Do you believe in stuff?

[Ozymandias]

Had a long talk with a friend tonight about religion and stuff. It was great fun and got us thinking. So I thought I'd throw it open to here in terms of; what do you subscribe to? Do ya like it? Would you recommend it? Is it hard to do?

I'll start us off;

I'm and ex-Catholic atheist. I love it and would recommend it. I have lots of respect for religious people, they're often lovely, lovely, people, but I cant say I'm a big fan of the the institutions. That's kinda the rule I live by.

And - not trying to step on any mod toes - but PLEASE keep it civil and no cheap flaming. Lets try and keep this adult.

 

[Rated R Superstar]

I don't believe in anything other than Karma. Fucking love Karma sometimes. Other than that, I don't believe in any real religion. I don't shit on Religion like a lot of Aethiests do on the internet or even in person. As a kid I grew up around it, still live around it. I don't believe in any of it. It makes my mom happy so I don't say anything about it in front of her. She likes to watch her Sunday shows where preachers and other people talk about God. I will often sit there with her because I know it makes her happy that I'm there. I like about 2 people she watches, mainly because they joke around and just have fun kind of. They seem a lot more down to earth about it.

But short answer, no.

 

[Ozymandias]

I can understand atheist (small 'a' please) frustration sometimes, but like any system of values, we have our arseholes. I'm all for attacking institutions which breed intolerance, but not individuals, people should be free to believe whatever they want to believe provided it doesn't hurt anyone else. Despite being an ex-Catholic I have a lot of Catholic friends and relatives. Some of the kindest most beautiful people I've ever known. But Rome? Hmm, well, I'm not to happy with them.

 

[Rated R Superstar]

Westboro Baptist Church is filled with a bunch of ass clowns. I'd attack them any day. The fact that Anonymous is going after them all the time has to tell you how terrible they are. I just don't see the need to start pointless disputes.

 

[Ozymandias]

Horrible, horrible fundamentalists, same as the Imams who preach hatred. Always the people in power are the dicks. Not the individual believers.

 

[Rated R Superstar]

I always giggle when Westboro says they aren't about spreading hate and that they love everybody. I understand that it's not in their Religion to be gay but to have a website named "godhatesfags.com" that's a little extreme. Why would you want to believe such horrible things? And their picketing of devastating events like the Sandy Hook shooting and shit. Fuck them.

 

[Ozymandias]

There's absolutely nothing about those fuckers which is 'Christian'. If Jesus existed he would kick their fucking asses.

 

[Rated R Superstar]

They are the ones who took the bible too seriously.

 

[Ozymandias]

Technically every Christian takes the Bible seriously, but those guys make up their own stories based on the bible. And use it to cover their own horrible discriminations.

 

[Rated R Superstar]

I just find it hard to believe that God would send someone to shoot children.

 

[Ozymandias]

I just find it hard to believe that God would send someone to shoot children.

I've got to the point where the concept of god is so unrecognisable to me that I cant even realistically imagine them doing anything, never mind something bad. People do bad things because our brains are fragile and extremely open to manipulation. I don't believe in evil, I don't believe anyone is born evil, I just think people are fucked up. And we need to ask why people do these horrible things, if we ever want to stop them.

Just calling it 'evil' does no good at all.

 

[SBS]

I'm studying to become a Christian Pastor. Was raised Roman Catholic but as I grew more and more I began to disagree with alot of there policys and practices. (The Eucharist being one of the major ones, women ordination another, not to mention the whole Celibacy BS) so now I am protestant. I don't believe in bashing anyone for there religious beliefs (or lack there of in your cases) as long as no one attacks mine. I love it, I believe it whole heartedly. I do not believe there is not some higher force that at least set everything in motion. However To compare radical islam and the Westboro Church to all Christians and muslims is wrong. That's like comparing a normal law abiding citizen to a terrorist. But every institution or career path has doucebags like this. I choose to focus on those who do missionary work and help the poor over those who protest why gays should be hated forever. In the end if you are Christian, Jesus' basic message is love. Racism and hatred are the exact opposite of that. But yeah i believe and will always believe no matter what.

 

[Ozymandias]

Excellent, this is exactly what I was hoping for! I think we're very similar except I gave up with religion completely while you went the other way. I gave Buddhism a go as I have a friend who's a Buddhist, tried everything before I settled on where I am, but it's great to have another ex-Catholic on-board.

I think it's really interesting that we could come from similar religious backgrounds but end up so far away from each other.

 

[Crippler]

I believe in the SHIELD.

 

[SBS]

Honestly you would have asked me 3 or 4 years ago I was exactly in your shoes. I wanted absolutely NOTHING to do with organized religion of any kind. Jewish, Muslim, Christain, buddist whatever. It took a long time for me to come back to religion. The story is actually quite funny. But since that time I have seen things and done things I can't really explain, some would say its a calling. Raised Catholic I thought it was the only way organized religion did things. Ever since I went Protestant, which I've now only been for about a year and a half, its been about that long since i decided to take this road, and joined United Methodism it has just felt like my life finally has some sense and purpose now. It is weird how we went different paths but to be honest we haven't. You could wake up tomorrow and see something or do something and bam you are right back where you were. Who knows. In the case of religion vs. athiest I never say never. While I know alot of people who were catholics and are now athiets I know, and go to classes with, guys who were athiest now preaching every sunday in Church. If there is a God (not saying there is but its my personal belief there is, so please don't start that bs of well than why does he let so and so happen) he'll find you. The best thing I ever did (besides meeting and dating my girlfriend who I intend to marry) was going this route. But yeah that's my perspective, never say never because i am personal proof that you can go from a die hard athiest who wants nothing to do with religion to a freaking pastor. Do yourself a favor though and don't completely shut your mind down entirely from it. That's when dumb shit like Radical Islam and Westboro happen. The fact you started this thread though shows you still think about it so that's a great way to live. Keep it up bro.