Beware: Religion

Disclaimer: If your not interested in talking religion then please don't bother reading this.

Ok, let me admit to my dearest darkest secret and have to as my lead in. When I was young I was forced to go to Joho meetings. I hated it from day 1, and bitched and complained and made up a real hatred for all they preached and did. I haven't had to go in years(I think around 12 I was finally able to talk my Mom into letting me just not go) and while my hatred is no longer there, I still like to talk about religion in general as I can't understand how people get so passionate about. There is absolutely no way to believe on Religion over another. Each one has there little bits of proof, told in a propagandistic way, to make it "prove" that it is the truth.

The tons of sightings of the ancient Greek Gods didn't just come from no where, but does anybody believe that stuff now and days? No. So in actual fact, you basically have like a 1/2000000 chance of picking the right religion and not being doomed to hell, or be a slug or whatever. So you have pretty good chance of just getting more and more in God's bad books(if the religion involves a God that is).

Was born and raised Jehovah's Witness...so glad I got outta there!!! Now I can live the good life ;)

its creepy

wats creepy,,,,,,??

I was born and raised catholic until I saw the light. There is no god.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by fatty lumps

I was born and raised catholic until I saw the light. There is no god.

---

agreed.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by fatty lumps

I was born and raised catholic until I saw the light. There is no god.

---

Ok, I was hoping to argue the other way... as I actually do agree with you... but no one has challenged me saying they believe in God, so I'll argue with what you said anyway,

How do you explain how everything fits together with the rest of the world so far. Or the simple mechanics of a human being? Did this just happen by accident? And what about all the much more advanced organisms(obviouslly not intelligence wise but they way they survive, and move, and such)? If someone wasn't there to create the world, wouldn't there be nothing more than nothing? So how can you say there is no God so easily when there are writings that claim Jesus doing all these miracles, including coming back from the dead? Many people saw this, so is this just a fabrication of peoples hopes and dreams back then? And none of them actually saw him do these things, but just had so much hope they believed he did?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Islander

Ok, I was hoping to argue the other way... as I actually do agree with you... but no one has challenged me saying they believe in God, so I'll argue with what you said anyway,

How do you explain how everything fits together with the rest of the world so far. Or the simple mechanics of a human being? Did this just happen by accident? And what about all the much more advanced organisms(obviouslly not intelligence wise but they way they survive, and move, and such)? If someone wasn't there to create the world, wouldn't there be nothing more than nothing? So how can you say there is no God so easily when there are writings that claim Jesus doing all these miracles, including coming back from the dead? Many people saw this, so is this just a fabrication of peoples hopes and dreams back then? And none of them actually saw him do these things, but just had so much hope they believed he did?

---

\


i see what your saying but i just dont see how that can happen, how can their be this one great being that made all this, why would there only be one? to me it just doesnt add together i see god and relgions are just something to belive in to help you along in life, but if you feel as tho you need no help just forget about them. i deciede that i dont need help and i can live my life without wondering if theres a god or not. its just pointless. and if there is a god that created all this stuff who created him? i mean and i have read the bible once long ago tho but it just makes me think of how the morman relgion was found( learned all i learned from south park) anyways how this so called prophet just went out and found these tabs and everything i mean the bible all together could just be made up, i mean many ppl say o they saw jesus rise from the dead but how do you know they werent all in on saying this and everything i mean if there was a god how bout all the roman gods and greek gods? it just all doesnt add together, god my head hurts see thats why its easier just to stay out of this damn it lol

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Islander

When I was young I was forced to go to Joho meetings. I hated it from day 1, and bitched and complained and made up a real hatred for all they preached and did. I haven't had to go in years(I think around 12 I was finally able to talk my Mom into letting me just not go) and while my hatred is no longer there, I still like to talk about religion in general as I can't understand how people get so passionate about.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rangerswyfe

Was born and raised Jehovah's Witness...so glad I got outta there!!! Now I can live the good life

---

Me too. I've mentioned my family being Jehovahs Witnesses before, but I don't really tell people I used to go to the meetings myself up until I was roughly 12 (I, like Islander, had no choice)

