LOL, I gotta use this on with my JAP GF.

Should I put a bow on it?

Religion is the problem.

Just about anything that fits on a bumper sticker doesn't give enough detail to accurately describe the truth, and can be interpreted in wildly different ways by honest good people looking for the whole truth.

Tom, please come back and give us your story instead of a bumper sticker. I know that's inviting problems, but let me ask for it this way: Please let us know what you do or use instead of religion or attending a religious institution that gives you a like-minded group of people to share with; scheduled positive activity that church is intended to be; other people to share ideas with; challenges to your own ideas (well thought out opinions are subject to change as one becomes wiser, unless one hides away and does not let in any new ideas).

Alan, you had me at "solipsism."

goldenz,

??

Or maybe that's your way of saying

??

to me.

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We humans are so often about status. We want to be the best, the smartest, the richest. We want to be members of the most exclusive groups, whether that be clubs, or members of the elect. How often is religion used as a crutch? How often is it used to support hate or to protect the haves from the have nots, the elect from the fallen? We are all human but we don't like to admit that irrationality is as much a part of human DNA as rationality? Belonging is as important as excluding and till we begin to challenge our assumptions about the righteousness of our belief systems we are all in for danger of what one film writer called "monsters of the ID."

In the name of God all is possible, even the worst aspects of Man can be defended and normalized. I seek comfort in tradition than in religious ritual but the ritual, much like culture, ties you back to your religion. You mean eating fish or goose at Christmas or Easter is not religious as well as cultural? How many of heard of William James' "Varieties of Religious Experience?" How many can fit Augustan or Thomas Merton into their personal belief system? How many had heard of Thomas Merton before the Pope's visit this week? How many knew who Dorothy Day was? If you fail to see the connection than you do not see yourself as part of a religious tradition but rather see religion as a personal experience between you and your God.

Alan

I figured that everyone has been wronged by a man-made religion at least once, so I expected perhaps a smattering of +1's.

+1

-1

Don't ask how it came to be, but I just ran across a seven year old article that discusses in very rational terms that it is logical to believe that God exists based on testimony. The killer part of the argument have to do with almost everything we are taught being based on belief in testimony or experience.

It's at [Link: oxfordchabad.org]. It doesn't try to convince you of any position, but rather describes how we learn and how we come to believe things. It is always a good thing to examine the processes we use for thinking!

They have to be forgiven for the fact that this blog uses 9 point Tahoma, which is in itself a sin, but it's pretty interesting article.

Just this weekend I came across an article titled "scientists discover atheists don't exist". To summarize, they conclude that the idea of some higher force is so ingrained in human nature, we can't get rid of it.

[Link: science20.com]

And religion only exists in the mind of people. Fabricated by people, for the people, to keep the masses in check (and keep those in power a little more powerful and richer)

And BTW, unicorns don't exist either. But some do believe in them...but who am I to deny their glitter and rainbow belief system?

In the end, it doesn't matter as long as they don't try to force me to believe in their unicorns and I don't try to make them believe that they are a myth. (or pass legislation that manipulates the general public for unicorn beliefs, etc)

I've always thought religion was for the weak minded. Helps keep them in line. But if you need religion, go for it.

"I don't often seek religious advice, but when I do, I consult Remote Central."