Maybe you're right Jim, but the inquisition got headlines of the day too didn't it?:wave:
The Rise of Christian Fascism
- Thread starter darkbeaver
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Maybe you're right Jim, but the inquisition got headlines of the day too didn't it?:wave:
This will likely never happen. But religious leaders of all faiths should get together and draft a new religion. They should all enter a place and not be allowed to leave until they come up with something. This new religion would be based on loving all your brothers and sisters (like all religions say to do anyways) and would be the only option for people who insist on being 'religious'. If you don't like their new religion... Too bad... Religion isn't for you then. You can still be spiritual and have your own beliefs but a common faith that is religion is just not for you. I think if this happened, most people would realize that it is non-sense to think that such a large group of people would share the exact same beliefs. People previously of a set religion would see that it is important to think for themselves and do what is good for the planet while they're here. Who knows what happens to us after we die. We'll never know until we get there. We may as well do what is best for our earth in the time we're here regardless of what happens after, so that our future generations will have the opportunity to experience life here on earth.
If we spend our whole lives preparring for our after-life, we have no life at all. Therefore no after-life to look forward to. How can you have an after-life if you have no life?
If we spend our whole lives preparring for our after-life, we have no life at all. Therefore no after-life to look forward to. How can you have an after-life if you have no life?
Two points:
Hypocrisy is a matter so important that the most religious have
the burden to examine it the most.
Tolerance of those who oppose your beliefs is another burden
that needs as much attention by the most religious.
More than exhortation and yelling in evangelism those 2 points would
win more hearts and minds in a much quieter fashion.
Hypocrisy is a matter so important that the most religious have
the burden to examine it the most.
Tolerance of those who oppose your beliefs is another burden
that needs as much attention by the most religious.
More than exhortation and yelling in evangelism those 2 points would
win more hearts and minds in a much quieter fashion.
Message to religious folks:
Value life more than you value the oh so precious after-life. Look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself if you are sure that there is a heaven and that you will forsure go there when you die. Next, ask yourself where someone from Jerusalem or Egypt who happens to practice a different faith but is a good person nonetheless will end-up. Do you know forsure that the palce you think you're going is not the same place they might be going... Or maybe nobody goes anywhere. Maybe we stay here as ghosts, or are reincarnated as another person or a plant. Maybe our spirits become free from our bodies when we die and because spirits don't likely conform to the laws of physics, maybe we can travel freely in space. Go where we want. Find answers to the universe.
Who really knows. All we know is we're here now and we have what we can see and feel that's about all. Why not make the most of what we have NOW and take things as they come. Stop wasting your time trying to figure out what will happen when we die or when our loved ones die. Or if you do insist on spending time on this matter (as it is obviously an interesting topic) don't be so sure that you and your peers are correct. Be open to the notion that other groups might have some good ideas. You don't have to believe the same things but just don't let disagreements about something that we don't know the answer and probably never will cause such divisions that can't be debated. Each religion is so set in its ways, there's no room for debate, learning or advances. It is how it is and that's it. Sounds pretty childish and stubborn that it is that way.
We are all brothers and sister with the same fate. Let's not forget that or think that we each have some sort of different fantastic fate like living on a cloud or burning forever in a cave or coming back to life as your favorite bird or marine mammal. We all live we all die, after that who knows. The most probable is that whatever happens to us happens to us all. We're really not that different from one another.
Value life more than you value the oh so precious after-life. Look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself if you are sure that there is a heaven and that you will forsure go there when you die. Next, ask yourself where someone from Jerusalem or Egypt who happens to practice a different faith but is a good person nonetheless will end-up. Do you know forsure that the palce you think you're going is not the same place they might be going... Or maybe nobody goes anywhere. Maybe we stay here as ghosts, or are reincarnated as another person or a plant. Maybe our spirits become free from our bodies when we die and because spirits don't likely conform to the laws of physics, maybe we can travel freely in space. Go where we want. Find answers to the universe.
Who really knows. All we know is we're here now and we have what we can see and feel that's about all. Why not make the most of what we have NOW and take things as they come. Stop wasting your time trying to figure out what will happen when we die or when our loved ones die. Or if you do insist on spending time on this matter (as it is obviously an interesting topic) don't be so sure that you and your peers are correct. Be open to the notion that other groups might have some good ideas. You don't have to believe the same things but just don't let disagreements about something that we don't know the answer and probably never will cause such divisions that can't be debated. Each religion is so set in its ways, there's no room for debate, learning or advances. It is how it is and that's it. Sounds pretty childish and stubborn that it is that way.
