Religious/Philosophical discussion, your thoughts Options

[TetraGrammaton C...]

this thread was inspired by the atheist video thread

we have not had one of these in a while. i thought it would be interesting if people wanted to have an ungoing discussion about what beliefs/morals/religious ideas/scruples they have and why they have them.

i will try to interject myself as a catalyst when i have time.

i would ask that no one is too inconsiderate of other people's ideas. however, i do not think their is anything wrong with light humor or logical criticism.



as for religious trends, it seems that our generation is having difficulties with Christianity, ranging from "I'm spiritual, not religious" to the casual "Christian" that does not really believe in Jesus, but believes in the Christian god. I have met several people who treat religion like a buffet, picking and choosing which particular characteristics of the ethos that seem most suitable. this seems to be indicative of a deterioration of religion in general, as if what was once considered dogmatic is now flexible and relative. aside from the particular personal relevance to our own lives, there also exists a greater societal relevance. what will change in our country if we are on a religious downslope? can religion die out or is it cyclical? who will win flying shark vs. flying crocodile? what about a flying spaghetti monster? does it come with breadsticks? when was the last time you ate at olive garden? etc. etc.

[chook]

I am a subpar Catholic. I was raised by staunch catholics, and would of abandoned the faith if not for intelligent Religious figures I've met. Natural Law (minus or plus religion) is a really good philosophy.

Do good, avoid evil.

[FORSAKENR320]

I am a subpar Catholic. I was raised by staunch catholics, and would of abandoned the faith if not for intelligent Religious figures I've met. Natural Law (minus or plus religion) is a really good philosophy.

Do good, avoid evil.

i'm actually truelly curious about this:: does catholicism have any strong views about interracial relationships? or is it just the close-minded people that tend to speak their mind the most that make it seem that way? and if catholicism DOES have anti-interracial views, how does it feel to know you are going to burn in hell for having yellow fever?




i believe in a god. i do not believe in jesus, or in particular the "christian" god. i believe that there is a supreme being out there who made us for his own amusement, and who judges us based on what we do in life to either go to "hell" or heaven" i don't believe that this god-figure will step in, help out, answer prayers, or anything like that. he made the world the way he wanted it, and now he sits back and watches. there is no reason to pray, he doesn't care. there is no reason to worship, he's so omnipotent he doesn't care if you even acknowledge him. but he will be there at the end, and if you're a good person, you're in the VIP section, if not, you go somewhered less pleasant. it is said that "man was made after god's own likeness" to me that doesn't mean we look like god, it means that unlike any other animal on earth, mentally we are like god. in which case, i believe that god is very capable of having a sadistic sense of humor, and both a good and evil streak every now and then.