I think the best the average person can do is simply talk to people, and encourage them to think. Lately (if given an opportune time, of course), I've started asking people this question, and it sometimes leads to interesting results:
"Hypothetically, if it were possible for everyone in the world to be fed, watered, clothed, sheltered, and healthy - and all you had to do was let go of your religious faith and/or tradition - would you do it?"
Of course it's not a practical question... but it's definitely a thinking question, for those who choose to think about these things rather than reject them out of self-interest. Try it out, and watch your belief in humanity plummet or flourish... depending on who you ask!
Thread
Posts in chronological order
"When you put it in that perspective, we haven't really advanced at all in 2000 years. Sure, we are more technologically able, but as long as we still think one invisible man in the sky is better than another, we are no better than our ancient ancestors. Very little around us is going to improve on a grand scale until this idea dies, because at the moment, very few people are willing to give up their traditions no matter what peace it would bring."
It really does blow chunks that some people can't live and let live when it comes to religion. To me, it's not a concept that precludes getting along with one another and YET there continues to be bloodshed. In the name of God. Who, if there is one, is probably shaking his big white beardy head at it all...
It really does blow chunks that some people can't live and let live when it comes to religion. To me, it's not a concept that precludes getting along with one another and YET there continues to be bloodshed. In the name of God. Who, if there is one, is probably shaking his big white beardy head at it all...
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]rockyracoon wrote: [/QUOTENAME] Ahhhh.......So what will it take to bring peace? [/QUOTE]
Two very simple things you'd think humans - the advanced species - would be capable of. Acceptance and empathy.
Acceptance of others whose beliefs (not only religious) may or may not be the same.
Empathy for those in need - whether it be a neighbor feet away or around the globe.
Though it's loaded with bumps and ruts, the road to peace is remarkably short.
Two very simple things you'd think humans - the advanced species - would be capable of. Acceptance and empathy.
Acceptance of others whose beliefs (not only religious) may or may not be the same.
Empathy for those in need - whether it be a neighbor feet away or around the globe.
Though it's loaded with bumps and ruts, the road to peace is remarkably short.
Wow! I can't believe this thread is still going! Pretty soon you guys will prove or disprove the existence of God! Keep going, fucking fucktards!
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]fightingdove wrote: [/QUOTENAME]Wow! I can't believe this thread is still going! Pretty soon you guys will prove or disprove the existence of God! Keep going, fucking fucktards![/QUOTE]
It's still going only because you bumped it up, yet other people are the "fucktards"... whatever that means!
It's still going only because you bumped it up, yet other people are the "fucktards"... whatever that means!
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]magicalfreddiemercury wrote: [/QUOTENAME]Two very simple things you'd think humans - the advanced species - would be capable of. Acceptance and empathy.
Acceptance of others whose beliefs (not only religious) may or may not be the same.
Empathy for those in need - whether it be a neighbor feet away or around the globe.
Though it's loaded with bumps and ruts, the road to peace is remarkably short.[/QUOTE]
Can't believe I missed this post! Very, very nice words. But until people are unable to distinguish *their* truths from *ultimate* truth (should such a thing exist), little difference will be made. But we're slowly getting there!
George Carlin once did a bit on comparing people to chickens, and concluded that chickens were better people. "When's the last time you heard about a chicken who came home and beat up his hen? You haven't, because chickens are better people!" Uncritical thinkers will stop at the utter stupidity on the surface, but George has his own way of illustrating how we are far from being the superior species.
Acceptance of others whose beliefs (not only religious) may or may not be the same.
Empathy for those in need - whether it be a neighbor feet away or around the globe.
Though it's loaded with bumps and ruts, the road to peace is remarkably short.[/QUOTE]
Can't believe I missed this post! Very, very nice words. But until people are unable to distinguish *their* truths from *ultimate* truth (should such a thing exist), little difference will be made. But we're slowly getting there!
George Carlin once did a bit on comparing people to chickens, and concluded that chickens were better people. "When's the last time you heard about a chicken who came home and beat up his hen? You haven't, because chickens are better people!" Uncritical thinkers will stop at the utter stupidity on the surface, but George has his own way of illustrating how we are far from being the superior species.
If I could marry George Carlin, I probably would.
Well whether religion is true or not I do believe that in some terms it is a very good thing to have.
It prevents God-fearing people from committing crimes and murders. It creates kindness and relief from those who put others before themselves.
Also the idea of Heaven as an afterlife is a nice thought to have as it creates hope for those people say who are terminally ill and its a nice feeling for them, to believe that death is not the end but merely the beginning. It will also keep people going, those who beleive that they will be reunited with a dead loved one.
It prevents God-fearing people from committing crimes and murders. It creates kindness and relief from those who put others before themselves.
Also the idea of Heaven as an afterlife is a nice thought to have as it creates hope for those people say who are terminally ill and its a nice feeling for them, to believe that death is not the end but merely the beginning. It will also keep people going, those who beleive that they will be reunited with a dead loved one.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]you_rock_my_socks06 wrote: [/QUOTENAME]Well whether religion is true or not I do believe that in some terms it is a very good thing to have.
It prevents God-fearing people from committing crimes and murders. It creates kindness and relief from those who put others before themselves.
