Do you believe in God?

[Nella]

I do. Definitely. Without Him, I couldn't have made it this far. I was raised Christian yet I don't attend church any longer. I still have my faith.

[novakru]

Completely.
I do not, however, believe in Religion.

[Dahlia]

Absolutely, but I view religions as many ways to the same end.

[Elvis_Christ]

Gave up on imaginary friends when I turned four.

[Posher778]

I believe in God. I also believe in Jesus, and most of the christian belief. However.... Being raised southern baptist, religion..... Not so much.

[neverending]

At my grumpy age I'm sceptical of nearly everything, but my sympathies lie with the pagans.

[Doc Faustus]

I'm pretty Gnostic in my beliefs. I believe in wisdom over chaos and that the image of God has done a lot of harm to mankind and cannot be God.

[The Flayed One]

You mean Lemmy? Well, of course!

On a more serious note, I don't. I have no real spirituality, unless you consider forms of humanism religion. I draw my faith from the things we create, the beauty of the art we manifest from our brains and the scientific breakthroughs we have.

I used to be a big douche to people with faith, simply because like a lot of those who believe can't understand my non-belief, I couldn't understand theirs. I've since become friends with a lot of intelligent religious folk who've really helped me warm up to the culture. It's still not for me, but I can see where you come from now. It's the same with atheists/agnostics as it is with all religious sects. Every group seems to have a handful of asshats that somehow get media exposure and make the rest of us look bad.

At the end of my religion bashing phase I was drinking with a buddy, and we arrived at the discussion of religion. When I asked him why he believed in a god, he simply replied, "because it feels good." That, to this day, is still my personal favorite explanation. I'll take it.

[Bub the Zombie]

Religion has been the single biggest cause of differences between fellow human beings.

So yeah, my belief is limited.

[Psycom5k]

Agnostic..................

[Freak]

There is no God and if there is,he hates us all.

[Psycom5k]

There is no God and if there is,he hates us all.

No just you. :)


JUST KIDDING JUST KIDDING JUST KIDDING JUST KIDDING JUST KIDDING JUST KIDDING

[Despare]

Yes I do

[Freak]

No just you. :)


JUST KIDDING JUST KIDDING JUST KIDDING JUST KIDDING JUST KIDDING JUST KIDDING

Good I hate him to.

[Nella]

Religion has been the single biggest cause of differences between fellow human beings.

So yeah, my belief is limited.

I understand where you're coming from. I just asked if you believe in God. I wasn't referring to a specific religion. But I have to disagree. Religion isn't the single cause of disagreements with others. What about politics, war, the evolution theory, racism, etc.? The Big Bang theory? I can probably come up with other subjects but I think these are enough to start on. I don't remember who it was but someone mentioned that it was easier to believe in God. Is it easier NOT to believe in a higher power?

If anyone feels uncomfortable with this topic of discussion, I will understand.

[hammerfan]

You betcha

[Vodstok]

I understand where you're coming from. I just asked if you believe in God. I wasn't referring to a specific religion. But I have to disagree. Religion isn't the single cause of disagreements with others. What about politics, war, the evolution theory, racism, etc.? The Big Bang theory? I can probably come up with other subjects but I think these are enough to start on. I don't remember who it was but someone mentioned that it was easier to believe in God. Is it easier NOT to believe in a higher power?

If anyone feels uncomfortable with this topic of discussion, I will understand.
Not agreeing is the biggest reason for people disagreeing. i know it sounds stupid, but that is what it is: people dont agree on things. There is the desire to believe certain things that we all hold onto with a death grip, and then there are preconcieved notions that we either develope or are taught.

I did a double take on your post because I misread what you were responding to and thought you were saying that the big bang theory and evolution were causing wars. Obviously you werent. :)

And it isnt easy to believe in a higher power. I have been attacked and generally gotten a lot fo shit for not just agreeing with people on this. A lot of people get pissed if you dont just agree with their viewpoint, and I think what people were getting at with saying religion is the cause of disagreements is that there have been some vicious wars and horrific acts done in the name of religion. Granted, they are perpetrated by the vocal few, but xenophobia doesnt require a lot of fuel, and most major religions at some point in their history have openly embraced an "us vs them" philosophy.

