I view the burn-in-hell scenario as a type of motivator to keep followers of the religion in line with the belief system of that religion. Believe or you're going some place bad when you die. Behave and you'll be fine.
Personally, I don't know what the afterlife holds, but if there is indeed a creator, I'd at least like to hope that the determination of where you go would depend on how you acted when you weren't given a "do good or burn" ultimatum, so I just do what I think is best and try to limit the negative impact I have on others lives.
In Catholic school, one of the teachers told me that I was going to go to hell. So I think that might have been when I gave up and accepted my damnation XD
If I had to sum this one up pretty quick, it's like this.
People created religion. People are fucking stupid. People use whatever they can to fuck over their fellow man.
God created the human soul. The human soul spawns faith in something higher. That faith in something, anything, good and higher is perfect once you take religion out of it.
There are two types of religion -- those motivated by control, and those motivated by love. Unfortunately, most churches are motivated by control (they want to control the things you and everyone else does, and if they can't, obviously you're going to Hell)-- it is sick religion. There are other options that don't typically pander to hellfire and brimstone speeches: those motivated by love. You may want to consider them if you are looking at joining a church.
Just because most other "Christians" act like anything but Christians doesn't mean you yourself cannot.
No matter what the speeches are aboutj_e_r_e_m_yFebruary 26 2006, 04:00:18 UTC
Even if the speeches are about love, this still doesn't change the basic belief that your soul does not find a “happy place” if you don’t believe in the God of that particular religion. While I'm not looking for a church of any flavor, I am looking to figure out what well over half the population of the planet finds in their religious practices. I’m at peace with my beliefs on God & the afterlife, I’m just hoping to understand how over half the planet can be at peace with theirs.
I think that everyone would agree with your 70 / 30 split....and most believe they are part of the 30. Few like to think of themselves as evil and many murderers were good fathers and kissed their moms on mother's day
( ... )
As to what people FIND in their religion....deadthomasFebruary 27 2006, 06:50:50 UTC
Other than acceptance, forgiveness, companionship, community, respect from society, shared morality, shared beliefs, comfort in sorrow, comfort in death, and acceptance of the inevitable.....
Well, not much really
It's a vehicle which gives us explanations for that which we do not understand and hope when facing that which we fear most. Regardless of flavor or creed, to my knowledge they all contain this message.
At the end of this, I'm going to insist on hearing your opinion, Mr. Bachelor's in Philosophy.
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Personally, I don't know what the afterlife holds, but if there is indeed a creator, I'd at least like to hope that the determination of where you go would depend on how you acted when you weren't given a "do good or burn" ultimatum, so I just do what I think is best and try to limit the negative impact I have on others lives.
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In Catholic school, one of the teachers told me that I was going to go to hell. So I think that might have been when I gave up and accepted my damnation XD
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People created religion.
People are fucking stupid.
People use whatever they can to fuck over their fellow man.
God created the human soul.
The human soul spawns faith in something higher.
That faith in something, anything, good and higher is perfect once you take religion out of it.
Reply
Just because most other "Christians" act like anything but Christians doesn't mean you yourself cannot.
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Well, not much really
It's a vehicle which gives us explanations for that which we do not understand and hope when facing that which we fear most. Regardless of flavor or creed, to my knowledge they all contain this message.
At the end of this, I'm going to insist on hearing your opinion, Mr. Bachelor's in Philosophy.
=)
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