GLBT Rights and Christianity

[Lacquer Head]

I dont accept that. I'm also not arguing people be better off as much as you are saying people experience better lives for having a religion. "if that were true, then they'd leave it" try telling that to any religion that punishes apostasy by death.

That's not religion, that's personal prejudice. People like that would hate others for another reason if it weren't religious.

I met a man once whilst walking through the city. He was preaching religion and was very forward. I was with 2 of my friends at the time. The guy looked somewhat desperate , as if he needed some sort of validation from us to support his beliefs. He explained to us that he had been in prison for murdering someone and that inside the cell he had found god and jesus and that was what ultimately saved him. I asked him how and he couldn't tell me why, he just said I have to have faith, at which point I was ready to tell him to **** off,(if he hadn't told me prior that he had killed someone before). He wouldn't let us walk off and continued talking to us for a furthar 20 minutes and at which point I 'd hoped he hadn't found religion because I would have rather been murdered than listen to his nonsense any longer. I thought long and hard about whether or not religion was responsible for 'saving' him, then I gave up because I realised that once you experience prison, the last thing you would ever want is to go back there. I decided that was the reason he chose to abide by the law. For all I know he could be back in prison right now for killing someone else, possibly someone who didnt agree with him. For all I know, that story could have been all BS and just a way to get our attention. I guess the thing is, you never can really know anything, but make the best possible decision based on your judgments and experiences. In my experience, theres no reason why any person should need to believe in a god anymore than a child needs to believe in santa to get his presents. I have considered the idea of god, and I have rejected it based on lack of evidence. What I'm saying Alpha, is that most people that cant imagine a life without religion or god, have never tried to. I imagine that its painfully hard to reject a belief thats held by not only your immediate family, but relatives as well. Its hard to admit to yourself after being forced to church every sunday as a child, that you dont believe what you've been told for the past 15 years of your life. Imagine the amount of courage you would need to admit that you are the only one who doesnt share those beliefs held by your family and loved ones. Why should anyone have to feel that kind of pressure thats put upon them by a religious environment?

You could have just walked away, it's not hard. But people really do change and feel "the touch of god" whether or not he was lying or not is irrelevant. Some people truly feel a change, a moment of clarity in life that suddenly sheds light on how they have been living life.

However they wish to label their experience is irrelevant as well. As for atheism, is it not the same? Do atheists not push their beliefs just as hard? It IS a belief as well, it's exactly the same as theism. You're still taking a side based on faith. There may not be proof that god exists, but there is no proof to say there isn't a god. You can take it either way.

It doesn't take courage to change your beliefs, it takes life experience. It does take courage to not run from your beliefs. What you find may be horrifying. Personally, I would rather know and embrace knowledge rather than deny it, but I can see why a person would. But that is their own business.

You can't blame "religions" for hatred and persecution, but you can blame humans. As I said before, it isn't a religious belief that spurs such actions, it's the human psyche. Wars, murders, attacks, persecution and so on are done from fear, greed, pride and power. Without religion, it would be patriotism, race or what ever. The dark sides of humanity will never disappear.

As for my own opinion on a god and such, I don't think about it much. I have yet to find reason to believe one way or the other, so I will keep on living my life til I find such a reason. The funny thing is, a few months ago I signed up online to become a church ordained minister for the lulz, but the more I think about it, the more I want to embrace the title, not for religious belief, but to help people. To do what religions were MEANT to do but fail due to the greed of man. Obviously I can't make much of a difference, but the smallest things can really make you think and give you perspective on how to lead a good life. No matter who is right, I believe the reason for life is coexistence, to help and care for your fellow human beings. It's one reason I like the idea of religion, but also why I do not like organized belief systems of any kind.

I kinda went on a rant there >_>