Sadly, a lot of athiests have taken the offensive and made their kind look like a bunch of zealous douchebags themselves. Granted there are a ton of religions that never did nothin' to nobody, but I think budism is the only "Major world religion" that didnt get that way by spilling a ton of blood along the way.

[AUSTIN316426808]

But I have to disagree. Religion isn't the single cause of disagreements with others.

He didn't say the single cause, he said single biggest cause.


And to answer the question, yes I do.

[urgeok2]

but I think budism is the only "Major world religion" that didnt get that way by spilling a ton of blood along the way.




thats because buddhism isn't really a religion in the sense that you mean.

[Vodstok]

thats because buddhism isn't really a religion in the sense that you mean.
I think I know what you are saying. You dont have to be exclusively buddhist, right? Like you are either christian or muslim, but you can be a muslim AND practice buddhism as well, right? Its more of a spiritual philosophy than a religion.

[La Chat Noire]

I think "Dogma" expresses my view on beliefs the best:

"Humanity took a good idea and, like always, built a belief structure on it...
I think it's better to have ideas. You can change an idea. Changing a belief is trickier. Life should malleable and progressive; working from idea to idea permits that. Beliefs anchor you to certain points and limit growth; new ideas can't generate. Life becomes stagnant."

I enjoy learning about other religions and their beliefs, but I don't embrace any single one. I do like to think their is a God out there though, and an afterlife. It makes me happier to think so.

[urgeok2]

Its more of a spiritual philosophy than a religion.


exactly...

and pretty much impossible to follow 100%

i think it's possible to be interested in buddhism and strive to follow some of what it attempts to teach .. but i laugh when people say they are buddhists ...

[Doc Faustus]

So would the Buddha, who basically stated himself that he was not to be worshipped and that Buddhism was only a means of philosophical conveyance.

[urgeok2]

So would the Buddha, who basically stated himself that he was not to be worshipped and that Buddhism was only a means of philosophical conveyance.


but like any form of belief ...people got involved, made rules for it and fucked it up - just like anything else that was started with good intentions.

[novakru]

......oops

[Ferox13]

God no but BOB yes!!!

http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/f/f7/Bobdobbs.jpg

[Dante'sInferno]

I believe in God.

[Vodstok]

but like any form of belief ...people got involved, made rules for it and fucked it up - just like anything else that was started with good intentions.
What i found disturbing was when i discovered there were militant buddhist cults. What the hell is that? Apparently the nerve gas attack in japan in the 90s was by a buddhist cult...

I mean, performing atrocities to get into heaven is pretty stupid, but doing it for inner peace? What?!

[Roderick Usher]

God, huh?

Which one?

[Vodstok]

God, huh?

Which one?
I think they are referring to the Judeo-Christian God.


Its funny calling your Deity "God" is like calling Earth "Planet" or the US as "Country", its ridiculously exclusionary.

[ferretchucker]

Simple answer to your question which leaves nothing open for discussion.



I think he's possible.

[Roderick Usher]

Simple answer to your question which leaves nothing open for discussion.



I think he's possible.

He? That right there opens up a rather interesting question. Don't you think a supreme being would be a little bit past gender labels?

And if you are going to use gender labels, why would anyone consider God to be anything but female?

Sure there are those silly illustrations of an old man with a white beard, but that is clearly just a personification based on a purely patriarchal system. If God is the creater who birthed the universe and all of existence, wouldn't a female personification be more apt?

[urgeok2]

He? That right there opens up a rather interesting question. Don't you think a supreme being would be a little bit past gender labels?

And if you are going to use gender labels, why would anyone consider God to be anything but female?

Sure there are those silly illustrations of an old man with a white beard, but that is clearly just a personification based on a purely patriarchal system. If God is the creater who birthed the universe and all of existence, wouldn't a female personification be more apt?


why would it be a gender at all ?

that would suggest that god could have a mate - sexual reproductive organs ?

i dont think god was ever a baby...

