Religious Debates

[Markus]

Just to see about cleaning things up a bit elsewhere, if you want to discuss religion, this is a great place. Again, however, keep the flaming to a minimum please. There are a multitude of views to be held, so I'm not going to go into them.

I'm not really going to start off, cause the only opinions I hold are personal, and will in no way convince others, let alone be shared by someone else. But there is one pertinent question that will be.... quite effective at opening this thread: What do you believe and why?

 

[Phil]

I'm going to make this quick and simple.

Religious Debates are stupid and pointless. No one wins and they only bring up fighting.

 

[Matt]

Jebus saved mohammad from grisna!!!


Lolz

 

[Jaqen H'ghar]

It's like this. Jesus saves. Allah forgives. Cthulhu thinks you'd make a tasty sandwich.

/thread.

 

[Matt]

Ok, as funny as I am this thread should try and be on topic.

 

[Ser Gregor]

It's like this. Jesus saves. Allah forgives. Cthulhu thinks you'd make a tasty sandwich.

/thread.

/thread indeed, my good sir.

 

[Phil]

What does "/Thread" mean? I don't speak whatever language it is that pronounces it like that.

 

[Ser Gregor]

What does "/Thread" mean? I don't speak whatever language it is that pronounces it like that.

/thread means the thread is done. Basically 'end thread'.

 

[Viggy]

I believe in Heathenry, aka Norse Paganism. I originally committed my faith to this because its nature simply seemed to suit me, on a shallow level. But as I looked further and further into it I found that it provided me with a great outlook on life, helped me to understand the world a bit better, and gave me a source of strength whenever I was dispirited.

 

[Cailst]

What's the advantage of that mythology over any other mythology like the Greeks or Egyptians or Aztecs or Celts or what ever tribe used to live where you do now?

 

[Regret]

What does "/Thread" mean? I don't speak whatever language it is that pronounces it like that.

It's actually supposed to be [/thread because the [/] ends code like bb code. /thread is just the short version

 

[Viggy]

What's the advantage of that mythology over any other mythology like the Greeks or Egyptians or Aztecs or Celts or what ever tribe used to live where you do now?

The gods, stories, and respected values of the religion simply appeal to me. If I was going to choose a mythology from where I live now, I would be following an Aboriginal faith, I guess. But I have Scandinavian blood in me so Norse Paganism is still somewhat fitting in that respect.

 

[Jaqen H'ghar]

I believe in Heathenry, aka Norse Paganism. I originally committed my faith to this because its nature simply seemed to suit me, on a shallow level. But as I looked further and further into it I found that it provided me with a great outlook on life, helped me to understand the world a bit better, and gave me a source of strength whenever I was dispirited.

What's the advantage of that mythology over any other mythology like the Greeks or Egyptians or Aztecs or Celts or what ever tribe used to live where you do now?

My problem with polytheism is this: If you believe in one pantheon of gods and it's mythology, the fact that theres multiple of these supreme beings means theres a chance for you to be wrong about which pantheon exists, or even more so that the idea may come across as that they all exist. It kind of makes the point in serving just these groups pointless, and if you don't serve them why take the time to revere them in your life? What good does it do you personally?

On the other side I do however like the fact that at least in paganism the gods have human qualities AND they admit it unlike the obstenant christians who feel their god is perfect and most deffinatly not capable of things like greed or jealousy or...oh wait it does say god is a jealous god doesn't it?...but then isn't that a sin? which would then be hypocrisy... and egotism...which also relates to pride which is a DEADLY sin...4 sins you say? my oh my what have we here? :CHappy:

Perfection is subjective. Order is subjective. Good and Evil are subjective. The only thing that is not subjective is chaos but then theres no good in following that as you'll likely end up dead. Thus why I think that I should be the one to decide whats right for me, not some being that may or may not exist and if he does has some seriously bad faults in my opinion...which ironically enough is also subjective.

The irony with that is that makes me one selfish person...however if I truly want what's best for me I'd want a good environment and nice fun people to surround myself in, which means I would have to take care of my envoronment clean it up a bit and help the people I'm around to better themselves. Oh I'm doing it for myself though, I don't want to put up with trash everywhere and no forrests, I enjoy forests and no one likes trash around them at least I don't. Nor do I want to put up with people who depress me or bore me, so I should either find new people (harder to do than you'd think) or help those who will allow it. Somehow selfish doesn't seem all that bad all of a sudden...

 

[Ser Gregor]

Prove me wrong.

 

[Regret]

Prove me wrong.

God does not exist -> the bible is a lie > how do we know the bible is a lie -> God does not exist.

 

[Nalana]

I'm Catholic.

 

[Viggy]

My problem with polytheism is this: If you believe in one pantheon of gods and it's mythology, the fact that theres multiple of these supreme beings means theres a chance for you to be wrong about which pantheon exists, or even more so that the idea may come across as that they all exist. It kind of makes the point in serving just these groups pointless, and if you don't serve them why take the time to revere them in your life? What good does it do you personally?

