what are yoiur views on religion?
539429
Religion seems to be used for social control.  Still, I live and let live as long as a theocracy is not promoted and established.  So far, here in the US, we still have freedom FROM religion too.  I'd like to keep it that way.
295049
Take a further look by clicking on the hyperlink.  In my eyes no religon is right or wrong and everyone is entitled to their own belief!\n\n"Unitarianism\n\nHistoric Unitarianism believed in the oneness of God as opposed to traditional Christian belief in the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). Historic Unitarians believed in the moral authority, but not the deity, of Jesus. Unitarians are characterized by some as being identified through history as free thinkers and dissenters, evolving their beliefs in the direction of rationalism and humanism.\n\nThroughout the world, many Unitarian congregations and associations belong to the International Council of Unitarians and Universalists. In the United States many Unitarians are Unitarian Universalist or UU, reflecting an institutional consolidation between Unitarianism and Universalism. Today, most Unitarian Universalists do not consider themselves Christians, even if they share some beliefs quite similar to those of mainstream Christians.[1] There is a small percentage of UUs who maintain a Christian centric belief system, see Unitarian Christians."
372872
Religion usually means people reaching out for God.\n\nChristianity believes God is reaching out for people.
592256
I think it is important to believe in SOMETHING. Whether it is Jesus, Allah, the Jewish God, gods, or no God or gods at all. I think it is very important to make an informed decision on your belief rather than say "the world sucks, there is no God" or something similar.
403329
I do not...all of this religion stuff to me could be considered a myth...all beliefs are opinions from ones upbringings,teachings,and faith.
882241
There's a lot of truth in that, pangel. There are conflicting views and beliefs regarding just about everything, but at some point, ideology and worship of some leader or another takes over and drowns out all reason. Most of the time, that ideology is religion.
715676
Religion is about power...Christians want control of everyones minds world wide.
1068721
I see it as a religion of those who don't believe in a supreme being. Since religion is a belief in something then same goes for them.
204954
1. Christ, a great guy, noble and fair teachings, not attached to material stuff... but totally warped by today's Xian churches (some more than others - some denominations I don't know so well. The best I know is Roman Catholic - very removed from primitive Xtianity). The part I like is Jesus' prechings of LOVE. The rest - no thanks.\n\n2. Islam, also an Abrahamic religion, based on the revelations to Muhammad, imposed by force of arms and bloodshed, very discriminative of women. No thanks.\n\n3. Hinduism - very attached to nature and its cycles, a "mother" to buddhism. With commom notions with buddhism (reincarnations, karma, nirvana). Complicated, sophisticated, worthy of study.\n\n4. Judaism - don't know it too well but since it's the origin of Xtian I can imagine. Their god seems a vindicative, jealous and angry one. No thanks.\n\n5. Mormon - That's a Xtian denomination. Not very familiar with its idiosyncrasies.\n\n6. Buddhist - ah, this is good. I mean apart the folkloric part, and you've got to conider the two strems - Therevada and Mahayana. I prefer the ZEN version (part of Therevada). Noble teachings, good advice, unattachment to material stuff, peace, not harming others and ANIMALS, I like it. Best part - NO GOD TO WORSHIP.  More of a philosophy or ethic code than religion. I definitrly could embrace Zen buddhism.\n\n7. Others. All that is related with Nature appeals to me. pagan, wicca, druid, etc. Special mention to NATURAL SCIENTIFIC PANTHEISM. Great if you are disappointed with present day religions. Connection to Nature, the Universe, reverence of the All. No need for a personal god. A philosophy rather than a religion, but with the component of awe, respect, delight, wonder and reverence for Nature and the Universe.\n\nLast word for Taoism - read the TAO-TE-QING. It's beautifully written, and great noble teachings. Unforgettable!! Truly impressive!!
84799
I think religion is a way for people to support each other in feeling spiritual and making correct moral decisions. Some people won't make good decisions on spirituality alone, and for those people, having other people around them helps.\n\nEDIT FOR ADDTNL INFO:\nWhy is anything neccessary? Why are homes neccessary? Why don't people just live at work? Eat grass? Because we as humans desire more, a more personal experience, a more organized approach. You don't get people at your community center sharing uplifting stories about standing up for what is right.
416942
religion and government
22619
Being religious does not blind people to truth. It constrains and biases their thinking just like culture, social context, upbringing, education, etc. do. I think all of us, whether religious or not, are biased in the way we think and to that extent distort truth.\n\nWhat is unique about religion is that a set of things are held to be true on the basis of faith rather than scientific reasoning.
221034
I agree with you. It's sad that people think that they need religion to be a good person.  Why can't people be nice without wanting something in return.  That's really what religious people seem to want.  It seems like most think that they need to earn their place in heaven.  I honestly think that religion is the root of all evil and it is what turns most people against each other.  It only seems to seperate people into groups.  Everyone thinks that their religion is right and that people from their religion are better than others.  My question is...Who is right?  What makes one person think that they are right over another when they have no proven fact to base their opinions on in the first place?\n   So, I have to agree...different religions only cause seperation and problems!
481011
That would be faith...or ignorance.  Depends on how much thought goes into it.\n\nPersonally I view faith like this:  If someone believes in god, the bible, etc.  More power to 'em!  However, if you present a different point of view, and they cover their ears, close their eyes and scream, "Lies!"...that's not faith, that's ignorance.\n\nIf they ignore your question and quote the bible...the same book they know nothing about, that's ignorance\n\nIf they KNOW they're right and you're wrong, that's ignorance.\n\nIf they believe in God with knowledge, understanding, acceptence, and reservation that while their faith is absolute, that there are other possibilities, or that we are too ill informed or lack the understanding to comprehend the workings of the universe...that's faith.\n\nTo be agnostic, like I am, means you don't have faith.  Personally, I don't have a clue what's going on.  I know the bible isn't accurate, we've proven Genesis to be wrong 100x over.  However, I do agree with many of its teachings.  How did we get here?  Dunno.  How does life work?  Dunno.  Is there a God?  Dunno.  Is God as the bible describes?  Probably not, but dunno.  Good news about being agnostic is it allows you the freedom to think and examine.  You're not stuck in an organized religion that recites the same thing to you day after day.  Your free to analyze and accept that there are somethings you just don't know.  On the one had its very liberating.  On the other it carries responsibility because you don't have something to blame, or to believe will take care of you...you lose the "knowledge" that everything's under control.\n\nSo, I'm all for agnostic.  I'm comfortable knowing that I don't know. I LOVE studying theology, laughing when a religious person avoids thought, and learning when a religious person makes a good point.\n\nFor examples:  Look to spur4eight.  He'll make intelligent arguements for Christianity.  I disagree with many of them, but hey...that's faith.  For ignorance, look at Mainworry.  He'll ignore questions completely that require any sort of thought towards religion, and reply either with biblical quotes or insults.
826822
I believe no matter what religion one is or is not, it is God that matters now and in the end. I "respect" all faiths and beliefs.\nGod Bless
708944
religion maybe......but not spiritual thinking.
581980
Religion and science are not in opposition. They only look at life from different perspectives.