[Roderick Usher]

why would it be a gender at all ?

that would suggest that god could have a mate - sexual reproductive organs ?

i dont think god was ever a baby...

agreed, just stirring the pot a little

[urgeok2]

agreed, just stirring the pot a little

see, it always comes back to weed with you guys ...


... writers ...

[Roderick Usher]

see, it always comes back to weed with you guys ...


... writers ...

weed?


that's a great idea:D

[ferretchucker]

He? That right there opens up a rather interesting question. Don't you think a supreme being would be a little bit past gender labels?

And if you are going to use gender labels, why would anyone consider God to be anything but female?

Sure there are those silly illustrations of an old man with a white beard, but that is clearly just a personification based on a purely patriarchal system. If God is the creater who birthed the universe and all of existence, wouldn't a female personification be more apt?

Several reasons for my referring to God as a male.

1. The title of this thread suggests that it is meaning the Christian god, God. Not all types of god.

2. Because of this, and the fact the God is always referred to as a he in typical protestant and Catholic Christianity.

3. Well, they say God got Mary up the duff so, well. How many women can do that? But then, I suppose it is GOD

[Roderick Usher]

try Tarvu --a far more apealing deity to worship
http://tarvu.com/

[Nella]

He didn't say the single cause, he said single biggest cause.


And to answer the question, yes I do.

I understand. No one likes to have anything thrown in his or her face. I don't try to change anyone but at the same time, I will not change my opinion. ;) And I don't judge anyone. God is the only one who can judge and I also believe God is a male spirit. Have any of you heard the Lord's prayer? "Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name...."

This is just MY opinion...I don't want this thread to start a heated debate.

:p

[Vodstok]

This is just MY opinion...I don't want this thread to start a heated debate.

:p
Sure, lets throw abortion, gun control, veganism and rape into the mix and keep it nice and chill :D :p

[urgeok2]

Do you believe in god ?


but i dont want to start a heated debate.

isnt there a saying about religion and politics ?

[novakru]

...I don't want this thread to start a heated debate.

:p

Oh honey, don't worry.
Everything in here eventually turns into a heated debate:D


AND TO ADD FUEL:

Our Father----HALLOWED.

Anyone know what that means?
SACRED.

Say his SACRED NAME ....
And the name thing, oh baby we can spontaneously start a fire with that one, wooowee.


Anyway, for you new kids, the bible has been changed.... ALOT.

The Roman Catholics have added some books-isn't that adorable??
They made sure their masses didn't read as well, cause you know peasants and there moronic little brains, much too complicated for them to understand .
So they made it easy, took the choice outta their calloused hands-bless their little hearts.

King James version eliminated all the strong female roles to get rid of that pesky feminine nonsense and even helped downplay the books named AFTER females- nifty eh?

Oh I could go ON.

But I won't.
So Tired.

[urgeok2]

King James version eliminated all the strong female roles to get rid of that pesky feminine nonsense and even helped downplay the books named AFTER females- nifty eh?
.

who would do such a thing ? those loving men ?

[Dahlia]

Much was deleted. However, if you read the gnostic gospels, the main themes are the same and the details are what the old church wanted to hush.

[Leprucky Cougar]

Completely.
I do not, however, believe in Religion.

Same here. From 12-16 I thought I was an atheist because of how bad religion was stressed and brainwashed in my head that I begin to question the intentions and legitimacy from it. But after reading Siddhartha by Herman Hesse, some things about Confuscious and Daoism, I realized it was never that I didn't believe in God; it was religion itself that beffuddled and annoyed me. I don't attend church b/c I belive that's where most hippocrites are; but I own a bible, and I believe. Once I mastered that you indeed can be spiritual but not neccessarily religious, I understood better. What I hate is when people throw religion at your face and force--even want to implant and mandate it in your head.

[Doc Faustus]

Oh honey, don't worry.
Everything in here eventually turns into a heated debate:D


AND TO ADD FUEL:

Our Father----HALLOWED.