I believe that being subjected to these meetings and the Jehovahs Witness way of thinking is what has made me so open-minded and yet at the same time has given me such a strong belief that there is no God. Growing up in that religion is tough for any child. You are alienated from your school-mates, you can't celebrate Christmas or Birthdays and consquently are a subject of ridicule. It's horrible. Because of those reasons, I found it VERY difficult to make friends when I made the choice to leave them.. Without being arrogant, I know i'm a nice guy and i'm easy to get along with because i'm pretty open-minded and accepting, but because I wasn't allowed to make friends with the people in my school I didn't learn the social skills that people learn as they grow up.. To this day I'm still shy and find it slightly more difficult to make friends and interact with people, but i'm trying my best to overcome it. I've succeeded for the most part, but as i'm still young i've got a way to go before I properly overcome it and lose the hatred I have for them.

Islander, because of growing up in a Jo-Ho family I like to talk about religion too. I grew up believing everything that I learnt from the Jo-Hos at the "Kingdom Hall", and never doubted it. When i decided to leave, and started to doubt it, I had two conflicting beliefs in my mind.. The first one was that Jo-Hos were right, but i knew i only believed it because i'd been learning that stuff since i was born, i was brain-washed.. the other beliefs were MY OWN, i just had trouble recognizing them until recently.. I think it's also because of this that i'm so opinionated, because it takes alot of guts to doubt what youve grown up learning as the truth, and because it tooks guts i was constantly thinking about it and therefore i've learnt to express my opinions well, to myself and to others.

When it comes to God, i've said what i think before.. i dont believe in "a god", as in the christian god.. i think that was dreamt up a long time ago and the idea has evolved through-out society over a long time, and people are now too afraid to doubt it, to live in a world without god. But, i do believe that the idea of god exists in the people that need him, that want to believe. and i also believe that the idea of god in the minds of these people can be helpful, but i just think people take it too far and confuse spirituality and faith with religion, and close their minds to other concepts..

the bible is something i have conflicting views about.. in my opinion, and i may be laughed at but i dont care lol, i think the bible was the words of a group of people who wanted to make a difference.. they wanted people to follow the example of "jesus" as a model person, and to be like him and treat eachother right.. sort of like a code of ethics that people should follow.. i dont believe its true, but that people were supposed to use the words in it to better themselves... but now, its been taken to far, and "the good book" is the be all and end all of everything... i mean, if people want to live by the bible than fine, its their choice, but if somebody interprets the bible differently to someone else, i dont think they should be perceived as wrong, but perceived equally as right.. i dont know if that makes sense, lol, but im high

peace :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Islander

How do you explain how everything fits together with the rest of the world so far. Or the simple mechanics of a human being? Did this just happen by accident?

---

Yes.

Quote:

---

And what about all the much more advanced organisms(obviouslly not intelligence wise but they way they survive, and move, and such)?

---

Evolution (remember, billions of years is A LOT OF YEARS)

Quote:

---

If someone wasn't there to create the world, wouldn't there be nothing more than nothing?

---

Huh?

Quote:

---

So how can you say there is no God so easily when there are writings that claim Jesus doing all these miracles, including coming back from the dead?

---

Do you believe everything you read?

Quote:

---

Many people saw this, so is this just a fabrication of peoples hopes and dreams back then? And none of them actually saw him do these things, but just had so much hope they believed he did?

---

THAT'S WHAT THE WRITINGS claim.

i belive in myself and my family...fuck all this so called GOD shit...we made GOD, GOD didnt create man all it created was sumting to blame when shit goes wrong lol

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by fatty lumps

Yes.



Evolution (remember, billions of years is A LOT OF YEARS)



Huh?



Do you believe everything you read?



THAT'S WHAT THE WRITINGS claim.

---

Don't ever try going out for a debate team;)

heyyy..i was rasied as a jehovah's witness too. way to ruin somebodys childhood!! i realized it was bullshit at 13.
nowadays i am into wicca and the celestine prophecy...so naturally i disagree with the whole atheist veiw some of you are sporting. (not that theres anything wrong with that) :D

I kind of agree with Ghostoker.

Im catholic christian, i guess, but i dont exactly follow everything. I believe there is a god, and jesus, but i dont think everything in the bible happened exactly how it is written.

