Religion

[elizabethswan_]

For someone who's searched deep down for faith, I can honestly say I am in envy of people who understand it and accept it. I wish I could console myself with a notion of an afterlife and heaven or hell.

What sparked this topic is the following video:

Click to view

I was discussing it with a friend of mine and we both interpreted the general message of the

Comments

[starhawk2005]

I'm not really a fan of
religion, since it tends to divide people, and encourages xenophobia.
Spirituality, on the other hand? Different story. Spirituality connects people.

[elizabethswan_]

Very true. I am an agnostic personally.

[athousandsmiles]

I wouldn't say I'm religious, more spiritual. But my faith is deep. I've studied scripture (the Bible) extensively, and I believe it, even if I don't understand it all. But I do believe God is working in my life and that he brings people and events into my life for a reason. I've seen it happen

[elizabethswan_]

Hey,

Sorry I didn't get to this earlier. I wanted to write a reply to these discussion posts when I have a fresh mind (i.e. I just got up lol).

You are right and I have nothing against religious people. My parents were also very religious but they never really put any strict rules as far as religion went.

I don't think it's a good idea to teach children that God/religion is some sort of security blanket, 'cause bad stuff happens even to the most devout and faithful believers.

But on the other hand, I think having faith in God helps people get through the crap of life. It has for me. So in that sense, there is some security in that, knowing that there is someone out there giving you strength when you need it.I meant the phrase "security blanket" as a metaphor for feeling safe and letting religion give us that sense of innate strength. You know, that thought that something is after this? That we will be punished or rewarded. I think the concept of an afterlife dictates how we live our lives. That can be both a good thing

[athousandsmiles]

I'm never offended by respectful debate, and you are always respectful

[chisels]

Well, as you know I'm a Catholic but I don't agree with everything about it. I don't believe that everything in the Bible happened (the Genesis creation thingy was a metaphor according to my Theology professor - but that's also another thing), but it's a really good piece of literature (I actually love how Jesus' sacrifice holds a lot of meaning, I mean after my Theo class, I learned a lot, looking back from now). And I'm not sure of everything but I do know that it's much easier to go through life believing that there is a God

[deej]

that video is incredible. i really, really want to research that whole idea of the sun being the original religious concept.

i'm agnostic i suppose... but anyway, if i'd seen that segment 12 years ago i think i would have spent a lot less time selfishly agonising over my views on christianity, and a lot more time learning about faith in general.

wow.