mormonism

[Junket]

You should write an atheist's bible. I'd buy one.

I'm not an atheist.

[vashti]

I'm not an atheist.

No? I thought you were.

Agnostic, then? Even better.

[Junket]

No? I thought you were.

Agnostic, then? Even better.

I just haven't bothered to try to determine one way or the other.

It's great because I can critique them all without ever being predisposed to feeling offended unless the mood strikes me.

[vashti]

I just haven't bothered to try to determine one way or the other.

It's just as well. No one has the answer, but both atheists and true believers pretend they do.

Still, if you write an atheist/agnostic bible, you can make a lot of money.

[IndiReloaded]

"Praying is like a rocking chair--it'll give you something to do, but it won't get you anywhere."

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Atheists-Bible-Illustrious-Collection-Irreverent/dp/0061349151"]Website Temporarily Unavailable[/ame]


Huh. Okay:

[url]http://www.harpercollins.com/books/9780061459078/The_Atheists_Bible/index.aspx[/url]

[Mish]

"Praying is like a rocking chair--it'll give you something to do, but it won't get you anywhere."

I disagree

I think from the therapeutic point of view it's very important. Taking solace in knowing that there is a greater power that listens to you, curbing negative thoughts, increasing motivation to get out into the real world and reach the goals you set for yourself are all indirect positive benefits of it. Nothing is impossible if you believe you have a greater power on your side. It's inspiring and motivational.

[Junket]

Yeah, I prayed to God when I felt cornered and desperate.

But I don't feel that way anymore, so I'm done with him.

[Henry123]

I believe there is a God and karma but I dont follow a particular religion myself.

[bluesummer]

Actually no Gribble, something more like this

[url]http://www.loveforum.net/off-topic-discussion/17802-lil-math-puzzle.html[/url]

Where neither you nor blue have contributed

I know I said I was done here, but....

I hate math. It bores the crap out of me, unless it has a business function.......like accounting.

Btw Vash, I've actually spent a good part of my ADULT years studying world religions. I wanted to compare them for major similarities, and also to be able to solidify my case against them (I don't argue things I know absolutely nothing about. It would be very foolish of me). While I haven't gone extremely in-depth, I've learned as much as I wanted to, and enough to know that just a belief in God is good enough for me. Everything else is extraneous crap...the books, the churches/temples, the rituals. Religion, to me, is like a perfectly nice outfit ruined with too many accessories.

Now I am done.

[IndiReloaded]

You don't need to be a coloratura soprano to know bad opera when you hear it.

[IndiReloaded]

I disagree

I think from the therapeutic point of view it's very important. Taking solace in knowing that there is a greater power that listens to you, curbing negative thoughts, increasing motivation to get out into the real world and reach the goals you set for yourself are all indirect positive benefits of it. Nothing is impossible if you believe you have a greater power on your side. It's inspiring and motivational.

I get all that from meditating. I don't need to invoke a higher power to do it.

[vashti]

Religion, to me, is like a perfectly nice outfit ruined with too many accessories.

Ooh! I love the clothing analogy! To continue on in this vein, I would say that to paint all religious denominations with the same brush is to say you don't like any dresses at all because your mother wore an ugly housecoat.

Really, it seems that while people love to bash on religion, what they really object to is non-pluralistic religion and proselytizing, and on that I can agree. However, plenty of assorted religious people don't fall into these categories, and they certainly aren't lacking in common sense.

To each their own, though. Like math or art, philosophy and religion isn't for everyone.

[Gribble]

Religion: the Emperor's new clothes.

[IndiReloaded]

Really, it seems that while people love to bash on religion, what they really object to is non-pluralistic religion and proselytizing, and on that I can agree.

Not me. I fundamentally have a problem with all the funds & energy wasted on something based on a false (to me) or, if I'm feeling generous, a completely unproven premise. Its the longest running experiment (>5000 years) on negative data mankind has ever run.

Even Iraq invasion & the $$$$ spent searching for WMD will be a long lost memory by comparison.

Humans are not logical, as a species, is all I can conclude.

[vashti]

Not me. I fundamentally have a problem with all the funds & energy wasted on something based on a false (to me) or, if I'm feeling generous, a completely unproven premise.

I can't speak for anyone else, but I personally don't mind a single penny I pay to my synagogue. What I gain is worth a hell of a lot more than what I pay, and I don't feel it is a waste in any way. They use my dues to help other families have access to the things we can afford to pay for, and a portion of my money is spent on social justice issues and political representation for issues that I find important. I think it is money very well-spent.