Anyone know what that means?
SACRED.

Say his SACRED NAME ....
And the name thing, oh baby we can spontaneously start a fire with that one, wooowee.


Anyway, for you new kids, the bible has been changed.... ALOT.

The Roman Catholics have added some books-isn't that adorable??
They made sure their masses didn't read as well, cause you know peasants and there moronic little brains, much too complicated for them to understand .
So they made it easy, took the choice outta their calloused hands-bless their little hearts.

King James version eliminated all the strong female roles to get rid of that pesky feminine nonsense and even helped downplay the books named AFTER females- nifty eh?

Oh I could go ON.

But I won't.
So Tired.
Let's not forget that they buried the Gnostic Gospels, thereby eliminating the feminine principal of God entirely.

[neverending]

Let's not forget that they buried the Gnostic Gospels, thereby eliminating the feminine principal of God entirely.

Well, not entirely... over in Western Europe pagans were deifying both the god and the goddess- and there were other belief systems across the world as well.

[The Flayed One]

I understand. No one likes to have anything thrown in his or her face. I don't try to change anyone but at the same time, I will not change my opinion.

Therein lies the most important part of the religious debate. Religion is fine, and it can be a wonderful thing. The sad part of it is is that most religions are tailored so that they have to be thrown in others faces.

Religion is like any other choice of lifestyle. It only becomes obnoxious when you make it so. Most religions have a decent set of ethics that anyone could adopt as their own. I couldn't care less what anyone believes as long as they respect other peoples beliefs.

Unfortunately, there are people willing to kill other people who don't believe in what they do. This doesn't just pertain to religion.

In short, every group of people, regardless of what they believe, has members who are assholes. This is why ELF firebombs Hummer dealerships, why religious sects kill each other and why vegans feel the need to annoy me by wearing cow suits and preaching while I'm trying to enjoy a steak dinner. I think in an ideal world it would be possible for those with faith to co-exist with those without, but until tolerance and education override personal stigma and paranoia it seems were doomed to live with idiots who can't seem to leave well enough alone.

[Elvis_Christ]

Well, not entirely... over in Western Europe pagans were deifying both the god and the goddess- and there were other belief systems across the world as well.

Yeh its pretty fucked up all the belief systems that would've been stomped out
by Christianity.

[Doc Faustus]

Well, not entirely... over in Western Europe pagans were deifying both the god and the goddess- and there were other belief systems across the world as well.

I meant from the Christian context.

[novakru]

...ELF firebombs Hummer dealerships...

You say that like it's wrong or bad:confused:

[Nella]

Therein lies the most important part of the religious debate. Religion is fine, and it can be a wonderful thing. The sad part of it is is that most religions are tailored so that they have to be thrown in others faces.

Religion is like any other choice of lifestyle. It only becomes obnoxious when you make it so. Most religions have a decent set of ethics that anyone could adopt as their own. I couldn't care less what anyone believes as long as they respect other peoples beliefs.

Unfortunately, there are people willing to kill other people who don't believe in what they do. This doesn't just pertain to religion.

In short, every group of people, regardless of what they believe, has members who are assholes. This is why ELF firebombs Hummer dealerships, why religious sects kill each other and why vegans feel the need to annoy me by wearing cow suits and preaching while I'm trying to enjoy a steak dinner. I think in an ideal world it would be possible for those with faith to co-exist with those without, but until tolerance and education override personal stigma and paranoia it seems were doomed to live with idiots who can't seem to leave well enough alone.

I don't know what happened here. I did not mean to "force my beliefs on anyone." What I don't understand about people is that they react in this fashion. Why did you type all that out? I don't WANT a debate. I started this thread out of curiosity, nothing more. ;)

Therein lies the most important part of the religious debate. Religion is fine, and it can be a wonderful thing. The sad part of it is is that most religions are tailored so that they have to be thrown in others faces.