The bible is a piece of literature, like any other, and its purpose is to fill peoples lifes with faith. When people read about the miracle of jesus, i dont believe thats all they are supposed to get out of the book. The bible was not made for people to be amazed at what jesus did. It was written to give people hope and the miracles that are in the bible are examples. When ppl get laid off, or fired, or there life is goin bad, they can read the bible and say, "wow this guy was blind, and jesus gave him sight. Something like this will happen to me and everything will work out" Its called faith people. I know its not fact, but having faith is better than walking around being depressed all the time. The bible is a bunch of stories written to help people better their lives. It teaches about forgiveness, hospitality, and love. This basic principles do make your life happier. So thats what I think the bibles purpose is.

And for the people who say there is no god. How is that possible? I am still not sure about creation of evolution and all that. But before you say there is no god, research on the internet about evidence AGAINST evolution. There is a lot of it out there. I'm not talkin about religion here eirther. There are scientific facts that disprove evolution.

How do u think the universe was created? The big bang theory? I myself find all that very interesting and im still curious. But every theory starts out with a bunch of matter. Than over billions of years it explodes and planets are formed and evolution happens. But what created that matter? Something had too. In the bible it says that the human mind cannot comprehend what god is, or where he came from. So maybe there is a whole other place out there with god or whatever, heaven, hell, somethin totally unimaginable, outside this universe. Its all really crazy to think about. All i know is that I will continue to live my life by the teachings of the bible. Love, kindness, forgiveness, cuz these things do make my life better. And if there is a god out there, than hopefully i will make it to heaven. And if there is not, than so be it, but my life will always be filled with happiness becuz i have hope,faith, and love.

speculating wether a god exists is a totaly pointless, waste of time. Both sides attempt to impose their views on the other when the fact of the matter is, there is no proof for either.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MRB041

I kind of agree with Ghostoker.

Im catholic christian, i guess, but i dont exactly follow everything. I believe there is a god, and jesus, but i dont think everything in the bible happened exactly how it is written.

The bible is a piece of literature, like any other, and its purpose is to fill peoples lifes with faith. When people read about the miracle of jesus, i dont believe thats all they are supposed to get out of the book. The bible was not made for people to be amazed at what jesus did. It was written to give people hope and the miracles that are in the bible are examples. When ppl get laid off, or fired, or there life is goin bad, they can read the bible and say, "wow this guy was blind, and jesus gave him sight. Something like this will happen to me and everything will work out" Its called faith people. I know its not fact, but having faith is better than walking around being depressed all the time. The bible is a bunch of stories written to help people better their lives. It teaches about forgiveness, hospitality, and love. This basic principles do make your life happier. So thats what I think the bibles purpose is.

And for the people who say there is no god. How is that possible? I am still not sure about creation of evolution and all that. But before you say there is no god, research on the internet about evidence AGAINST evolution. There is a lot of it out there. I'm not talkin about religion here eirther. There are scientific facts that disprove evolution.

How do u think the universe was created? The big bang theory? I myself find all that very interesting and im still curious. But every theory starts out with a bunch of matter. Than over billions of years it explodes and planets are formed and evolution happens. But what created that matter? Something had too. In the bible it says that the human mind cannot comprehend what god is, or where he came from. So maybe there is a whole other place out there with god or whatever, heaven, hell, somethin totally unimaginable, outside this universe. Its all really crazy to think about. All i know is that I will continue to live my life by the teachings of the bible. Love, kindness, forgiveness, cuz these things do make my life better. And if there is a god out there, than hopefully i will make it to heaven. And if there is not, than so be it, but my life will always be filled with happiness becuz i have hope,faith, and love.

---

Very nice. I agree with you for the most part. I am not in the least bit religous anymore, and never will be again, BUT I do believe in a God(of some sorts). The bible was written by writers. Writers have a way with words, and are often very metaphoric(I know I am when I write). Some religions take the whole Adam and Eve thing literally for instance while others believe it was a whole metaphoric story there to teach people. And if you are taking it literal, can someone please explain to me how the human species continued when they had 2 sons... no daughters.

Some people do need religion to complete themselves, or how you said, to have hope, faith and love. I for one, have all those things, incredible understanding for others, and absolute confidence in myself, which (the latter 2 points) religion does not teach enough of. To me, they teach to be snobs, and not accept other religions, as they are wrong. Now not everyone in a religion is going to believe all this, and not follow completely(like yourself) due to a large will power. But people with small will powers can be completely brain washed by a smooth talking sermon.

