Religions - Your Opinion

[Furore]

Religion to me is an attempt to make us feel like there's more than what we experience everyday, and that this is only one part of our existence and that there is more to come. I think instead of accepting that at this point in time and probably forever we will be unable to answer where we came from...that people have some sort of need for an answer. They're so focused on finding a reason that they've fabricated their own existence into something far fetched simply because the truth is too complex for us to understand. The existence of a god that has simply created the universe is too easy, it's very similar to answering a question with "because". Instead of looking for a logical reason to something, there's a creator who doesn't have to follow any rules of logic or science. He can simply create, destroy, alter and we have to accept it....because. Sorry, but I'm quite content in the fact that the universe is billions and billions of years old and in the tiniest fraction of time we've gone from single cell beings to what we are now and we're simply incapable of answering such enormous questions.

Also...not to offend anyone who believes in a god, but is it simply coincidence that the majority of the people who know the most about or universe and it's existence (astronomers and scientists) do not believe in a god and much of the uneducated, undeveloped people of the world do? Education has given us the freedom to forge our own decisions and more and more are choosing not to believe.

There are plenty of 'educated people' who have faith in a God or practice one of several religions. I know a few who are educated in a way that actually means something in today's society (the qualifications are on paper).

Let me ask you one thing. You stated that religion to you 'is an attempt to make us feel like there's more than what we experience everyday', but even if there wasn't a God, don't you think there is more than we experience everyday? I highly doubt there's any human individual alive who's experienced everything out there, and their experiences may only be the tip or a facet of something bigger if their subjective reality differs greatly to whatever the objective reality is.

'Education has given us the freedom to forge our own decisions and more and more are choosing not to believe.'

I also disagree with that sentiment and will continue to unless I see anything to indicate it as being true. Aethists and agnostics always existed, though at some points in history they may have kept their mouths shut to avoid a mostly religious crowd. Differing beliefs can have an effect on some people, especially when there's a collective mentality involved...

I have seen plenty of educated people involved in a religion of their choice, just as I've seen a ton of possibly intellectually challenged kids falsely labelling themselves as either aethist or agnostic without even knowing what either word means. It's real cool to be an agnostic these days, yup. Sorry to all the real agnostics out there, I'm only targetting those that misuse the label.

[nix]

In view of the similarities and analogies, one might venture to regard obsessional neurosis as a pathalogical counter part of the formation of religion. And to describe the neurosis as an individual and religion as a universal obsessional neurosis, belief in god is the ultimate illusion

I encourage all you strong believers to read Sigmund Freud critique on religion, it is the ultimate test of faith.

[OnOneRyder]

If you noticed, I spoke about astronomers and those who've educated themselves in other forms of knowledge that pertains to the universe outside our own planet. They're very smart people who came to the conclusion that things are a lot more complex than what we currently understand, and instead of looking for an answer here on earth which there's no proof to it's existence they've looked elsewhere for the answer to where we've come from.

As far as when I said more out there than what we experience everyday, I was talking about an afterlife. Instead of accepting that this is all there is for us, religious people have an incessant belief that when we die our spirit carries on. I believe it's a fear of aknowledging that our death is our final moment, and that there is nothing more for us.

[Furore]

If you noticed, I spoke about astronomers and those who've educated themselves in other forms of knowledge that pertains to the universe outside our own planet. They're very smart people who came to the conclusion that things are a lot more complex than what we currently understand, and instead of looking for an answer here on earth which there's no proof to it's existence they've looked elsewhere for the answer to where we've come from.

And some astronomers are religious and just have an interest in what things beyond our reach hold. Curiousity can be a strong motivator, especially when a person feels some answers can be within their grasp. All I was saying is that some of these people are indeed religious and stating that religious people tend to be uneducated is an unfair assertion. I'm also very open to being proven wrong if you can find me some credible well researched statistics. Until that point in time, I will stick with my sentiments that educated people can be religious.

