A few facts.

[CincyJim]

1) ALL we have facts on, or compelling fact based reason(s) for, are real (by definition). I cannot think of a single thing we have fact(s) on, or compelling fact based reason(s) for, that is accepted as not real, false, metaphysical, just a thought. Nothing.

2) ALL religions are faith based, not fact based, by definition. Faith is not fact.

3) The available facts dictate that when we die we no longer exist. Not in heaven, not in hell, not in purgatory. In every factual way we cease to be.

4) Religions teach hate and fear. Hate those not as you (believing in your religion) as they are the Devil incarnate. Fear death as you may go to hell and live in the hereafter and suffer for all of eternity. Fear everything religion does not approve of for the devil is lurking everywhere seeking the souls of the unbelievers/hypocrites.

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CincyJim

[Silver]

Originally Posted by CincyJim

4) Religions teach hate and fear. Hate those not as you (believing in your religion) as they are the Devil incarnate. Fear death as you may go to hell and live in the hereafter and suffer for all of eternity. Fear everything religion does not approve of for the devil is lurking everywhere seeking the souls of the unbelievers/hypocrites.

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CincyJim

We are of two minds my friend. It would take me far to long to point out exactly why 'fact' disagrees with me so I'll go straight to your fourth point as quoted above.

Most larger scale religions do not teach hate and intolerance. No, those are held by individuals and groups who have misinterpreted something along the way. It is valid that some religions teach fear through lessons such as that a person's actions may give them a rather bleak fate, but then even without these lessons a person's actions do carry consequences. You punch enough people, someone is gonna punch you back. Or worse. You treat everyone well and there's every chance many will treat you well.

The devil being the cause of evil? Most often the devil nowadays is just a scapegoat for committing crimes and 'evil' actions. Not the best excuse, but one some will buy nonetheless.

[Cunnning Stunts]

You ever notice how in a lot of cases, Atheists (or whatever the **** you are, I really could care less) talk about God more than Religious people do?

You may not care for religion. you probably despise it. But, I don't like Brussel Sprouts. Do I feel the need to make threads about it, trying to preach my beliefs to others? Nope

That's all I really had to say.

[Frank_White]

Agreed. Do we really need another topic that's just going to get bloated with spammy, self-rightious retards preaching their beliefs, festering with ignorance and stupidity?

Jesus. Some Forums consider this shit baiting.

[Pete]

It is baiting, and should be closed.

At the same time, I'm still waiting for it to be proven that God does not exist. Give me some mathematical formula. Oh, and by the way, you're a lot more fanatical about pushing atheism on us than anyone is on pushing their particular religion on you.


1. It's all a matter of belief. Faith is the acceptance and taking of certain ideas as fact. To Christians, Christ was real. Christians believe in Heaven, Purgatory and Hell. Jews believe in something similar. Hindus believe in reincarnation. Buddhists believe something similar To atheists, the following must therefore make sense, no?

"Atheism is the belief that there was nothing, and nothing happened to nothing and then nothing magically exploded for no reason, creating everything, and then a bunch of everything magically rearranged itself for no reason whatsoever into self- replicating bits which then turned into dinosaurs."

2. See #1

3. See #1.

4. See #1, but also below.

I'm glad you know how to skim the contexts of probably the most right-wing extremist religions, finding examples of only the most hardcore members. Religion often mentions evil and a devil character as context for what is right and wrong, to help to provide a moral compass for people. For some, it is easy to follow the rules laid out, a la the Ten Commandments. For others, they may find themselves getting mixed up along the way, and may need guidance. In fact, religious books are often read for comfort in troubling times.

Nowhere in the Bible does it mention rock music, yet it has been called the devil's music. Is it evil? No. Religion, is however used at times to explain what seems to be unnatural, or for things that you cannot scientifically prove. Take for instance miracles in the Catholic Church. Lourdes is a primary example.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miracle...he_apparitions

http://student.bmj.com/issues/02/02/life/33.php

Religion does not teach hate. The idea that you get about religion must come from the extremists, who make the average members look bad by giving them a bad name. The psychotic Christians in the midwest, who protest soldier's funerals (blaming their death's on God hating homosexuals) ARE NOT following what the Bible or any other text teaches. They are taking one line and reading far too into it. In fact, there are two distinct lines in the Bible, which would go on to even disprove the crazies. I'll paraphrase here, because there's a laundry list of quotes from the holy books from major faiths.

"Treat others as you wish to be treated."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethic_o...y#Christianity

There is also the BELIEF (yes, faith based, oh my!) that humans are created in God's image. If God is perfect, then humans are therefore perfect as they are; which would mean that homosexuals would be perfect in God's image, because God wouldn't **** up, would he?

[Cain Highwind]

Originally Posted by Pete

It is baiting, and should be closed.

I agree, and done.

I can't possibly see any reason for discussion. I was hoping to wait for a response from Cincy Jim to see if there was going to be any direction for this thread. But it seems he/she just posted in this thread to ignite.