Philosophically speaking, religion is a hoax

[lieexpsr]

In case there is anyone who wants to talk about it. I offer the following as my proof. All 15 hours of it to provide a basis of an understanding of my position to all those who believe in celestial teapots, flying spaghetti monsters, God, Santa Claus, and other assorted sky fairies. Religious people are welcome here too on my new thread. In fact they are challenged to present something to prove that there is anything of substance which causes them to hold to their silly faiths. Those such as myself who believe in absolutely sound and reasonable scientific explantions have no ned to censor others. Nothing you say will be objected to in an attempt to stop you from expressing yourself. Anything objectionable will be entirely the business of the moderators to correct.

http://richarddawkins.net/article,333,Beyond-Belief-2006-Videos,beyondbelief2006org

Science: Disprove our truths and we will honour you with our highest award.

Religion: Disprove our wild imaginings and we will attempt to censor you and we will tell you that you will burn in hell.

 

[Said1]

In case there is anyone who wants to talk about it.

Religous discussion makes me tired. Sooooo tired.

Religion, as an instituion (does that make *yawn* sense?) is a hoax, imho. There. I said it.

 

[karrie]

which religion? which part? what's your exact definition? Humanity has created religion all throughout history. In virtually every population, a religion has arisen. Bringing people together, creating a moral standard, trying to explain the things we sense yet can not explain. Atheism is in a minority, it is a small group in human history. which is the hoax?

 

[lieexpsr]

Said1- Good but it would be good to understand why you think that way. In other words, a life decision of that importance should not be arrived at lightly.

karrie- All religions are hoaxs. That is my starting postion and you are welcome to try to convince me and others that you know of some which are factual and based on something more substantial than mere faith in sky fairies.

 

[karrie]

karrie- All religions are hoaxs. That is my starting postion and you are welcome to try to convince me and others that you know of some which are factual and based on something more substantial than mere faith in sky fairies.

throughout human history, religions have based themselves around a variety of things, from alligators, to the sun. You may be able to deny God exists (only a moron would ask for proof of the unprovable), but I doubt you can assert that the rest are nonexistant. religion has still been a part of society for almost every civilization to walk the earth.

 

[lieexpsr]

Look Karrie, if alligators or the sun have more meaning to you than some sky fairy called god then spit it out. Otherwise you are wasting my time and cyberspace on my thread.

As Richard DAwkins says, God almost certainly does not exist. I believe likewise. And although I cannot prove entirely that he doesn't exist, I offered you my evidence to say that my assertion is backed by being beyond a reasonable doubt as being the facts. If religion is of any importance to you at all, and Dawwwg knows it should be if you are going to waste your life in believing in sky fairies and all that implies, I suggest it's worth your while to investigate it further.

Now go do your homework and come back when you have prepared yourself with an informed rebuttal of 'my' beliefs.

 

[Said1]

Said1- Good but it would be good to understand why you think that way. In other words, a life decision of that importance should not be arrived at lightly.

Harmmm. A life decision?. No big moving life experiences needed to draw that conclusion, simply the lack of proof offered by organized religion was enough. Not that I don't believe in karma and all that junk, I just don't subscribe to the typcial explainations offered by organized religions.

I'm honestly not that spiritual. I don't like philosophy either. Sadly, the little world I live in is very black and white.:|

 

[darkbeaver]

I would say religions are mostly control mechanisms to exercise power over people and they are evil cynical and destructive, but it would be a mistake to confuse them with trees and animals and wind earth and fire which are all real and all powerful and not the product of intentional invention.

 

[Said1]

throughout human history, religions have based themselves around a variety of things, from alligators, to the sun. You may be able to deny God exists (only a moron would ask for proof of the unprovable), but I doubt you can assert that the rest are nonexistant. religion has still been a part of society for almost every civilization to walk the earth.

Of course it has, but I would argue that it's prime goal was for those with influence to amass power and to control the massess than to lead their followers on a spiritual quest.