I know a guy associated with the CSIRO who mentions things I may never be able to grasp on a regular basis who is a devout catholic to the point where it aggravates me every so often when he points me on the 'correct path'. Even as a minority, his very existence is proof that that some educated people can be quite religious.

As far as when I said more out there than what we experience everyday, I was talking about an afterlife. Instead of accepting that this is all there is for us, religious people have an incessant belief that when we die our spirit carries on. I believe it's a fear of aknowledging that our death is our final moment, and that there is nothing more for us.

To counter that I believe that some people fear that there is something for us after death, and some are just not open to the possibility. I myself do not believe we end so absolutely and while it's just personal opinion, so's saying there's nothing after death. Until you've actually died you wouldn't know, right?

I sure hope these forums aren't a microcosm of society as a whole. What a stupid world we would live in.

Society is as stupid as the sum of it's parts. Perhaps stupider than anyone would likely realise, but at least it makes things fun at times.

[OnOneRyder]

I never stated that religious people are less educated, I said that a majority of the people who are educated in the sciences that teach about our universe do not believe in a deity. I in no way meant to say that someone who believes in a god is of lesser intelligence. I can understand how you came to that conclusion though.

[Sinister]

I would say it's a rather perfect microcosm. A nice healthy sample-size too. It's tragically unbalanced, but that comes largely from letting one demographic teach and affect all the others into a directed and forceful flow.

But then, it's not too unusual for people to shoot down maxims, beliefs and religious statements. In certain corners of Buddhism, such an act is the greatest civil service and a religious duty. Not to shoot down any particular belief and most CERTAINLY not to replace it...but just to destroy any one-sided ideology. If you came to a Zen monk and talk of science and how one knows this or that. The Zen monk will quickly debunk these beliefs, like putting out a fire. If you present them with a POV from Christianity, Taoism, Shintoism or Sikhism...ect...then you'll never get anywhere! It's their responsibility to keep the myriad creatures on the middle path...no matter where they are lost.

They don't sell their religion. They have nothing to sell. You go to one and say: "How can you break down these beliefs? They're all I have!" They smile or laugh. Because you shouldn't have THAT. Because if you do, you perpetuate it to others and it unbalances not only on a personal level, but as you pointed out, Jin, it unbalances on the grand scale as well.

You say: "What do you believe, if not any of this?" They will just walk off.

So, I have nothing wrong with Agnosticism. But crying Atheism is replacing a problem with yet another problem and from there it degrades into tedium and torture...and you're re-encumbered in the same forest of threads.

You wonder why they will not assert their beliefs? Any Buddhist knows what you are. You are part of the same singularity. And in Hinduism...the word Maya(illusion, magic, art, play) applies as implies that this is all an act, anyway. The thing of being God... If there is a such a being...he would be profoundly bored! Considerably so, and all alone, seeing he is this singularity. So, the ideal activity is to hide from oneself, one's own nature and get as lost as possible.(Even you play Role-playing games, you should be in an IDEAL situation to understand.)

This is why a Hindu or Buddhist will bow to you. He is respecting all the other manifestations of this one singularity, and also is somewhat applauding you(itself) for being as totally lost as you are, in understanding what you are. They could no longer be fooled, you see, they know who and where they are and what they are doing. So, they have the time of their life and don't trouble themselves with moralistic dull... And when they see it, they are doing you no real favor by spoiling the secret for you and keeping you on the middle-path. Err...or that is, if you are enjoying your self-identity.

There is no sense of urgency in their pledge to liberate everything from "Illusion" and keep it on the middle-path. They could care less. Mainly because the task is horrifically impossible. None-the-less, to ascend beyond their own rankings in this existence, it helps them to help you. Therefore they will try and keep you on a balanced point of view, all the while, enjoying the show.



-Sin


EDIT: I do not know why I gave free Zen lessons. =/ I'm tired, I digressed and got completely off topic. Let the play go on.