What's your Religion?

Who in their right mind would care? No one has to click on it, no one has to read it, no one has to post in it.

 

OBVIOUSLY it was someone with an agenda to stir discontent amongst the ranks of TacomaWorld.

A public flogging should put an end to his shenanigans.

 

total chaos Robert

 

looks like this thread is getting a little too serious, allow me to lighten the mood with some humorous pictures

 

that ron paul pic had me rollin^

 

My religion includes slaying gods and raping angels

 

The cow died for your nutrition. How can you reject this steak burrito?

If you don't repent your sins to cow, you'll have to spend eternity with vegans.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=nfv-Qn1M58I

 

Some classic Carlin:

" Overnight I became a sun-worshipper. Well, not overnight, you can't see the sun at night. But first thing the next morning, I became a sun-worshipper. Several reasons. First of all, I can see the sun, okay? Unlike some other gods I could mention, I can actually see the sun. I'm big on that. If I can see something, I don't know, it kind of helps the credibility along, you know? So everyday I can see the sun, as it gives me everything I need; heat, light, food, flowers in the park, reflections on the lake, an occasional skin cancer, but hey. At least there are no crucifixions, and we're not setting people on fire simply because they don't agree with us.

Sun worship is fairly simple. There's no mystery, no miracles, no pageantry, no one asks for money, there are no songs to learn, and we don't have a special building where we all gather once a week to compare clothing. And the best thing about the sun, it never tells me I'm unworthy. Doesn't tell me I'm a bad person who needs to be saved. Hasn't said an unkind word. Treats me fine. So, I worship the sun. But, I don't pray to the sun. Know why? I wouldn't presume on our friendship. It's not polite."

 

Evan I'm dying

 

I was pretty sure I'd be the only Quaker here!

Well, I'm not Quaker anymore, though. My parents are, and they raised me going to Quaker meeting. It's not in the poll options probably because it qualifies as one of those may miscellaneous Christian denominations.

Anyway... ya. I'm an atheist. And after reading a good number of posts here, I think I'll elaborate that I have never been burned by any church, never really had anything particularly negative happen at church, and my memories of Quaker meeting are filled with a collection of caring, kind people from college kids to Nobel peace prize nominees, and everything in between. No traumatic events or upbringing.

But from the time I was very young- I remember one specific event in 4th grade, but the thoughts started somewhat before that- I really didn't know why I was there. People would tell me I was supposed to be praying or meditating or 'waiting for the still, small voice of God' but it was 100% empty to me. How long am I supposed to wait? I tried to be a good obedient child (no really, I did. I was fairly docile as a child) and say I was Quaker/Christian but I never had any actual belief in God. I always felt like a square peg in a round hole at meeting. For a while in college I changed churches with alarming speed. Baptist, Orthodox, Nondenom, etc. Even Buddhist and some of those Eastern religions. Still empty.

I went back to school and majored in geology (I took intro geology as a business major and loved it, should have changed my major then but oh well), and it was amazing. I took biology, chemistry, physics, etc. And so many of the things that didn't make sense to me about the way the world works- because I'd been trying to force myself to see them through religion- started to make sense in the frame of science. I'm a geologist so most of my knowledge and interest lies in the rock record and fossils. I don't understand quantum physics on the level Stephen Hawking does, but I have a grasp of the basics enough to see whether a new idea is reasonable given what I do understand, and if not I can read the paper and look for an explanation. So now I'm an atheist. I don't hate God, it's just that the idea of God is irrelevant to me; given sufficient technology the universe and everything in it can be explained without the supernatural.

 

R'amen

 

Caveat, this next couple of questions and statement is based on my own personal curiosity and experience:

Why do atheists seem so agitated by Christianity and those who happen to be Christians? No one is forcing you to believe a thing (at least in modern-day Christianity). You choose what your beliefs are--no one is holding a gun to your head (or heart) to choose otherwise. I believe science is not possible without God; you believe there is only science and no god. Well, so what? Prove there is no God... and I'll have my faith there is a God.

Is seeing a cross or hearing the name "Jesus Christ" offensive to you? If so, why? Why would you care what Christians choose to believe, what they wear, or what they may say? We live our own lives, you live yours. Pretty simple concept. And just because you happen to see a cross (Oh, the horror!), or hear the name "Jesus Christ" (Oh, the humanity!), does it make you physically ill? Blind you? Make you lose sleep?

If it does, tough luck. Shit happens.

In my experience, when talking about religion/Christianity with atheists, there usually emerges some hatred and/or anger towards a divine being, or even the thought of one who could allow a tragedy in their life to occur. This often includes their loss of a child, maybe the death of a parent at an early age, or some denial of some significant tangible/intangible benefit, achievement, or attribute. And rightfully, if one of these has occurred, they may well have a right to be angry. But to be angry is a choice not an absolute--so be angry if you want. Life happens, and unfortunately at times, it can be immeasurably sorrowful too.

But continuing to be angry at a "god" is a personal matter... and one that must be dealt with by the individual. Just because anger eats a person up for some perceived wrong, why then would another individual's personal belief in a higher being and an eternal afterlife arouse such persecution by some atheists, many of which are commenting on this forum. If you are an atheist here, why do you feel it is your duty to silence Christians? Would you want to silence Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, etc., as well? How about Muslims?

It is clear that some here (or all--I care not) think Christians are fools for believing in what we can't see--for having a faith in something greater, more powerful than ourselves. Well, some of us with faith believe that those who do not believe are the ones being foolish to deny the existence of God. But, we are each free to go our own way and to choose our paths, thank God. You do as you wish and I will do as I wish.

Good evening all. Shalom.

 

soooooo...