We are all brothers and sister with the same fate. Let's not forget that or think that we each have some sort of different fantastic fate like living on a cloud or burning forever in a cave or coming back to life as your favorite bird or marine mammal. We all live we all die, after that who knows. The most probable is that whatever happens to us happens to us all. We're really not that different from one another.
The fundie and christian right forget the words of the bible.
Render unto God what is God's and render unto Ceasar what is Ceasar's. Even the bible preaches a seperation of church and state.
Render unto God what is God's and render unto Ceasar what is Ceasar's. Even the bible preaches a seperation of church and state.
Cool RomSpace Knight. Now if only we could somehow work that into George W.'s bedtime stories. Maybe he'd stop the cruisade.
How can you say religion has to be thrown out of the government equation, when it plays such a big role in peoples lives?
People live their lives on the docterine of religion, and make descisions and choices based on it.
How can such a prevelant force in society be ignored in government...
People live their lives on the docterine of religion, and make descisions and choices based on it.
How can such a prevelant force in society be ignored in government...
If you're happy with god that's good for you. What particular religion do you want to run the government or how would you work the church into government. Give us a practicle working example of what you want.
Which religion? The religion of the majority? No hope for Afghanistan if that's the case, plus we helped over throw a legit goverment by your reckoning.
I believe that political decision making should be based on open discussion and facts. It should focus on both local and global prosperity (mainly global). Religion is one of those non-disputable things that isn't based on solid facts. People are set in their views and really, people's religious beliefs shouldn't even affect everyday global life. They are based on historical events that have divided us as a race. We need to move past these long-term grudges and look to our common future as a planetary race.
If we insist on staying divided by religion, we should at least allow the political system to function without the constant burden of religious disagreement.
If we insist on staying divided by religion, we should at least allow the political system to function without the constant burden of religious disagreement.
No, I didn't mean it like that.
But on certain issues, religion has to come into the equation. For 85% of Canadians (amount of people affiliated with a religion in Canada), religion is probably the biggest, or Top 5, force in peoples lives.
Many issues effect religion, and it touches people so closely and its so personal.
I don't mean dictate a gov. on religion, but religion comes into a play ALOT in society...
Edit: Ok, many people in politics are religious. Lots of people. So what do you say to Christians in the House of Commons, when it comes to issues like abortion, same-sex marriage, and religious-close issues.
Are you saying elected people, can't vote on something based on their religious values, even though it could be the biggest force in their lives?
That to me is the troubling issue. Do you say a MP can't vote on a issue, based on his religious values?
Many religious MPs comed from religious ridings... and another thing is, people who are religious usually lean to the Conservative party.
But on certain issues, religion has to come into the equation. For 85% of Canadians (amount of people affiliated with a religion in Canada), religion is probably the biggest, or Top 5, force in peoples lives.
Many issues effect religion, and it touches people so closely and its so personal.
I don't mean dictate a gov. on religion, but religion comes into a play ALOT in society...
Edit: Ok, many people in politics are religious. Lots of people. So what do you say to Christians in the House of Commons, when it comes to issues like abortion, same-sex marriage, and religious-close issues.
Are you saying elected people, can't vote on something based on their religious values, even though it could be the biggest force in their lives?
That to me is the troubling issue. Do you say a MP can't vote on a issue, based on his religious values?
Many religious MPs comed from religious ridings... and another thing is, people who are religious usually lean to the Conservative party.
Actually, America has a lower rate of unemployment than Canada and almost every European nation, from what I've read.
In their personal lives maybe, but I would suspect most of them would put the economy and the environment over religion in society.
Yep, how come there is so much work for Mexicans? Besides that I don't believe a gov. should act like a nanny-state and provide every little thing to their citizens. Which happens in Western European nations. And is not working out to well for them...
A person's personal life is usually regarded higher then their public life.. or maybe thats a wacky crazed thought...
I personally can't think of one political issue that would be better served by bringing religion into the equation. If you can I would like to hear about it.
As for abortion and same-sex marriage: How could someone else's decision on either of those issues affect a person of faith. If they think that the person is going to hell for their decision so be it. The person making the decision obviously does not have the same view or they would not be making that decision. So if the person of faith thinks that allowing abortion or same-sex marriage in society is wrong, they are imposing their views on others. Like I mentioned in my last post I think that if people insist on having a religion, they should not impose their views on others. It should be more of a private thing. By not imposing religious views on others, I believe that politics would be better served. Issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage should be voted on like anyother issue, yes. But getting back to the fact that religion should not influence political decision making, these issues should not be so controvercial. They should be thought of logically (as political issues) rather than as sins or religious issues.
In the big picture of our world these issues should be non-issues and we should focus on more pressing issues that affect the health and well-being of all of us.
How can such a prevalent force in society present itself as a singular body of knowledge with divine authority?