Also the idea of Heaven as an afterlife is a nice thought to have as it creates hope for those people say who are terminally ill and its a nice feeling for them, to believe that death is not the end but merely the beginning. It will also keep people going, those who beleive that they will be reunited with a dead loved one.[/QUOTE]
yeah you are right, i guess if people is stupid enough to believe in it then it gives them hope and meaning which is a good thing.
It prevents God-fearing people from committing crimes and murders. It creates kindness and relief from those who put others before themselves.
Also the idea of Heaven as an afterlife is a nice thought to have as it creates hope for those people say who are terminally ill and its a nice feeling for them, to believe that death is not the end but merely the beginning. It will also keep people going, those who beleive that they will be reunited with a dead loved one.[/QUOTE]
yeah you are right, i guess if people is stupid enough to believe in it then it gives them hope and meaning which is a good thing.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]you_rock_my_socks06 wrote: [/QUOTENAME]Well whether religion is true or not I do believe that in some terms it is a very good thing to have.
It prevents God-fearing people from committing crimes and murders. It creates kindness and relief from those who put others before themselves.[/QUOTE]
Well, "religion" in a way also allows God-fearing people to commit crimes and murders. Through out the centuries people have used The Bible, The Qaran, The Torah, and other "holy" texts as an excuse to tell others that "God is on their side" and with the right to kill in order to follow "God's Will".
People can interpret religious texts in so many ways. Sometimes good, and sometimes bad.
It prevents God-fearing people from committing crimes and murders. It creates kindness and relief from those who put others before themselves.[/QUOTE]
Well, "religion" in a way also allows God-fearing people to commit crimes and murders. Through out the centuries people have used The Bible, The Qaran, The Torah, and other "holy" texts as an excuse to tell others that "God is on their side" and with the right to kill in order to follow "God's Will".
People can interpret religious texts in so many ways. Sometimes good, and sometimes bad.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]AmeriQueen wrote: [/QUOTENAME]
In short, I applaude anyone willing to bash religion, humanity's worst disease. [/QUOTE]
I was going to applaude your high level of ignorance.
I think it deserves an outstanding ovation.
In short, I applaude anyone willing to bash religion, humanity's worst disease. [/QUOTE]
I was going to applaude your high level of ignorance.
I think it deserves an outstanding ovation.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Atheist wrote: [/QUOTENAME]yeah you are right, i guess if people is stupid enough to believe in it then it gives them hope and meaning which is a good thing.[/QUOTE]
It has nothing to do with intelligence. I know a lot of intelligent religious people and a lot of ignorant atheists.
It has nothing to do with intelligence. I know a lot of intelligent religious people and a lot of ignorant atheists.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Sir GH<br><h6>ah yeah</h6> wrote: [/QUOTENAME][QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Atheist wrote: [/QUOTENAME]yeah you are right, i guess if people is stupid enough to believe in it then it gives them hope and meaning which is a good thing.[/QUOTE]
It has nothing to do with intelligence. I know a lot of intelligent religious people and a lot of ignorant atheists.
[/QUOTE]
yeah but atheists are still smarter because they dont follow man made fairy tales of lies instead of facts that we are just animals
It has nothing to do with intelligence. I know a lot of intelligent religious people and a lot of ignorant atheists.
[/QUOTE]
yeah but atheists are still smarter because they dont follow man made fairy tales of lies instead of facts that we are just animals
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Atheist wrote: [/QUOTENAME][QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Sir GH<br><h6>ah yeah</h6> wrote: [/QUOTENAME][QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Atheist wrote: [/QUOTENAME]yeah you are right, i guess if people is stupid enough to believe in it then it gives them hope and meaning which is a good thing.[/QUOTE]
It has nothing to do with intelligence. I know a lot of intelligent religious people and a lot of ignorant atheists.
[/QUOTE]
yeah but atheists are still smarter because they dont follow man made fairy tales of lies instead of facts that we are just animals [/QUOTE]
Looks like you're not part of the group of "smart atheists", aren't you?
It has nothing to do with intelligence. I know a lot of intelligent religious people and a lot of ignorant atheists.
[/QUOTE]
yeah but atheists are still smarter because they dont follow man made fairy tales of lies instead of facts that we are just animals [/QUOTE]
Looks like you're not part of the group of "smart atheists", aren't you?
I somehow feel a deep pain in my heart when reading this thread...
...but I still hope and wish humanity will 'improve'...
All I'd like to say is that in the time of my Philosophy studies I heard a very intelligent phrase by Plotin, a Greek philosopher (translated from German, as I live in Austria):
"To see the sun the eye has to be sun-like"
or, more precisely, as interpreted by the community of philosophers:
"To 'see' 'God' we should become 'godlike'"
I too hope that everyone of us will strive towards being 'godlike' to realize the 'beauty' of this world - after all, it is in OUR hands...
...but I still hope and wish humanity will 'improve'...
All I'd like to say is that in the time of my Philosophy studies I heard a very intelligent phrase by Plotin, a Greek philosopher (translated from German, as I live in Austria):
"To see the sun the eye has to be sun-like"
or, more precisely, as interpreted by the community of philosophers:
"To 'see' 'God' we should become 'godlike'"
I too hope that everyone of us will strive towards being 'godlike' to realize the 'beauty' of this world - after all, it is in OUR hands...