No, not now any way.

I firmly believe in God, Jesus and Heaven.

scandalousalan said:

It's unfortunate that so many people believe in god. Religion causes so much death. People like to pin their hopes on a superior being salvaging their soul.

Here we go again...

No one in my life knows how much i really think about it.. I also think it's weird that people aren't afraid of it.. I truly TRULY believe in God and have faith that I'm going to heaven, but i still can't shake being scared of death.. I don't know why...

scandalousalan said:

paniuroczy said:

scandalousalan said:

It's unfortunate that so many people believe in god. Religion causes so much death. People like to pin their hopes on a superior being salvaging their soul.

Religion doesn't cause death, people cause death. The people who say that are only looking at the surface yet don't realize that above all of the animals in the animal kingdom, it's humans who are most vicious and destructive. We only don't realize that because of civilization. Underneath it all, religion or not, people will always find a reason to divide, to hate, to kill, to destroy. Religion can be used as a tool for people with bad intentions to justify or create many bad things, but if you think about it everything that is meant for good can easily become a terrible thing in dark hands. Religion has inspired not only bad, but also a lot of good in this world. Only when there are absolutely 100% no differences in this world (no different personalities, colors, race, nationalities, gender, styles, ideas, opinions, etc etc, then there will be no death as you imagine. But what would be of this world if there were no differences? That's what makes life beautiful, and that's what makes life ugly, and that's what makes life.. life. [Edited 7/18/11 14:34pm]

I accept humans are vicious by nature, but its also true that by nature many of them need to believe in something like "a God" in order to answer what ultimately will always remain un-answerable: :What happens when we die?" I don't mind open mindedness but when people say things like "i firmly believe in God", or " i have no doubt in my mind that i will be going to heaven when i die" i find it stupid. Of course people are different, but i can only judge things on my experience in life so far. And from my experience, the negatives outweigh the positives when it comes to religion. Just my pov

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_sex_abuse_cases

Just a drop in the ocean of what "people of faith" are capable of. Diversity is fine, but if people are using their "religious" status as a way of satisfying their evil urges then this case alone is enough for me to disagree with all that religion stands for. Times are changing and people need to distance themselves from this archaic way of thinking. Find some other way of dealing with death.

No, I see it as inevitable, the natural way of things.

we all know that one day it will happen, i would like to be with a loved one when i go.

The thought of being alone and sad scares me a little...time to go and give my kids a hug right now me thinks

paniuroczy said:

Your point of view is fine but your logic is flawed. Yes, humans by nature need somethug to believe in but religion or God is just one thing, people need to believe in life, in themselves, in other people, family, friends, their futures, their careers, their countries, their history, nature, the Universe, education, children, etc. People look for answers in many different ways and I don't see how believing in God is so bad or means that someone is weak like some people say. it's not about 'dealing with death,' that's stupid. There are people that go to religion while dealing with death (which is none of your or my business anyways), but it's what people genuinely believe in. It may be stupid to you but we all believe in something and just because it's not proven doesn't mean it's not there. I would hate to be one of those people who only believe in what they see. Humans think they're so smart but in truth we don't know anything so I laugh at people who get on their high horse just because someone believes in something that they don't understand. Anyways, this is not about diversity, diversity is a part of life that you never get rid of. According to your way of thinking, when you say that people use their religious status for satisfying their evil urges, we should also get rid of technology, education, sex, money, media, power, and many other things that I'm not gonna bother to rant about because all of those things [and more] are used to satisfy evil urges too. What can we do about it? Stop your damn complaining because people will always believe in things you don't like and you can't get rid of it. All you can do is deal and surround yourself with like-minded people and deal with life as you go through it.

With all due respect. I am not complaining, just stating my views as you are. Before you go off on a big rant listen to what i am saying. I NEVER said, i am imagining a world free from death, I never said people should believe in what they only see. I never claimed to know the answers. The original point i was trying to make was that i struggle to see how people can categorically say without a single shred of doubt that they know god exists. To me that is baffling. I am open to the idea of a god, or supreme entity just as i am to the possibility of worm holes in outer space, Aliens, poltergeists. All those things are not proven, yet people obviously believe that they may or may not exist. You seem to be drawing your own assumptions on "my way of thinking". True, evil works in many ways. For me tho, i question what religion has really done for the greater good in recent times. If you could point a few things out to me that trumps the catholic paedophile cover ups, which the Vatican handled well i may add. The pope covering it up is sickening. Ok i take your point that we can't stop evil, it just happens, i know this. As for the vow of celibacy when we are on the subject of human nature. What is that all about??, You make your point clear that we cannot change humans primal characteristics yet catholicism contradicts it.

Of course you will argue that child abuse just happens period.Yet the vatican works hard at burying their heads in the sand when it comes to exposing the truth and ugly details of it all. Sure we are talking a minority here. Although as i say with this case alone. I cannot take people seriously who worship all that the church stands for when the flagship is denying facts of criminal injustice.

scandalousalan said:

paniuroczy said:

scandalousalan said:

I'm sorry if I came off a certain way, I've been cranky and sick for the past few days and I apologize. I also didn't claim that you said all those things, and I'm sorry for the misunderstanding. There's nothing wrong with believing with no doubts. In fact, it's good sometimes tohave no doubts. What's the point of that? While I think we should all question things like our beliefs, I don't see why someone should have doubts. It's not necessary. There's a difference between having doubts and acknowledging different possibilities. Even if people don't question or acknowledge different possibilities, as long as the person doesn't bother anyone then I have no problem. I'm just saying, if your main problem with religion is the fact that it is used to 'satisfy evil urges,' then there are many things to get rid of also. Religion has inspired a lot of good in people even in recent times. I know good family friends of mine.. They're a couple that lives in Egypt, they're very wealthy and very religious Muslims. They have built over 300 homes for homeless people just because they felt it was their duty as Muslims. Look at Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King Jr, Malcom X, Ghandi, etc, all inspired by their religions. I understand your problem with Catholocism.. I mean, it's not the religion itself that I have a problem with, it's the people that create and control the system and ignore all the wrongings by their priests. They force their priests to be celibate which is very problematic because there are priests that can't control their sexual urges and turn to little children as a way for release. In my opinion, the problem has more to do with the system than the religion. Then again, I don't know for sure, I'm no expert.

Hey, don't apologise, no need to ..Its all good. I was a bit sweeping with my first statement so its cool. Its no black and white issue and it is an ageless debate. Religion i mean. Personally it bores me to tears actually, so im surprising myself even now talking about it. Although i feel you have made interesting and valid points. So i think we should just leave it in the air where a topic like this belongs.

RodeoSchro said:

No, not now any way.

I firmly believe in God, Jesus and Heaven.

Me 2

and 4 some ppl out there i am also glad i believe in hel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

scandalousalan said:

No, death doesn't scare me.

To each her/his own on what one believes are doesn't...

A suggestion on the subject of Faith or the lack thereof, everyone has the right to express whatever you want but to scorn others for what they believe or don't believe, is out of line. (IMO)

then maybe we can avoid "here we go again" post on this specific subject.

TD3 said:

No, death doesn't scare me.

To each her/his own on what one believes are doesn't...

A suggestion on the subject of Faith or the lack thereof, everyone has the right to express whatever you want but to scorn others for what they believe or don't believe, is out of line. (IMO)

then maybe we can avoid "here we go again" post on this specific subject.

what is the "here we go again" post?