Side note, kinda funny to see how many stoners started their lives as Johos;)

the wheels on the bus go round and round...... round and round....... the wheels on the bus go reound and round all thru the town!!!!!!!! :D :D

i wanna ride hwo much?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Islander

Don't ever try going out for a debate team;)

---

HAHA funniest shit I've ever read. :P

Ask more detailed questions then. My answers there were perfectly legit.

edit :: or maybe not.

I believe there's something more
Something that holds us all together somehow.
Is it God?
I hope so
But like MRB041 - if there isn't..
I've lost nothing :)

A life can go on forever, through the love of friends and family.
Who will miss us
and talk about us often,
keeping us alive in people we haven't even met in our lifetime :)
Love each other as much as you can,
leave your mark on the world
and the people you meet :)




Ye never know........
On "The Last Day", every vote may count ;)

The argument goes something like this: â??I refuse to prove that I exist,â?? says God, â??for proof denies faith, and without faith I am nothing.â?? 'But,â?? says Man, â??the Babel fish is a dead giveaway, isnâ??t it? It could not have evolved by chance, it proves you exist, and so therefore, by your own arguments, you donâ??t QED.â?? 'Oh dear,â?? says God, â??I hadnâ??t thought of that,â?? and promptly vanishes in a puff of logic, â??â??Oh, that was easy,â?� says Man, and for an encore goes on to prove that black is white and gets himself killed on the next pedestrian crossing. Most leading theologians claim that this argument is a load of dingoâ??s kidneys, but that didnâ??t stop Oolon Colluphid making a small fortune when he used it as the central theme of his best-selling book, Well That about Wraps It Up for God. Meanwhile, the poor Babel fish, by effectively removing all barriers to communication between different races and cultures, has caused more and bloodier wars than anything else in the history of creation.

Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

ok, basically i believe in god,
i don't pray, i dont do mass, i dont do anything
i still believe in god.
i just think that there could be something out there
not a "god" just sometimg
just bits an pieces, for example, the sun is 80 times the size of the moon, but it is 80 times as far away, so therefore is capable of creating a total eclipse.
all long shots n stuff, but it's there
i dont belive in jo ho shit, i was subjected to that and it ruined my family, they can all go fuck themselves.

btw ive drinking,.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gs8778

The argument goes something like this: â??I refuse to prove that I exist,â?? says God, â??for proof denies faith, and without faith I am nothing.â?? 'But,â?? says Man, â??the Babel fish is a dead giveaway, isnâ??t it? It could not have evolved by chance, it proves you exist, and so therefore, by your own arguments, you donâ??t QED.â?? 'Oh dear,â?? says God, â??I hadnâ??t thought of that,â?? and promptly vanishes in a puff of logic, â??â??Oh, that was easy,â?� says Man, and for an encore goes on to prove that black is white and gets himself killed on the next pedestrian crossing. Most leading theologians claim that this argument is a load of dingoâ??s kidneys, but that didnâ??t stop Oolon Colluphid making a small fortune when he used it as the central theme of his best-selling book, Well That about Wraps It Up for God. Meanwhile, the poor Babel fish, by effectively removing all barriers to communication between different races and cultures, has caused more and bloodier wars than anything else in the history of creation.

Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

---

LOL dude, thats my favourite chapter out of all the 5 Hitch Hikers books

religion aint gonna make my plants grow!!!!,damn go and join a bible thumping forum

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wardrobe grower 78

religion aint gonna make my plants grow!!!!,damn go and join a bible thumping forum

---

this guys joking right? shit.. thats the stupidest thing ive ever read

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ammie

the wheels on the bus go round and round...... round and round....... the wheels on the bus go reound and round all thru the town!!!!!!!! :D :D

---

Totally agreed. :D

hey ghost, you know that they're in the progress of making a new hitchiker movie. I cant wait. Should come out sometime in 2005. They got mos def as ford prefect, dont know how that;s gonna work out.

mos def as ford prefect!? fuck...

i guess its just gonna be another hollywood piece of crap, that does no justice to the books, with ben affleck and some girl with big tits... also, they'll probably throw in some trashy love story somewhere.. but itll be worth a look lol

here's the info
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0371724/