My gods aren't supreme beings, just higher beings. They are of other worlds, their spirit is more powerful then any human spirit. Some of the beings I hold in reverence aren't even gods, merely servants of the gods. Not only do my gods have human qualities (as you say later in your post), but they are also mortal. Immortality would suggest perfection, which I don't believe in.

Logically, there is a chance of being 'wrong' in any religion. A chance that other religions are the correct answer. That's why it's called faith.

I don't revere only the gods - I also revere their servants, which includes human spirits. But moving on to your question - how does it benefit me? Well, it benefits me in numerous ways, depending on the god, goddess or other being of another world. It also depends on what exactly you define as 'reverence', and how you go about it.

As an example, I hold Thor in reverence by reading the stories about him and admiring his best traits, and by seeking to imitate these traits. A simpler way to revere Thor is wearing the Mjolnir pendant (which also gives me his protection from evil), and even just thinking about him when I see a thunderstorm. Now, as to how this benefits me? By seeing the good qualities he embodies in the tales involving him and doing my best to represent them myself, I better myself. At the same time, I learn that not even the highest of beings are perfect, by recognizing Thor's weaknesses and seeing how they trouble him in the stories. I am also guarded from evil by wearing the Mjolnir, as I said before.

Perfection is subjective. Order is subjective. Good and Evil are subjective. The only thing that is not subjective is chaos but then theres no good in following that as you'll likely end up dead. Thus why I think that I should be the one to decide whats right for me, not some being that may or may not exist and if he does has some seriously bad faults in my opinion...which ironically enough is also subjective.

I decide what's right for me as well. But to help me discern right from wrong and learn other lessons that will help me make the right choices, I turn to the stories about the gods. There is a lot I can learn there, and faith in the gods, especiallythose ones that I will be serving when my spirit leaves this world, provides me with a spiritual stability in this world.

The irony with that is that makes me one selfish person...however if I truly want what's best for me I'd want a good environment and nice fun people to surround myself in, which means I would have to take care of my envoronment clean it up a bit and help the people I'm around to better themselves. Oh I'm doing it for myself though, I don't want to put up with trash everywhere and no forrests, I enjoy forests and no one likes trash around them at least I don't. Nor do I want to put up with people who depress me or bore me, so I should either find new people (harder to do than you'd think) or help those who will allow it. Somehow selfish doesn't seem all that bad all of a sudden...

I agree with you, in part. But selfishness can also lead to dishonourable things like theft, exploitation and betrayal. Unity and honour are better then selfishness and dishonour. You shouldn't destroy the forest, because it is not yours to destroy. You shouldn't make the world filthy, because it is not yours to corrupt. Selfishness, with some values, can work... But being good and honourable just for the sake of itself has less chance of leading you into wickedness.

EDIT:

I'm Catholic.

You missed the second part of the question.

But there is one pertinent question that will be.... quite effective at opening this thread: What do you believe and why?

 

[Nalana]

Why? Because that's how I was brought up. I go to a Catholic school, and I've learned about other religions, so I'm not ignorant, but I still believe in my religion. I'm not like.. extremely religious or anything. I don't go to church every Sunday and I sin a hell of a lot more than I should. So I'm not some crazy fanatic or anything and don't shove my beliefs down your throat. I believe what I believe, you believe what you want to believe.

 

[Johnnysaurus Rex]

I'm Catholic.

This.

I have been that way out of habit for most of my life and when it came to a time that I began to question the existence of God I was going through some bad shit. May I share some things and tell you said revelation was two months ago. I began to disbelieve the existence of God and any religion at all but then I found something else. It is no doubt that this place is a sh**hole and there is no more fitting word and then I began believing again. Why? Hope. A belief in the after life and took look at everything that is going on and to be able to believe, "Well when it is over there will be something better." The thought of some day being reuinited with my loved ones who have watched over me and to be in their arms again is something I just can't refuse or ever will.

 

[Viggy]

Why? Because that's how I was brought up. I go to a Catholic school, and I've learned about other religions, so I'm not ignorant, but I still believe in my religion. I'm not like.. extremely religious or anything. I don't go to church every Sunday and I sin a hell of a lot more than I should. So I'm not some crazy fanatic or anything and don't shove my beliefs down your throat. I believe what I believe, you believe what you want to believe.

I go to a Catholic school too, but when I got old enough to actually have my own thoughts about religion I realized that the Church's teaching didn't work for me. Eventually I left Christianity altogether, went agnostic for a while as I researched everything from Buddhism to Scientology. I found Heathenry attracted my interest and agreement more then anything else, so here I am now.

Anyway, I'm glad you're not ignorant or fanatical. And I respect your strong faith in your own beliefs, as well as your willingness to let others have theirs.