I put this post in another forum, but after reading this most excellent debate amongst 2 powerful adversaries, I thought I would cheat and copy and paste, because I have not found a way to quote a post in one forum, and insert in another one.
So much has been said in this forum to date that ranges around a lot of 'technical' stuff, but is really a debate as to whether Religion or Science is better. The information has been out-standing, as has been the debate!:rasta: Religion is a 'state of mind', as is Science. It ALL depends on the 'Interpretation'! Without further 'adoo', I present the post and welcome your comments! --
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I believe in God. In this I believe in a 'higher power' or force in the Universe. An energy channel if you will, that 'feeds on' positives from within, as opposed to negatives, which in it's very nature syphons the negativity from this 'cosmic energy'!
I also beleive that Jesus Christ walked the Earth, and don't see Dan Browns revelations in his Novel on this matter of any threat to that belief. I would have loved to talk to him!! Jesus, that is. He would have cleared up a lot of questions from me.
I believe that God is about goodness and positivity!
I believe the Bible, and the 'actual reading' of that Bible, no matter the Religion, is my 'guide book' to life!!! If you buy a fridge/car/microwave/tv etc, you get a 'Users Manual'.
I believe that the devil is about badness and negativity!
I believe that if you find an opportunity to be in a good christian church, you can 'feel' the positive energy there!
I beleive that there are opposites to everything! Up-Down. Here-There. Black-White, Good-Bad, Light-Dark, God-devil etc etc..

I do not believe in Religion! Religion is 'mans' interpretation of Gods' word. That is usually why there are so many 'different sects' or religious branches of the clergy! History has shown that it is the Churches and their Clergy, who 'interpret' the written word in almost every Religion on Earth. Eastern, Western, Middle and sides..
We then are 'told' these versions, (In the beginning.... ONLY CHURCHES were allowed to read and 'interpret' the Bible) and if you were Strong in that Church, (Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist, Moslem, Jewish, Buddist, etc...) then you were taught to believe their 'dogma', or 'interpretation'. If you were not Strong or did not believe then you could seek answers elsewhere! (That was only after the Bible was printed. Thanks to the Guttenburg Press)
Catholics, Church of England, Presbyterian, Methodist, Fundementalist etc.. They ALL 'interpret' what they read and interpret and use it to their benefit or purpose. If the Church does not allow it, then they formed a breakaway group, and started again.
This has created a lot of confusion for people nowadays. Once upon a long time ago when I was a boy, it was 'normal' to go to church on Sunday morning. I loved the singing and meeting up with my friends and listening to the stories. I also loved the warmth of the people you met there.
After my sister died, my Dad seemed to take it personally, and we did not go anymore. As the years passed and I had more 'freedom of choice', I never went back to church. It was always in my mind, but never seemed to convert to actually going! (Except for the odd wedding, funeral etc)
That was until I was about 30. (20 odd years ago) I found myself in a Motel room away from home, and having nothing to read, I started reading the "Gideon" Bible. That was the start of a journey that I am still on. An amazing journey!!!
I decided to 'look' for God. My journey showed to me a heap of good things, and the bad things, manipulations of/by 'Religion'! The Church needed money so the sermons and the 'bible study' classes, all dealt with 'tithing'!!

"Which one do I choose?", "How do I go about it?", "What about Evolution and Darwin?" "Do we believe 'Science' or the slected texts spewed up by the Clergy to combat science?", "Is there Re-incarnation?", "Is there really a Heaven and Hell?" etc etc..
Questions are still there and more of them as I progress through, and are still largely unanswered!
I like to think that if following a path 'feels right', then it usually is. If you acheive benefits for yourself by becoming a better person and helping others and being mindful of others, and you grow within yourself and help others grow as well for the better, then it is a 'feel right' situation and I do it! And by "FEEL right" about something, I mean that when I have done something nice for someone, I get this warm fuzzy feeling inside afterwards. Not unknown oblivion!
That IMHO is the basis of what Religion should be.

Unfortunately in todays world, there is no longer, 'stability'. People/families, are being torn apart by the 'greed' of their fellow mankind.
We took to heart the saying: "Go forth and multiply". This Planet Earth is a sentient being. Fighting for it's survival! We take absolutely EVERYTHING from it and put absolutely nothing back. The Bible teaches to leave the fields farrow every 7 years, but do we? No we pour chemicals in to maintain the balance, but do not allow Nature to heal herself, her way!!
We suck the coal and the oil and gas out, leaving huge holes, and pollute the air using these products, then chop down the trees that filtered it all out!! (No wonder we have storms)
We quarry rock from inland, crush it up, turn it into concrete, and ALL over the world, build Mega Cities holding billions of tons of this concrete in buildings, all around the coastlines. (No wonder we have earthquakes there), (Is the Planet just trying to maintain her ballance?)
We discover from nature, new drugs, and synthesize them, and sell them for $'s. So many variants, that the bugs become immune! (No wonder we have the strain resistant Super-bugs)
Read the Bible, of whatever Religion you are looking at, and 'See' what the message means to you!! Only YOU. How you feel about it, what you think about it. Then ask others their opinions. This is informed learning and discussion. Then go out and seek a church. I found mine 3 years after I first saw it. I was just not ready then. It was no more than a mile from my home in Papatoetoe, and it had a sign out front that had this message on it: "What is missing from CH__CH? -- UR!" After months of 'seeking' the 'right' one, I yet again passed this sign, and knew I was ready. I did a U-turn, and went back to it. I walked in, sat down, asked my questions and KNEW I had come home when Pastor Rex walked out and spoke to me!!! At last.
Terrible things are being done in the name of Religion and with todays technology, questions such as yours have and will be asked.

Long though it has been, I hope I have shed a little light in your world. I wish you an interesting journey. You are asking questions, so you are already on it's path.
Get a nice cold bottle of wine, with cheese and crackers and while away a few hours by visiting this excellent site. a few cones are good too.
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There are many interesting paths that we tread through life! On those paths there are pebbles, sand, stones and other interesting obstacles. It's how we handle those obstacles, that show us the 'true' path that we have trodden! They represent the past in our present, and shape the ways of our futures.

In one degree or another, you are ALL right! Just in different and with varying 'perception' of your own environments. There is no right or wrong answer, there are just answers. Right or Wrong. Does it matter? Answers are just opinions, as is mine. Opinion is a celebration of our right to 'free choice'. Freedom however, has a price. And yes, in one form or another, we ALL PAY IT!!
OldPotSmoker Reviewed by OldPotSmoker on . Why religion doesn't exist Recently I toked up a bowl and I thought wait a minute, religion can't exist and had to of been made up by man. Let's say there was a nuclear war and the entire human race was wiped out including all structures that humans made, and all the history as well. If there were two survivors who lost all memory, they would have no religion. If they had kids they would have to tell them that they don't know what happens when they die so you are going to have to wait and find out. I think religion Rating: 5