 

[CDNBear]

I would say religions are mostly control mechanisms to exercise power over people and they are evil cynical and destructive, but it would be a mistake to confuse them with trees and animals and wind earth and fire which are all real and all powerful and not the product of intentional invention.

Excellent post DB, the rep button still won't let me give you more points though, lol.

 

[Said1]

I would say religions are mostly control mechanisms to exercise power over people and they are evil cynical and destructive, but it would be a mistake to confuse them with trees and animals and wind earth and fire which are all real and all powerful and not the product of intentional invention.

OMG. You're like a total genius. Like totally. :love9:

 

[darkbeaver]

The sun makes a pretty convinceing god for me, just disobey and she'll burn the skin off your back any fine day, not to mention it runs the Phucking planet and every spec of dust on it.:laughing7::laughing7::wave:

 

[Dexter Sinister]

...quite apart from the obvious statement that the number of people who believe something is true has nothing to do with whether it's actually true...

 

[darkbeaver]

OMG. You're like a total genius. Like totally. :love9:

Ya right, maybe I'm god, I'm a total something but I'm smart enough to know it ain't genius.:love9:

 

[darkbeaver]

OMG. You're like a total genius. Like totally. :love9:

Ya right, maybe I'm god, I'm a total something but I'm smart enough to know it ain't genius.

I'v had a big hate on for religions since I was a little beaver, especially the ones that come with service manuals.:love9:

 

[darkbeaver]

...quite apart from the obvious statement that the number of people who believe something is true has nothing to do with whether it's actually true...

Amen to that DS:wave:

 

[Said1]

Ya right, maybe I'm god, I'm a total something but I'm smart enough to know it ain't genius.

I'v had a big hate on for religions since I was a little beaver, especially the ones that come with service manuals.:love9:

Really? From what you post here, I never would have guessed that, not in a million years.

 

[karrie]

Look Karrie, if alligators or the sun have more meaning to you than some sky fairy called god then spit it out. Otherwise you are wasting my time and cyberspace on my thread.

As Richard DAwkins says, God almost certainly does not exist. I believe likewise. And although I cannot prove entirely that he doesn't exist, I offered you my evidence to say that my assertion is backed by being beyond a reasonable doubt as being the facts. If religion is of any importance to you at all, and Dawwwg knows it should be if you are going to waste your life in believing in sky fairies and all that implies, I suggest it's worth your while to investigate it further.

Now go do your homework and come back when you have prepared yourself with an informed rebuttal of 'my' beliefs.

Why would I need to tell you what my beliefs are to disagree with your assertion regarding religion? I could worship the dirt for all difference it makes in the purpose of a debate.
The fact is, that religions exist outside of what they are worshipping. As Said pointed out, many throughout history have been corrupt, many have been there to control. But they've always been there. There's always been a need, a spot in human society for them. They appear to be very vital (regardless of what they are worshipping), to human interaction. Thus, I would assert they are not hoaxes at all. They are simply natural, inevitable forms of human interaction.

 

[tamarin]

Well, I can't say I often warm a pew but I can say I have a lot of respect for the religious. Certainly, looking back over my 55 years on the planet some of the best folk I have known have been devout. They believed in something and that conviction governed their conduct in the larger community. I like that. Doesn't mean there aren't great agnostics out there or likeable atheists. Someone else will have to vouch for that. I simply want to say to the great ladies and gentlemen of the Church I have know for so many years: thanks for being good neighbours, thanks for being generous to others, thank for being community minded. You do make the world a better place.

 

[Said1]

Why would I need to tell you what my beliefs are to disagree with your assertion regarding religion? I could worship the dirt for all difference it makes in the purpose of a debate.
vThe fact is, that religions exist outside of what they are worshipping. As Said pointed out, many throughout history have been corrupt, many have been there to control. But they've always been there. There's always been a need, a spot in human society for them. They appear to be very vital (regardless of what they are worshipping), to human interaction. Thus, I would assert they are not hoaxes at all. They are simply natural, inevitable forms of human interaction.

We know religions and religious authorities etc exist, you are being asked for proof of God, or whomever. The foundation, of what these religions are based on is what is being called into question, not their desire for power and control.