This thread is about God, not any certain religion. :confused: And I have come in contact with Atheists, Catholics, Pagans, and Baptists, and so on. I don't care if you believe or not. Most of my friends are Catholic while I was raised in The Church of Christ. My parents would have a fit if I married someone from the Catholic faith. I'm 40 years old. I don't feel a need to explain myself to them. I am explaining this to you, Flayed, because I think you misunderstood my comments.

[The Flayed One]

I think you misunderstood me, Nella. I quoted you and was agreeing with what you said. Then I went off on a small tangent to which the thread had been semi sidetracked to.

Pretty much any religious thread, regardless of the nature of the OP, is going to turn into a debate be it friendly or heated. I was simply using your quote as a starting point to drive into the direction which I saw the thread inevitably heading.

I would most likely never say anything to which you would have to justify yourself unless you made a statement which is provably wrong.

Perhaps I should have taken the last sentence out of the quote. That may have eliminated the confusion of where I was going with this.

[Nella]

I'm good. ;) Hope you are.

[The Flayed One]

Perfectly fine, love. I generally don't let things on a forum get my goat, unless someone says they like the movie Boo:p

[Nella]

I don't know anyone that well yet. I often get frustrated while communicating through "the window to nowhere" as I call it. The written word lacks inflection so it is hard to know if someone is upset or merely stating an opinion. I always try to post a smiley or something so no one will misunderstand me. I don't like arguing. Too much of that in family situations. Hehe.

[jenna26]

Perfectly fine, love. I generally don't let things on a forum get my goat, unless someone says they like the movie Boo:p

Ooh, I LOVE that movie.....




:p ;)


Not sure what I believe. But if I had to say, I would say yes, I do believe there is a god, or a higher power, or SOMETHING. But like others here, I am not much into organized religion, for some reasons that have already been mentioned. But I will say my grandfather is a preacher, and he is absolutely the best man I know. An amazing person. So its not all bad....;)

[The Flayed One]

Ooh, I LOVE that movie.....

You....unbelievable.....asshole.....







*head asplode*

[massacre man]

why would it be a gender at all ?

that would suggest that god could have a mate - sexual reproductive organs ?

i dont think god was ever a baby...

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa222/Setian_Sins/God.jpg

[novakru]

Funny fucking timing.
I was reading the bible today and talking to one of the JW's.
She said we are never alone in our pain,bladdy bladdy blah

Well sweetheart- it sure fucking feels that way:mad:
Not one fucking person I know is in- what are the fucking odds of that?
Goddammit to Hell:mad:

[Nella]

Funny fucking timing.
I was reading the bible today and talking to one of the JW's.
She said we are never alone in our pain,bladdy bladdy blah

Well sweetheart- it sure fucking feels that way:mad:
Not one fucking person I know is in- what are the fucking odds of that?
Goddammit to Hell:mad:

You ok? ;)

[novakru]

You ok? ;)

Just having a really bad day hon:(

[Nella]

Just having a really bad day hon:(
Anything I can do?

[The Flayed One]

Just having a really bad day hon:(

I think someone needs a hummer to make her feel better! (does it work that way?)

[massacre man]

I think someone needs a hummer to make her feel better! (does it work that way?)

*snaps to attention* Hmmmm?

[novakru]

I think someone needs a hummer to make her feel better! (does it work that way?)


LMAO:D
---------



@Nella- I'll be ok, thx sweetie:)

[pinkfloyd45769]

I believe in God,i just don't understand him.Why things happen,why they don't..i don't know..
Nova,pm me if you need anything!Luv ya!:)

[The_Return]

I guess you could call me an Agnostic Theist - I dont subscribe to any one religion/set of beliefs, and I think that whatever the hell is out there is WAY beyond human perception...but I do kind of like to think that there is something positive after we die.

God only knows what it might be...

(See what I did there? ;) )

[illdojo]

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e107/illdojo/mentos_jesus.jpg

[The_Return]

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f130/adogg627/snickers.jpg

[X¤MurderDoll¤X]

I think that whatever the hell is out there is WAY beyond human perception.

That's my thinking aswell.